In endurance sim racing, pit stop strategy is a crucial component of success, as it can often be the deciding factor in a race. The strategy revolves around timing, fuel management, tire wear, driver swaps, and the overall balance of risk and reward. Many sim titles, such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and rFactor 2, feature advanced pit stop mechanics that require careful planning.
Fuel management
The most common reason to pit is to refuel. You need to calculate your fuel consumption per lap and determine how long you can go before running out. Many sims provide fuel calculators and telemetry tools to help with this, but manually adjusting your strategy mid-race based on safety cars or unexpected factors is key. Overfueling might seem like a safe bet but adds unnecessary weight and slows lap times, while underfueling forces extra pit stops.
Some drivers use fuel-saving techniques, such as lifting and coasting, short-shifting, or running a leaner fuel mix when the game allows it. This can extend a stint but requires careful execution.
Tire strategy
Different tire compounds wear at different rates, and degradation plays a major role in sim racing physics engines. You need to decide whether to use a softer tire for quicker lap times but more frequent stops or a harder tire for longevity. Some sims, like ACC and iRacing, model tire temperature and pressure in detail, requiring precise adjustments.
Endurance racing often involves balancing tire wear and performance, especially when track conditions dynamically change in some simulators.
Driver changes
In team-based sim racing endurance events, driver swaps are essential. Titles like iRacing and rFactor 2 allow online driver swaps, meaning teams must coordinate when to change drivers to minimize lost time. The ideal moment for a swap is usually during a scheduled pit stop, but fatigue and pace differences between drivers must also be considered.
A well-coordinated driver swap ensures minimal downtime and keeps the car competitive.
Pit stop timing
The concepts of undercut and overcut apply in sim racing just as they do in real motorsports:
- Undercut: Pitting early to get fresher tires and gain time on opponents still running older rubber.
- Overcut: Staying out longer to gain track position while others pit, often useful in traffic-heavy scenarios
Understanding pit timing can make a difference, especially in long multiplayer endurance races, where small time gains add up over hours.
Track conditions
Dynamic weather and time-of-day transitions are featured in many modern sim racing titles. In games like rFactor 2 and ACC, sudden rain may require switching to wet tires, while drying conditions could force a tough call between slicks and intermediates. Night racing also affects visibility, requiring drivers to adapt their approach.
These are the key points to consider for your pit stop strategy. A well planned strategy is almost certainly going to guarantee you a good result.
