So for no particular reason, I started to wonder about the average speeds on the different tracks. Obviously the results we see are all based on time, but I got curious what they would be converted to speed, in MPH. Since we know the distance of each track, I was able to calculate the average speed (MPH) for each, based on the global top lap times. Below are the results, sorted from fastest to slowest average speed. Note, of course, that the accuracy of these speeds is dependent on the precision of the distance measurement. But, since this is all in fun, Im figuring close enough for Torn.
Global Best Lap Times
Track
Distance (m)
Time (s)
Avg. Speed
Speedway
0.9
26.42
122.63
Uptown
2.25
71.9
112.66
Withdrawal
3.4
112.26
109.03
Mudpit
1.06
35.5
107.49
Stone Park
2.08
71.76
104.35
Convict
1.64
59.48
99.26
Two Islands
2.71
99.43
98.12
Docks
3.81
160.78
85.31
Parkland
3.43
150.1
82.27
Commerce
1.09
49.5
79.27
Meltdown
1.2
56.69
76.20
Hammerhead
1.16
55.04
75.87
Underdog
1.73
85.14
73.15
Vector
1.16
60.33
69.22
Industrial
1.35
76.99
63.13
Sewage
1.5
93.51
57.75
Now this got me thinking a bit more about comparisons to real life. Obviously these tracks dont have any real-life analogs. Except for Speedway. An oval is an oval, whether digital or not. So I checked the distances of NASCAR tracks and the closest comparison, also an oval, is Dover. Again this wont be a perfect comparison the distances are off by 10%, and who knows what the banking is at Speedway. But for fun, heres the comparison of where we stand against the track record at Dover:
Global Best
Track
Distance (m)
Time (s)
Avg. Speed
Car
Speedway
0.9
26.42
122.63
Veyron
Dover
1.0
21.89
164.44
NASCAR
Of course, at Dover, theyre running purpose built race cars while were modifying street cars. But still kind of fun to compare. Also note that the Dover record was a qualifying lap. The record for average speed for a full race is 132.72 mph much closer to our 122.53 mph pace. However, since we dont have pit stops (at least not on purpose), I figured the qualifying lap was a better comparison.
I was making a joke regarding the incorrect usage of "weather" (which is why I mentioned rain) and figured the smiley gave it away. But i guess if you have to explain the joke, it must not be very funny. Oh well - maybe next thyme.
I'm about half way through Class B and have been trying to keep track of my stats as I go. Based on this - I'm curious about the track selection for races. I would have thought that it was random - but it doesn't seem to be. There are some tracks that I race much more frequently than others. And some that I haven't raced at all yet. Further - some tracks I've only raced at higher levels. For reference - here is the distribution of my races so far:
Uptown
4%
Withdrawal
7%
Underdog
18%
Parkland
11%
Docks
4%
Commerce
5%
Two Islands
0%
Industrial
3%
Vector
1%
Mudpit
7%
Hammerhead
5%
Sewage
1%
Meltdown
4%
Speedway
19%
Stone Park
12%
Convict
0%
So I guess here are some of my questions.
1. Are there certain tracks that you can only race at higher levels? In class E I raced in 7 different tracks, Class D 8, Class C 11, and Class B 14 so far. If random - this could simply be a function of spending more time at higher levels. Or do you have to be a higher rated driver to get access?
2. If not class dependent - then are certain tracks just more rare? I've only raced Sewage and Vector once each, and I haven't raced Two Islands or Convict at all.
3. Not a track question - but while I'm at it - does the rate at which you gain Driver Skill change based on your level? I'm roughly level 4.8 now - am I gaining driver skill at the same rate per race now as I was at ds2 or ds3? I'm trying to keep track of this as well - but I just don't have enough data to get a good picture yet.
Currently - to participate in an official race, you select official race, then select a car, then find out what track you're on, and then more often than not, have to go back and change your car to match whatever track you've been put on. Doing all this adds a bunch of steps that I think could be avoided.
My suggestion? For each track, be able to designate a default car that would be automatically selected to match that track. That way - once you select Official Race,your default car will automatically populate for whatever track comes up. Obviously - at this point you should still be able to override this and change the car manually if you wish. But at least initially, it would select your default car that matches whatever you pre-selected for each individual track.
Yep - a quick glance at the global records will reveal that the NSX is by far the dominant Class A car. Once you build up a garage of cars, you can expand to a range of track-specific cars. But as a general Class A car, the NSX setup for tarmac is the way to go.
Yes - the point of long 100 lap races is to gain DS faster than you would otherwise. Typically, people run official races during the day to gain points used for upgrades. But then people often run 100-lap races overnight because you gain more DS than you would for just running another official race.
I'm just a casual observer, but from what I can tell, if players are tied with points, then tiebreaks are decided by the following:
1. Most 1st Place Finishes. You both were tied at 1 each. 2. Most 2nd Place Finishes. You both were tied at 3 each. 3. Most podium finishes: You both were tied with 4 each. 4. Average finishing position over all six races. Here's where the separation happened - Lindy_Lyson averaged 2.5 while you averaged 2.8. Looks like your one 6th place finish was all it took to keep you out.
So my best result was from a fake race. ;) Oh well. Thanks to all who tried to deal with this, and thanks for the decision to make it count. Finally - thanks to all who are running the event - for me, the multiple qualifiers are way better than last time. I still won't make the cut - but at least I can't blame it on the event setup.
Short ratio prioritizes acceleration, at the expense of top speed. It works best for tracks with lots of turns and not many long straights. Long ratio prioritizes top speed, at the expense of acceleration. It works best for tracks with lots of straights and few sharp turns.
Dirt setup is for any track that has any dirt on it - including Parkland, Two Islands, Mudpit, Hammerhead and Stonepark. Tarmac setup is for all the other tracks. The items that are different between dirt and tarmac are suspension, transmission and tires.
For more specific advice and setup info, read the TORN Racing FAQ by Baldr. It should be considered mandatory reading for all racers.
A note of caution - if you're just starting out, think very carefully about your upgrade strategy. The FAQ will help with that. But the bottom line is, don't upgrade too quickly at lower levels. You'll want to save points so that when you progress to higher racing levels, you'll have a batch of points to upgrade a new car with - otherwise you may get stuck trying to compete against higher skill racers with better upgrades.
Finally - ask lots of questions. There are lots of people here who can give you very good advice.
So it sounds like you've made the mistake that a lot of new racers do - you put too many upgrades into your lower class cars. You are not the first - so don't feel bad. That's the good news. The bad news is that there's no easy fix. You really have 2 options:
1. Keep racing and building up your driving skill (ds). Eventually - your ds will get high enough that you can win even without any more upgrades. At that point - you'll want to continue at it, without using those upgrade points. Instead, you'll save your points so that when you get to B, you have enough points to upgrade your B-class car (a Cosworth if you can afford it) and be competitive at that level. This option will take time. The best way to up your driving skill is to run long 100 lap races - usually docks. Run these over and over and eventually you'll build enough ds to start winning at C. Most long term racers run 100 lap racers over night while they're sleeping to help boost ds.
2. Get a job at a mechanic shop - this offers points as perks, which you can use to upgrade your car.
Regardless of which approach you take - read up on some of the guides in this forum. Baldr's is one of the best and a must-read for anyone interested in racing.
Bottom line - you can fix this. But it'll take time to build up your DS, without putting any more upgrades into your C-class car.
Good luck. And keep asking questions - there's lots of help available here.
I think the simplest answer is to just look at the top 5 stats for each track. When you do this, you can see which cars make the most appearances. Namely you see the following - which is sorted by the number of tracks where each car makes a top 5 appearance::
Just a note to say that, at lower levels, track selection may not be totally random. I posted a thread a few years ago with data showing that some tracks seemed only to become available at higher levels. But it's only based on my experience, so who knows.
Yes - as above, it's absolutely possible. It'll take you longer, since you're relying on DS and not upgrades to get you the wins - you're really just trading points for time. But as your DS increases, it will offset the lack of upgrades and you'll eventually win enough to move up. If I were to do it again, I'd do it that way - saving most of my points for when I got to A. Although I'd likely spend points in B as well, since points spent on a Cosworth wouldn't go to waste.
While it may feel like it's taking you forever to move up, that's nothing compared to how long things take once you get to A.
If you look at the global records, then NSX is absolutely the way to go. For me personally, though, it's either a tossup or slight advantage to the R8. I have a dirt version of both, and for both Stone Park and Two Islands, my best 5 laps include both my NSX and my R8. For Hammerhead and Parkland, my R8 has been consistently better. I've heard people say it's tied to driver skill - that at lower DS, R8 might be superior, but that higher DS benefits the NSX. I can't speak to that. Just that for me, the R8 is as good or better than the NSX on most mixed tracks.
Yep - this is just a driving skill issue. Because you upgraded in E, you're at a lower DS than most in D. But you'll eventually build up your DS sufficiently to start winning in D. To get through it, I'd do the following:
1. Look at using your upgraded E car. Depending on how many upgrades you put in it - it may be faster than your stock D car. 2. Once you start winning, don't burn your points on upgrades. If you're patient enough - you can get through D with no upgrades at all. Or do the strip out upgrade - but that's it. Either way - you need to save any future points for higher levels. 3. Run a bunch of 100 lap races. Most people run official races during the day when they're on-line a bunch, and then set up 100-lap docks races for when they know they'll be off line for several hours (e.g. overnight).
The good news is that you caught this early enough that it won't be hard to get back on track.
Also - don't spend a single racing point until you read through all of Baldr's TORN Racing FAQ, since it's possible to make some mistakes early in a racing career that you will really regret if you stick with racing. And if you have any further questions, reach out to people here.
Currently - to participate in an official race, you select official race, then select a car, then find out what track you're on, and then more often than not, have to go back and change your car to match whatever track you've been put on. Doing all this adds a bunch of steps that I think could be avoided.
My suggestion? For each track, be able to designate a default car that would be automatically selected to match that track. That way - once you select Official Race,your default car will automatically populate for whatever track comes up. Obviously - at this point you should still be able to override this and change the car manually if you wish. But at least initially, it would select your default car that matches whatever you pre-selected for each individual track.
I'll just echo what Rogue said above. I race all the time, don't have any safety upgrades on the cars I race, and crash very rarely. If you're going through a rough patch, it's almost certainly caused by the RNG, and not the upgrades themselves. So stay with it, and rely on Baldr's racing guide when it comes to upgrades.