1) When pulling out of the pits, stay well off the racing groove and
keep a constant eye in your mirrors for approaching cars. If you see
one coming, slow down and let him pass. This holds true for your entire
pit out lap. The guy coming up behind you is on his qualifying lap. It
won't hurt you at all to slow down and let him by, but if you hold him
up, it very well may ruin his fastest qualifying lap. At Watkins Glen,
you need to come to a stop at the end of pit lane and look before you
exit the pits onto the track.
2) Practice is for qualifying, not racing. You might think you are
racing the guy behind you, but in fact you are holding him up and
ruining his qualifying lap. Save the close dicing for the actual race.
3) If you spin during qualifying, you have blown any chance of a fast
lap. Be very careful re-entering the track. Be absolutely certain you
are not going to get in the way of another car who very well could be on
his fastest qualifying lap. The best way to do this is to steer the car
in such a way as to re-enter the track at a parallel angle so that you
have a good view to the rear with your mirrors. DO NOT enter at a 90
degree angle where there is no way to see approaching cars. After you
do re-enter after a spin, STAY OUT OF THE WAY of other cars! Remember,
you have blown any chance of a fast lap. Let them pass. Why should
your mistake ruin his fast lap attempt?
4) Pay attention to your starting position and the qualifying times of
the cars in front of you. Are they 2 seconds of more faster than you
personal best? Then don't try to beat them into the first turn!!! What
good will it do, even if you succeed? You aren't fast enough yet to
stay up with them. You are going to make a very hazardous situation
(the start) even worse.
5) Be cautious in the first turn. Your job is to avoid crashing, NOT
to gain position! Avoid contact with other cars AT ALL COST, even if it
costs you position. Many if not most of the first turn crashes in GPL
would be fatal if it was in real life. I propose we should drive as if
it was real. I think it would be a lot more fun in the long run if
everybody drove this way.
6) When passing, pick your spot carefully!!! Don't think you can just
pass anywhere you want, even if you are rapidly gaining on the car in
front. If two cars are side-by-side going into the Masta Kink, what do
you think is going to happen? Would you pull such a foolish stunt in
real life, going 175 mph, in an open wheel car? In fact, there really
are very few places you can actually pass. Learn where these are. If
in doubt, then don't.
7) If you are racing, and you see a blue flag, it means you are about
to be lapped, let the car pass! Only an idiot would try to stay ahead.
You are going to slow the guy up and let the car behind him catch up.
This will make the guy behind you VERY angry.
8) If you retire from the race early and remain on-line, avoid needless
chat. It is very distracting to those who are still racing.
9) After the race is over, stick around long enough to be at least be a
little bit friendly and thank those whom you raced against. And don't
forget to thank the host.
10) Don't let your inexperience stop you from racing. Race more! We
need more people racing, the more the better! Just use common sense.
-Tony-