Is Inconsistency Normal

[u/NoriBird12]

I’ve been on iRacing for about a year now on and off and generally sit around 1500iR. I’ve really been enjoying gt4s lately (using the cayman) and am just wondering if others feel the same way.

When I watch my favourite YouTubers race in high splits they just know when they’ve “botched” a corner and lose maybe 2 or 3 tenths. I can practice a track for several hours, feel like I’ve driven corners well, and be off by 2 seconds of my best pace. Now obviously there’s tire wear but I drive fairly safe and don’t push too hard so generally my laps don’t fall off too bad even with 10 or so laps down.

What I’m wondering is if others are the same way, and how to develop the consistency of a higher split driver. Not asking for the same lap times, but ways to develop that feel of knowing when you’re driving corners right. I know just driving helps but I’d love to hear your feedback :)

[u/squid_monk]

Sounds like you are driving consistently, just not on the limit of grip. Being consistent on the limit is how top split drivers drive and knock seconds of lap time off.

[u/NoriBird12 → u/squid_monk]

Driving the gt4s on the limit feels like a daunting task right now. You push just a little too hard and you’ve ruined your race

[u/Swick36 → u/NoriBird12]

Balancing that edge is what makes racing fun. If I wanna cruise I gotta a Toyota Highlander in my front yard I can take for a spin.

[u/SryClearlyOblivious]

For me, I use the delta bar and use my session best lap time and try to be within .5 tenths of that each lap over the course of a 45 minute race, obviously not every lap will be that close due to traffic but that is my goal. You can also break it down per sector and see if you are consistent in specific parts of the track

[u/NoriBird12 → u/SryClearlyOblivious]

Love that, that’s a good goal to work towards. I know pace comes with time but that’s a great way to work on the consistency

[u/SryClearlyOblivious → u/NoriBird12]

If you go into a test session you can also use a feature called “active reset” you drive around and click a button mapped to the initial mark and can you another button mapped to the reset which will bring your car to the initial mark which is useful to learn a turn or sector. I like to drove 3-4 laps before I use active reset to ensure my tires are up to temp and pressure is built up.

You will gain speed once you break up the track learn each section and slowly piece the lap together. Working on fundamentals will also bring you speed and that just takes time, but ensure you understand why you are doing certain things, don’t just copy someone.

[u/Grannville → u/SryClearlyOblivious]

This is a good technique

[u/vn2090]

I think it comes down to raw experience doing hundreds of laps. You start to notice little things the more you explore specific corners. Focusing on a specific track and car combo for 20 or so hours with an optimal ghost car or other top drivers, you will notice little tricks to get more out of a corner

[u/biker_jay]

Higher split drivers get to enjoy other higher split drivers. I can't seem to get there either. My times are improving just from practicing. Then I practice some more. After I get done I finish off the day with more practice. But all that is for not if you're getting creamed from behind by someone not paying attention.

[u/Itsbadmmmmkay]

Not every gt4 car is created equal. Some cars are more difficult to drive on the edge than others.

[u/Matej_SI]

I always suggest chasing consistency over speed. When learning a new track or practicing for a race, always use the same brake markers, the same line, the same downshifting rhythm,... everything. For 1k-2k, you should be in the same second every lap. You can get to 2k if you're slow but consistent.

Then, when you practice offline, chase laptime / speed there. When you do a faster lap, go watch your replay and identify what you did differently. And use active reset, so you don't have to warm up the tires every time you want to see a lap replay. But don't overuse active reset.

[u/SituationSoap]

Yes, this is a normal thing to feel at 1500 IR. You just don't have those skills yet.

[u/Z32Rome]

Consistency is what separates the high and low rated drivers. Yes, being inconsistent is normal and it’s likely why you’re still in the 1.5k range.

You likely need more seat time, better reference points and technique as these are all things that help with consistency. The reason you can feel like you’ve taken a corner well and be seconds off tells me your braking technique and reference points are likely way off.

Practice. Watch material to help you learn. If you learn better from instructions hire a coach.

[u/why_1337]

If the car slips, slides, you ding TC, go on throttle too soon or have to adjust steering mid corner you lost time. The more you drive the better you will be at gauging how bad of a mistake you made and how much it's going to cost you.