Endurance Racing in Assetto Corsa Competizione

Introduction

If you are a fan of endurance racing, you might have heard of Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC), a racing simulator that features the GT World Challenge series. ACC is one of the most realistic and immersive racing games available, with stunning graphics, realistic physics and dynamic weather. But ACC is not just a game for solo drivers. It also offers the possibility of team racing, where you can join forces with other drivers and compete in long-distance events that can last up to 24 hours.

Sim racing as a team in ACC is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of preparation, coordination and stamina. In this blog post, I will share some tips and tricks on how to succeed in endurance racing in ACC, based on my own experience and research. I will cover four main topics: team work, staying hydrated, car setup and hardware check.

Team Work

The first and most important aspect of team racing is team work. You need to find a team that shares your goals, skill level and availability. You also need to communicate effectively with your teammates, both before and during the race. Here are some things to consider:

– Choose a team name and a livery that represents your identity and style. If you race as part of a team, this is a simple choice. For example, I race for the Amigos Racing Team, so our livery design is never a point of argument! 

– Decide on a team leader who will be responsible for organizing the team, registering for events, managing the strategy and resolving any issues.

– Use a voice chat app like Discord or Teamspeak to communicate with your teammates. Make sure you have a good microphone and headset, and test them before the race.

– Plan your driver order and stints in advance. A stint is the amount of time that each driver spends behind the wheel before swapping with another driver. A typical stint lasts between 60 and 120 minutes (if double stinting), depending on the fuel consumption and tire wear of your car.

– Agree on a pit stop strategy. You need to decide when to refuel, change tires and repair any damage. You also need to coordinate your driver swaps, which can be done either manually or automatically in ACC.

– Respect your teammates and your opponents. Don’t drive recklessly or aggressively, don’t block or ram other cars, and don’t blame or criticize your teammates for any mistakes. Remember that you are racing as a team, not as individuals. When building a setup, keep this in mind too. Everyone should feel confident in the car. See the pages on spring rates tuning and the page on anti-roll bars.

Staying hydrated

The second aspect of endurance racing is staying hydrated. Driving for long periods of time can be physically and mentally exhausting, especially in hot and humid conditions. You need to drink enough water to prevent dehydration, which can impair your concentration, reaction time and performance. Here are some things to consider:

– Drink water before, during and after the race. Aim for at least 2 liters of water per day, or more if you sweat a lot.

– Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks, as they can dehydrate you and affect your sleep quality.

– Keep a bottle of water near your seat or desk, and sip it regularly. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water, as that means you are already dehydrated.

– Use a straw or a camelbak to drink water while driving, if possible. This way you don’t have to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. Particularly useful if you are in hot climates.

– Monitor your urine color and frequency (seriously!). If your urine is dark or infrequent, you need to drink more water.

Car setup

The third aspect of endurance racing is car setup. You need to adjust your car settings to suit your driving style, the track conditions and the race duration. A good car setup can make a big difference in your speed, stability and comfort. Here are some things to consider:

– Use the default setups provided by ACC as a starting point. They are designed by professional drivers and engineers, and they are optimized for each car and track combination.

– Experiment with different settings in practice sessions. You can tweak various parameters such as tire pressure, brake bias, suspension stiffness, aerodynamics and more.

– Test your car setup in different weather conditions and times of day. ACC features a dynamic weather system that can change from sunny to rainy to foggy in a matter of minutes. You need to make sure your car setup works well in all scenarios.

– Save your car setup files and share them with your teammates. You can use the same car setup for all drivers, or you can customize it for each driver’s preference.

– Don’t change your car setup too much during the lead up to the race. Unless there is a drastic change in the weather or track conditions, stick to the car setup that you have practiced with.

Hardware check

The fourth aspect of endurance racing is hardware check. You need to make sure that your gaming equipment is working properly and reliably before the race. You don’t want to lose connection or have a technical issue in the middle of a stint. Here are some things to consider:

– Use a wired internet connection instead of a wireless one whenever possible. A wired connection is more stable and less prone to interference or lag. Consider buying a wired cable just for endurance races.

– Update your drivers and software. Make sure you have the latest versions of your operating system, graphics card, sound card, steering wheel, pedals and any other devices that you use for gaming.

– Check your cables and connections. Make sure they are not loose, damaged or tangled.

– Test your hardware in a practice session. Make sure your steering wheel, pedals, buttons, shifter and any other devices are working correctly and smoothly.

– Have a backup plan in case of a hardware failure. Have a spare device or a teammate ready to take over if something goes wrong.

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Conclusion

Endurance racing in ACC is a challenging and rewarding experience that can test your skills, endurance and teamwork. By following these tips and tricks, you can prepare yourself for the race and enjoy it to the fullest. I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy racing!