Start racing in - LIVE FOR SPEED!
- What's the best way for ME to start racing in LFS?

PLEASE HELP IMPROVE THIS THREAD!
Send PM's & I'll edit THIS post for simplicity & clarity.
Let's keep this thread CLEAN & EASY to read! THANKS!
Finally - please forgive any errors & try to help make it BETTER!

CARS:
Learn cars you see most often on the populated servers.
- CTRA Race 1 [XF GTI = XFG (fwd) & XR GT = XRG (rwd)]
- CTRA Single Seater 1 [FORMULA BMW FB02 = FBM (rwd)]
- http://www.raceauthority.com

Next - spend your time in the RACE cars - GTR & Open Wheel.
They are the cars used the most in online racing leagues.

Rear wheel drive GTR (not GT) cars & the only (4wd) seem to be most popular:
XR GTR = XRR (rwd) / FZ50 = FZR (rwd) / FXO GTR = FXR (4wd)

The open wheelers (all = rwd) are also very popular!
FORMULA BMW FB02 = FBM (rwd) / FORMULA XR = FOX (rwd) / FORMULA V8 = F08 (rwd)
- the BMW SAUBER F1.06 = BF1 (rwd) is not used much & is a pain to setup.

You will need to develop control with rear wheel drive cars.
They are powerful enough to get you in trouble - really quick!

The (fwd) GTR cars may seem easier to drive, but are not as common:
XF GTR = XFR (fwd) / UF GTR = UFR (fwd & not used much).


TRACKS:
Try one type of car on all the different tracks.
You'll gain confidence with that car while learning the tracks.
Learn a track in one car & the brake & turn-in points are pretty close in other cars.

After that, the car you choose to learn with can help or hurt you however.
Pick a car you think you have the best feel for and you can tweak the setup.

Short tracks are the easiest to learn - try these (+ reverse versions):
Fern Bay - Club
South City - Classic, Sprint 1, Sprint 2
Aston - Club, Cadet
Kyoto Ring - Oval

Long tracks are harder because you don't see the same turn as often.
Tracks with a 1:45+ minute laptime are going to be the hardest to learn.
HOWEVER - you might find long tracks with high speed turns are easier for you.

One of my friends says: a great track to start with is Kyoto National.
There are NO blind turns so you can see every apex from a mile away.

Press the #4 key on your keyboard in the game to turn on the colored "tutorial racing line"
Turn it off after a few laps and learn to modify your lines to deal with race traffic & passing.

Spectate races and watch other peoples racing lines. That helps a lot too!


GARAGE / TUNING:
Get setups from inferno & My3id
http://setupfield.teaminferno.hu
http://www.setupfield.net

Get a setup that you like the feel of and use that as a base.
At first, make the "tires" page of the setup screen symmetric.
You can worry about making a setup directional (left- or right-handed) later.

To tweak for different tracks, try adjusting the final drive ratio first.
There are lots things to tweak later, but that's the really important one to start with.

Try moving UP through the tire choices in the GARAGE section too.
Try changing R2's to R3's, etc. then adjust air pressure down as needed.


BUILDING YOUR SKILLS:
{send me a PM with your tips and I will add them here}

Look as far down track as possible & look "through" the turns.
- Don't stare at the curb in a turn - look WAY down the track.
- Your reactions will naturally follow your eyes... and make you smoother.

Experiment with "dragging" the brake through turns - while staying on the gas.
- This won't "upset" chassis weight distribution from getting off the gas or hard braking.
http://virtualracersedge.com/left_foot_braking.htm

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FYI - Here's a reference for cars & tracks: http://www.lfs.net/?page=contents
- click the THUMBNAIL PIC for detailed info about each car & track.
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More good info:

Basic driving guides
http://en.lfsmanual.net/wiki/Basic_driving_guides

A few "Gentlefoot" videos:
- http://gentlefoot.com/trackguides.html

Driving Tips (a must read)
- http://www.lfsforum.net/showth ... &highlight=Gentlefoot

This explains trail braking.
- http://virtualracersedge.com/trail_braking.htm

"ONE OF A KIND" cars
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MRT5 = MRT - Rear wheel drive
Based on the real MRT5 built by the McGill Racing Team and competing in the Formula SAE championship this lightweight car is ideal for autocross tracks and slow configurations.
The MRT5 is fun to drive and reminds you of a kart although it has more power and a differential.

Engine: 600 cc turbocharged inline4
Power: 48 kW (64bhp) @ 7894 rpm
Torque: 69 Nm (51 lbft) @ 5071 rpm
Total Mass: 222 kg (490 lbs)
Power-weight: 216 W/kg (294 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 37.6 F 62.4 R

===============================
LX4 = LX4 - Rear wheel drive
With only 518 kg the LX4 is a pretty light car and is quite fast around the twisted S1 tracks.
The LX4 is easy to drive and ideal for beginners to learn how to control a LX-style car.

Engine: 1.3 litre inline 4
Power: 105 kW (140bhp) @ 8212 rpm
Torque: 131 Nm (97 lbft) @ 6917 rpm
Total Mass: 518 kg (1142 lbs)
Power-weight: 202 W/kg (275 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 47.5 F 52.5 R

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LX6 = LX6 - Rear wheel drive
The "big brother" of the LX4 has a lot more power but is also slightly heavier.
Due to the road type tyres the LX6 is quite tricky to drive, so you should practice with the LX4 first.

Engine: 1.8 litre inline 6
Power: 142 kW (190bhp) @ 8429 rpm
Torque: 173 Nm (128 lbft) @ 7059 rpm
Total Mass: 540 kg (1189 lbs)
Power-weight: 262 W/kg (358 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 48.0 F 52.0 R

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RB4 GT = RB4 - Four wheel drive
This car has a lot of torque and is therefore the ideal car for the rallycross courses.
The RB4 is also fun to drive on the road tracks, but is slower than a GT Turbo & FXO due to its weight.

Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4
Power: 179 kW (241bhp) @ 6056 rpm
Torque: 319 Nm (234 lbft) @ 4551 rpm
Total Mass: 1236 kg (2724 lbs)
Power-weight: 145 W/kg (197 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 57.4 F 42.6 R

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RACEABOUT = RAC - Rear wheel drive
Really existing prototype of a sportscar from Finland.
It has the typical feeling of a mid-mounted (Saab and turbocharged) engine; tricky, but very rewarding.

Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4
Power: 183 kW (245bhp) @ 5879 rpm
Torque: 360 Nm (265 lbft) @ 3500 rpm
Total Mass: 800 kg (1763 lbs)
Power-weight: 228 W/kg (311 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 40.0 F 60.0 R

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"STANDARD" versions through GTR
===============================
UF1000 = UF1 - Front wheel drive
The least powerful car in the game, but far from being the least fun.
In fact, the closest races are to be had when behind the wheel of this car.
Certainly not suited to the faster tracks however.

Engine: 1.0 litre inline 4
Power: 41 kW (55bhp) @ 5589 rpm
Torque: 88 Nm (65 lbft) @ 3009 rpm
Total Mass: 600 kg (1323 lbs)
Power-weight: 69 W/kg (93 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 59.9 F 40.1 R

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UF GTR = UFR - Front wheel drive
While it has less power than its competitor, the XF GTR, its lack of weight more than makes up for this.
On twistier circuits it will eat the XF GTR (and a couple of sets of tyres), but loses out on the straights.
Certainly requires smooth driving. Whoever said Minis were boring?

Engine: 1.4 litre inline 4
Power: 134 kW (180bhp) @ 8246 rpm
Torque: 178 Nm (131 lbft) @ 5870 rpm
Total Mass: 600 kg (1323 lbs)
Power-weight: 223 W/kg (304 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 64.6 F 35.4 R

===============================
XF GTI = XFG - Front wheel drive
This car is, together with the XR GT, the starter car of S1 and does not have to be earned by winning races.
Being a FWD with not too much power, it's a good car to learn your first racing skills with.

Engine: 1.3 litre inline 4
Power: 86 kW (115bhp) @ 6871 rpm
Torque: 130 Nm (96 lbft) @ 5658 rpm
Total Mass: 940 kg (2072 lbs)
Power-weight: 92 W/kg (125 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 60.0 F 40.0 R

===============================
XF GTR = XFR - Front wheel drive
The most powerful FWD car in LFS, it brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "power understeer".
Requires smooth driving. Is a competitor to the UF GTR.

Engine: 2.0 litre inline 4
Power: 179 kW (240bhp) @ 7242 rpm
Torque: 270 Nm (198 lbft) @ 5178 rpm
Total Mass: 836 kg (1843 lbs)
Power-weight: 214 W/kg (292 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 62.3 F 37.7 R

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XR GT = XRG - Rear wheel drive
Being a rear wheel driven car, but without excessive power to them, this car is great to get the feel for racing with a RWD. Learning to catch the balance in turns, it will prepare you for its bigger brother, the XR GT Turbo.

Engine: 1.8 litre inline 4
Power: 104 kW (140bhp) @ 5945 rpm
Torque: 186 Nm (137 lbft) @ 4603 rpm
Total Mass: 1167 kg (2572 lbs)
Power-weight: 90 W/kg (122 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 54.3 F 45.7 R

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XR GT TURBO = XRT - Rear wheel drive
Loaded with a 2 litre turbocharged engine, transferring its power to the rear, the XR GTT has become one of the favorite cars in S1.

Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4
Power: 183 kW (245bhp) @ 6019 rpm
Torque: 325 Nm (239 lbft) @ 4585 rpm
Total Mass: 1224 kg (2699 lbs)
Power-weight: 150 W/kg (204 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 52.5 F 47.5 R

===============================
XR GTR = XRR - Rear wheel drive
Slicks, wings, silly power and an angry face, this car has had the works done to it.
Nobody knows what the LFS tuning division did to the turbocharger to get double the power out of the engine, but it works, and we are forever thankful. It likes to eat FXO GTRs for breakfast, so watch out.

Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4
Power: 365 kW (490bhp) @ 6278 rpm
Torque: 627 Nm (461 lbft) @ 4782 rpm
Total Mass: 1100 kg (2424 lbs)
Power-weight: 332 W/kg (453 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 55.4 F 44.6 R

===============================
FXO TURBO = FXO - Front wheel drive
The favorite car in S1, as it is very accessible and fun, being a fast front wheel driven car.
Because it is light, it is able to maintain a high speed right through the turn.

Engine: 1.9 litre turbocharged flat 4
Power: 174 kW (234bhp) @ 6757 rpm
Torque: 270 Nm (199 lbft) @ 5441 rpm
Total Mass: 1128 kg (2487 lbs)
Power-weight: 155 W/kg (212 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 58.9 F 41.1 R

===============================
FXO GTR = FXR - Four wheel drive
The FXO GTR is a great car for somebody just getting used to the extra power offered by the GTR cars or for somebody who just wants to have some fun in the GTR class, but if you want wins and don't like long races you have to move to one of the rear-wheel drive GTR cars.

Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged flat 4
Power: 365 kW (490bhp) @ 6278 rpm
Torque: 627 Nm (461 lbft) @ 4782 rpm
Total Mass: 1130 kg (2492 lbs)
Power-weight: 323 W/kg (441 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 57.5 F 42.5 R

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FZ50 = FZ5 - Rear wheel drive
The flat 6 in back of this car delivers 360 bhp that you can put down well due to the car having its weight in the back.
Watch out in the corners though, its heavy back may overtake the front!

Engine: 3.6 litre flat 6
Power: 269 kW (360bhp) @ 7588 rpm
Torque: 392 Nm (288 lbft) @ 5019 rpm
Total Mass: 1379 kg (3041 lbs)
Power-weight: 195 W/kg (265 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 38.0 F 62.0 R

===============================
FZ50 GTR - FZR - Rear wheel drive
This happens when a not-sane person looks at an FZ50 & says "Nice, but needs more power."
130bhp more to be exact. Like the XR GTR, it was given slicks, downforce, gorgeous looks, lightened & ended up better.

Engine: 3.6 litre flat 6
Power: 365 kW (490bhp) @ 8106 rpm
Torque: 503 Nm (370 lbft) @ 5267 rpm
Total Mass: 1100 kg (2425 lbs)
Power-weight: 332 W/kg (452 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 35.3 F 64.7 R

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OPEN WHEELERS
===============================
FORMULA BMW FB02 = FBM - Rear wheel drive
A recreation of the real car.
Due to it's fairly low power while still having downforce, this car is perfect for the less experienced formula drivers.
It also makes for good close races, for everyone, as you have more time to react to the racing circumstances.

Engine: 1.2 litre inline 4
Power: 105 kW (140bhp) @ 8948 rpm
Torque: 125 Nm (92 lbft) @ 6756 rpm
Total Mass: 465 kg (1024 lbs)
Power-weight: 225 W/kg (307 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 42.0 F 58.0 R

===============================
FORMULA XR = FOX - Rear wheel drive
This car serves as a nice introduction to the cars with downforce. The relatively low power of the engine makes the car easy to drive once up to speed. Insane fun on twisty tracks.

Engine: 2.0 litre inline 4
Power: 142 kW (190bhp) @ 7032 rpm
Torque: 221 Nm (162 lbft) @ 4964 rpm
Total Mass: 490 kg (1079 lbs)
Power-weight: 290 W/kg (395 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 45.0 F 55.0 R

===============================
FORMULA V8 = F08 - Rear wheel drive
Formula car for the more advanced racer.
It's very fast, pulling over 3Gs in the bends.
Defenitely a step up compared with the Formula XR.

Engine: 3.0 litre V 8
Power: 341 kW (458bhp) @ 8972 rpm
Torque: 401 Nm (295 lbft) @ 7059 rpm
Total Mass: 600 kg (1323 lbs)
Power-weight: 568 W/kg (775 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 45.0 F 55.0 R

===============================
The BMW Sauber F1.06 = BF1 - Rear wheel drive
A recreation of the real thing with approval from the BMW Sauber F1 team.
This car is so fast, you will soon learn to respect F1-drivers more than ever.

Engine: 2.4 litre V 8
Power: 538 kW (722bhp) @ 19076 rpm
Torque: 288 Nm (213 lbft) @ 16315 rpm
Total Mass: 530 kg (1323 lbs)
Power-weight: 1015 W/kg (1383 bhp/ton)
Weight dist: 46.3 F 53.7 R

===============================
On what cars are the LFS cars based on?
Note: these are just observations by forum members.

RB4 - Toyota Celica GT4, Toyota Supra Mk4
MRT - The real McGill MRT5
RAC - The real Raceabout
XRG - Mitsubishi Starion, Mazda RX7 and Porsche 944
XRT - XRG with an aero kit and more power via a turbo
XRR - You get the pattern. GT racing version of xrt
XFG - Fiat Punto, Seat Ibiza, Citroén Saxo/AX, Ford Focus, VW Golf GTi, Mk3 Rover Metro

XFR - Racing XFG
LX4 - Lotus 7, Caterham Super Seven, Westfield Sport 2.0
LX6 - See above
FXO - Opel Astra,1999 Honda CIvic SI, Honda Civic Coupé, Mitsubishi Galant
FXR - Racing version of FXO
FZ5 - Porsche 911 (flat six rear engine), Ferrari 550, Nissan 350Z coupe

FZR - Moooore and Harder. FZ5 racing version
UF1 - Daihatsu Trevis, Mini
UFR - Moooore and Harder again
FO8 - Formula 3000
FOX - Formula Renault 2000
BF1 - The real BMW Sauber F1 2006
FBM - The real Formula BMW

AFAIK the FXR is much more used then the xrr.

Quote from Stefani24 :

AFAIK the FXR is much more used then the xrr.

Thank you! I edited my OP (original post) to reflect your input.

http://virtualracersedge.com/trail_braking.htm
this explains trail braking.
when you slow down with the throttle slights on, it reduces the engine braking, and results in much less tendency to oversteer. It is used mainly in open wheel cars I belive.

nice posts you have here

Strange, I was just about to start a thread asking the same thing. I've owned this game for a long time but I've almost never really played it online after playing the demo online many times.

With the demo it was easy to figure out what car/track you needed to learn. With the full game I feel lost.

I've been mostly playing games like TDU and now GT5P but I really want to give LFS a fair shake to see what people are always raving about.

And how close to the top times do I need to be to race without causing people to crash into me because I'm braking too early?

most racers will be 2 seconds below the top times, as long as you can be withing 4 seconds or so from the WR, you wont get crashed, 4 seconds over a whole track is like nothing when drivers can compensate easily. I suck at racing, and I just get out of faster peoples ways... I dont cause a wreck that way. then again im 6-10 secinds below most WRS

Quote from RE Amemiya :

http://virtualracersedge.com/trail_braking.htm
this explains trail braking.

Thanks for your contribution!
I edited the original post w/ that link... good article!

Great post, love it.. Drifting is a big part of LFS too, Xrt is mainly used but alot of drivers like the Rb4 and Fz5 aswell!

Need racing advice
http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=42109

migf1 - posted a useful reply (#7) w/ some good links

Quote from somasleep :

...how close to the top times do I need to be to race without causing people to crash into me because I'm braking too early?

Quote from RE Amemiya :

most racers will be 2 seconds below the top times, as long as you can be within 4 seconds or so from the WR, you wont get crashed, 4 seconds over a whole track is like nothing (and other) drivers can compensate easily....

I downloaded some WR (World Record) hotlaps to watch.
- I tried out some different VIEWS (press the V key)
- I found the view from the "top down" to be VERY useful
- I also used the colored "racing line" (press 4 on keyboard)
- SEE - http://www.lfs.net/?page=keys

Of course - I also tried some of those setups & was blown away!
I am stunned by how much a setup effects my lap times!

===============================================
Here is how you can try the WR setups too (from the LFS Wiki):
- http://en.lfsmanual.net/wiki/Game_modes

You can download "replays" of WR laps from LFS World & watch them on your PC.
You can use various camera-perspectives, speed-up, slow-down & pause play back.
This is the perfect way to study the racing line of the world's best drivers.
It also a great way to improve your own laptimes & try some very FAST SETUPS!
Just download some WR replays from LFS World & see how you do in that car setup!

???????????????????? Here's How ????????????????????????

Open LFS World and click the S2 Hotlaps icon.

Click the WR's (or Hotlap Chart's) tab & then choose your track & car combo.
- example - Blackwood, GP, XF GTI

Click the numerical laptime under the WR racers name (or Laptime column).
EXAMPLES:
WR tab ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ || (Hotlap Chart's --- tab) ||
RacerNameX ~~~~~~~~~~~ || (Laptime ----- column) ||
1:33.14 <--- click this ~~~~~ || (1:33.14 <-- click this) ||

The SAVE window will open - SAVE to your "x:\LFS\data\spr" folder.

Start LFS and go to - REPLAYS

While watching a single player replay - hit the ESC key & choose TEST DRIVE!

TEST DRIVE - allows you to drive that car using someone’s replay file.
- you may need to change controller settings... from KB to wheel, etc.

==============================================
PS - I've read that WR Setups are not good for racing.
- let's say I find a WR setup I really like...
- how would I tweak the WR setup into a race setup?
- - are they just referring to tire selection & pressure not going race distance?

This thread has great info for improving lap times!

Help Kev Get a World Record! (hahahaha)
http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=14214