Yes. Though it's not exactly more fun that way and for me definitely not
more consistent. The FF helps a lot when you need to keep your lap times
up for a longer period of time (in a race) and not take any unnecessary
risks, since the car talks to you through the wheel in addition to just
speakers and screen.
Also, I feel it's easier to learn the tracks with FF. But once you feel
confident and know each and every bump and how your car handles through
them with your current setups, you actually can ditch the FF without
going back to mere centering. It takes some time to get used to the loose
wheel and first you tend to overcook the corners when there's no
resistance to fight you back, but pretty soon you'll be approaching your
PBs at a threatening rate and eventually breaking them.
With FF I'm way smoother. But without FF I seem to dance on the limit ALL
the time, crossing the line, backing off, crossing the line... so rapidly
that it would be absolutely IMPOSSIBLE with FF. When FF's enabled, you
simply can't respond to your car's behavior so lightning-fast, the forces
that give you valuable feedback and make the experience so much more
realistic just won't allow that. You can always tune down the forces but
what's the point of having them then.
Study your non-FF hotlaps with something like GPLDump and you'll notice
that they have more closely started to resemble the ones of the real
hotlappers. The steering diagram shows much more hectic action, with
stabs of opposite lock here and there. Believe me, you're not the only
one pursuing faster lap times with FF disabled. Takes away some of the
realism of course, I'm sure the Legends weren't given the opportunity to
enjoy the benefits of zero resistance steering.
In my experience you'll run a much higher risk of ruining your lap when
FF's disabled but if you're able to make the most of it and still stay on
the track, it can really pay off in terms of lap times. However, I'd
rather maximize fun than just try to shave off a few seconds.
---
Antti Markus Peteri
15 miles. your dim light shines from so far away
- Soul Asylum, Promises Broken
