Ferrari 296 GT3 Laguna Seca Hot Lap Analysis

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Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Laguna Seca in the Ferrari 296 GT3 driven by HYMO.

The Track

Laguna Seca Raceway, now known as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, is a premier racing circuit located in Monterey County, California. Established in 1957, it has evolved into a world-renowned racing destination. The circuit, 3.602 kilometres (2.238 miles) long, features 11 turns, including the famous "Corkscrew" – a challenging left-right chicane with a dramatic downhill drop.

Notable for its technical layout, Laguna Seca tests drivers with its combination of elevation changes, fast and slow corners, and a long front straight. The track's undulating nature requires precise throttle control and braking, making it a favourite among racers for its demanding yet rewarding driving experience.

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

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Analysis

The analysis below uses the Track Titan platform to compare a HYMO reference hotlap in blue to one of the Track Titan community drivers through Segment 2. The community driver loses a lot of time compared to the reference through this segment. The reason for this is mainly because they miss the apex but try to hold the brakes to recover the situation. This impacts their minimum speed. Instead of slowing to try to get back to the apex they should have accepted their fate and committed to the throttle to limit the overall damage. The root cause looks to be slightly late braking, turning in too late and a poor setup. The overall loss is nearly half a second.

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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.

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Sim Racing Top Tips

The ideal racing line is about finding the quickest path around the circuit, balancing the shortest distance with the highest possible speed. The basic principles involve:

1. Turn Entry (Braking Point): Begin by braking in a straight line, shifting from the outside of the track towards the apex of the turn.
2. Apex: This is the innermost point of the turn. Hitting the apex allows you to take the turn at the highest possible speed. The ideal apex point varies based on the corner's geometry.
3. Turn Exit (Acceleration Point): After the apex, gradually apply throttle and steer the car towards the outside of the track, using the full width for maximum acceleration.
4. Straight Line Maximisation: On straights, keep the car as straight as possible to maximise acceleration and top speed.

The ideal line at Laguna Seca involves mastering the Corkscrew by approaching it from the far right, braking hard and turning left at the crest, then immediately flicking right and down the hill, all while preparing for the subsequent corners. Each corner at Laguna Seca presents its unique challenge, requiring drivers to adapt the racing line principles to the track’s specific demands, both in real-life racing and in ACC.

Don't know what you can do to go faster? 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.

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