Mastering cornering is one of the most crucial skills in car racing games, as turns are where races are often won or lost. Whether you’re competing in a high-speed race or tackling technical circuits, how you handle corners can make a significant difference in your lap times. Here’s a detailed guide on how to master cornering in car racing games, with tips on approach, braking, throttle control, and using the racing line effectively.
Understand the Racing Line
What It Is:
The racing line is the optimal path around a corner that minimizes your time by allowing you to maintain the highest speed through the turn. It’s about taking the smoothest route with the least amount of steering input and braking.
How to Use It:
- Approach the Corner from the Outside: As you approach a corner, position your car on the outside edge of the track. This gives you the longest, straightest line through the turn.
- Clip the Apex: The apex is the point where you want your car to be closest to the inside of the corner. For most turns, this should be towards the middle or inside of the corner, but don’t cut it too early or too sharply.
- Exit Wide: After clipping the apex, steer the car back to the outside of the track. This allows you to accelerate out of the corner and continue on the optimal racing line.
Brake Before the Corner
Why It’s Important:
Braking too late or while turning can destabilize the car, leading to a loss of control. Learning to brake before the corner is essential to maintaining control and hitting the optimal racing line.
How to Brake Correctly:
- Brake Early: As a general rule, start braking before entering the corner, but not too early. The goal is to slow the car down enough to navigate the turn but not waste any time.
- Brake in a Straight Line: Always try to brake while the car is in a straight line, as braking while turning can cause oversteer or understeer. Once you’ve slowed down enough, release the brake and start turning into the corner.
- Progressive Braking: Apply the brakes progressively rather than slamming them. Gradually increase pressure as you slow down. This helps maintain car stability and prevent wheel lock-up.
Throttle Control Through the Corner
Why It Matters:
Throttle control is crucial in ensuring that you don’t lose traction or make the car unstable while cornering. Applying too much throttle too early can cause oversteer, while not enough throttle can result in understeer or a slower exit.
How to Manage Throttle:
- Smooth Throttle Application: As you approach the apex of the corner, gradually ease off the brakes and begin applying throttle. Aim to maintain a smooth and progressive throttle input throughout the turn.
- Throttle Modulation on Exit: As you begin exiting the corner, you can gradually increase throttle to push the car toward the outside of the track. Be careful not to floor the throttle too early, especially on tight corners, as this can cause the car to slide or lose control.
Don’t Oversteer or Understeer
What They Are:
- Oversteer: Oversteer occurs when the car turns too much during a corner, often resulting in the rear of the car sliding out.
- Understeer: Understeer happens when the car doesn’t turn enough, causing the car to push wide through the corner.
How to Avoid These:
- For Oversteer: If the car starts to oversteer, counter-steer gently to correct the drift. Avoid slamming on the brakes, as it could worsen the situation.
- For Understeer: If the car understeers, try easing off the throttle slightly to regain grip and let the car steer naturally. If needed, apply a slight bit of braking to help rotate the car through the corner.
Conclusion
Mastering cornering is a skill that takes time and practice, but it can dramatically improve your lap times and race results. By focusing on using the correct racing line, braking before the corner, managing throttle control, and avoiding understeer or oversteer. You’ll become a more effective racer. As you gain experience, anticipate each corner’s unique challenges, and always learn from your mistaks, you’ll find that your cornering skills—and your overall performance—will improve. Practice consistently, and soon, you’ll be dominating every track you race on.
