Been working on A Class for some time and even after spending a signficant amount of time in the X-Bow, I find myself constantly underperforming in it.
When I say “underperforming”, I’m comparing myself to other racing that I’ve done. I’m not a top guy and have never pretended to be. But, I know where I should be on a LB and I’m always significantly worse in the X-Bow.
I’ll give a specific example of what I’m talking about: A-Class Bathurst. X-Bow dominates the LB. Yet, I find that I can’t even come close to doing what I can time-wise in the F-50. In fact, I had a funny moment this weekend in MP. Found myself chugging around Bathurst about 10 seconds a lap slower than my best posted time. Then I realized - I had the X-Bow.
I’ve tried a couple of tunes for it. One pure grip and one medium grip/power. I have a feeling if I went full power I’d turn the track into a Slip N Slide.
I’ve pretty much decided once I max affinity for a X-Bow (at level 22, now) I’m going to chunk it and work on some other cars. So, my question is more curiosity than anything else - is there some kind of trick to driving that thing that I’m missing? I’ve watched replays of the usual suspects and haven’t noticed anything in particular.
AX
P.S. Answers along the lines of “I’m lousy” are neither informative (I already know) or helpful.
wot tunes are u using…?? depending on the engine thats installed, you need to change gear at 5,500rpm to get the most out of these…(i think its the rally engine)…
Yes you are correct. The engine and where to shift or not shift is key with this car. If you’re in 2nd and 3rd gear a lot, then you are going to be much slower.
The x-bow can be driven more aggressively than the F50. This is where it picks up time. If you’re driving it like you would a standard car that has some weight to it, then you’re being too conservative.
It gets harder though if you run no TCS. The car can’t quite make up the time around the corners like the TCS users.
Makes sense. Just seems like when I really tried to push it then I ran into the problem of wheelspin, even with TCS on. If the answer is that I’m just not skilled enough to drive the thing, then, so be it. I generally drive lower classes but was working on A because that is where the no-collision lobby is right now. Thinking I’ll just work on the F-50 and maybe try a couple of other options (maybe the Honda NSX and see what the Alfa Stradale can do in A, as it worked pretty well for me in B).
It drives weird and pretty much everyone I know had problems adjusting to it. I’d suggest running it around one if the small top gears. Its a bit easier to see how you should approach driving the thing. Its going to take some effort though. Don’t mash the gas off corners though. Take it easy at first until you figure out that sweet spot.
Swerve is right, the car is quite difficult to drive, but i think the issue you are having is the shifting and shift points. I remember i was doing a team hot lap challenge on sebring. I was using either the same tune as the top guys or a similar tune, and could not keep pace with them on the straights or anywhere. Turns out i was shifting at readline, and needed to shift much earlier, and stay in gear and let the car bog down much more than i was.
Give that a shot. almost whatever gear you think you need to be in, go another gear higher. if you are at over 6k rpms you are too high.
Huh, interesting. Shows you what a noob I still am - I just always assumed you were supposed to shift at redline. I’ll definitely have to give it a try looking around the 5500 RPM mark. Thanks!
If you a driving a LB tune, likelihood is its the 1.6 rally engine swap, meaning you need to shift about 5,500rpm. Any later than that and your loosing time.
Also, many tunes are using drag tyres, which may explain the lack of grip in cornering.