Here at Coach Dave Academy, we create setups for every GT3 car in ACC. So we have decided to break down the categories of sim racing in ACC, and the cars we feel are best suited for each event!
As is the current state of ACC, there are really only a select number of cars that will always be at the sharp end, even if custom BOP is applied. Nevertheless, we show you the best cars for endurance and sprint racing, as well as the best cars for beginners and the cars that are most difficult to handle.
Endurance Racing
Endurance racing is arguably one of the most challenging categories for sim racers to excel in. The long hours with the high level of consistency required during the sessions make this an arduous task for even the best of racers. As for the cars, here are our top picks for the best vehicles for endurance racing.
1. Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2
With the Aggressive Setup, the car feels balanced as well as relatively stable under braking. This means an instant improvement over the Huracan GT3 EVO — the car will feel more rounded (something you need for endurance racing) but will still retain its trademark pointy front end and strong rotation.
Due to the naturally aspirated V10 engine that powers the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, you will also find that the car is naturally strong on corner exits and especially off of a rolling start. These are both potentially crucial advantages that are held over some of its turbocharged GT3 counterparts, such as the new Ferrari 296 GT3.
Attacking large kerbs can throw you offline and even spin you out, however, after the V1.9 update, this can be dialled out of the car more successfully with greater setup tinkering behind the scenes without losing too much pace (also crucial for those longer distances).
2. McLaren 720s GT3 Evo
Arguably the most picked car in ACC right now. The first thing you notice when driving the McLaren 720s GT3 Evo is better performance over curbs than this car’s previous version. Just making it much more friendly to drive for more people.
Although the McLaren cannot attack curbs as aggressively as front-engine cars, it has become far more forgiving and stable after the Evo upgrade.
This car excels at medium-speed and high-speed corners thanks to excellent weight distribution. But it also has two natural weaknesses in the corners that you have to address. The front of the car feels lazy at the turn-in of low-speed corners and the car rolls too much in the corners with quick direction changes and tends to oversteer.
Sort those out and it’s hard to go wrong with the McLaren for endurance racing.
3. Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2
The newest variation to one of the most successful GT3 platforms has arrived on the grid of ACC.
The Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II is an updated specification of the original Audi R8 GT3 and its cousin the Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO. Despite its relatively similar looks, the EVO II is what you would call a refinement of something that just works and each tweak makes it even better.
The Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II is a great car for those who prefer the mid-engine platform, those who loved the previous car will require a little adjustment to get the most out of the new characteristics. But of all the cars, whilst being fast in the right hands it is still quite tricky to drive. This is why we have the honourable mention below.
Honourable mention: Ferrari 296 GT3
The new Ferrari 296 GT3 is a magnificent racing car that handles amazingly well out of the box with stunning good looks and fantastic speed.
Being mid-engined, its handling is balanced with very little understeer or oversteer to worry about, something that leans so many drivers to it and something that may be a big factor in picking a car for longer endurance racing over the Audi.
You can now also attack curbs with the Ferrari 296 GT3, something you had to avoid in the 488. It is also one of, if not the fastest car in the wet conditions right now, its TC system just loves the wet weather!
A car that is not quite on pace as the top 3, but give yourself enough time, like an endurance race, and you could make up the differences through consistency or changeable weather.
Sprint Racing
In a somewhat contrasting fashion to endurance racing, sprint racing is the more action-packed of the two, with a brief period of racing on offer compared to the longer endurance races. Sprint racing requires some precise strategy calls along with a car that can get the job done with fewer laps.
Here are the choices that we recommend for this category. Which surprise surprise, are the same top three from the endurance category.
1. Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2
With improved driver aids and a better aerodynamic balance, Lamborghini’s latest GT3 offering provides a greater feeling that is “plug and play”, whilst still being able to be pushed to the limit. Which is crucial for sprint racing.
The Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 sounds fantastic, is easy to drive initially and can be rewarding once you’ve tweaked it to maximise its potential, however, it is still better suited to someone with a smoother, less aggressive driving style.
The Lambo is probably the most well-rounded car for all levels of driver thanks to it being much easier to handle compared to its older Huracan GT3.
2. McLaren 720s GT3 Evo
Making a second appearance on today’s list, the McLaren 720s GT3 EVO is surprisingly just as competent in sprint racing too. Excellent tyre wear, especially on scrubbed tyres, very aero efficient with its new aerodynamic package and a remarkable top speed help out just as much as they do in endurance events.
The agile handling helps you quickly navigate corners, aided by excellent traction. Just try and get a calendar with more medium to high-speed circuits on as you could be caught out in the low speed stuff.
You are guaranteed performance in the wet too. Just don’t forget to keep an eye on the fuel performance!
3. Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2
The Audi sport team produced a new EVO II variant engine that produces a maximum of 585 hp and added a new air intake, improving the torque delivery and overall engine performance from the characteristic 5.2-litre V10 Engine.
To better control this power the car also has, an upgraded traction control system providing more adjustment to the driver, to improve overall drivability for new and experienced drivers alike.
The Aero upgrades to the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2 are just as significant with the Audi R8 previously relying on the floor and diffuser for most of its downforce, now adding a new giant rear wing to produce improved downforce levels. This is a key tool for improving the overall balance of the car and making the car more stable overall.
Something you need for quick sprint races.
Honourable mention: BMW M4 GT3
Being one of the latest generations of GT3 cars in a field where most existing cars are a few years into their development cycle, the M4 GT3 is an incredibly well-rounded car that is designed with the gentleman driver in mind.
As a platform, it is exceptionally stable and the electronics package is first-class. Thanks to the large dimensions of the BMW M4 GT3, the car is extremely well-poised and stable at medium to high-speed corners where downforce generation and pitch control are key to extracting confidence from the driver.
As you would expect from a front-engined car, kerb behaviour is not only consistent but supple too. Few cars are able to make the most of the kerbs as well as the M4 GT3.
Best Newcomer Cars
It’s not easy to get into sim racing, and it is even harder to get into sim racing when it involves GT racing. Thankfully, every series and championship has a set of entry-level cars that serve very well for beginners and even for veterans to get up to speed after some time away. Here are our top picks for the best cars for beginners and newcomers to Assetto Corsa Competizione.
1. Ferrari 296 GT3
Using the Aggressive default setup, the car feels quite stable and handles kerbs without issue. You can even attack the sausage kerbs found on several of the tracks in Assetto Corsa Competizione, and the 296 just bounces over them while keeping its composure.
This is why it was also chosen as a great car for endurance racing.
It’s got the balance of the BMW M4 GT3, but the pointy front end of the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo. This makes it a fantastic beginner car. It handles most weather conditions great, is a well-rounded car at most circuits and beginners can extract lots of time out of the car with ease.
2. BMW M4 GT3
What are the chances that a competent car in sprint racing is also a relatively easy car to drive? The automotive gods have truly blessed the BMW M4 GT3 in ACC.
With excellent fuel economy, decent acceleration and braking, the BMW is a reliable racing package. It is very stable and consistent over a stint with good tyre wear and kerb handling.
The BMW has a decent level BOP at most circuits in ACC, but sadly, it’s not all a fairytale, as the BMW does lack raw pace compared to the new Lambo, Ferrari and Audi at the sharp end and in some places it really shows. But as a beginner, you will be competitive against others of your talent level.
3. Aston Martin V8 Vantage
An evergreen favourite amongst GT racers, The V8 Vantage is the go-to car not just for Aston Martin fans but many endurance enthusiasts too. The best feature of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is that it offers excellent tyre wear throughout the race. Speaking of tyres, the Aston Martin also provides excellent wet-weather performance.
The V8 Vantage is a very stable vehicle and is easy to drive for a wide range of drivers. Although a little slower these days. The car also does provide some great fuel economy but, on the flip side, does not have an efficient fuel-saving map if you need to save fuel on a very long stint timer.
Hardest Cars To Master
If there are easy-to-drive cars in ACC, there are certainly a few members on the other side of the spectrum. Many cars are stubborn and difficult to drive, but we can tame them with enough finesse and practice. Here are some vehicles that we feel are tricky to master but rewarding to drive once perfected.
1. Porsche 992 GT3 R
The first name on this list is definitely a tricky one. Owing to the 992 GT3 R’s extremely short wheelbase and the fact that the car is very pitch-sensitive, the combination makes it very twitchy. It is the reason it does not feature in the top 3 fastest cars list for endurance or sprint. Not many can extract the performance from the car.
Additionally, the fuel tank position in the front implies that the car balance significantly changes as the fuel burns off and weight reduces on the front wheels. The high drag of the Porsche 992 GT3 R also inhibits the car’s top speed, which is comparatively low.
Another complicated mechanic is the engine position which makes trail braking very difficult. However, if you can master its difficulties, you are rewarded with excellent braking performance, class-leading traction, and acceleration. Be careful with this one. The car is a delicate beauty.
2. Audi R8 LMS EVO2
The Audi R8 LMS Evo2 is another diva.
Like the Lamborghini, it is pretty pitch-sensitive, and the aero platform has to remain stable. Unlike the Lamborghini which it can be dialled out easily, this can be tricky for the Audi due to the nature of the car.
The Audi R8 LMS Evo2 faces a lot of oversteer if the rear tyres wear too much mid-stint. You have to pay attention to very specific setup parameters like the rear toe, springs and ARBs as the car is susceptible to changes in those areas.
In high-speed corners, it can be quite nervous if the aero is not configured correctly. However, it has fantastic braking, excellent traction and good wet-weather performance. A mixed bag of sorts, to be frank.
Summary
Well, there you have it. These are the choicest of picks that you should look out for when racing in Assetto Corsa Competizione. Each category is unique and yet, shares something with the other categories. You can pick a completely different car, too, if that suits your driving style better.
But these recommendations are undoubtedly helpful. After all, perfecting your technique for the vehicle is what matters. If you need assistance mastering any car while improving your sim racing skills, be sure to check out the Coach Dave Academy.
If you would like to work on your skills on the virtual tracks, head over to The Sim Grid to browse championships and events happening daily.
