How I Practice: iRacing and Garage61

This week we're going to look at about how I practice and improve my racing skills in iRacing.
In this video, I'll walk you through my practice routine that has helped me shave seconds off my lap times and feel somewhat competitive in iRacing. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
Analyzing the Competition: The first step in my practice routine is to look up the lap times of the fastest drivers in the session. I'll show you how I use this data to set a realistic goal, aiming to get within 2% of their lap times. This way I have a clear target to work towards.
Hitting the Track: With my target lap time in mind, I hit the track and start turning laps until I start to hit a wall.
Utilizing Telemetry Data: To gain a deeper understanding of where I'm losing time, I turn to telemetry data. I'll demonstrate how I use a site like Garage61 to analyze my laps and pinpoint areas where I can make gains.
Learning from the Best: Once I've identified weaknesses in my driving, I'll compare my telemetry data with that of faster drivers. This step is crucial for understanding what the top racers are doing differently and where I can make adjustments.
Focused Improvement: Armed with insights from the data, I head back onto the track with a specific focus on the areas I need to improve.
Repetition and Refinement: Practice makes perfect. I'll discuss the importance of repetition and the concept of diminishing returns. Knowing when to stop and reflect on your progress is key to continuous improvement.
Throughout the video we'll be looking at garage61: garage61.net/
We do have a garage61 team that you can join here: garage61.net/s...
Watch live @ / thepiltdownman
#iracing #garage61

[@tc7489]

Thanks for this. I was looking for a good way to gauge my race readiness before jumping in, and occasionally analyze my laps. Love the easy access to ghosts and the very intuitive analysis tools! Not to mention it’s free.. Maybe I’ll join the team. Been sim racing with a rig and VR for 6 months, and on Iracing for just about 2 months. Loving the Porsche cup car, but it’s definitely very challenging to push hard. Makes it all that much more satisfying to finish well!

[@piltdownfilms]

That's one of the things I think I like most about the Porsche Cup, it's so rewarding to get right. I don't think I really said what joining a team in G61 does, it's way to group people to compare times with. There are probably other ways to use it but for the most part that is how we use it, we also have a channel on the discord that updates when someone sets a new record, so it is little bit of a way to have friendly rivalries with people. Even if they might not know it :)

[@shaneWARs1]

I swear every time I think I drop a gear in a corner I'm wrong definitely need to get this analysis , looked to complicated to use but now seeing it it's really help full

[@piltdownfilms]

I've thought that it looked intimidating in the past. The more you look at it though the more it makes sense. Just like anything taking it one little bit at a time makes it make sense.

[@ecolla]

Thanks for the video!! Helped a lot!

[@piltdownfilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@mixah02]

Great Vid! Here's a thumbs up!!

[@piltdownfilms]

Thank you!

[@slipstreamautosport]

Great video

[@piltdownfilms]

Thank you!

[@Daz555Daz]

It's cool to check old lap times but in game physics changes can make them all irrelevant in a single update. So check your updates for the sims you love most.

[@piltdownfilms]

Very true. I know for the pcup times from a year ago aren't really comparable to current times.

[@robertisler8557]

I am used to VRS, but we are using Garage61 in our group as well. Thanks for showing how to use it to compare data with others. What I‘m. missing most in VRS is to compare the line „ within the track“. Thanks a lot! ❤

[@jcsquared1111]

New sub, love iracing currently have 1500 irating, and looking to find endurance race team to join. Race gt3 cars primarily.

[@piltdownfilms]

Welcome.

[@Bowl.noodle]

Am I required to download VRS telemetry to back up my telemetry files? Also how did you use your active reset after starting a new session?

[@piltdownfilms]

You don't need VRS to log telemetry, you just have to turn it on in the sim (I believe it's Alt+L by default) and make sure there aren't any programs set to delete it after the session (VRS logger is set up this way by default)> The active reset point is removed when you leave a session or enter the garage. I don't remember leaving the session and having it back in the video, it was probably editing if it looked this way. When it goes away I just run another lap and set it again at roughly the same place.

[@Malvin00]

Question, Why do you calculate the percentage of the target lap you choose?

[@piltdownfilms]

I do it because I'm almost certain that at my current skill level I won't be able to match the times, but I can usually get within the 1-2% of those times. If I'm able to get to those times I'm usually able to get a pretty good finish in the splits that I end up in. I won't be able to compete with the very fastest guys but I'm usually somewhere in the top quarter. Maybe I should be aiming for more but I usually hit a point of diminishing returns before I match the best times. I guess I also need a target to shoot for that I know is attainable. I hope that answered the question.

[@chaconWOOOOOO]

Jajajjajaja, dude, that active reset sounds are ridiculous loud, do you know how to lower it down? Thanks for the video🎉

[@piltdownfilms]

I don't know which slider governs the sound, but in the latest patch there is a setting in the app.ini file called "activeResetCueDisabled" set it to 1 to mute all the active reset sounds and 0 has the sounds enabled.

[@supersambat7989]

God, I wish I knew it earlier 😢

[@mattp2494]

I didn't even know all this was available 🤦‍♂️

[@piltdownfilms]

There are a lot of resources out there.