Porsche 992 GT3 R Watkins Glen HYMO Hot Lap Analysis

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Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Watkins Glen in the Porsche 992 GT3 R driven by HYMO.

The Track

Watkins Glen International, in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region, is a circuit synonymous with American racing heritage. Stretching 5.43 km with 11 turns, the track's layout includes the famous Esses and the challenging Boot section. It's a high-speed test of skill, where car stability and driver bravery are pushed to their limits. Watkins Glen has hosted a variety of racing series, including NASCAR and the Formula One United States Grand Prix. Its blend of speed and technicality makes it a classic among drivers.

Luckily, 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 to one of the Track Titan community drivers through the Segment 7 hairpin. In this example, the community driver is too keen on the throttle. The data from the Track Titan platform suggests this driver takes a stab at the throttle before the middle of the corner but then precedes to come off it after realising it was too early to do so. This shifts the weight of the car rearwards and then back forwards quickly and unsettles the grip. As a result the driver begins to run wider than the ideal reference line and has to delay the second application of the throttle. The reference driver initially gets on the throttle slightly later but does not have to lift as much before blending to full throttle sooner. This keeps the reference driver on the optimal trajectory and gains them 0.15s on exit.

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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

Track familiarisation in sim racing involves several key steps:

1. Study the Layout: Begin by learning the track layout through maps or onboard videos like hotlaps from HYMO.
2. Simulator Laps: Start with slow laps in the simulator to understand each corner and straight.
3. Braking Points: Identify and practice braking points for each corner.
4. Racing Line: Focus on the optimal racing line, gradually increasing speed as you become more comfortable.
5. Visual Cues: Use trackside markers as cues for braking, turning, and accelerating.
6. Consistency: Aim for consistent lap times before pushing for speed.
7. Data Analysis: Use telemetry data from Track Titan to analyse and improve your performance.
8. Incremental Improvement: Gradually increase speed and refine techniques, focusing on one section at a time.
9. Mental Visualization: Visualize laps in your mind, reinforcing the track knowledge.
10. Feedback and Adjustment: Adjust car setups based on your experience and feedback from the simulator.

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.

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