How to Absorb HUGE Pressure (iRacing)

So, race 3 complete in iRacing and it's getting harder... This was a race that ebbed and flowed and took a serious amount of concentration!
Here's what I learned in my third sim race. I'm still getting faster, so if you want to continue learning along with me, please subscribe. Cheers!
If you want to learn along with me, please subscribe!
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[@goebann4856]

Scott Mansel is modest. The information he is giving us is priceless.

[@wobblyrampack9655]

Well said! We're very lucky to have a real-world successful racer giving out so much info on sim racing.

[@JohnBaxendale]

He's a legend, his videos are priceless and entertaining.

[@watchmenoobing9815]

Love this guy proper brit just tells you how it IS no lolly gaggin and to top it off the accent splendid to bad he doesnt have a stereotype stash to keep a upper lip warm xD

[@watchmenoobing9815]

@@wobblyrampack9655 most is just common sence tough or ya it depends if done lots of racing to most wernt legal tough but damn good fun haha we did it in a safe way tough ahhh good times so anny one made that time machine yet xD

[@yurimolotov5886]

Turns out the guy drove actual f1 cars at 18, never knew until just now

[@BigMeanyVids]

You also bring up what is one of the things most simracers need to learn the absolute most. You are responsible for learning your opponent and being patient enough to know when/how to overtake. So many guys will "ram into you" and then ask why you braked so early when it was their responsibility to learn where/how they were faster than me and overtake safely and not just blame me for their own failings as a driver. i guess it not being real with little consequence leads this to happening way too often versus what I would expect in real life.

[@lukeannett]

Absolutely spot on. And you will get guys in simracing ramming into you on lap one on cold tyres.

[@intersepter100]

@@lukeannett yes, this one thing that puts me off, i have seen deliberate ramming before in iracing and i think to myself " what are you doing, it's supposed to be fun and fair for everyone"

[@Pusman]

That's it mate, really well explained. This video (and your comment) should be teached to every simracer all over the globe. Also, I can relate on the white driver, since I find really difficult to follow a driver when is faster than me, or at least as fast as I am. I lose concentration too easily and do too many mistakes, but I think I'm learning to be more patient and wait for the perfect moment to do an overtake.

[@angryginger791]

@@Pusman, I have the same issue. Whenever I'm trying to catch someone that's a little quicker, I end up over-driving the car and going slower. I have to remind myself to "race the track, not the other drivers". Meaning focus on what I'M doing instead of watching and reacting to other cars. Of course, when I get close, I have to pay attention to them, but hopefully by then, I'll have a good rhythm going and it'll be easier to maintain my pace without thinking too much about it.

[@MyRealName]

I would like to point out that many people think it's a good idea to start learning the circuit and the car on a crowded server, rather than in single player practice. If you brake so early just so see what the corner even looks like because you don't know it, you will get rammed, and it will be your fault. In any other case, I definitely agree.

[@Kungfujoe1110]

Possibly the most difficult thing I've learned in racing (and one that I still cannot get over all the time) is that "trying harder" doesn't make you go faster - that is to say, generally, trying to force the car just doesn't work or, if it does, is risky as hell and shows failings in preparation. It is an absolutely poisonous mentality to think "Ok, I need to go faster, I'm going to brake later than I ever have, carry more speed than I've ever attempted, etc" halfway through a race, at least in my experience. If you're getting beat, it's by people that are better prepared - take the L and prepare better for the next race. Trying to force a 10% faster lap out of the blue is gonna end with twisted metal

[@wobblyrampack9655]

Really interesting points! I remember reading/hearing maybe that when Jim Clark wanted to go faster he didn't push, but instead he concentrated more. He could drive fast with his brain on other things, but to go really, really fast he'd totally concentrate on picking the perfect braking point, apex, etc. every corner. It's tiring when you try it yourself, I found, but it does work while you can keep it up.

[@dickfitzwelliner2807]

The old quote "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" really is true in so many aspects in life. In racing it also happens to save your tires and fuel too. When I use a new car or track I start doing laps at 75% for lower hp cars, 60% on high hp high grip, and 50% or less with cars that have low rear grip. I'll slowly get faster and faster over 10-15 laps, it really helps keep me smooth and be cognizant of where I can and cannot push the cars

[@lolzlarkin3059]

I think this is going to get more and more interesting as you start racing better drivers. Cant wait. The video sync seems to be spot on now as well. Whatever you've done seems to have fixed that. Kind of missed seeing brake and throttle traces but the multi angle was probably the right choice to see your oppo behind.

[@RTPJu]

The biggest difference between real and sim is mindset. This is something that deserve a video about and it's a joy to see a real racing driver mindset in a sim

[@IDKWtsIt2U]

Am I the only one that loves this screen composition? I love how Dave Cam will edit in his trackside replay footage over the top of him reacing, but this is insane- Every angle is covered, PoV, rear camera, trackside replay camera More people in Sim racing should do stuff like this, even if only occasionally.

[@KurtVW]

It is really fun watching your emotional reaction to these races, Scott. I think it's caught you a little by surprise? Laguna is an amazing circuit and leads to some great races.

[@artslap7520]

Scott, love this series. May I make a request? I'd like to see the throttle/brake and steering input on your replays. Can you add them in?

[@philrlee]

It’s really interesting to listen to you analyse races, especially the not taking chances. It’s making me think about how I race. I can’t wait until you get to the Skippy as it’s my main ride.

[@kocaarik]

I absolutely agree that it's harder to maintain focus in simracing. Even when I did the Swedish national championship final I was in a mental fight to remain focus. However when I did my first ever IRL race my ADD was less of an issue

[@chrisbarker5336]

Great videos. Very original. This is most helpful information and commentary I have seen that really sticks in my head when going into my next race. Awesome stuff 💪🏻👍🏻

[@bobdonovan34]

Playing team sports all my life I'm still struggling with the selfishness required to compete in auto racing. I always feel like I'm the guy giving up position to save us all from having a wreck and it costs me every race. I really need to learn where to hold my ground and where to give it up.

[@derekbrunette222]

be willing to wreck the car. be willing to lose everything if thats what it takes to win races

[@TheBlackopsbeast360]

Bob Donovan in games I usually concede more, but in real life, I’ll win it or bin it. So I kind of understand.

[@JamieHamelSmith]

Thank you so much for making these! Your throttle and braking videos have really helped me in the Porsche Cup car; I'm finding more time in so many strings of corners.

[@MrSaemichlaus]

These commentaries are really good, lots of little details that tie everything together. More of this please!

[@BigMeanyVids]

Your comments about energy and concentration are the same I've heard from many real-life race drivers when comparing to sim racing. I've been studying direct drive wheels and many people say that they allow better consistency with less effort because it does give you back some of that lack of feeling. Supposedly it lets you feel the tires/nuances of the road much better and hence allowing you to use more of the physical sense to drive leading to better consistency with less concentration. Really like watching your approach as such an experienced driver/instructor. Keep em coming.

[@KennoCaptures]

Using these techniques allowed me to get my first three wins in GT Sport within 25 days of getting the game and a budget wheel setop! Thank you so much for sharing this knowledge! 🤘🏻🙏🏻

[@Arverni_Ursi]

I love those race reviews ! There’s so much to learn !

[@codytedrick3060]

This is a gem of a channel - so much valuable information to take in!

[@xvrsim-racing7069]

Great to see someone come from the real world to sim and be so informative.Great videos so far and look forward to seeing you on the grid as you climb the ranks :P

[@renereiche]

Great stuff. Thank you for doing this series!

[@ZeeTVplus]

You’re up early for a Sunday morning mate. Love the channel. Great content. Track guide on Oulton Park would be good.

[@aperturescience2]

He's already done one

[@lukeannett]

Fantastic stuff again! I hope you make your way upto the Radical in Class C. Best car on iracing imho. I'd love to see someone drive it on iracing that's driven the real thing so quick.

[@ralmeida1971]

Scott, I really like your videos! Priceless for people like me that are looking for more information and sim racing tips. Thanks!! It would be amazing if you could also give your opinion about other sims, like RaceRoom Racing Experience (my personal option), Assetto Corsa Competizione, Automobilista and others, mainly because you could tell how the sims look when compared to the real world. Keep up the good work and thank you for the priceless information you're giving us.

[@danny355]

Rules for iracing in the MX5: 1. Get by cleanly. If your overtake needs a massive amount of co-operation from the other driver not to have an accident then that is NOT a good move. Chances are you are not going to get that co-operation. If the overtake is going to slow you both down massively, then that is also not a good move. 2. Don't try and overtake at the first possible opportunity. This reeks of desperation and often causes accidents. Follow the driver for a lap or two, see where you're faster and then go for it. 3. Dont try a lunge from way back. Even if you are WAY faster, a lunge from 2 or 3 car lengths back is usually going to result in you at best driving into a dissappearing gap and at worst just punting the other car off. 4. If you punt someone into a spin then wait for them to get back on track ahead of you then resume your race with them. This is something the PROs do in R/C racing and it applies to sim racing too. If you're not able to do this, then send them a message after the race to say sorry. It's not that hard! 5. Calm down! This is supposed to be fun! Don't do something you wouldn't do in real life. 6. With that in mind: Imagine you had to pay for the maintenance of the car. Still want to try that lunge at the Lime rock chicane from 0.5 back? Thought not!

[@richardbagshaw929]

I love these insights Scott, such great videos!

[@alibee1978]

Another awesome video scotty !! 👌🏻👍🏻🏎💨

[@wobblyrampack9655]

Knowing someone with as much real world experience as you, Scott, starts sweating in the heat of a sim battle - that's great to know. Thought it was just me! :) Thanks for the honesty, and glad you're having such a good time with your sim racing. Superb to watch and hear you comments.

[@thytrin2103]

Your advise on overtaking and patients is excellent, has helped me a lot! Thanks

[@scottn7cy]

These videos are so useful! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@grahamemes7772]

Just want to say thanks for your videos, love your humility and clear explanation of situations, it's been really helpful watching your vids. Would love if you could do a vid on how to minimise damage from spinning out or when hit etc, how to drive when you are loosing control! Thanks again

[@DaveMcRee]

Great drive mate, fantastic post-race review.

[@BladeRunner031]

Hehe I never tried RL race but in iRacing I had races where I was so nervous, sweating etc.Especially if the race was broadcasted.

[@BladeRunner031]

@spaceweed10 Hehe internet hero is here,hi hero

[@HortaRacing]

Can't wait to see you racing on higher license classes and better fields. Happy new year Scott!

[@rodrigolj]

The best thing so far about these videos is that we (understandably) don't have much content about racecraft on the real life Driver 61 channel. You can do so much racing online that you can abundantly create content about this on the sim channel and make it complementary training for real life. I know "Ice Cold" Moritz Kranz from Apex Nürburg uses iRacing to hone that skill.

[@onomatopoeidia]

Such a good video. Love to see you in the F3 in iracing. Very competitive series. Yeah, resisting the urge to dive-bomb takes patience as does not driving into a slower car. Sweaty stuff :) that kink where he was catching you can be taken almost flat with slight trail braking or lift only. Great driving.

[@rzXavier]

I used to live in Salinas, my dad and I would always go to Laguna Seca. It was a great experience and was what got me into racing

[@bobwilliams3]

Wow! A very thorough analysis. One can clearly see your driving resemble a clean, professional style, applied in real circuit speeding. I share your same view on the approach to racing: such a driving style is especially rewarding when driving in endurance events. There - committing up to a point of being constantly in the 'discomfort zone' - for the car and the driver - is "unrewarding". Unless your name is Greger Huttu or Ayrton Senna, of course, and you have built such a confidence with car and track that being on the risks all the time doesn't represent an ultimate challenge anymore - but a mere 'act of common administration'. Nice video, makes me want to get back racing karts and sims (I still have a pCars 2 career to start as of today) as soon as possible. Keep up with the good work, fellow driver, and I hope one day we will both able to come back to real racing circuits! 😉 ✌️

[@rcoles82]

Great content mate!!

[@Saerylol]

Great video! I've learned a lot from your videos, but this one is my favorite. If I may make a request: You have often talked about the importance of vision, could you show some examples in VR? Like record a few laps from your viewpoint, so we can follow how you use your vision?

[@mkozachek]

I’ve found in my iRacing experience so far that when you’re close behind an opponent, at least with less experienced opponents, it’s important to drive a little on the conservative side to prevent those mistakes as well *purely* because that pressure, if you maintain it lap after lap, will make less experienced drivers more prone to make their own mistakes that you can capitalize on. Playing it smart is more important than raw skill

[@AktivistMusik]

I think we've been needing someone like you in sim racing youtube land.

[@RaiseTheRufus1992]

Im just beginning in sim racing in general , looking forward for all the great content in the future! You should try and find a way to film your wheel and pedals while racing, that would be very informative.

[@sevenbelow7]

Hey Scott ,I’m loving your channel and was wandering if you could show us your preparation from practise,set up,qually then race . ?

[@CaptainCrunch99]

Great perspective, you see your car just going thru the lines steadily, and the white car moving back and forth, gaining and loosing, but never really getting a good over-take.

[@bradyw5263]

Keep up these videos, they're good fun.

[@jamesmccaul2945]

Hi Scott, For about £100 you can buy a set of four tactile transducers or bass shakers (low frequency speakers) and place them on the four corners of your rig. Then using the sim vibe software you can take the suspension and tyre telemetry from the game to communicate the movement of the suspension as well as the lock and slip of tyres from each individual corner. This gives you a massive leap in terms of feedback from the car to use (as opposed of trying to have your force feedback steering wheel convey everything).

[@T25de]

It’s really cool and interesting hearing how a professional racing driver is as excited and pressured by the sim racing experience as a non-pro driver. 🤙🤙

[@CookRacingUK]

Hi Scott - as an idea, maybe you could coach drivers by studying their onboards, and coaching bad habbits out of them interactively on a sim? All remote! Love these videos keep them coming!

[@bbcoltrane]

Another great video! Recommend adding a Buttkicker to your rig to get that seat of that pants feel.

[@christopherbarlow7397]

I need more content like this 💯💯💯

[@FedericoTesta1]

I also just started career in iracing. It's really enjoyable!

[@nevrasimracer6492]

Great video!

[@daveroberts3960]

love the video subbed

[@41BOT]

Amazing, this is simracign at its best.

[@73firebirddriver]

I was just thinking the same thing when you mentioned that racing in the sim racing takes more focus than real world racing. I get more nervous butterflies in a close sim race than I do on a track.

[@dubtm5088]

Will you be recording your races live in future videos? I like the analysis format you are using, but a live commentary video would be cool.

[@AaronToro]

I like the multicam but not at the expense of the input telemetry. Great vid

[@justindavidson8342]

Love this new channel! A great video idea would be talking about the track limits at Spa in iracing vs Real life. Are they equal? It is argued about endlessly in the iracing world. Would love to hear about it from a professional that has driven the track in real life many times.

[@wikke1984]

Love your vids always. Is it possible to put the pedal input also on the screen plz ? Have fun

[@chilibuz1560]

I like your channel , I think you should add motion simulation to your iRacing experience to up the difficulty. I just got a dof reality motion simulator and it's night and day compare playing on a fix wheel base where you don't feel no movement and only force feedback from your wheel. Look into the P3 or H3 ;)

[@bradyw5263]

Also, show us the results page after each race. It's interesting to see things such as fasted lap and how many safety points you gain.

[@nakazonegamestreaming896]

Sometimes,only sometimes there is this other driver that is exactly on your level and then that fantastic race happens, even the heartbeat falters.

[@FayaSitteroni]

it was great racing you aswell :)

[@10002One]

Great sim racing tutelage from a real world driver/instructor! To get more of the physical sensations/input try a vibrator. I mean, a Gamer 2 Buttkicker (transducer) to add vibes to your rig/chair. Speaking of rigs, try a 3DOF Reality or some actuators on your aluminum extrusion rig. Who knew sim racing could be so technical?! Which is a better way to say expensive.

[@JohnBaxendale]

That last lap punterino is a fairly common iRacing "technique" in the MX5's, it may not have been by accident :)

[@gavinranson3395]

Hi Scott, have you thought about joining sim racing system for Assetto Corsa? You could even host your own championship, would be cool to see you there.

[@not4youvideos245]

Try the FR500 Mustang for a future video. It is a great next step after the Mazda before getting into faster/downforce GT cars.

[@FFFFindoor]

It can be frustrating to pass people when the races are short. I did a race at Oulton where I felt like I was stuck behind a guy for a long time. The track felt very narrow in the TCR.

[@trickshotmonkey]

I learnt a lot through sim racing especially through Assetto Corsa and Project Cars 2. I feel I’m a much safer driver now and to drive fast, first you have to drive smooth. Without upsetting chassis etc. Sim racing is wonderful 🙌 and has thought me a lot about dynamics and lines and lane driving. I used to also play Moto GP too but have stopped playing as I stopped riding a motorcycle. Don’t feel safe no more at least where i live in India 🇮🇳. No lane discipline in my country. But cheers to Sim racing. Want to experience it in VR now 😁. 🍻

[@trickshotmonkey]

spaceweed10 I started sim racing with project cars 2, thats all i had. I won’t say it gave me bad experience. Coming from nfs this(sim) was something different for me. Loved tracks like nordschleife on pc2. A friend recommended assetto since then its either assetto or pc2. Assetto a bit more. Will love to try the new acc. ✌️

[@Lexxo777]

i got taken out in all my races today by the 'lunge overtake' on corners, welcome to iRacing!

[@TheChoosenOne94]

talking about how reailistic tyre model is... uses paddles on H-pattern car. As much as I respect Driver 61, this one killed me.

[@yaodrift]

Hi Scott, whenever you have time, I'm very curious to hear your opinion on the porsche gt3 cup 991 handling from iracing, to me that car feels very very funny, i just want to know if you ever tried one in real life, if yes, how it compared, thanks..

[@teknastyk]

Heh.. Trying to run away from the straight through the Corkscrew is just exhilarating in any car and almos in any sim.. I used to hate Laguna bc. as i was playing Nascar as a kid, i allways destroyed my career on this track. FFW to 2020 in GT sport, it has become one of my favorite tracks to drive and compete on simply because its so demanding. You have these hypnotically long straights combined with blind corners and chicanes and elevation... As much as i cursed it learning every corner, i think its a masterpiece of a track, surely up there wt the Ring.

[@RG-yn4eq]

Great stuff once more Scott! It's really awesome that your taking us Sim Racers on your journey and helping us learn more about reality and Sim Racing at the same time. I tell folks all the time to check out your website driver61.com, your University Series (driver61.com/uni/) is chock full of absolutely fantastic information presented in a way that is uniquely engaging! Thank you so much!

[@jenscee7679]

Your comment at 10:30 is the complete truth about getting into the right position on the bumper of the car before overtaking. You’ll encounter a lot of drivers a little higher up who don’t know how follow a car and are trying EVERY corner to stick the nose of the car up the inside.

[@jimmyd1337]

You should try and get more involved in ACC. Would be great to see you racing with David Peral, Jimmy Broadbent ect. Recently jusst done a 60 care race at Spa

[@angryginger791]

I'm starting to think your videos should be required viewing for all new subscribers on iRacing, and some of the veterans too. LOL!

[@Andy-ms9vi]

He also has the luxury of not having any pressure from behind, so he doesn't have to protect the corners and can take any line he wants to get a run on you.

[@neilputt]

Can you talk about how you grip the wheel? Whenever you demonstrate turning the wheel in one of your videos, you hold the (phantom) wheel like a carving knife or scalpel instead of a dumbbell.

[@ajnaguy]

First off, Scott, love the channel and your approach. You are a good teacher. Second, watch out for racers like the one you beat - there are a few out there who I would swear practice taking 'off-road' lines that don't cut the track but gain a speed advantage. The move the P2 car pulled looked a little like one from a DaveCam channel video I watched recently, if you'd care to view it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3OvqWyYZ7psjKM - Dave seems pretty level-headed about the guy, who pulls the same maneuver twice...

[@FearlessRabbit]

Scott, do you race on triple monitors? Even if not, it would be great to hear how you'd recommend improving peripheral awareness for us that do. Cheers, great work and much appreciated.

[@lolzlarkin3059]

He's got vr

[@DonalMartinplus]

Have crew chief installed for starters

[@iseeq72]

Absolutely my preferred way to overtake… check the opponents driving style, pick his weakest corner with bad exit, create enough room and get him out of the corner with a safe overtake… instead of stupid dive bombs.

[@jiroweiler5883]

i just started sim racing on Asetto corsa SRS (grade on 158, yeah really low) and i noticed that i can't attack or defend a position, yet i usually qualify 12-14/20 and always end top ten (as in

[@JReaLBiz86]

The car behind looked as though he was incredibly good on the brakes, but once he got close it meant he was suffering on corner exit. I agree that if he would have started backing up his braking point to pull closer to your rear, he probably could have made a pass with 2 or 3 to go. He just has a bit to learn.

[@carlosbarragan6729]

Lets race!!

[@rdicko86]

Fast and ragged is a great way to describe my karting hahaha

[@Switch_X_Back3884]

Could you do a video on, i guess medium breaking. Well, what I mean is your NOT in the highest gear but maybe 5th and you need to drop down to 2nd or 3rd. Or 6th gear down to 3rd. I Sim-Race F1. At the Brazil track there are several corners that is like that with a turn and break simultaneously. If you slam on the break like going from 8th to 2nd in a straight line you put the breaks to floor. But, when I do it with the lower gears to lower gears I seem to lock up. How much pressure do you want to do on situations like this???

[@rDanny]

What's the best racing line to take for rainbow road in Mario kart? Now that's pressure

[@juraj_b]

“You better off not making mistakes.” That’s the SuperGT kind of wisdom 😁👍🏻

[@driver61simracing10]

I mean, that IS true...

[@juraj_b]

Driver61 Sim Racing oh yeah it’s kind of too obvious which makes it funny 😉

[@tunanocrust.mfghost]

We're you using h-pattern shifter and clutch for this race? If not, probably why the yellow car took the lead from the start.

[@christoforospaphitis4090]

hehe on my level which is low i made the life hard fro the guy behind but if there's a lot of race left i let them pass and then pile on the pressure, works most of the time when we are equally fast

[@mattkaminski3953]

Do you use an h-pattern for this car?

[@BladeRunner031]

Hey mate, are you still racing? No new videos of iRacing

[@Toadashin]

So, every time I touch the throttle is a mistake?

[@intersepter100]

Great video/s, I have a question about how do you know if you're over driving the car? Also, you mention how there is a void as far as the feedback from the car moving round etc, I have a motion platform in my sim rig, this should help shouldn't it? Thanks for the great content Steve

[@whysoslow1999]

When youre turning too much (tyre screeching), sliding every now and then because youre trying to go too fast... When youre trying to force speed out of the car essentially.

[@BigMeanyVids]

@@whysoslow1999 Which I've found is often due to my lack of car control. I watch fast guys laps and they avoid that just through superior car control, not dramatically different lines. Had to just learn you can't force the car, only yourself. Sooo hard to discipline yourself to do that though.

[@intersepter100]

@@BigMeanyVids yes, you got it spot on, car control. I find that across 3 different sims that the car control is very different. One has no brakes, one has brakes but they tend to lock up all the time and the 3rd one the brakes are quite good. I read that if you haven't got good braking, you got nothing. Being able to brake properly imo is a huge part of car control, and i think that this would help to not over drive the car.

[@intersepter100]

@@whysoslow1999 yes in AMS the tyres screech a lot, especially when turning, but you would have to slow to a crawl to avoid it, that's if you can stop cause it doesn't do that very well, and this effects your lap times of course. I don't know what is the cause yet, but it's annoying

[@whysoslow1999]

@@intersepter100 ehh, cars brake about as fast in every sim.

[@henriquem3111]

So... When you are going to stream a race for us?? :D

[@Don_Dotta2786]

i raced against a mansell a while back, AJ?

[@fenegroni]

Hi Scott, are you always racing in VR? I tried VR and my laps were faster to start with, but then sufferred from motion sickness in Dirt Rally, and fogging up when racing over 1hr.

[@10002One]

Try TrackIR, costs less, gives plenty.

[@MJRicki23]

We are waiting for driver61 vs Max

[@radyon955]

Sometimes i feel like i am loosing pace so i push a lot but sometimes i just looses it and make mistakes . (Any tips could help)