GPL backward physics for spin control

[JeffR]

In GPL, steer away from the skid (rather than real life steer into the skid) can help save a car from a spin. For example, if you're turning right, and the rear end starts to swing out too far to the left, you may be able to save it conventionally by steering left into the skid if your quick enough. However, even after you lose it by trying conventional counter steering, you can peg the wheel right and the nose will go left, allowing for a very late recovery.

Similarly, at medium to fast speeds, you can turn reasonably well with no risk of spinning by pegging the wheel all the way left or right. I've seen this method used in quite a few hot lap replays. It's also a good way to keep the front tires hot if they are getting cold compared to the rear tires.

The same GPL principal also applies when the tires are locked up. Just steer left to turn right and vice versa.

What's bad is I'm starting to develop a reflex for this. Glad I use a stick, would not want to develop this reflex in real life.

[D_Man]

It is correct modeling for those cars because Jim Clark used the technique to great effect ;)

Dave

[JeffR]

Thanks for the reply...this gives new meaning to the term counter-steering. I'll have to save a replay of this, results in a really cool looking 4 wheel drift.

[D_Man]

I remember a post on the RSC forums about Clark explaining his counter-steering technique to another race driver (forget which one :rolleyes: ) who then responded that he would never be able to beat Clark.

I have a photo of Clark in full counter-steer mode if I can find it :D

Dave

[Myshkin]

About the regular "counter-steering", this happens fairly often even today, using opposite lock after swinging the back out on a turn... however the other little detail I have never seen or heard of in real life, though I've heard the explanation why it works in GPL and I've done it.

T1 at Mexico is a good example. If you throw your car into a drift on that turn, you can maintain balance using steering and counter-steering in your drift. However, if you notice the car start to oversteer and you're heading for a sure spin, instead of counter-steering to the left, you go hard right, and the car straightens out. The explanation I've heard is that at the point you are oversteering, the front tires are pulling you into a spin. The only way to avoid the spin is to induce understeer, so you have to lose traction with the front tires by throwing it hard right, which will make the car go more in the direction the back tires are facing, since your front tires are no longer pulling you into a spin.

I think that's how I heard it explained. At least that is how I understood it, and it seems to make sense, it just seems like it would be nuts to do in real-life.

[D_Man]

They're at it again :D This topic is being debated yet again on the RSC forum :rolleyes:

Dave

[JeffR]

I'm using this method for Monaco right now, seems to help, expecially in thebraking section just before final hairpin, steer left, and if too close to left wall, steer even more left to go right.