BMW M4 GT3 Indianapolis HYMO Hot Lap Analysis

‍

Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Indianapolis in the BMW M4 GT3 driven by HYMO.

The Track

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course is a renowned racing circuit in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It's known for incorporating part of the oval, including the famed front stretch and Turn 1, run in the opposite direction, with a series of infield turns. The course has hosted various events, including Formula One, IndyCar, and sports car races.

In the 2005 Formula One season, the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course was marked by controversy. Due to safety concerns with their tires, all teams using Michelin tires withdrew from the race after the formation lap. This left only six cars from three teams (all using Bridgestone tires) to compete, leading to significant disappointment among fans and widespread criticism of the event. This incident had far-reaching implications for Formula One, particularly regarding tire safety and race regulations.

To help you out, the HYMO setup used in this hot lap video is available for you to try HERE.

‍

Analysis

The analysis below uses the Track Titan platform to compare a HYMO reference hotlap to one of the Track Titan community drivers through Segment 2. Below we see that the community driver goes deep into Turn 1. They initially get ahead due to the increased entry speed but the line means they have a tighter angle to turn for the second part. This causes them to delay the throttle application slightly mid-corner and costs their exit speed. The reference driver is able to gain 0.2s on the exit as they have more exit speed even with the reduced speed through Turn 1, netting to a 0.15s gain.

‍

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

Suspension settings in sim racing and real-life racing involve adjusting various aspects of the car's suspension system to optimise handling and performance. Key settings include:

1. Spring Rate: Determines how stiff the suspension is. Stiffer springs offer better handling at high speeds but can reduce grip on rough surfaces.
2. Damper Settings (Rebound and Bump): Control how quickly the suspension reacts to compressions and expansions. Properly tuned dampers provide stability and control over various track conditions.
3. Ride Height: Affects the car's aerodynamics and centre of gravity. Lower ride height can improve handling but may increase the risk of bottoming out on uneven tracks.
4. Camber, Toe, and Caster Angles: Influence tire contact with the road, affecting grip, tyre wear, and handling characteristics.
5. Anti-Roll Bars: Adjust to control body roll during cornering, influencing understeer or oversteer tendencies.

Each setting should be adjusted according to the track layout, driving style, and specific vehicle characteristics for optimal performance.

Don't know where to improve? Use the HYMO hotlap to find out.

To see full lap analysis of your own driving, you can sign up to Track Titan for FREE today here.

‍