LOR Trackguide Nuerburgring Flugplatz (The Jump)
The Jump (Flugplatz)
- Entrance speed: approximately 157 mph [253 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 150 mph [242 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 1 minute 33.32 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 0.90 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 1 minute 34.22 seconds
This jump at Flugplatz is quite difficult to do perfectly. You'll get farther off the ground here than anywhere else and if your line isn't perfect you'll have one hell of a bumpy landing. The approach to the jump is a slight right-hand bend which starts just after the bridge. You won't be able to take the bump at the bridge without lifting. You may want to, but you risk over-revving the engine which can be quite damaging after several laps. Worse than that you may get out of shape coming off the bump and that will really kill you at the jump. So back off for a moment as you go over the bridge, then get back to full power.
You will be in fourth gear under full acceleration as you climb up the hill. Carefully move the car over towards the left side of the track. By the time you are half way up the hill you need to make a decision. Are you going to get that perfect line, or should you back off a little now and stay in the middle of the track. If you're unsure, go for the latter. During the race you may also want to go for the latter to ensure you finish.
However, we'll assume you have a great line next to the grass on the left. Keep the power down until just before you take off. Then as you take off ease off the power a little. To show how good the GPL physics engine is, you can use the engine to rotate the car in midair if you are slightly off line. Make sure you keep the power on after you take off. You go flying into the air by about 5 feet or so and if you let off the power the front of the car will start to drop before the rear does. You want to land with all four wheels touching down at the same time. If you start rolling to the left or right you can fix that by either slightly increasing or decreasing the amount of power. This is very subtle and depends on the car you are driving as all the engines are a little different. So do some practice jumps where you add power and some where you ease off power to see what happens.
As you get ready to land, make sure the wheel is perfectly straight. When you hit the ground make sure everything is okay, and then add a little more power if you can.
First Corner (Right hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 150 mph [242 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 105 mph [169 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 1 minute 34.54 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 5.45 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 1 minute 39.99 seconds
How well you can take this corner is directly proportional to how well you landed after the jump. A straight landing with all four wheels coming down together should put you right on line near the left side of the track. You'll still be in fourth gear and may be able to add a little more power before starting to brake. Don't brake too hard as you could upset the car, and it also isn't necessary.
As the racing
groove darkens apply the brakes about half way and continue in a straight line.
As you get closer to the corner every so slightly turn the wheel into the turn
and ease off the brakes. The car will start sliding towards the corner and you'll
need to add some power to keep it under you.
By the time you reach the apex you should be completely off the brakes and back on the power moderately. The car will still be trying to slide out from under you, but by modulating the power you should be able to balance this out and eventually get up to full power a short while after the apex. The entire turn is like one big power slide that was started by trail braking. The following right hander can be taken flat, or pretty close to flat depending on your line and courage after leaving this right hander.
Second Corner (Left hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 150 mph [242 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 170* mph [274* kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 1 minute 44.62 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 4.89 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 1 minute 49.51 seconds
This is a long sweeping downhill left hander which is fairly easy after the previous two turns. There is a slight left hand bend just before it which can be taken flat in fourth gear. Get right next to the grass as you pass the midpoint of this left hand bend and then let the car drift out to the right. The only complication is that the track has a slight bump to it here which may throw you out to the right sooner than expected, so be aware of that.
Line the car up on the right side of the track as you approach the turn. As you start to get into the turn, ease over to the middle of the track. Then just before it starts downhill, shift up to fifth gear and then keep if floored for the rest of the turn. The car will definietly make it around this under full acceleration. Gently pull the car closer to the left side of the track as the turn progresses. You should reach the edge just as the track straightens out for a moment before the following right hander. Try to use the few moments you are going down this hill to make sure you are concentrating enough for the next section.
You gradually increase to this speed through the turn.
