Audi R8 LMS EVO II Spa HYMO Hot Lap Analysis
Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Spa in the Audi R8 LMS EVO II driven by HYMO.
The Track
This expansive, technical circuit can be challenging when it comes to configuring your car. Between Eau Rouge, Raidillon, and Blanchimont, achieving the right balance is no easy task. But don’t worry, HYMO has got you covered, and you can get the exact setup used in this hot lap video HERE.
Opened in 1921, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic race tracks globally. It has been the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix intermittently since 1925 and consistently since 1985. The circuit is renowned for its steep elevation changes, long winding corners, and blind crests. Spa-Francorchamps has also been a key part of various racing series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship since 1953.
Analysis
Using the Track Titan software, we can compare a community driver to the HYMO driver through the tricky Bruxelles (Turn 8). This is a very difficult corner to get right. It’s a downhill, slightly off-camber right hander. The most important thing to have here is patience. It will feel like the corner is going on forever, but getting on the throttle too early will result in understeer which can massively hurt your lap time. In this case, the community driver did have the patience, but didn’t utilise trail braking into the corner, causing a loss of around 2 tenths on this lap.
Let’s look at the brake graph. Both drivers brake at around the same time, but crucially, the HYMO driver (in light blue) uses trail braking, slowly releasing the brake pedal, which not only helps to keep the car stable, but also rotates the car through the corner allowing them to carry more speed. The extra rotation also means that they can get on the throttle earlier giving them a better exit and a faster run into the next left hander. The community driver on the other hand, has to wait for the car to complete the turn before getting on the throttle, losing them around 3 tenths in this case.
You can analyse every other turn in the Track Titan platform; see reference lap here.
You can also take it to the next level and compare it against your own driving, just sign up to Track Titan for FREE today here.
Sim Racing Top Tips
One crucial physical aspect of setting up sim racing equipment is the positioning of the steering wheel and pedals. The steering wheel should be at a comfortable distance from your body, allowing your arms to be slightly bent when holding it. The pedals should be positioned so that your feet can comfortably reach both the accelerator and brake without straining. This setup allows for precise control and quick reactions, which can shave valuable seconds off your lap times.
Another important aspect is the calibration of the equipment. The sensitivity of the steering wheel and pedals can greatly affect your control over the car. A well-calibrated setup will respond accurately to your inputs, allowing for smoother driving and faster cornering. Remember, the goal is to mimic the feel of a real car as closely as possible.
Need to check whether your setup changes are working? Join Track Titan today!
