Simulation Mode

[Evil Jeremy]

I'll be honest, I have been using NR2003 on arcade mode for.... well, since I started playing it. I want to start racing online, and I know all the servers use simulation mode. The problem is, I suck at simulation mode. On all but the highest banked tracks, I can't go into a turn without my car locking up and me slamming into the wall. I also have no idea how to create setups (though this isn't a problem for online racing right now).

Can any of you give me tips on how to transition from arcade to simulation racing?

 

[metallicamaniac]

Practice, Practice, Practice. Smooth on everything, smooth with the wheel, smooth on the throttle, smooth on the brakes. Smooth out of the throttle, smooth out of the breaks. Back your corners up, and feel the car out. Did I mention practice?

 

[celticfang]

I'll be honest, I have been using NR2003 on arcade mode for.... well, since I started playing it. I want to start racing online, and I know all the servers use simulation mode. The problem is, I suck at simulation mode. On all but the highest banked tracks, I can't go into a turn without my car locking up and me slamming into the wall. I also have no idea how to create setups (though this isn't a problem for online racing right now).

Can any of you give me tips on how to transition from arcade to simulation racing?

As said, be smooth. roll off the throttle, let the car settle, turn in, let it settle, power on smoothly.

For braking, learn threshold braking, i.e. braking just enough to not lock the wheels.

 

[Evil Jeremy]

Thanks for the input guys. I am adapting quickly. I finished 5th out of 29 drivers at Darlington and was up to third at Tally when taken out.

 

[ongias25]

Way to go! You will find out after a while you will adapt to how the car drives and you will get faster lap times too.............simulation mode is the way nascar 2003 is meant to be played.That is darn good for darlington my friend!Keep trying and have FUN!

 

[MillsLayne]

All of the above advice is right on, but also, don't worry about always finishing up towards the front as much as just finishing the races, period. If you're going to be racing online, other people will almost always have issues, so if you can just finish every race, you should be okay. Plus, finishing races means getting more "seat time", if you will, which translates into that practice!

 

[Evil Jeremy]

Ok, I found my main issues. Firstly, I am now on a joystick (Keyboard before), and I found the "Advanced" tab on the driving controls in the options menu, and played with those settings to help me out, and I am now doing a lot better. I can tell my strength is with SS drafting, there are just so many wrecks online. This is a refreshing change from online killing games lol.

 

[MillsLayne]

Something else you can try is getting an XBox 360 controller with the wireless receiver (it works on PC) or a steering wheel. Guaranteed, you would do a lot better with a comfortable controller.

 

[Evil Jeremy]

Thanks Mills, I will look into getting a wheel.

Does anyone know of any written or video tutorials on the racing aspect of NR2003? For example, I just watched a video tutorial on how to qualify on a SS. Do any of you know of other videos or websites with tutorials like that?

 

[RP Motorsports]

I wouldnt rely too much on tutorials to get better at racing. You might pick up a little tip or two on qualifying or something like that, but as far as racing goes, it comes down to practice. Everybody is going to approach a race track differently and everybody is going to look for a different feel in their car. Once you start getting the feel for it, setting up the car can make the biggest difference of all. Again, everyone likes a different feel and a different handle so its about figuring out what you want the car to feel like, learning the different components of the car, and trying to dial in a setup that works good for you.

It cant be stressed enough though, practice practice practice, and then practice some more.

-Ryan

 

[ongias25]

I wouldnt rely too much on tutorials to get better at racing. You might pick up a little tip or two on qualifying or something like that, but as far as racing goes, it comes down to practice. Everybody is going to approach a race track differently and everybody is going to look for a different feel in their car. Once you start getting the feel for it, setting up the car can make the biggest difference of all. Again, everyone likes a different feel and a different handle so its about figuring out what you want the car to feel like, learning the different components of the car, and trying to dial in a setup that works good for you.

It cant be stressed enough though, practice practice practice, and then practice some more.

-Ryan

Well said Ryan!

 

[Evil Jeremy]

I am continuing to make progress overall, and I am doing great on SS, but there is on area I continue to struggle in. On normal 1.5 mile tracks, I can't make it through turns 2 and 4 (after a few laps on new tires) without my wheels locking up and sending me into the wall, and I cant make it through any turns on the short tracks without this problem.

Can any of you give me tips on how to improve turning, or where I can find tips on turning?

 

[MillsLayne]

Either your car setup is making you too tight or you're heating your tires up too quickly, or both. Try different car setups to see what might help and also don't try and go balls to the walls every single corner. Sometimes, especially in a longer race, you have to just pace yourself and your tires. You can get a few, really quick laps, but then you might suffer later on in a run, or you can pace yourself more evenly and save your stuff to use at the end. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged!

 

[Evil Jeremy]

Either your car setup is making you too tight or you're heating your tires up too quickly, or both. Try different car setups to see what might help and also don't try and go balls to the walls every single corner. Sometimes, especially in a longer race, you have to just pace yourself and your tires. You can get a few, really quick laps, but then you might suffer later on in a run, or you can pace yourself more evenly and save your stuff to use at the end. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged!

Right now I am using the OpenSpeedway public server, which has fixed setups. I just don't know when to start breaking, how much, when to get back into the throttle, etc. All those are key to good turning.

 

[MillsLayne]

They are, and with time and a lot practice and patience, you will learn it. Honestly, if they are fixed setups, then it sounds like you're getting into the gas coming out of the turns too soon. Just try backing down a little bit and see how that helps.