> When I finally get a setup that feels good on the
> first lap, in 3 to 4 laps it will develop a horrible push through the center
> of the corners and it will also be terribly loose coming off. Every setup
> that I've made or downloaded does the same thing. They all seem to
> completely go away after 3 to 4 laps!
I had this same problem for a while, until I made myself quit
building/tweaking setups and instead concentrated on learning how to
drive the <fast> setup at racing speeds. This allowed me to learn the
subtle nuances of the N4 physics engine, as well as FORCED me to learn
the ideal line, braking points, etc. that are more important than ever
for getting the most speed out of the car.
Learning not to overdrive the car is essential. If you are constantly
fooling with the setup, you will have a hard time learning where the
limit is. Learning to drive the ideal line for your particular
car/setup, flawlessly, lap after lap after lap after lap, will
generally pay much greater dividends than chasing the elusive "killer
setup".
I think the reason your car feels worse after a few laps is because,
after the first few laps, it will carry more and more speed out of a
corner, down the straight and into the next corner. Assuming your
rate of deceleration does not change, you have to start braking sooner
to arrive at the turn in point at the appropriate speed. If you carry
too much speed into a corner, the car will push after the turn in.
The difference between "too late" and "just soon enough" is very
subtle. A few tenths of seconds at most on a slow track. Try slowing
down a little earlier, or a little more, and see if that helps. Pay
close attention to the line you are driving, especially the turn in.
Remember, every foot you drive past the turn in point will carry you
at least a foot farther away from the apex, given the same cornering
speed. This can seem like the car is pushing, but really, it just
means the driver blew the entry.
As far as the loose-out, I can guess a couple of things, based on what
I went through. You are pushing like crazy toward corner exit, so you
lift suddenly, causing trailing throttle oversteer. Or, having gotten
the car pointed in the right direction, you mash the gas too suddenly,
without unwinding the steering wheel enough, and get loose. The
second is probably more likely.
Setup changes can give you substantial benefits, especially in tire
wear on longer runs. This is where the default setups show the most
weakness, IMO. They wear out the RF way too soon, and over a long
run, are much slower than a setup that takes better care of the RF
would be. Making a car last longer on extended green flag runs is the
real reason for building a good race setup. Not for a gaining few
tenths on the first 5 laps, but gaining many seconds over 50 laps.
I really doubt it, either way. Though, just possibly, it could be
your controller config. Doubt it though, since the car does feel good
for you, at least at first.
The physics engine is way less forgiving in N4 than previous titles in
the series. It is just plain harder to drive well. Be patient, give
yourself plenty of time to get used to it. I concentrated on the
longer tracks that don't require as much braking precision. This
allowed me to concentrate on lifting and turning, which are hard
enough to do right without worrying about the brakes. Eventually, it
sort of clicked, and I find driving N4 much more natural and
intuitive. Now if I could just figure out the inner loop at Watkins
Glen...
Good luck,
Gerald Moore
