Improve Your iRating In the Formula Vee With This Guide To Race Craft

This is THE video you need to improve your iRating driving the Formula Vee. Over the course of my first year on iRacing I went from a low of 1,250 to 5.5k and during that time I put together this video to show how to make the most of your speed in the Vee by not just hot-lapping, but by actually getting better at wheel to wheel racing.
In this week video I run through how to start better and always gain a place or two, how to overtake safely, how best to defend, how to avoid hazards and a general overview on how anyone can increase their iRating to at least 3k without having to change too much about the way they drive or the need to be putting in the fastest times in the world.
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This is the perfect iRacing beginner guide in 2024 for people wanting to improve, whether it’s your first race in iRacing, first race in the Forumla Vee or first race in Sim Racing in general.
Sambo iRacing is the channel to come to for Sim Racing Tips and beginners guides in 2024.

[@CJBarry55]

Everyone who drives Vee can learn from this content and the grids will be better for it.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Thanks CJ Barry, Formula Vee World Champion Season 4, 2023.

[@MicheleLynnDullDime]

Congrats on the championship!

[@paulashwin247]

GG on the title @CJ

[@DuxDrive]

@@Sambo_iRacinghow that ranks? Curious iracing system/site/ranking how it works. I recently started winning and would love to know bit more on this

[@GitGudRacing]

Crazy how your channel is not more popular. Have not finished the video yet, but this is excellent advice. I struggle a lot with VEE and FF1600 - I mostly drive F3 and it's so different imo. Your track guides and this video certainly helped me to understand those cars better. Thank you!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Very kind of you to say but to be honest I'm equally shocked and happy to have as many views and subscribers as I have. When I started the channel 4-5 months ago, I doubted I'd get a dozen!

[@o.s.racing]

Great video. I wish I was fast enough to break away from my 1.5k iRating but I still have fun. I started iRacing this season 3 (so about 3 months ago) and at first got really frustrated. I had a bad day here and there where I was killed. I couldn't understand how a pro sim like iRacing could still attract people that didn't race fairly. I hated the no fault penalty system. I complained and was downvoted to the point it was depressing. People would say "but real drivers get crashed and taken out too" (I know this as an avid motorsport fan and father of a karter) and I would reply "But they get upset too". However remembering that I can just take a break, grab a drink, then come back and race an hour or two later I stopped getting frustrated by it, and when I stopped getting frustrated about it, it happened less. I watch all your track guides though for MX5s which I raced this season just gone, and no matter what I'm 2 to 3 seconds slower. I need to spend some more time practicing and getting more accurate with pedal inputs I think

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Mate believe me when I say that we’ve ALL been there and being downvoted on Reddit for moaning when we start out is a right of passage. Keep practicing but more importantly, having fun, and likely one day it will all seem to click with you and you’ll just start driving away from people. I was stuck around 1,500-1,600 for six months and then one season it all clicked and within three months of that I started making guides for the Vee. But the main thing is just enjoy yourself, whatever split you’re in.

[@o.s.racing]

@@Sambo_iRacing just enjoy yourself is the best advice. I love it. Having raced hot laps competing on time with friends in AC for a few years I wanted something that mimicked a real season of racing. I probably love it more because of the frustration, it means something, I get emotional and sweaty when I line up on the grid. When I got my first win a couple of weeks back I jumped up so hard I almost ripped my VR cables out 🤣. My son’s last kart race was over in South Wales a month back, Llandow. He got hit in the back at the first hairpin and was unlucky to be spin off into grass. He came back on half a lap from the pack. Finished 16th of 20 in end, but did amazing to catch pack and gain 4 places in a 10 min race. He had a lot of fun. So in real life is just the same,

[@mitchlewis535]

Very well done and helpful video!! I'm still a rookie but I love driving the Vee. The only minor critique I have of your video is when you spin out. In your example you got lucky and were facing the track. Whenever I spin I end up facing opposite the track! lol! The problem is, the Vee has a terrible turning radius and it takes forever to get turned and back on the track. Maybe I need to learn to do a donut in the Vee? 🙂

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Genuinely it’s worth learning that yeah. Clutch in, a ton of right foot and spin it around. Thanks for the comments 😀

[@sebastiancoulson3548]

It’s true I was a 800irating, after learning from Sambo and his videos I am now a 5000+

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Now look at you. Currently number 1 in the world! So proud of you Seb.

[@sebastiancoulson3548]

@@Sambo_iRacing ;)

[@lukasausen]

Yeah im on the same, i was 2600 rating now im 1200 so proud of my coach!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

@@lukasausen 😂

[@cloudman17]

This is perfect for those who want to take sim racing experience to the next level. So much information to digest and apply. It's not easy to have other drivers who have little track education so fingers crossed for ACC and LFM. Thank you so much for putting this together for us ♥️

[@walterswdf2]

Great stuff. Approximate section time stamps: Sec 1 (Starts), 1:04; Sec 2 (Overtaking), 3:47; Sec 3 (Defending), 20:42; Sec 4 (Avoiding Hazards), 24:50; Sec 5 (Dying), 40:50.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

😂

[@little_regret]

This is a wonderful guide to learn how to race people period, with a lot of seasoned Vee experience peppered in. I’m sharing this with my friends just starting online racing regardless of the class so they can learn to be clean and smart from jump.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Thanks so much for your feedback, really pleased you think it may be useful.

[@warrenber]

Really helpful video. How about a video on how you approached your journey from Rookie to Wo4ld Champion? What did you practice, how did you practice, how did you improve car control, rig setup learnings, coaching approach etc.

[@AnotherSimRacingDad]

This is great and I think applicable to all open wheel races and at times to all driving. And nicely explained!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Kind of you to say, thanks.

[@tgrnation]

TGR Nation approves of this message.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Thanks TGR. Ps RIP Mifune

[@matthomas2849]

I was searching yesterday for tips and tricks for the vee. Then get a notification for this 👏👏 was awesome racing against you the other day man. P.s. your merch made perfect Xmas presents (to myself and my mate)

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Oh fantastic to hear!! Thanks for the support and really glad you liked the merch buddy. Hope you find the guides useful this season. Cheers, Sam.

[@paulashwin247]

Good stuff, I'm gonna resist the urge to chase licenses and run another Vee season without the missed weeks this time. These vids have been great each week. I got to 1.1s of your summit point garage 61 lap, so it's paying off slowly.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Thanks Paul and honestly, if you're around a second off my times then you're well ahead of where I was 12 or even 9 months ago. If you drive the percentages (like I still do) then you'll be up over 2k and in top splits in no time mate. Best of luck.

[@paulashwin247]

@@Sambo_iRacing For sure I need to get better at the racecraft. Things like this video says, I've been too concerned about little 1x's avoiding spinners and the like. Does the next Vee series run the same tracks?

[@Joe_Rebel]

42:55 the sausage comment gave me a good laugh lol. very informative, watched the whole way through and this has opened my mind on approaching inevitable situations. gonna sub for more content like this

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Glad you found it useful. Thanks for the feedback.

[@glennbrouwer6170]

Thank you so much for taking the time do do these vids. So many great nuggets of wisdom!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Glad you like them!

[@davidpacker7602]

Very high quality video, well done! I learned a few useful things. aporeciate it!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

No problem. Thanks for your feedback.

[@yuzezhang1159]

Thanks man! Your tutorial helps a looooot! I can see my improvement immediately. Also the stand start trick is awesome!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Glad it helped!

[@xaviermartin1286]

Really insightful, I've been watching your videos for a while now and I must say they're simply the best of the best. I can see your channel blowing up really soon. Started a month ago in Vees and I'm basically at that 1500 plateau. My problem is that I don't trust others in front (most of the times, podium positions) so I kind of lift the throttle a bit more than I should to give me space to avoid hazards. Sometimes it really pays off when they crash and you get the podium/win but other times it plays tricks on me and I get overtaken from others behind. Do you plan on having a discord or something like that ?

[@Sambo_iRacing]

First off, thanks mate, very kind of you to give such positive feedback. Secondly, you’re about 3-4 decent race finishes off being in the majority of top split races and the racing really does get better at that stage. Re Discord, I’m already in a bunch of them and I’d very seriously surprised if anyone wanted/needed to hang out in one I started but if a few people want one for the odd hint or tip, I’d try and help where I could.

[@xaviermartin1286]

@@Sambo_iRacing Oh definitely ! A few good races and I'll probably be good. Yesterday I had a 1530 SOF and the level was noticeably better. For the Discord I would be first in line to join it, I'm sure I won't be the only one. I'll let you think about it haha 😉

[@yhcnalb]

Thank you! I have been doing a POV Vee series on my channel so relatively familiar with the car but found a lot of these tips very helpful!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Great to hear, thanks for the feedback and welcome to the channel.

[@mattronin2647]

Just one note: most of the moves you make assume the others have some sense of race craft and don't make big mistakes. If you're racing below 2k, you need to give even more space and quite a few of these situations will result in you getting murdered because the other dude understeers or spins out. The top split racing is MUCH cleaner than lower splits.

[@Digity.]

Great vid - Bobandy

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Thanks Randy

[@filipivan5125]

My 1st week into iRacing, At best I finish 2 positions better than start but Im terrible on corners 😅 really like Formula in iRacing in VR and hope to takeaway some good advice from the video. After the 8min wheel fix in pits for a 12min race I had to turn to youtube for help 😂

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Let me know how you get on. It’s all just practice.

[@Plat168]

Love this. Would love to see one for FF1600 and F4

[@Sambo_iRacing]

FF1600 now up and running. Running a third guide may be tricky as they do take some time to run and edit and voiceover

[@TheGnelson0265]

This is excellent. Thanks

[@Sambo_iRacing]

No problem. Glad you found it useful.

[@chiefbrody3406]

A gem of an upload thanks so much👏

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jeffflassig6194]

very nice lap, thanks for the pointers.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

No problem 👍

[@wesd3370]

Man I hate defending on the outside line. I find that I more often than not get taken out when the other car understeers the corner exit.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Totally get that. I only tend to do it if I trust the car on the inside. It gets a little easier in top split when you often know them from racing with them before and I have overlays open so I can see their iR and SR but it’s often not the percentage play with randoms in lower splits for sure.

[@jimiknewstubb]

Great video, thanks heaps for the help! 😊🇳🇿

[@Sambo_iRacing]

No problem

[@jackieboy165]

omg i cant believe i never watched Sambo iRacing earlier!!! i cant wait to got from 1.2k to 5.2k just like you Sambo iRacing! I will follow this to the T!!!! ---Bro Jack

[@Sambo_iRacing]

I can’t believe THE Bro Jack watched my video. ❤

[@djborden]

Great video, thank you!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Glad you liked it!

[@moodswingkayaking4921]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

A pleasure and thanks for the support.

[@alexvaliquette9877]

such a good video!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Glad you liked it!!

[@marcomignini4347]

Really tanks for the great video mate. May I ask you which VR are you using ?

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Hi mate. Thanks for the feedback. I was on the Quest 2, but now use the 3.

[@MicheleLynnDullDime]

@32:40 that was me in the purple vee that got taken out by the idiot in the light blue and white car...urghhh!!!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Sorry to hear that. But agree, it wasn’t a great move they made on you.

[@Xortling]

Sambo I’ve been holding off to start racing for rating until my times are better, when do you think would be best to start?

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Always start now my friend. If you are a mile off pace at the start then your iR will drop until it finds its correct spot. Tye main thing is time behind the wheel trying to deal with other imperfect humans who make mistakes (like we all do). Just do your best and enjoy it and your iR will end up where it needs to be. Try not to get frustrated as it’s meant to be an enjoyable experience. Let me know how you get on.

[@billwheeler2708]

The pass at 12:30 is an iracing nightmare those other drivers are not normally that good

[@namzugedjd]

Would the Vee or FF1600 be better for learning fundamentals that transfer to other cars? I plan to switch between both tin-tops and open wheelers.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

This is only my personal opinion, but I shall try and explain my reasoning, but my choice for the above would always be the Vee. In the Vee it is quite easy to drive round the track, it is quite difficult to drive it within 0.5-1% of what's possible around the track. To drive it fast you really have to master trailing braking and balance control and whilst it feels different to an F4 or GT3, the fundamentals are the same. But the MAIN reason that it's the best is because the racing is so close, especially in top split, that you can race 10-12 laps wheel to wheel. Your (i.e. one's) racecraft improves so much faster in the Vee. In the FF1600, it feels a bit more fun and people think "Oh look at me I'm a great driver" because they find that they can control a spin or slide and they feel like they're on the edge because the car is sliding everywhere but in reality, they're probably not. Also the racing is fairly poor in the FF1600, it's very hard to make a clean pass on many of the tracks and what I usually find when running from the back in them is that 90% of my passes are because the person ahead is facing backwards in the gravel. There's a reason that Alonso races the Vee more than any other series.

[@namzugedjd]

really appreciate this thorough response. it has convinced me to start with the vee. thanks! i'll be using your guides each week. @@Sambo_iRacing

[@autmst6883]

Nice content 👍👍👍👍

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Thank you. 😀

[@FlaviusBulldog]

Hey, thanks for the video! What VR headset do you use? And which one of the Vee or FF1600 is better to use as a noob (and translates to better driving other cars in the sim)? Thank you!

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Hi there and thanks for the feedback. I was using a Quest 2 until yesterday when I moved to a Quest 3. The Quest 2, once dialled in, is a great headset for sim racing. The Quest 3 is an upgrade but probably not twice as good despite being twice the price. I’d say the Vee was better for a complete beginner and it’s the best for sure in terms of honing race craft as it’s often wheel to wheel for the whole race. The Vee is what many F1 drivers jump on when they have free weekends as well. I find the FF1600 slightly more fun in that you’re often using opposite lock to arrest a slide and get the car lined up but the racing isn’t quite as close. iRacing does allow you to run both on the same track layout back to back. If you can, I’d run both over the week. The main thing for anyone starting up in Sim Racing is just getting time in the seat though. There’s no substitute for it.

[@LajtowyWedkarz]

You are playing with auto clutch on that Vee?

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Full manual with paddle shifters and dual clutch paddles bud.

[@combatwombat71]

What's the best clutch setting for the Vees in iRacing if you have no actual clutch? Auto blip or auto clutch? Any thoughts welcome 😀

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Auto Blip out of those two but the best option would be assigning a button clutch to your wheel. Genuinely worth 0.3-0.7 per lap in the Vee depending on the track.

[@PazLeBon]

27.48 id say was a chop

[@Sambo_iRacing]

I’d agree with you but then we’d both be wrong. By the time I commit to the turn in (27:40), no part of the car behind’s car is alongside my car and I have the all clear from my crew chief. A move at that point to pass on the inside of the 2nd apex would be a divebomb. Obviously you’re entitled to your opinion but I strongly disagree with it.

[@PazLeBon]

@@Sambo_iRacing ì agree but it would still have been more discretion than the chance of him hitting you, he had to avoid you, which the other examples point to discretion being better part of valour do they not? and you couldo easily have stayed wider

[@Sambo_iRacing]

@@PazLeBon if you look at my in cockpit view (26:23) he never enters my wing mirror and whilst you obviously can’t hear my Cree Chief, I’ve just had an “all clear” after the second car passed me. He’s 100% in my blind spot but I do understand what you’re saying in that he could have taken me out.

[@PazLeBon]

@@Sambo_iRacing cool man, i didnt mean it wasnt within your rights to close the door, just really looking at the safety first and not trusting oother drivers in the main, it does change how you think haha

[@sfacco]

yup, right, but my experience is that how safe you play it, you always get pushed out by cutting corners guys..driving opposite direction guys, lapped hysterical guys..i saw no people doing stupid things in these videos..that's not what I witness daily..🤣🤣🤣

[@Sambo_iRacing]

You get less of that in top split so it’s just about getting towards 1,600-1,800 iR and then you’ll make top split half the time. Anything above 2k and you’ll be in it 8 or 9 times out of ten.

[@MontgomeryScotty]

Mate... Quick question... Did you even look up the term "Sambo" before you decided THAT was the name you were going with? 🤣🤣🤣

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Grew up when Rambo was popular and literally everyone called me Sambo. The racial connotation you mention was never really a thing in the U.K.

[@racekar80]

Too many terrible drivers in V, and open wheel is way more dangerous than closed wheel.

[@Sambo_iRacing]

Sort of agree but as the video shows, if you’re able to keep your nose clean it’s still possible to massively increase iRating racing only in the Vee.