Here are 25 quick sim racing tips!
1. Learn the track layout
2. Practice your lines
3. Brake early
4. Progressive braking
5. Disable your mirror – use look behind button
6. Keep your eyes up and look ahead
7. Be gentle with the throttle
8. Use proper racing lines
9. Be consistent, instead of overdriving
10. Use cockpit view
11. Adjust your FOV
12. Get used to the game’s physics – PRACTICE! 😉
13. Don’t overdrive the car
14. Master weight transfer
15. Manage your tire wear
16. Listen to your engine
17. Use trail braking
18. Understand tire pressure
19. Adjust your setup
20. Learn to heel-and-toe
21. Don’t panic
22. Keep a cool head
23. Don’t give up
24. Practice, practice, practice
25. See braking lights in an unusual spot? Be careful!
Enjoy the ride
Before you start racing
Before you can start racing, you need to navigate your way out of the pit.
Trust me, on the wrong track-game combination, navigating through the pit and on the track can be confusing. It’s mostly just modded tracks wich suffer from this..
So.. Most times, it’s pretty straight forward.
To ensure a smooth transition onto the track, do the following:
- Start the ignition
- Start the engine
- (Engage the clutch and) shift into first gear.
- Gradually release the clutch while applying gentle pressure on the accelerator.
- As you gain momentum, steer your vehicle towards the track.
- Once on the track, focus on finding a safe gap to merge into the flow of traffic. Don’t go over the white lines for a safe pit exit.
Patience and awareness are key during this process to avoid collisions with other vehicles on the track. Follow the designated white lines for a safe pit exit.
Racing Etiquette
Sim racing is not just about speed; it’s also about sportsmanship and fair play. Depending on who you ask…
When you’re on the track, you’ll be sharing it with both faster and slower car categories.
This is especially true in open lobbies you find on racing sims.
Staying safe in races requires a combination of being fast in clean air and maintaining your pace while also managing traffic.
Respect your fellow racers, avoid unnecessary collisions, and always follow the rules of the track.
It’s not just about winning; it’s about enjoying the experience and improving your skills.
Side note: People actually have wheels that are direct drive. People actually are hurt after a crash..
Braking Techniques
Braking is a crucial aspect of sim racing, as it allows you to control your speed and navigate corners effectively. Here are some essential braking techniques:
- Left-Foot Braking:
(Advanced) sim racers often use left-foot braking to minimize reaction time between braking and accelerating.
By using the left foot for braking, the right foot can remain on the accelerator, allowing for smoother transitions and so you’re able to accelerate a little bit earlier. - Trail Braking:
Trail braking involves gradually releasing the brakes while entering a corner.
Some people may call it feathering off the brakes.
You never release the brake fully: make sure you keep a bit of pressure on the pedals.
This technique helps to maintain stability and control throughout the turn. - Threshold Braking:
This technique involves applying maximum braking force, and finding that spot, just before the wheels lock up. It’s best used with cars that lack ABS or just have a bad ABS system.
It requires precise timing and control, to not lock up your wheels. - Limousine stop:
Just before you come to a complete standstill after braking, release your brake. This will result in a very gentle stop. - Brush braking:
Braking by using a soft input to slow the car. The maximum capacity of the tire will not be used this way. Usually we brake like this on the road.
Get to speed, and then do a full brake.
How long does it take? How many meters did you need to slow down? From what Speed?
TIP: Avoid hard braking and turning at the same time!
Mastering these braking techniques will significantly improve your understanding and overall performance on the track and the road.
Accelerating and Cornering
Once you found the braking pedals, it’s time to focus on accelerating and cornering.
If you’re in a manual car:
Push down your clutch pedal and gently start releasing the clutch. If you then apply throttle, the car should be moving. This can take some time to get used to.
Be wary:
Basically every car (in real life) has a different clutch. One is way more reactive then others. So, if you step in a car you don’t know, keep this in mind!
- Smooth acceleration:
Gradually apply pressure on the accelerator to avoid wheelspin and maintain traction. Smooth acceleration helps to maintain control and prevent unnecessary tire wear. - Harsh acceleration:
Stamp your left foot down on the accelerator pedal. Cars with high horsepower, might (will) spin the wheels. - Trail Throttle:
Similar to trail braking, trail throttle involves gradually applying the throttle while exiting a corner. This technique helps to maintain stability and maximize acceleration. - Apex and Racing Line:
Understanding the concept of the apex and racing line is crucial for efficient cornering. The apex is the point where your vehicle is closest to the inside of the corner, allowing for a smoother and faster line through the turn.
By combining smooth acceleration with proper cornering techniques, you can optimize your lap times and gain a competitive edge on the track.
Returning to the Pits
After completing your laps, it’s time to return to the pit. Follow these steps to ensure a safe and efficient pit entry:
- Gradually reduce your speed while approaching the pit entry.
- Observe the pit speed limit and adjust your speed accordingly.
- Signal your intention to enter the pit by activating your indicators or using the in-game pit entry command.
- Follow the designated pit lane and be cautious of other vehicles entering or exiting.
- Come to a complete stop in your pit box and await any necessary repairs or adjustments.
Returning to the pit requires precision and awareness to avoid turnarounds on track.
Make sure you drive according to your level, and just try to be as smooth as you can.
Want to get better?
Practice, Practice, Practice
The most effective tips to get better at sim racing, is simply to practice regularly and with purpose. The more time you spend on the track, the more confident you will become in your abilities. Set goals for each practice session. Target specific skills such as cornering techniques or throttle control. Reviewing your race replays can provide valuable insights, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead in Sim Racing is also a very important skill to master.
Looking ahead allows you to anticipate upcoming turns, obstacles, cars standing still, and changes in the track conditions.
By constantly scanning the track and visualizing the next few corners, you can make smoother, more efficient driving decisions that will help you maintain control of your vehicle. Keeping your vehicle in check means that you can maximize your speed through each section of the circuit.
Looking ahead means you see potential dangerous situations, earlier. So you have more time to anticipate, position your car, and act accordingly.
Join a Community
Engaging with fellow sim racers is another fantastic way to enhance your skills. Online communities or local racing clubs can offer a wealth of knowledge and experience. Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from more experienced racers. They can provide tips and tricks that you might not have considered. Plus, being part of a community can keep you motivated and accountable in your journey towards improving your sim racing prowess.
A good place to start would be my Discord server.
Otherwise, YouTube is full of tips and tricks on how to get better with Sim Racing.
Nothing beats consistent practice.
I’ll say it again, again and again.
And this isn’t just for Sim Racing by the way!
Even 10, 20 or 30 minutes a day will go a long way over the course of 1 or 2 months.
You can watch a 1000 video’s: But never really get any better…
1. Familiarize yourself with the car and track.
Spend time practicing to understand the vehicle’s handling and the nuances of the circuit.
Find a car you like, and stick to it.
2. Develop a smooth driving style.
Avoid sudden braking, acceleration, and steering inputs to maintain control.
Don’t dip your wheels into the grass.
Don’t brake too hard with your steering wheel turned!
Brake with your wheel straight. As you come off the brakes, turn in your steering wheel.
3. Learn the optimal racing line.
Identify the fastest path through each corner and practice executing it consistently.
Different cars, favour different racing lines.
4. Manage your tires.
Understand how tire wear affects your car’s performance and adjust your driving accordingly.
5. Anticipate and react quickly.
Develop your situational awareness to anticipate potential hazards and respond swiftly.
6. Utilize data analysis.
Review your lap times, telemetry, and video footage to identify areas for improvement.
7. Practice mental focus.
Maintain concentration and composure throughout the race to avoid costly mistakes.
8. Experiment with setups.
Adjust your car’s settings to find the optimal balance for each track and driving style.
9. Participate in online communities.
Connect with other sim racers to share knowledge, tips, and strategies.
10. Compete regularly.
Seek out competitive events and challenges to push your skills to the limit.