A License No. 5 Gold medal acquired.
Time: 1'29.313
License Center : A License Tests : A5 "1 Lap Guide Run (Grand Valley East)"
Test Car: Audi A3 3.2 quattro '03
Venue: Grand Valley
Gold: 0'12.000
# Failed Attempts: 1
3 min
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).
A full-lap run at Grand Valley East. This is a straight-forward test, with the TCS off. The biggest keys are to take your time for the first go-rounds, to familiarize yourself with the track (for those like me who are driving this configuration for the first time).
I launch at 4500, and head straight from the start. The Pace Car will fall in line, so don't worry about having to steer to catch the draft. The first turn for this test can be taken like the first turn of Tsukuba. I start on the outside, point the car inwards, brake, coast, then jump on the gas.
After crossing T1 at 0'33.473, I prepare for the triple-right by scooting toward the left hand side. When the Pace Car flashes the brakelights, that's when I begin my turn-in. I start braking midway across the track, from 103 to 75, then I start to accelerate for the exit. I took an angle that keeps me on the left side of the track, which is good, but I think I could've taken that first right a lot better.
For the next right, I stay on the gas until I approach the outside curb. There's an extended sidewalk that you can use if you run wide, which I made use of on this run. The braking could've been much smoother, giving me a better entry speed into the final right-left before the tunnel. I start braking after coming off of the inside curb, from 93 to around 50, then ease into the right-left complex in the low 50s.
I start turn-in and braking for the hard left just before the inside curbing starts to go out of view. I brake from 59 to 40 before fluttering the gas for the tunnel entry. It's good to follow the Pace Car for a good draft, but it's easy to forget to slow down before coming out of the tunnel. Doing so helps keep a good angle to lead up to the final right hander, and allows for smooth acceleration.
I slow down from 85 to 65, and end up on the left hand side. I begin turn-in and braking just before the 2nd to last tree shadow. I go from 92 to 65, then get back on the gas for the final part of it. I try as best as I can to keep my steering steady, so that I don't lose as much speed coming out. Following the line of the Pace Car is a good idea here.
I cross at 1'29.313, going 120 mph in 5th gear...
Here's a video of my run:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5269797362317695941
Thanks for reading. Thanks for watching. And Have A Great Drive!
RoadHazard
http://www.mygt4diary.com/
