LFS Forum - Your personal racing engineer.

#1 - polygoon

Your personal racing engineer.

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:17

Ever wondered what it's like to have your very own racing engineer? Well, in the modern world, it's just a few clicks away.

Last night, I was tinkering around with ChatGPT a bit and wondered if it knew about LFS and whether it could assist me with a few matters. Here's a brief overview:

First I asked if he/she knew the game:

Quote :Yes, I'm familiar with the game "Live for Speed" (LFS). It is a realistic racing simulation game developed by a small team called Scawen Roberts, Eric Bailey, and Victor van Vlaardingen. The game was first released in 2003 and has since gained a dedicated following among racing enthusiasts due to its authentic physics and realistic driving experience.

In "Live for Speed," players can choose from a variety of virtual cars and race on different tracks. The game focuses on providing a genuine driving experience, including accurate car handling, tire physics, and vehicle dynamics. It also offers online multiplayer, allowing players to compete against each other in various racing events.

The game's modding community has contributed significantly to its longevity, creating custom cars, tracks, and additional content to enhance the gameplay experience further.

Please note that my knowledge is up to date only until September 2021, so there might have been updates or changes to the game since then.

Okay, that's a good start. Then I asked for a personal racing engineer experience:

Quote :When it comes to the in-game car setup, there are various aspects to consider in order to optimize your car's performance for different tracks and driving conditions. Here are the key points you should provide to help me assist you with your in-game car setup:

Car and Class: Let me know which car you are using and the class it belongs to. Different cars have unique characteristics and require specific setups.

Track Name: Inform me about the track you'll be racing on. Each track has its own layout, surface, and corners, which can affect the setup.

Driving Style: Describe your driving style. Are you aggressive or smooth? This can influence how the car should handle.

Weather Conditions: If the game has dynamic weather, let me know the expected weather conditions for the race.

Current Car Setup: If you have already made some adjustments to the car setup, share your current setup. This will give me an idea of what changes you've made and what areas might need improvement.

Issues or Goals: Are you facing any specific issues with the car's handling? Or do you have specific goals you want to achieve with the setup?

With this information, I can provide you with advice on how to adjust various aspects of your car's setup, such as:

Suspension Settings: Ride height, spring rates, dampers, camber, toe, and anti-roll bars.
Aerodynamics: Downforce levels, wing adjustments, and other aero settings.
Transmission: Gear ratios and differential settings.
Tire Pressure and Compound: Adjustments to suit the track conditions.
Brake Balance: Front-to-rear brake bias.
Stability Control and Traction Control: Settings for assists, if applicable.
Remember that car setups can be highly subjective and may require fine-tuning based on your driving preferences. It's a trial-and-error process, so don't hesitate to experiment and make adjustments until you find a setup that suits your driving style and yields good lap times.

Please provide the details mentioned above, and I'll be more than happy to help you optimize your in-game car setup for the best racing experience!

Both also more in depth questions like "my front left tyre is getting overheated a bit. Would an assymetrical setup solve this":

Quote :If your front left tire is getting overheated, it indicates that the weight distribution or driving style might be causing excessive stress on that particular tire. An asymmetrical setup could potentially help address this issue, but let's first explore some possible reasons for the overheating:

Weight Distribution: The weight distribution of your car is slightly biased towards the front (59.8% front and 40.2% rear). This means that the front left tire is bearing more weight compared to the other three tires. During aggressive cornering, this can lead to increased tire wear and heat generation on the front left.

Driving Style: As you mentioned, you have an aggressive driving style, and you're used to driving RWD cars. If you're pushing the front left tire harder than the others through excessive cornering speed or abrupt steering inputs, it can cause it to overheat.

Track Characteristics: Certain tracks might have more left-hand turns than right-hand turns, which can lead to uneven tire wear.

Before considering an asymmetrical setup, it's essential to ensure your driving technique is as smooth as possible. Focus on gentle inputs and try to be more balanced with your steering and throttle application.

If the issue persists, an asymmetrical setup could be worth trying to distribute the load more evenly between the front tires. You can experiment with a slightly stiffer front anti-roll bar on the front right (compared to the front left) to reduce the load on the front left tire during cornering.

Additionally, you can try adjusting the tire pressures asymmetrically. Increase the front right tire pressure by a couple of kPa compared to the front left. This adjustment can help balance the tire temperatures across the front axle.

After making these changes, it's essential to monitor the tire temperatures during practice laps. Aim to achieve consistent tire temperatures across all front tires. If you notice an improvement in the front left tire's temperature, you're moving in the right direction.

Remember that finding the perfect setup might require some trial and error, as it depends on the specific characteristics of the car, track, and your driving style. Always test the changes in practice sessions before applying them to a race.

If you continue to experience issues, there might be other setup adjustments or driving techniques to consider. Sim racing setups can be complex, and there's often a delicate balance to be struck between performance and tire preservation. Be patient, keep experimenting, and with time, you'll find the setup that best suits your driving style and the specific track conditions.

But also some more personal questions like, for the Joker Cup, what do I need to choose, XF GTI or XR GT?

Quote :hoosing between the XF GTI and the XR GT cars for a Joker Cup depends on your personal preferences and driving style. Both cars have their unique characteristics, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses can help you make the right choice. Here's a comparison to assist you in making an informed decision:

XF GTI:

Pros: The XF GTI is a front-wheel-drive car with a balanced performance. It offers good grip and stability through corners, making it easier to drive for those who prefer a more forgiving handling style. The car's stability can be advantageous in maintaining consistent lap times, especially during longer races.

Cons: As a front-wheel-drive car, the XF GTI might not be as agile or responsive in tight corners as a rear-wheel-drive car. It can also be prone to understeer, which means the front tires may lose traction during aggressive cornering.

XR GT:

Pros: The XR GT is a rear-wheel-drive car, which means it has the potential for more dynamic and playful handling, especially if you enjoy a car that is prone to oversteer. With the engine's power delivered to the rear wheels, the XR GT can be more drift-friendly, allowing you to control the car's rotation during cornering.

Cons: Rear-wheel-drive cars can be more challenging to handle, especially for those accustomed to front-wheel-drive cars. The XR GT may require more precise throttle control and finesse in cornering to avoid oversteer-related mishaps.

Choosing Based on Your Preferences:

If you prefer a stable and forgiving driving experience, the XF GTI might be the better choice. It can offer good grip and consistent performance, which can be advantageous in longer races or for drivers who want a more controlled and predictable car.

If you enjoy a more dynamic and challenging driving experience, the XR GT could be the more exciting option. Its rear-wheel-drive characteristics can provide a more thrilling driving experience, especially if you're comfortable managing oversteer and sliding the car through corners.

Ultimately, the best choice comes down to your personal driving style and what you find more enjoyable. It might be worth trying both cars in practice sessions before making your decision. Spend some time getting used to the handling of each car and see which one feels more comfortable and suits your driving preferences.

Whichever car you choose, don't forget to fine-tune the setup to optimize its performance for the specific track and race conditions. Enjoy the Joker Cup and have a great time racing!

But I was not satisfied, I really wanted an outcome so I asked to prompt me 10 questions so it could provide me with the best car for my needs:

Quote :Sure! Answer the following 10 questions to help determine which car (XF GTI or XR GT) might be more suitable for you in the 28-lap race:

How comfortable are you with rear-wheel-drive cars and managing oversteer during cornering?
Are you more focused on consistent and stable performance or seeking a dynamic and challenging driving experience?
Do you have experience with both front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive cars in sim racing?
How well-acquainted are you with the custom Blackwood configuration, and do you know its specific characteristics?
Have you practiced with both the XF GTI and XR GT on the custom Blackwood configuration?
What is your typical driving style: smooth and precise or more aggressive and assertive?
Are you confident in your ability to manage tire wear and preserve tire life during a 28-lap race?
How important is maintaining a balanced and predictable handling throughout the race?
Are you willing to adapt your driving style to suit the characteristics of the chosen car?
What are your main goals for the race: consistent lap times, an enjoyable driving experience, or a mix of both?
Feel free to answer these questions to provide more insights into your preferences and skills as a sim racer. The answers will help in making a more informed decision on whether the XF GTI or XR GT might be the better choice for the 28-lap race on the custom Blackwood configuration.

I responded:

Quote :1. I prefer oversteer over understeer but am afraid that this will make tyre consumption worse.
2. I prefer the stable performance, for reference I only drive a PB of 1:14:2 in the FBM on Blackwoord Historical so I'm not the best driver either.
3. yes
4. not so much but there is 454 minute practice session before.
5. No but I will do this.
6. I try to be smooth and precise but feel like I am a bit too aggressive sometimes. Tyre managament is difficult for me.
7. No.
8. Somewhat important, I want to avoid massive understeer or oversteer at all times though.
9. Yes, not sure if I'm able to because my limited skills
10. Enjoyable driving experience, if I finish in the 25% percentile I'm happy.

It then suggested me the XF GTI:

Quote :Thank you for providing your answers. Based on your preferences and skills as a sim racer, here is a recommendation for the car that might be more suitable for the 28-lap race on the custom Blackwood configuration:

Considering that you prefer stable performance, struggle with tire management, and aim for an enjoyable driving experience without extreme understeer or oversteer, the XF GTI could be a better choice for you in the 28-lap race.

The XF GTI's front-wheel-drive nature and forgiving handling characteristics make it more stable, which could help you maintain a consistent performance throughout the race. It might be less prone to oversteer, which could be beneficial in managing tire wear.

Additionally, since you are concerned about tire consumption and don't have much experience with the custom Blackwood configuration, the XF GTI might be a more forgiving car in terms of tire preservation. Its balanced performance can make it easier to handle, and you can focus more on maintaining smooth and precise driving.

Keep in mind that while the XR GT offers a more dynamic and thrilling driving experience, it might demand more precise throttle control to manage oversteer, which could be challenging if tire preservation is a concern.

To finalize your decision, I recommend testing both the XF GTI and XR GT on the custom Blackwood configuration during the 454-minute practice session. This will give you valuable insights into how each car performs on the track and how well you can manage tire wear and handling with both options.

Ultimately, the most important factor is to enjoy the driving experience and have fun during the race. So, go with the car that feels more comfortable and enjoyable for you. Good luck in the 28-lap race, and I hope you have a great time on the track!