Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - what's the best way to gain performance driving skill for a beginner?

RCZ · 05-21-2010, 05:55 PM

Just to add $0.02 to the conversation.

Simulations:
I do a lot of GTR-2 and GTR Evo and I've found that you can learn a racing line 100% with it. Show up at a track and have a very decent knowledge of the line. I've never been to the nurburgring but I can recite to you, out of memory, how you set up for every corner, braking points and where/when you can get back on the throttle and even gears for certain cars. The same goes for a lot of other tracks too. I downloaded my local track (Homestead) for GTR2 and drove a 350z on it and was within like 3-4 seconds of my real life time on a stock 370.

Lap records on most of the tracks in GTR2 are within a second or two of the real life record for that car on that track, some less than a second. Specially if you look at spec cars such as lemans class and the like. There are a lot of mods out for the game too which can add all sorts of tracks, physics, sounds cars, etc.

You can learn a lot about being smooth and proper braking and throttle inputs for sure. It definitely doesnt hurt to pick up a force feedback steering wheel ($50 on ebay) and a copy of GTR Evo ($20) and go at it. Drive the WTCC class without TC on and tell me that doesn't feel realistic....some of you guys would be surprised how much you can learn from a sim. In fact all pro drivers practice on Sims nowadays before the race. McLaren has a pretty amazing one that uses data from their CFD supercomputer to test out how chassis and aero changes will feel on the road. There's a great video of this somewhere with lewis hamilton testing out aero parts for the F1 car on a big simulator.

Karts:
Like someone said, driving Karts is like cheating. They have huge amount of grip and 0 weight transfer. At the same time, I think there is a lot to be learned about conservation of momentum, smooth inputs, catching a slide, controlling understeer and being able to use all this to make the car do what you need it to. Braking is also fun in karts because no ABS and they are so light that you have to be careful not to lock them. Drive a kart on a wet track, that will tell you how good a driver you are. It can be a humbling experience let me tell you.

There is a place for both of these, but like someone else also mentioned...they are definitely not the same as racing your Z around a track. There is no replacement for seat time and that's really the only way you will ever get fast. With the Sim you dont have G-forces or consequences...there's only so much that can teach you. Karts are more like racing single seaters like F1 cars than your Z.

So...get a sim, get into a racing school. Then AutoX or take an HPDE day at your local track. Be smooth, the speed will come on its own.

05-21-2010, 05:55 PM	#31 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Just to add $0.02 to the conversation. Simulations: I do a lot of GTR-2 and GTR Evo and I've found that you can learn a racing line 100% with it. Show up at a track and have a very decent knowledge of the line. I've never been to the nurburgring but I can recite to you, out of memory, how you set up for every corner, braking points and where/when you can get back on the throttle and even gears for certain cars. The same goes for a lot of other tracks too. I downloaded my local track (Homestead) for GTR2 and drove a 350z on it and was within like 3-4 seconds of my real life time on a stock 370. Lap records on most of the tracks in GTR2 are within a second or two of the real life record for that car on that track, some less than a second. Specially if you look at spec cars such as lemans class and the like. There are a lot of mods out for the game too which can add all sorts of tracks, physics, sounds cars, etc. You can learn a lot about being smooth and proper braking and throttle inputs for sure. It definitely doesnt hurt to pick up a force feedback steering wheel ($50 on ebay) and a copy of GTR Evo ($20) and go at it. Drive the WTCC class without TC on and tell me that doesn't feel realistic....some of you guys would be surprised how much you can learn from a sim. In fact all pro drivers practice on Sims nowadays before the race. McLaren has a pretty amazing one that uses data from their CFD supercomputer to test out how chassis and aero changes will feel on the road. There's a great video of this somewhere with lewis hamilton testing out aero parts for the F1 car on a big simulator. Karts: Like someone said, driving Karts is like cheating. They have huge amount of grip and 0 weight transfer. At the same time, I think there is a lot to be learned about conservation of momentum, smooth inputs, catching a slide, controlling understeer and being able to use all this to make the car do what you need it to. Braking is also fun in karts because no ABS and they are so light that you have to be careful not to lock them. Drive a kart on a wet track, that will tell you how good a driver you are. It can be a humbling experience let me tell you. There is a place for both of these, but like someone else also mentioned...they are definitely not the same as racing your Z around a track. There is no replacement for seat time and that's really the only way you will ever get fast. With the Sim you dont have G-forces or consequences...there's only so much that can teach you. Karts are more like racing single seaters like F1 cars than your Z. So...get a sim, get into a racing school. Then AutoX or take an HPDE day at your local track. Be smooth, the speed will come on its own.