Paul Doncheck's blog
GTR2 Pit Stops - Hints and Tips
11:15 AM on Mar 14, 2007

I've been trying to fully understand the "pit process" - as being new, this area for me isn't particularly strong.

I thought I'd open this up for others to share their "tips" ('cause I can't see any other topics on the subject). I appreciate that some will feel that they don't want to share "aces up the sleeve" - and that's not a problem :)

However, with so many new drivers around, and even some of the Pro's having pit issues that are hard to fathom sometimes - getting feedback from the group as a whole may assist all of us.

I'm not suggesting that "strategies" - like whether to back to back pit (on a mandatory 2 stopper), or break it into 3 equal stints, take fuel etc are discussed... that's personal, and what can give you a jump on your nearest competitor. Just the "technical" or "tips" that will educate all of us...

Recent races have shown numerous drivers have "issues" that meant they had to go back out or wait because no one would service their car etc.

I've found that the "Pit In Request" option should be used (9 by default I think), and await confirmation that you may pit (as Grecian mentioned post race in the Euro GTC @ Donnington). This will mean your crew are ready to receive you. If you don't get confirmation - don't pit, as you run a risk of sitting there waiting.

I recall Sam K (and others) had a recent pit "moment" where the crew did absolutley nothing.

Why? Probably because it wasn't their pit crew! and whoever they were sharing the pitbox with had already requested a "pit in", and that bay was now allocated to them. If you then show up (before they get round to the pit) - nothing will happen.

Feedback welcome!




Posted by Bruce Fisher at 11:52 AM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #1

Is this for GTR2 or rFactor?

In rFactor, I always request a pit stop, about 1/2 a lap before I need it. So far I haven't had any issues with pitting and not getting serviced. Also, during the lap before my stop, I go through the service list and update how I want my car taken care of (how much fuel, tire changes, downforce adjustments, etc.)

I don't have enough GTR2 experience to help with that one.

Posted by Andy Wise at 11:52 AM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #2

For GTR2 I ALWAYS request pitstop at least half a lap before I intend going in. In fact I usually do it just after I go over the S/F line. As you said this will mean that your crew and tyres will be there waiting for you when you go in.

I also set the number of stops I intend taking in the garage. If your not going to take fuel just set the amount to 1L and they won't add any. This saves messing about with the pit menu when you arrive, just stop and wack the enter key as soon as menu appears.

Posted by Paul Doncheck at 12:14 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #3

Thanks Bruce - Title amended! :/

Posted by Gregg Mulgrew at 06:24 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #4

Paul, I have my Ignition & starter buttons mapped on my wheel, If I am taking on fuel, as soon as I am close to the pit box I KILL the ignition, this way I can just hit the enter key, this is what usually will hold up the crew from proceeding to work on the car. If no fuel is required then I do like Andy said, "set the number of stops you intend taking in the garage. If your not going to take fuel just set the amount to 1L and they won't add any."
Note- I did one time kill the ignition and heard the fuel pouring in, I thought the car was still running because I mistaken the fuel sound with the idle sound and kept going "back n' forth" with the starter button, trying to figure out, is it running or is it fuel, pit boss kept telling me "kill the enginge" lol Gave me a nice 91 second pit stop.
Q - I am in question of "when you have a scheduled pit stop, do you wait until they call you in...and are you still required to use the "request pit stop button" or will the crew be ready for you regardless? I'm not sure if I have ever went in without using the button and seeing it light up.

Posted by Paul Burns at 07:30 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #5

Just a couple of days ago I realized that you may end up sharing a pit spot with another driver, and they may be there when you pit. I plan on experimenting with the starter and ignition. I also wonder how carrying all your fuel the whole race is better than making a pit stop and only carrying 1/2 the fuel at any given time. If you need 80 L of fuel for a race which weighs 176 pounds, wouldn't lugging around the extra 88 lbs put you at a disadvantage?

Also, I always overestimate how much fuel I will need and end up with 20 L when the race is over. Even if I'm only lapped once :) The fuel estimator has got to be in error for GTR2.

Posted by Jerry Chen at 08:40 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #6

The fuel estimate in the garage page for all GTR2 tracks is off. Don't know why, but some jackass at simbin couldn't do math. It was fine for GTR1.

Paul, carrying around extra fuel means extra weight. Just like real life, it's a trade off in your strategy.

1.) Pushing the #9 (default) key will request a pit stop. It does 2 things.
a.)Reserves your pitbox(not 100% verified, but so far in GTR1 and GTR2, the only times I've come in and had someone on my pitbox was when I didn't ask in advance).
b.) Gets your pit crew ready. If you roll into pit lane without asking in advance, you can see your guys come running out of the garage lugging the tires. Asking in advance, they get out early and camp out waiting for you.

2.) Andy is incorrect. DO NOT select 1L of fuel. The amount of fuel shown on the pitboard is fuel you'll end up with when you leave the pits. You put 1L, you'll drive out with 1L. So it will suck out gas too. Not very smart, but that's how it is. rFactor does it better, you can choose to have it show fuel to leave pits with, or fuel to add in.

3.) Stop and go. When you pull into the pit box. The very first selection on the pit board that pops up is "Stop and Go"/"N/A". Select it just like selecting your fuel. Use the arrow keys to toggle between.

4.) FIA regulations. Fuel won't go in unless engine is off. If you don't map ignition and starter keys, the game will do it for you. Otherwise, manually shut off the car by pressing the ignition key. To turn it back on, press and release ignition. Then press and release Starter.

Posted by Claus Juel at 09:02 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #7

just some comments to Jerry's comments...

1a) Yes true that if you request stop in advance it should give you a free spot, prob is it can happen that one the other drivers don't hit request and come in and if you're "lucky" he will end in your spot, and you're still gunna be SOL.

2) No, Andy is correct, setting to 1L during a racession doesnt mean you will leave the box with 1L (meaning the crew will take out! fuel) However it seems to work like that in Open practice, dunno why it is like that there, but for sure in a race session it DOESNT happen like Jerry describes

Posted by Jerry Chen at 09:10 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #8

Ooo, another nugget of wisdom from CJ. :) I learn stuff from your setups all the time. Now more edu-macation from the master. ;) Gotta give that a go in race session. I do full fuel runs for GT-I in open practice, so I always assumed it was the same for race ...

Posted by Dean Shackleton at 10:02 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #9

The 1L, I'll take your fuel thing, WILL bite you in a GTL race though. It got me, and others.

There is a blue indicator light for pit-in in GTR2, so just make sure that's lit before you pull in. It will light up auto style to your strategy if you do nothing. Use 9 key when pitting out of sequence.

Map the keys for changing pit-board to the easiest. Time spent manipulating these is costly. Get fast at it! At least in rfactor you can do it while still on the track, but GTR2 makes you waste time.

I don't use auto-pit lane assistance either. Pretty sure I'm faster, and I've only got one speeding ticket! But that was not knowing where the line was though. :)

Posted by Dave Henrie at 11:00 PM on Mar 14, 2007
Comment #10

Just a quick comment about WHEN to request a pit.
I know in rF, they have a minimum AND a maximum time. You find it in the pit section of the hdv file. Every car, every mod can POSSIBLY have different settings. THe key is to know how long is too long or too short a time period to fully prepare your crew. If you wait til just before pit-in, chances are you will have a slower pitstop AND run the risk of having an equipment malfunction AND another driver taking your pitbox. But if you call for a pit too early, your crew could be also prone to mistakes and distractions which will increase the length of the pitstop.

Again, this is for rF and was a feature added AFTER Simbin paid for the rF engine. So I don't expect it to be in GTR2.
You can look around to see in the car file, they may have something similar.

dave henrie


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