Welcome to the Masterclass.
This is where you're going to learn how to really drive an Indycar.
We're also going to look at other aspects of Indycar racing, such as pit strategy and awareness and overtaking,
which will give you the edge over your competitors.
We're going to start with the basics. This is where you learn to do it for real,
it's time to turn off the driving assists, and get used to working the manual systems such as the gears, fuel setting and the weight jacker.
You may find that this will make your car more difficult to handle at first, but persevere; it's the key to the fastest lap and victory.
Every Indy race begins with a rolling start, as this is the safest way to get everyone running.
You have to maintain formation during the warm up laps; this formation is the qualification order,
it's against the rules to overtake until you've passed the start line.
This race is about to start. Once the pace car peels off it's up to the driver on the pole to accelerate to race speed.
Then the other drivers also speed up.
As soon as the pole driver crosses the start line the marshals wave the green flag and the race is on.
Remember, at the start of the race you can't overtake until you have passed the start line,
so keep a close eye on the car in front of you otherwise you'll be penalised.
Using the manual gears is not as hard as you may think.
While you've got six of them, you're only ever going to use three during racing
gears one to three are your restart gears; used for getting out of the pits and for your rolling starts.
Lets look at that race start again.
This is the currently selected gear, this guy's in second gear for the start.
And this is the rev limiter. When these lights hit the centre red zone it's time to change gear.
Don't keep it in the red for too long or you will blow your engine!
Depending on the track and your car set up you'll be running in fifth gear for most of the race.
You can slip it back into fourth gear if you approach slower back markers,
to get that extra boost in acceleration so that you can overtake quickly.
Sixth gear is for drafting which we're going to cover in the next lesson.
Finally, to be a better driver you need to master your steering.
Indycars are highly sensitive; the slightest jerk on your steering wheel can dramatically alter your track position.
You need to keep it smooth. Try to not weave across the track or you're likely to hit the wall or smash into another car.
Aim to keep your car on the racing line, also known as 'the groove', as much as possible.
If you can do this you'll get better lap times, as you'll be able to take most of the corners flat out.
One way of finding the groove is to look for where the tyre rubber has been laid down in the past.
As the race progresses deposits of tyre rubber will build up in the groove
and you'll find more grip, leading to faster lap times.
Now in Indy racing we hardly ever use the brakes for cornering. So if you find yourself drifting towards the wall like this guy
all you need to do is lift off the throttle and your car will come around as your speed reduces.
But, obviously, you want to keep your speed up at all times otherwise it'll cost you places.
So remember to keep it in the groove.
All right enough talk, time to get you on the track.
This is a basic test intended to get you used to a car with no assists and manual gears.
First we're going to simulate a race start so you know what to do when you're on pole.
This will also give you a chance to work up through the gears.
Once you're on your way I want you to complete one full lap, simple as that.
To keep it even simpler we're going to lose these guys.
Follow the pace car until the driver peels off from the track and then put your foot down,
and don't forget to change gear!
Do one full lap and return to the start line within the time limit.
One last thing before you go.
As we want this to be as authentic as possible your car is fully damageable,
you've got to learn to control it so if you come off the track or smack your car up you fail the test.
Three, two, one, GO!
Well done you made it around. Bronze medal.
Good time well done. That's a silver.
Excellent time, great use of the racing line, you've got the gold.
That was close, but you're still not fast enough.