How to DEFEND Your Position | LD's Defensive Sim Racing Driving Techniques

Over the past 25 years of sim racing, I've learned a thing or two about defending my position. Good defensive driving is worth just as much as pace. Finish well, in a better position after learning some of these defensive driving skills, and apply them in iRacing, Assetto Corsa, Automobilista 2, Project Cars, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Raceroom R3R, etc. These tried a trusted and fair techniques will make you a faster, more consistent driver.
Start: 0:00
1. The Inside Line: 0:24
2. Focus on corner exit: 3:28
3. Do not over drive: 5:52
4. Backing up the pack: 8:28
5. Make them uncomfortable: 15:17
6. Fast 'Enough' = Good Enough: 18:12
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[@naxalar]

Can totally relate to the 'not being the fastest car on track' comment. Great video, keep em coming.

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

haha yeah it's rare that I find myself being the fastest too. Defending a position is worth as much as gaining one ;)

[@tonystack1622]

Good points. I would add Attack or be attacked, happens a lot to me , if you sit and wait too long, you get ganged up on from behind and lose spots .

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

100% what a great point. I often say on my stream that you need to pretend you’re battling for position but “attack or be attacked” is a great mantra

[@TwoIrresponsibleGamers]

Awesome video Laurence, really easy to understand with the excellent example footage. These tips are the next step up for every casual sim racer, to take their skill to the next level. A skilled driver/defender has every chance to win against faster drivers on the grid. Quality footage and editing as always 👌

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks so much man. I’d love to have 2x the time to edit but ‘good enough’ is the standard I’m going for at the moment otherwise I’d never release a video 😂😂😂

[@TechShizzleRacing]

Actionable advice. Awesome! Nice seeing you on-track yesterday!

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Yeah man :) trying to get some more skippies sessions in these days :)

[@TechShizzleRacing]

@@LaurenceDusoswa never a bad idea to get more Skippy sessions in!

[@TechShizzleRacing]

Note-the iRacing Sporting Code does not limit your defending other than to say that you are not allowed to react to the actions of a trailing car: "Blocking - The leading driver is allowed to run a defensive line. However, blocking occurs when a leading driver actively adjusts his or her driving line based on the actions and/or positioning of a pursuing driver. For example, veering left to prevent a pursuing driver from passing on the left while running on a straight."

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Yeah the rule is slightly open to interpretation but as long as your move is naturally defensive and not forced or malicious, it’s all good :)

[@VishnuRajam4x4]

Very well explained video on how to defend. Others have tried but this is probably the best one.

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks so much for your kind comment!

[@DavidGarcia-oi5nt]

Cool! I had no idea you made tutorials as well. Very neat Laurence!

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

I do occasionally. I'm not a driver coach and have a lot to learn, but often videos like this are born out of community/subscriber requests.. Thanks for watching!

[@johnsherwin9054]

Literally searching for this exact topic today and this pops up. Great video and some great examples too. Looking forward to putting these into practice. Keep it up man. 🔥

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Nice one :) enjoy! These tips really help me

[@CharlesK441]

Excellent demonstrations. I love races like this whether it's for a podium or near the back of the field. I often give up too easy. But then my fellow competitors in our league told me not just to give up so easily. We have the advantage of racing each other every week and that certainly helps to figure out driving styles of others. By the way, you wanna guest commentate one week? You'd be ace! 🙏🏾😉👍🏾

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Send me a message on discord. It all depends on the day and stuff but I wont say no right now. Thanks for the kind words!

[@IvebenKruzen]

Congrats on a Top Split win! Great video, very informative.

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks for your comment :) glad it gave some good info

[@keyserni]

Really good video. Hope you have more like this planned.

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

“Overtaking tips”??? Seems logical ;)

[@keyserni]

@@LaurenceDusoswa Overtaking definently, race craft, quick setup techniques and then the flipside of how not to examples. Special Edition could be 'LD's Witty Retorts for Persistent Headlight flashers'.

[@Salutifer0us]

Excellent tips and sharing the experience, really good video.

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks man, means a lot to me to get comments like this

[@davejones687]

Really interesting video, I’m a long way from being able to think like that whilst racing but no the less interesting to see how the pro’s think. Thanks

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks! You’d be surprised. Some of these techniques may come in handy in the last few corners of a race when your position is under a lot of pressure. You might remember a point from this video and put it into practice. People rarely do ALL of these in a single race.

[@davejones687]

@@LaurenceDusoswa just won my first tier 2 Skippy race and held P2 off for about 8 laps so your video must off helped subconsciously. 😀

[@asawyer2872]

Great stuff, really useful!

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks! And thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@fritz808]

Great video and super driving!

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks man ❤️ it all came together in the end!

[@krazyhartin]

Very Nice detailed points. 👍

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks for the kind comment

[@wou8398]

Underated channel :)

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

❤️ thanks so much :) my time will come ;)

[@TheMrdhyde]

In public lobbies the whole track is a passing zone.

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

This video was filmed in a public lobby ;) but there’s nothing you can do about shitty drivers. You just need to stick to your lines and be disciplined and you’ll be rewarded

[@fredpel1089]

Yeah, number 3 is my biggest downfall every race.....though i'm getting better at it....

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

You definitely are man. Practice makes perfect ;)

[@stefa6348]

cool nice video

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Thanks Stef! Glad you enjoyed it, hope it helps a bit

[@AtomicAndi]

Great stuff. Top content. Item 4 (backing them up) works especially well in lower "splits". They will often just fight to the death ;-) My favorite: Just going a bit slow on Lap 1 often causes carnage behind. Then you're good to go for the rest of the race It's so effective, I sometimes wonder if it is cheating ;-)

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

Hahaha thanks for the kind comment! The leader controls the pace so it’s definitely not cheating :) braking outside of zone or weaving/abrupt blocking are not legal but the defensive techniques outlined here are all legal for sure. You’re right in your observations. Racing is about being at the front, not being the fastest ;)

[@ricardozapata5964]

Rule #1. If you are slow get the fuck out of the way. 🤬

[@LaurenceDusoswa]

If they're slow, you can pass them ;) Otherwise, they're allowed to be there.

[@DunkinDonutGoesFast]

Rule #2, don't get mad because you don't have the skills to pass a driver who has slower pace, but excellent defensive skills