Like the title says this could be the dumbest question but I’m a newer player and it has been on my mind. So here’s the question, once you start getting into racing higher rival times or any lap time, is the first lap or two usually a wash just because of the cold start? Or can you really good drivers get really good first lap times? Again I know this might be a stupid question but I’m pretty new to actually racing and getting good clean laps not good dirty lap times and this is my first forza game other than horizons but that was a completely different type of racing in my mind. Sorry if you read this and I just wasted a good 30 seconds of your life, but I’m on a knowledge quest for new information.
it just depends on the tune and driver skill. Some cars and drivers can hit their time on the second lap but most its 3-7 laps into the rival challenge.
For the very fastest guys it will be impossible to beat them on the first lap (unless it is a one lap event like the Autocross) - simple fact is they are moving at speed while you are taking off from a standstill. This will make that lap at least a second or more slower, and that is without taking into account cold tires either. For lower placed people the first lap can beat their times, but that just means you need to do another as you should always be quicker than that first lap. Use it to get used to the track and car and settle in.
Some players could probably post a better time then some other players on the first lap, but no players will do their best time on the first lap.
I wouldn’t call myself one of the really good drivers, or even just good. However, on most cars, I can’t get a decent time until the third lap. For me, its more about the tires warming up than it is the standing start. The only exception is one of my Camaros runs great with cold tires, all my other cars are terrible on the first and second laps.
Thanks for the replys, I figured it was that way but like to hear other peoples thoughts and not my own. I know for low times you can beat on the first lap but I’ve been getting up there on times in a few tracks and right when the race starts all I see is a ghost fly by. Lol then I find myself trying to beat (at least catch up) and having a horrible lap.
Beating a rival on the first lap is really challenging, because of starting from zero and the cold tires. If you do, it is generally because you either just got an awesome tune or you made a fundamental change in how you attack the track. For instance, you might have discovered a better way to attack a turn from watching replays or discovered you can take a turn or two in higher gear. So, it is doable but, for me personally, I really don’t start hitting my zone until about lap 5.
On the first lap you can reverse to the start of the straight, the lap timer will reset when you cross the startline.
Yeah I often do that on the longer tracks.
Which was usefull in p2p or long track. not very usefull in FM5 except on Le mans.
Oh…umm…ahem…well, of course. I mean, everybody knows that. Sheesh.
(Translation: I had no idea and that’s pretty cool to know. Thanks!)
AX
It never worked on point to point. It was only ever useful on long track, Fuji, Le Mans and Nurburgring. (and Positano in FM3 - oh the memories LOL).
Well, it worked in fm1…
Depending on what kind of track and if the start/finish line sits on a long straight, I can be anywhere from 4 to 6 seconds faster on my second lap. As for heat building in the tires, you’re best bet for hitting the fastest lap is between the 3 to 10 lap range. For example, I just got done doing D class rivals on Road America and my second lap was around 8 seconds faster.
From a stop your first lap will be give or take 4 seconds slower due to getting up to speed. Unless that trick works with backing up? I dont see the point though because tires will be cold. I agree with a previous post. 3rd lap on is where you get on with it typically.
It’s possible if you’re rival isn’t too high on the leaderboards. I beat metberg in the community bounty hunter on the first lap. It does depend on the track though. Spa is a rare track that you can set a fast lap on the first lap because the finish line is so close to the sharp first turn.
I give myself a 4 lap limit on my rival attempts. unless i really know i have messed up a corner over all of those 4 laps.
This really focuses you rather than just thinking ‘i have another lap’. I like to think of it as gp qualifying. I also race cars in real life and when we do trackdays we usually do 4 lap stints.
The first lap is really a write off. Just like it is in real life.
It also allows you to set times fast. I prefer just racing multiplayer so i can do a whole rival class in about 2 hours if i skip menus quick. I did the majority of all my a class ktm times in just one night.
Like mentioned above autocross proves being able to set a time real quick. So if you don’t believe i do my times within 4 laps have a look at the monthly autocross lb for proof.
Me me me… brag brag brag