A License No. 10 Gold medal acquired.
Time: 2'45.962
License Center : A License Tests : A10 "1 Lap Guide Run (Suzuka)"
Test Car: Honda INTEGRA TYPE R (DC5) '03
Venue: Suzuka Circuit
Gold: 2'48.000
# Failed Attempts: 1
6 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).
If I haven't mentioned it enough yet: I love the real-world tracks. While I acknowledge that playing this game is not an appropriate substitue for driving in the real world, I really enjoy the opportunity to experience, on an abstract level, driving on a real track in a real car. Playing this game might be the closest I get to doing so.
Blah blah blah. Anyway, I launch at around 5500, and head straight from the grid. I don't start steering to the left until I'm in between 1st and 2nd gears, as this will allow the drive wheels to work more efficiently. I try to do so in a single stab, and having a long straight ahead means I don't need that sharp of an angle.
I follow the Pace Car's draft along the left, and I begin turn-in after crossing the thin white line on the ground. I aim for the inside curb and dab the brakes to go from 96 to 87, then I ease back on the gas as I roll over the curbing.
As I approach the left side, I slam on the brakes and go from 89 to 53. My initial application of the brakes was bad, and I ended up double-braking. This left me wide, slow, and with a bad angle for the exit. I creep back around and try to catch as much of the Pace Car's draft as I can, before heading into the Esses.
Approaching the first left, I chose to over-rev 3rd, instead of shifting. I slightly dabbed the brakes to go from 83 to 72, and got back on the gas after edging the curb. I change directions as the car approaches the right-side curbing, then I lift, then pump the brakes, then get back on the gas after rolling off the curb at around 61 mph.
Apparently, I cut too early of an apex, and I'm wider than I want to be. I run this section like I did for the A9 test, lifting slightly before hitting the inside curbing of each turn. I try to be patient for the final right hander before heading into Dunlop.
I flutter the throttle for the first part of Dunlop, then get back on it when I'm sure I won't end up in the dirt. That stuff will REALLY slow down a run, if it doesn't give you a DQ. I steadily make my way behind the Pace Car, and prepare for the next two right handers.
I start braking just before passing the 50 m marker (on the left side fence). I double-brake from 106 to around 70, before getting the confidence to get back on the gas. I always have trouble going wide after that first right hander. For the sharp right, I brake from 81 to 49, and I could've carried a lot more speed through if I would've cut a sharper and earlier turn-in. I manage to keep all 4 wheels on the track for the exit, and fall back into the Pace Car's draft.
I cross T1 at 1'15.789, and prepare for the hairpin. After passing the last lamp post, I brake from 93 to 30, and do my best to point toward the inside curb. I jump back on the gas and try to take a smooth exit along the right side.
The Pace Car starts 200R (the long right hand curve) from a wide track position. It might be tempting to try to follow it to get a draft, but I haven't found this to be an advantage (yet). I found it better to stay tight to the right, and wait for the Pace Car to come back inside.
The brakes on the DC5 stink compared to the Pace Car, so be careful not to collide with it. There's a paved footpath to the right, and I use it as a braking point. I brake too hard, going from 114 to 58, and I miss the inside curb. I should take the first part faster (brake less, initially), then brake again or simply lift as I approach the outside curbing on exit. My entry, speed, and exit for the latter part of Spoon is OK, and I fall back into the Pace Car's draft.
For the uphill section, if you're hearing wind, you're going slow. I do my best to follow the Pace Car's windbreak, and cross T2 at 2'14.024.
I follow the turn-in and braking of the pace car for 130R, but I definitely can save some time there. I'm not at full throttle until I'm almost to the outside curbing, and my angle was poor. Anyway, I creep back to the left to prepare for the final chicane.
My braking for the Casio Triangle was great, but then I totally blew the turn-in by doing so too sharply. I have to correct back towards the left, for fear of going off, but I'm not even sure whether I needed to or not (I don't know how much "Grass-crete" they allow one to use). Anyway, I come through a little wider than I want, but I manage to make it through OK. I stick to the right, pulling away from the inside to follow the Pace Car's draft.
I cross at 2'45.962, going 105 in 5th gear. I like the ending for this replay.
Here's a video of my run:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9127884309754408650
Thanks for reading. Thanks for watching. And Have A Great Drive!
RoadHazard
http://www.mygt4diary.com/
