3 Ways to Practice TIRE SAVING in iRacing

[@Joemamahahahaha821]

If anyone ever needs a RF chewed through faster than anyone else, just ask me.

[@ndgoliberty]

Gotta use that partial throttle

[@SebastianWoodard]

Honestly, we need to make a league that has bonus points for stupid high tire wear. It'll make racing really interesting

[@PaintsvilleKentuckyPolice]

Idk ole buddy I know a guy 👀🤣

[@scarbroughspeed6696]

If anyone needs their RR chewed through just ask me 😅

[@TChapman500Gaming]

If the car starts going straight after you increase the wheel input, then you have exceeded the optimal slip angle of the front tires before they could tighten the car's turn. If you spin out, then the front tires were able to tighten the car's turn to the point where the rear tires exceeded their optimal slip angle, causing the rear tires to start going straight.

[@Drew.DrivesYT]

I just started using the Lock the Wheel method during my practice runs at Chicagoland in the Xfinity and boy oh boy did it make a big difference. I'm consistently putting down times that are five tenths faster than I was before _and_ saving tires over the run. Not only that but I think I may have jedi mind tricked myself into avoiding the bottom because I kept self-spinning - now I'm consistently able to comfortably run bottom lane and post faster times _and_ save tires. So this is what being able to drive must feel like, lol.

[@kirkhapke7811]

Hey Justin, just wanted to share how enjoyable it's been the last 18 hours watching your videos. I'm a 62 year old guy coming back to iRacing after about a 7 year hiatus. I was an original beta tester for iR back in 2008, and the last guy to make the field in the inaugural 2010 DWC. Anyway, I missed it a lot, and put together a new rig about 3 months ago. For whatever reason, I decided to concentrate on ARCA Menards as my concentration series coming back. I've seen your name on the leaderboards there, so to me, you brought instant credibility when I ran across your name on KZbin while doing a search for "tire saving". I'm usually in the top split, but see the really fast guys getting me by 3 or 4 tenths average by race end. Keep up the good work, I'll be joining whatever else you got going on: Maconi, Discord, etc., and probably hit you up soon for some private lessons. It's really refreshing to see a fast guy willing to spread some knowledge and not be a primadonna deek😆

[@DJYeeJay]

Wow very cool!! A lot has changed in 7 years haha mainly the tires. I look forward to hearing from you!

[@TheRealSimsie]

Now I can say I didnt accidentally spin out mid corner at vegas this week and that I was just practing tire management. Thanks for the advice.

[@julianbyrd4232]

I feel everyone's pain who is watching this video! But, I'm getting better. I have a good 20+ years of SIM racing but in SIMs where the modeling and level of adjustment is not even remotely close to iRacing. The closest being LFS (Live For Speed) but that SIM is more dedicated to road racing. These videos, particularly DJ Yee-J's are SO helpful. Thank You Sir!

[@kdrewmorris]

The best advice I got on how to save the right front tire is to turn your tire volume up and practice technique where you hear minimal tire squeal. These drills seem to be a better way to practice, but using sound is a great way to verify that your technique is good.

[@DJYeeJay]

Ya I like that tip. Me personally though I could never get used to it, just sounds kinda jarring. But that’s also a great training tool

[@kdrewmorris]

​@@DJYeeJay true but that is the trick! It won't be jarring if you're saving tired lol

[@DJYeeJay]

trueeeee

[@Drew.DrivesYT]

I have everything set to about 35, and tires at max volume. It's *the* biggest teacher IMO.

[@mrj3217]

Practice, Practice, Practice is the best way to get better at using these skills. I am new to iracing and every track so I don't even enter an official race unless I can run the track on the pace or at least close lap after lap. I will see the fastest lap and race average of a split that I normally race in and I go from there. These guides have helped me so much, thank Justin

[@russnelson8867]

I've watched a lot of videos where we're told to drive off of the RR. I would think "How am I supposed to know if I'm doing that?" You are the first guy who's actually teaching how. Thank you!

[@weekendthreat5576]

.... i had no clue about that custom restart point - what a game changer! great vid as always, Justin!

[@BirdlandMotorsports]

I think these drills will be a huge help!

[@cdhgo3]

Great video. Took me until this week for it to click. Vegas is so much fun with the Arca car. if you do it right it almost feels like you are drifting through the turn.

[@DJYeeJay]

Yep exactly!

[@rarewhiteape]

One thing I like to do is try and feel the rear end through the steering wheel as I eggshell the throttle off the corner. This week’s Gen 4 Cup at Michigan is a great race for practicing this. The car and track combo is so loose, and the corners are very long and wide, so getting a smooth exit is crucial. As the speed builds and you roll out of the steering you want the rear to be juuuust breaking traction, as you know the front is biting nicely and you aren’t wearing either front or rear tyres. If you’re not a driver who feels like this very well, or you have cheap equipment that doesn’t deliver those sensations to your hands, you can also try listening to the tyres as they gently skid across the tarmac. Very important to note that you don’t want to be making big steering inputs at all, as they will just generate more heat and tyre wear. Steer smooth, throttle smooth. Slow is fast.

[@Faceplantfloor]

I love the way you've unpacked it in this video!

[@brettspires7746]

thank you so much for this. I can rotate the street stocks just fine but I was struggling rotating the arca cars without sliding, and I didnt even know about driving on the RR tire. This video took almost 2 seconds off my lap at Indy in the arca cars Edit: and now my first win :)

[@kenny8465]

Thanks to ur video I went from 30 percent rf to 42 percent rf still got more to do but keep up the videos🙌🏾

[@Daniel-Fogelberg]

Never really known how to tell if i'm driving of the RR or not. Thanks fot the tips. Good video!

[@tracer0017]

I really didnt understand lock the wheel. I did the first time you did it, I was able to duplicate it no problem and spun to the left. But the next time you did it you went back to full throttle right away and went all the way through the turn no problem. I tried that over and over and over and kept spinning to the left. Then you put in a comment with no explanation at 4:30 mark saying dont get on the throttle too soon. Im completely confused now. Your video shows you on full throttle right after your turn in. Can you explain that a little? I am thinking its more me not being at a high enough level to drive like this. Maybe once I get better and controlling the car I can come back and practice this technique but for now sadly I need to modulate the throttle and drive slower. Still love the channel sir, mad respect

[@dannyman12]

Good info!

[@scottross3847]

Really good advice, thanks for the video

[@DJYeeJay]

No problem!

[@KurthardtJr]

Learning to drive a dirt sprint car will help a lot with learning to drive off RR and intermediate tracks

[@bonzibuddy8423]

most underrated tire saving method, do burnouts on the pace lap

[@bonzibuddy8423]

also sick paint

[@mattsemryck5522]

I've heard this before, is this really true ?

[@JonathonBarton]

Turn 1/2 at LVMS has a radius of 725'. With Grip level X, you can only describe an arc with a 725' radius with speed Y. When you fail the Right Rear test, and you can crank the wheel all the way to the left lock and not spin out - that indicates that you're using the friction of the front tires as *_BRAKES_* to get down to the maximum speed you can still make the 794' radius and not hit the wall at the start of the Nellis Straight. *Asbestos pads make better brake pads than 305/55R15's!*

[@robertleogoetz]

Great video! I've been working on tire saving and it's incredibly fun on long runs when you know how much better your tires are and pass people left and right. I'm wondering if you would be willing to share tire percentages on your track guides going forward. There have been times where I felt like I saved too much but haven't had a good reference for if that was true or not.

[@DJYeeJay]

I would share those percentages, but its really hard to know until I run a race. Usually if the car is not super tight you want even tire percentages, if its mega tight all run though you probably want like 10% less on rf than rr just because nothing better is super feasible

[@robertleogoetz]

@DJYeeJay now that you say that, I can imagine it being difficult to post race tire percentages before the official races 🤦‍♂️

[@xxtherevlukexx]

Welp, there goes my night. I'm about to be practicing this stuff.

[@grich2759]

Thanks!

[@FMPercy]

As a tire muncher these videos are great - thanks

[@Dfuze_fresh]

Thank you I’ve been trying to explain this to my buddy and he just wasn’t getting it

[@parkerwalsh3340]

How do you enter the giveaway?

[@DJYeeJay]

I'll set it up when we get closer

[@michaeldeitch3642]

I’m going to give these a go, seems like no matter what I try it feels like I’m getting nowhere 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DJYeeJay]

Good luck!

[@mrj3217]

Driving off the RR is sort of like driving a forklift. You are using the rear tires and throttle to steer the car.

[@DJYeeJay]

Exactly! I should get forklift certified

[@TracksideViews]

When you get stuck behind 3-4 guys who can’t figure out how to pass each other

[@thetruth1446]

I have trouble with the correct amount of brake going in, like XFINITY this week at Nashville

[@RayBracey]

this is great

[@DJYeeJay]

Thanks!

[@jawmedia7575]

Hm. All of this seems rather obvious. But i can see how some people are just oblivious to this kind of stuff. Nice work.

[@GIVIDIOS]

This is what i need to learn more then anythi g how to go fast and save tires

[@DJYeeJay]

The million dollar question!

[@Joemamahahahaha821]

Same. I have the raw pace but I can tell my tires are worn much more than other people at my irating

[@GIVIDIOS]

@Donald i seem to take it way too easy and by the time i feel like i can keep the car under me its to late and the race is just about over.. i have been trying to figure out short run speed but i cant seem to get it and thats my struggle. it seems i love racing on older tires lol

[@Joemamahahahaha821]

@@GIVIDIOS ha, I’m the exact opposite. I go balls to the walls and then drive on ice the last few laps of my stint or the race 😂

[@GIVIDIOS]

@Donald yeah i cant figure it out lol i just had a league race a few nights ago and made my way up to 4th with 10 laps to go and pit got new tires and off turn 2 lost it all to 16th just got loose trying to drive hard like the front runners

[@Tdknwm]

This would be very helpfull if i had i racing my dream 😢

[@_gr1nchh]

I think I've been letting out too late getting into corners and then it pushes on entry/middle cause I'm trying to get back to the throttle to make up for it pushing on corner entry. I just got into Arca at Charlotte and I've been getting killed later in races due to tire wear.

[@americanpride9733]

The lock the wheel drill to me is just oversteer vs understeer, I dont get it beyond that

[@DJYeeJay]

In a way it’s just aiming for that oversteer every time and then adding back corner exit without compromising the oversteer

[@jacobg3235]

I save my tires by crashing on the first lap and exiting the session

[@Giv2bit]

Does this work for the top lane?

[@51397fireman]

I have the problem of trying to race 100% every lap it's so hard to try and slow down and save tire. Half the time I'm keeping up with the leaders for 15 laps and then my tires go to shit.

[@DJYeeJay]

If you start with the right fundamentals, you can go almost as hard as you want for races as short as arca. Now when you have to go a full fuel run... ya you gotta take it easy for some time

[@RPMLegends18]

Teach me how to save tires in the 87 cars

[@moosetracks3720]

Lift every corner it’s common sense

[@christianbudd2358]

Fundimental /= Fundamental

[@DJYeeJay]

I avg 3 typos per video ;)

[@spacedcityskater]

I drive with a flight stick 😭

[@spacedcityskater]

Pull back is accelerate push forward is break left and right control steering. The trigger on the flight stick is shift up and there's a thumb button I set to shift down

[@spacedcityskater]

Essentially a giant joystick actually works really great for me

[@arekay21]

Loose is fast

[@CoolCat_24x]

I’m not trying to be a hater, but the “Lock the wheel drill” is probably the dumbest thing I ever heard bruh… I feel like such a waste of good practice time to drive in a way you won’t even be driving in the race… am I wrong? For me personally, l feel like you tend to over explain things and get way too technical. The way I see it is it’s not about physics or math, it’s about cheesing the system. We all know iracings model isn’t exactly accurate to real life. It gets pretty close on occasion but if you look at telemetry from real life and compare it to iracing there is no comparison most of the time. Instead of giving people drills that end up just being mostly a waste of time, maybe it would be better if you gave people a “Cheaters guide” instead, sorta like what you’ve done in the past. I hope I didn’t offend you too much if you read this, I’m genuinely a supporter of the channel and love your videos… I’m just trying to offer constructive criticism. Feel free to correct me if I’m in the wrong

[@CoolCat_24x]

To be clear, I understand what you were trying to achieve with these drills. I know a lot of people struggle with finding the feeling of being on the rr vs the rf. What I’m saying mainly is that I don’t see how doing this drill would actually help people learn how to drive fast on the rr. If anything it will just get people in their own head and might even make them slower… a better way to go about it would be to teach people how to set the car on entry and use the throttle to rotate the car. Tell them the tricks and what they are trying to achieve, and let them figure out the feeling on their own. I feel like that would be a lot more helpful to people

[@DJYeeJay]

In video games, not just simulators, things happen for a reason. It's the code in the game, it's the math, it's the cheese. Understanding these reasons is a big key to success in any of these situations. Of course iRacing isn't accurate to real life exactly, but understanding why things happen within the scope of the game is how you get better. I got tired of so many people only giving the advice of "just practice" or "do exactly this and don't ask questions" or "figure it out" because that's not productive. Attempting to quantify the "feelings" that people hold in such a mysterious light is much more productive even if it gets overcomplicated. As for lock the wheel. It's purpose is to get beginners to understand what induces understeer and what induces oversteer on corner entry. If people just want the quick and dirty to know what to do, I've already covered all of that. It's in my track guides every week. If people want to know "why" things happen and extend beyond their knowledge, and eventually my knowledge, it takes much more understanding.

[@CoolCat_24x]

@@DJYeeJay I understand what you’re saying. I think for everyone it’s different. For me, I like to keep things simple. I want to know the raw technique, what inputs I’m supposed to be doing, and what settings to use. Understanding the nitty-gritty of it just makes me overthink what I’m doing and end up going slower. I apologize for being rude though, In hindsight I can see how everyone learns differently and it’s good to give different people different advice sometimes. I was speaking purely from my own perspective and forgot to consider that other people are different lol I’ve just always been a less is more kind of guy and I feel like sometimes your videos can come across as a little overwhelming or over complicated. You’re obviously very intelligent and have a deep understanding of these things. I’m just trying to offer a different perspective

[@DJYeeJay]

I definitely try to do both ways. My personal opinion is the technical way has greater potential payoffs. But when I do track guides, and super general “top 10 tips” type videos, I do them with the mindset that someone is gonna copy exactly what I do and that can also bring a lot of success.

[@CoolCat_24x]

@@DJYeeJay one thing you said that I really liked is “Keeping the rear tires engaged” stuff like that, a term that goes with a feeling, that’s what helps me learn the best. Mindset is key to success right? Something else you said that was also helpful to me was that “doing a race is the best practice”. stuff like that, just getting people in the right headspace, I think that is what you are best at. Or at least that’s the stuff that influenced me the most. I guess I’m probably just looking at this video from the perspective of a veteran whose already learned the basics, so that’s why I felt like that drill was stupid lol I can see how it might help a beginner learn what feeling to look for