In the first blog post covering the Induction Noise antics in the SA iRacing Masters Series, I covered a few initial key points that were considered essential to get up to speed – and more critically, to keep things on track. Remember, we race with damage on! However, I ended off by saying that it’s been a mixed bag of results to start the season. One of the main things in sim racing is to keep it clean. Do that, and you are very likely to make up positions. I felt this was something that went well for me in Season 12 – even when there wasn’t much pace, keeping it on the black stuff usually meant a decent result.
Getting Back in the Groove
Having missed the first event and taken a break from sim racing between seasons didn’t do the previously mentioned “keep it on the black stuff” mantra any justice. In my first few events back, the number of mistakes I made almost equalled my total for the entire last season!
Making mistakes is part of the game, and considering the length of the races, and hopefully avoiding major damage, you can sometimes work your way back up the grid to salvage a respectable result. Time to go back to the drawing board and reread Blog Post 1!
Here Come the Grand Masters
Recovering from an early “oopsie” can still yield a good result. With decent pace and a well-timed pit stop, you can climb your way up the grid with minimal time loss. But time it badly, like a Ferrari F1 strategist, and you’ll need to get your elbows out and fight your way forward. It’s through these battles that you also learn about your competitors, they all race differently and adapting your approach to each driver’s style is important.
One of the championships alongside the Masters is the Grand Masters, for competitors over 60 years of age. You’ll encounter them throughout the grid, right up to the lead, and they’ll race you – hard. Coming from an era when F1 drivers were fierce rivals (unlike today’s seemingly friendly group chat generation), the Grand Masters will show you up quickly! Their combination of pace, patience, and consistency means they’re not just fighting for class honors – but for overall honors too.
Turn Your “Meatball” into Something Presentable
The main takeaway from the first few rounds is to minimize the effects of a bad race. Anything can happen during the two 25-minute races. Keep your head down, don’t overanalyse your mistakes, and get back into your rhythm. If available, use the fast repair function in iRacing during pit stops if you’ve picked up damage – as we do in the Masters Series. I’ve started using this recently in my regular weekly iRacing races too, and surprisingly, a “meatball” race now results in far less iRating or safety rating loss than before.
Lastly, replay key race events to see where you can improve, and don’t forget to raise your hand and apologize if you’ve made a mistake. You get to learn and have another go at it in a week’s time!
Want to Join the Grid?
We would love more drivers to join us in the series. The joining fee is minimal, and you will become a faster driver whilst enjoying the racing and getting to know some industry stalwarts in the process! More information can be found here: https://masters-series.co.za/Entry