Topic: The Start (Read 2560 times)

[SJ]Peter Enqvist · « **on:** September 17, 2007, 02:09:02 am »

I suck at starts. I was on pole in one of the 'race for RACE' races and thanks to my poor starting abilities, I was in 5th before T1. And that was one of my better starts! I don't think it's my reaction time that sucks because my starts are a little better if I'm racing offline against AI. Maybe my ping has something to do with it. I don't know what a typical ping is for me because I'm not sure how to check what it is in GTL, but my internet connection is 640 Kbps download, and 128Kbps upload.

Anyway, maybe someone can provide something like a "complete idiots guide to race starts" for me.

So here's what I do...
I'm using auto-clutch because I don't have a clutch pedal. I have the gearbox in neutral, I rev the engine up to around 1000 rpm below redline, and when it says 'go' (I use the stupid 3,2,1 countdown thing) I select 1st gear and feather the throttle a bit to try to get the most power with the least wheel spin. This would the same time that I watch several cars go roaring past me and/or running into the back of me.

What am I doing wrong?

[SJ]Warren Dawes · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2007, 02:43:38 am »

Good topic. I'd also like some help with starts in GTL. Last weekend, in Race 1, I managed to go from 5th to 14th by turn 1 in the mini.
My method is almost the same, except I use the clutch (but with auto clutch enabled), and dropped the clutch at about 4000RPM on "go".

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2007, 03:55:37 am »

Well starts are definitely my strong thingie so i think i can help (no boasting here, i just find myself gaining places at the start in almost any race).

I use clutch pedal, so it helps when you can slide it a bit on some cars.. but id say main thing is reaction. even a little faster reaction than the guy next to you makes difference when the cars accelerate a bit more. So psyche yourself to get the reaction as quick as possible when waiting the start.

If you are not using clutch pedal, definitely put clutch in a button, even if on autoclutch. Heres what i do:

Enable clutch early enough so you are ready and psyched to go, gear in early too..
Revs up, i usually get them way up so i get the car to kick properly moving, and then i quickly after ive nudged the
car moving try to grip the tires with throttle control.. So easily put:

1.Small reaction time.
2.Lot of power to get car kicked moving.
3.Quickly but smoothly get the grip with throttle control.
4.Slalom between the vehicles that got worse start than you did.

:biggrin:

[SJ]DRokK · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2007, 07:57:41 am »

for those without a clutch pedal. try adjusting the clutch sensitivaty. mines at 30% and gives a more smooth release of the clutch.

[SJ]Warren Dawes · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2007, 08:15:05 am »

Thanks Jarkko, very helpful. Do you use autoclutch?

Now I see a difference to my method:
Redline the engine, doze off a bit, wake up with a fright, drop the clutch immediately, keep the right foot planted, wait for the smoke to clear, watch the field disappear around turn 1. o: :bye:

The only benefit to my method is that you don't usually get punted off by another car at turn 1. :biggrin:

[SJ]Byron · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2007, 08:20:45 am »

Quote from: Warrem

...doze off a bit, wake up with a fright, drop the clutch immediately, keep the right foot planted, wait for the smoke to clear, watch the field disappear around turn 1.

With a technique like that, you could earn yourself a place in Team Portly!

[SJ]Pierre61 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2007, 08:21:58 am »

I found the biggest benefit was turning off the "3-2-1" countdown and just watching the lights... my starts improved immediately. ... I have a clutch button assigned on my wheel, slightly gunning between 70-80% rpm, hope to catch the light as I 'gun up' and it's grip and pull as they go green

[SJ]DRokK · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2007, 08:29:29 am »

Quote

grip and pull

followed by big a sex explosion :biggrin:

[SJ]Nailz · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2007, 09:08:35 am »

i seem to be able to start a lot better in rF than GTL...

i have no clutch, or clutch button, i just keep it in peak torque (check car stats), then hit 1st, feather throttle a bit and away...

torque when starting is most important, not a screaming engine...

[SJ]dirtyvfr · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2007, 09:24:21 am »

having a clutch helps a lot at the start, but you should manage to get away fine if you assign a button to the clutch, it might be an idea to practice a lot of starts with AI and with a set fuel load, then do 5 starts, then as DrokK says try adjusting the clutch sens. then do another 5 starts.

but your not actually looking to do anything more at the start then hold your starting position by the time you get round T1, if you get past a few people then it's a bonus.

[SJ]2shedz · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2007, 09:50:06 am »

Floor the throttle, close my eyes, drop the clutch, 2 things can happen. 1 the car screams away from the line and all is good,

or 2 the wheels shed about 10 laps worth of rubber and im facing the wrong direction, o: but, giving me a clear run into turn 1 (as everyone else is half a lap up by the time ive got the thing turned round)

I use manual clutch set to a paddle as i stick shift

[SJ]Dion Holzheimer · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2007, 11:50:28 am »

I always seem to get good starts, those in OSJ will vouch for that, Last season they saw a Jag, this season they see a Healey just fly past on the start. It comes down to not spinning the wheels to much, but once its stoped spining, go flat!. Im not exactly sure really

.

Maybe i can make a vid of some good starts.

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2007, 12:09:49 pm »

Quote from: Warren Dawes on September 17, 2007, 08:15:05 am

Thanks Jarkko, very helpful. Do you use autoclutch?

Now I see a difference to my method:
Redline the engine, doze off a bit, wake up with a fright, drop the clutch immediately, keep the right foot planted, wait for the smoke to clear, watch the field disappear around turn 1. o: :bye:

The only benefit to my method is that you don't usually get punted off by another car at turn 1. :biggrin:

I dont use autoclutch, i might not actually clutch myself except for some fun runs where i try to right foot brake..
but i didnt use autoclutch even when i did not have a clutch pedal, it gives a little bit faster gear changes.. same applys for almost any sim i play.

[SJ]Peter Enqvist · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2007, 12:54:48 pm »

Very useful info guys, thanks!

I always assumed you couldn't use the clutch manually if you had autoclutch on, so I never even tried it. I have the clutch assigned to a button now, and just that alone makes a big difference. Using more revs, and getting 'psyched' up as Jarkko put it also helps a lot. I'll try turning the countdown off and changing the clutch sensitivity as well. If my starts still suck after this, then I'm going with Ted's method.

[SJ]CasparGTL · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2007, 01:08:34 pm »

Even without autoclutch and starting by the time counter or the start lights I was outran by peeps that had a clutch pedal most of the time and I stopped worrying about it.
Now, with the clutch pedal I use both throttle and clutch to adjust the revs and grip if the start isn't spot on. Sometimes I mess up, sometimes I have a very fast start. Main thing is, practice!
I have all the time in the world in practice sessions or even somewhere in qualy to , with race fuel (!) and cold tires to do a couple of test starts.
I see immediate result and the lack of it if I don't do trial starts or full fuel runs towards T1.

Caspar.

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2007, 03:25:41 pm »

Grinn Caspar.. you forgot to add that you are doing your utmost best to be infront of the majority of the pack and have a decent start so that when finally the pings or something else settles down and you can see the other cars again!

How many times i've heard you say "i cant see anybody" or "I can just see this and that driver"

Good thing yer infront bud!

Ehr.. my starts... i've got a cluthpedal and i'm not afraid to use it!

But before i had the saitek R440, two pedals and simply revved up and as the light went green i popped it into gear.. simple as that... (no autoclutch) and hang on for the ride! Works a charm!

But now with the third pedal of the G25 it's definately easier to make a good start by letting it slip and watching the revs as you spool up.. i NEVER redline it, 3/4 of the way up is good enough for most cars, the focus fully on the green light (if available.. or if it's anywhere in sight, as i've seen tracks that didn't have lights for the backpackers....) and i still use the 3-2-1 thing. Maybe ill turn it off sometime... but till then ill be the wussie!

Woof ~ WOof

[SJ]2shedz · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2007, 03:38:26 pm »

Quote from: [SJ]Stein on September 19, 2007, 03:25:41 pm

Ehr.. my starts... i've got a cluthpedal and i'm not afraid to use it!

Perhaps my starts would be better using on of those, eh, Frank. Sat in my car wearing my cluth cap

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2007, 05:04:59 pm »

It might have been nice wearing this yesterday m8.. as it was Prinsjesdag .. the presentation of the financial occult known as government...

the objective is to be original.... so.. how can you be sure the following headgear is original? (it might be remake)

Woof ~ woof

[SJ]Pierre61 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2007, 06:51:30 pm »

Considering English isn't yer mother tongue Frankie... you write some deep sh!t

"the presentation of the financial occult known as government..."

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2007, 04:35:36 pm »

I've learnt from the master in English language,

to you sire!

Woof ~ Woof

[SJ]Riven · « **Reply #20 on:** October 20, 2007, 09:22:51 pm »

Well I got to this thread a month too late

I only have 2 pedals.

I have a clutch button and DO NOT use auto-clutch (you cant actually turn it 100% off anyhow silly game)

I set the clutch sensitivity to the fastest possible (100% I *think* otherwise its 0%)

I DO NOT USE the 3,2,1,go rubbish, or the lights (lights can be unreliable on some addon tracks) and ALWAYS use the lap timer.

Hold my clutch button, put car into 1st and wait....

The exact moment (or as close as possible) the lap timer goes from --:--.-- to 00:00.00 I leave..

This is usually about 70-100% throttle which is based on the cars gearing and torque.
For example the Lotus Elite at Monza you have 100% throttle and never lift in the start.. you get almost 0 wheel spin.
However if you have the big Cobra or the mutha-trucka Corvette at somthing like Nurburgring Mullenbach you need to be a tad carefull

Thats about it... in pretty much any online racing I've mostly always made up a couple of grid spots, or if starting from the front, I've managed to get a small break. This was most evident in my V8factor league series run here in NZL, starting from the front row in almost all races, I'd have about 5-6 tenths on 2nd by the first turn.

[SJ]Riven · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2007, 09:36:14 pm »

Oh, a couple of things I have noticed in ISI engined sims..

1, The lights are a fraction behind the lap counter starting.. possibly gaining you a tenth or 2.

2, The method of leaving it in neutral and revving, then hitting change up to 1st when the lights/counter change vs having it in 1st holding the clutch and letting go is about 1-2 tenths in favour of holding it in 1st.
Simply letting the clutch out is faster than pressing the clutch gear change and let clutch out, even if its with auto-clutch or not.

These 2 things can gain you up to 3-4 tenths over someone elses start, which is a huge gain.

[SJ]Riven · « **Reply #22 on:** October 20, 2007, 10:07:44 pm »

While I'm ina triple posting mood... here is a good clip of some big grid starts from the afore mentioned NZL V8factor league (season 1)

NZV8L_Season_Highlights_December_2006.wmv

I'm in the Supercheap #51 Holden

Marcus · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2007, 03:52:58 am »

Quote from: [SJ]Riven on October 20, 2007, 10:07:44 pm

While I'm ina triple posting mood... here is a good clip of some big grid starts from the afore mentioned NZL V8factor league (season 1)

NZV8L_Season_Highlights_December_2006.wmv

I'm in the Supercheap #51 Holden

A big file but WELL WORTH THE BANDWIDTH! One of the most entertaining and exciting video's I've seen for rFactor.

I'm uploading it now to give an alternative link.

For those that haven't watched it, I recommend it. Fantastic stuff.

Edit: Here's the link

http://simjunkies.org/Extras/Animal/NZV8L_Season_Highlights_December_2006.wmv

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #24 on:** October 21, 2007, 05:57:15 pm »

Wowsers! What huge fields of cars! Very awsome video and well worth the wait of downloading!

Thx riv!

Woof ~ Woof

Author Topic: The Start (Read 2560 times)