B License No. 10 Gold medal acquired.
Time: 2'13.696
License Center : B License Tests : B10 "1 Lap Guide Run (Laguna Seca)"
Test Car: Citroen C3 1.6 '02
Venue: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Gold: 2'14.400
# Failed Attempts: 9
14 mins
Please keep in mind that these are not necessarily my best times (CLICK HERE for my best times/replays). All replays will be shown in 1st person mode (in-cabin, the same display that I have when driving). The replays for this gamesave's B License runs have been deleted. The replays shown below are my personal current "bests", and the commentary that follows is associated with my best time runs, NOT this gamesave's runs. For all License Tests other than B, I'll post the replays of THIS gamesave's runs, and maintain replays of my best runs elsewhere. I'll update these posts if/when I improve...
A fun run in the Citroen C3. This is a great track to drive! The Pace Car will give you a windbreak in a couple of key spots, so being mindful of the line it takes is crucial to a gold time.
Off the start, I choose to cut the first left bend, instead of following the Pace Car on the outside. I haven't done much testing, but it seemed like I don't lose enough by going up the steeper part of the hill to negate the cut in distance travelled. Also, I can stop steering earlier and still end up in a good spot for the first hairpin. Lastly, the windbreak from the Pace Car goes much further to the outside than I would want to drive.
For the hairpin, turn-in is a bit before passing the "1" sign. I begin braking just after that, and I don't stop braking until my front left wheel hits the inside curb. Speed gets cut from 79 to 40 mph, and I jump back on the gas for the exit as I come off of the inside rumblestrip. There's no need to take this turn as deeply as the Skyline, but I try to catch it's windbreak while I make my way to the left side.
I stab the brakes just before turn-in for the right kink, slowing from 66 to around 54. This settles the car's disposition, and helps keep me from going wide (a common mistake for me). I jump on the gas as I hit the inside curb, using the steering and TCS to help manage the speed.
I cross T1 at 0'40.643, going around 65 mph. I try to stay to the outside, in the Skyline's draft, and begin the turn-in as I pass the "1" sign. I take it flat-out, and manage to stay out of the outside dirt. Cutting the inside curb helps a lot. I almost over-corrected after passing the end of the outside rumblestrip, but keep it steady enough to maintain a good line behind the Pace Car.
It's CRITICAL to get a good draft from T1 to the Corkscrew. This can make or break a gold run. If you normally listen to music while racing, make sure you can still hear the wind resistance to help indicate whether you're in the draft or not.
I start braking for the hard left just before passing the "1" sign. My turn-in was just before that, somewhere between the "2" and "1", but it's hard for me to tell how hard I'm cranking the wheel by looking at the replay. Anyway, I stay in 4th, and brake from 90 to about 65, then I prepare my exit. I end up getting back on the gas too early, which starts to send me wide. I have to crank the wheel and rely on the TCS to help me make my turn, and it slows me down considerably. A little more patience with the gas would've paid dividends.
For the left bender heading into the hill, I could never find the right line to stay flat-out. Lift and Turn-in start near the "1" sign, and my speed dips from 76 to 69. Drafting the Pace Car from T2 up the hill is vital, and I follow it gradually from the right side to the left.
For the first part of the Corkscrew, I get to the right side curbing, and start braking at the "2" sign. Turn-in starts at the "1" sign, and I release the brakes from there. I get back on the gas in 2nd as I hit the curbing on the left, then take steady aim at the curbing on the right.
Finally, I try to take as smooth of an exit as possible, but I think a better entry/exit for the right turn of the Corkscrew would've been better. Anyway, I make my way near the right side of the track, and prepare for the final section.
For the downhill left bender, I always have problems going wide into the dirt. This is usually the result of turning in too early for it, so I tried to be patient and do so gradually. I did a lot of lifting as well, to help make sure I could get a good angle for my exit. I didn't brake for it, but I ended up dipping to 67 mph, and I think a higher speed can be maintained. I cross T3 at 1'39.359.
After making my way to the left, I start the turn-in and braking just after the "1" sign. I drop from 83 to 64, but I get back on the gas too early, sending me too wide. My left side goes in the dirt, and this slows me down a bit, but I try to keep a smooth line out of it.
Braking for the final left corner begins at the "2" sign, and turn-in starts at the "1". I don't stop braking until the inside curb approaches, where I get back on the gas and hound the Pace Car's tail. From here, it's staying in the draft, and shifting just past the redline. I cross the finish at 2'09.983, going 77 mph.
Here's a video of my (best) run:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9045429500979526204&hl=en
Thanks for reading. Thanks for watching. And Have A Great Drive!
RoadHazard
http://www.mygt4diary.com/
