laps at Atlanta, trying to get race speeds competitive. I think I'm almost
there, but I seem to have reached a plateau and am not improving much now. In
a full race setup, I'm averaging between 168 to 172; my best time in
qualifying (without a special setup) is 175.676. If you're doing consistently
better, would you write me and tell me how?
I didn't spend much time on the set-up, but made some gross changes to the
FAST setup; mostly shifting the weight around, and balancing temps on the RF
tire. I can hold about 160 around the turns, and keep the RF tire temp down
around 220. The line I drive seems pretty compatible with the AI cars, if
somewhat erratic at times. Sometimes I run on or below the white line at the
apron to pass, but mostly hold a line that keeps me in the pack when I'm in
traffic.
I find the tires stay nice and cool if I enter the turns a ***sy hair on
the high side, and drag the brakes very, very lightly a few seconds to slow to
below 170. I'm done braking well before apex on the first corner, and this
usually puts me right in the middle of the skid marks marking the groove. I
have to play with the gas a bit to keep from drifting, but I think I'm holding
about 1/2 to 2/3 gas most of the way around. The gas is all the way down well
before apex on the second corner. Exit speed, when drifting out of the turn,
varies between high 160's and low 170's.
I find if I deviate much from this, speeds and tires suffer. For example, I do
most of my passing in the corners. This forces me low, sometimes onto the
apron. The tire temps invariably climb above 240 then. A few laps like this in
a row, and I have to give it all back when I pit for tires.
Can someone talk in detail about how they're driving this, or other, tracks?
Phoenix is kinda fun, with that very fast tri-oval turn; so is Talladega,
where I'm not having much success yet.
Also, has anyone found a way to always have the pit crew put in less than a
full tank? I set the fuel in the garage to 14 gallons, but they forget in the
pits and always pump it full. I know I can change this by pressing one of
the F keys while driving, but this gets old real fast. The tires are lasting
about 20 minutes between changes, about 60 miles, and I think I can do
better without all that gas on board.
My setup at Atlanta follows.
----------------------------------------------------
Fuel: 22 gal.
Stagger: +0.550"
Steering Lock: 15?
WEIGHT BIAS POUNDS PCT SPOILERS
---------------------------- --------------------
Left Bias: 1900 54.2% Air Dam: 3.5"
Rear Bias: 1850 52.8% Rear Spoiler: 70?
Cross Weight: +20 50.5%
TIRE PSI CAMBER SHOCKS GEARS
---------------------------- --------------------
RF 51 -2.50? 45% First: 9.80
RR 51 -1.93? 30% Second: 6.90
LR 50 -0.84? 30% Third: 4.40
LF 50 -0.10? 100% Fourth: 3.30
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