One of the most popular additions to Season 3 of 2023 in iRacing was the JSP320. Here’s is our guide to driving the Ligier LMP3 car in iRacing.
A few weeks ago, iRacing received its latest major update ready for 2023’s Season 3 of races. As with any seasonal update to the online racing service, many new content additions joined the title. One of the most popular add-ons to the title has to be the Ligier LMP3 car.
With the first week of Season 3 complete, it’s fair to say that the new prototype attracts many racers. But where is the best place to race the car and how can one out-do the competition? Here’s is our comprehensive guide to the Ligier JSP320 LMP3 car in iRacing.
Table of contents
A Prototype or a GT?
Built to LMP3 class regulations, the Ligier JSP320 is an entry-level prototype. In the real world, it is mostly seen in as a lower class car perfect for up and coming talent looking to make their mark in sports car racing. As a result, it is a brilliant model for iRacing as players look to compete in the higher echelons of the IMSA series.
With this entry-level position in the motorsport ladder, it is not a difficult car to start out with. However, to extract the car’s maximum potential, one must truly understand its quirks. And in the case of the JSP320, there are many odd characteristics.
In fact, it can feel like this car isn’t sure if it’s a prototype or a GT. The model looks like a full-blown prototype with a bubble canopy cockpit, shark fin, large rear wing and bodywork that tightly packages its components. However, when it comes to driving the car, it feels somewhat inconsistent, a characteristic one must pay attention to.
At high speeds, when the wings are doing their job pushing the car into the ground, it feels very stable and agile. However, when you get to a slower corner where downforce doesn’t have quite as large an effect, that nimbleness disappears. Instead, it becomes a heavy, lethargic beater.
These two polar opposite handling characteristics mean the Ligier LMP3 car in iRacing requires immense focus when you’re pushing the limit. Let your mind drift too long and you will soon be drifting away yourself, only this time into a barrier.
Driving the Ligier LMP3 car in iRacing
To prevent any race-ending mistakes, there are a few top tips one can adopt whilst driving this prototype. But first, it’s important to distinguish this car’s high speed persona from its low speed sluggishness.
Once you can do this, all you need to do is understand how to drive the car in either state. In fact, as one can guess from a nimble yet heavy vehicle, it requires its driver to engage with two mindsets throughout the same lap.
Because it is a heavy car yet becomes nimble under aerodynamic load, one can easily see its similarities with the BMW M Hybrid V8. We put together a guide for this LMDh car when it joined iRacing late last year which is also very relevant to the driving style one needs for this Ligier LMP3.
High Speeds in LMP3
In higher speed corners, it’s important to trust the downforce. This car can really stick to the ground if you let it. But, slow down too much for a lack of confidence and you’ll lose any sense of grip.
If you find yourself with poor balance going into a turn, this car responds very well to small changes in the body’s pitch. Use light adjustments of the throttle and brake to alter the car’s weight distribution. This will in turn affect the downforce distribution across the two axles.
If you find yourself with a bit of understeer going into a corner, reducing the throttle by a few percentage points will most likely pitch the car into a turn. Sometimes even a short dab on the brake pedal will kick the car into action. Overdo this however, and you’ll send the rear into a spin that, especially with the iRacing tyre model, is unrecoverable.
It’s a good idea to use this technique of using the brake and throttle to pitch the car through sequences of high speed turns. When changing direction, lifting the throttle ever-so slightly will certainly allow the front end to stick and rotate rather than plough forward and understeer.
Lethargic Guide to the iRacing Ligier
Slower speed turns are more of a case of patience and becoming a GT driver. At times with a major lack of mechanical grip, one can feel like they are behind the wheel of a very stiff GT4 car.
In long braking zones, it is as important as ever to hit the brakes hard but to quickly peel off. As the downforce wears off, there is an increasing chance of locking up. This is especially crucial when camber changes and bumps join the mix. Whilst a GT3 car responds well to trail braking, the Ligier JSP320 is one model that will not turn if you are applying brake pressure. Instead, you should get all your braking done before turning in.
When it comes to turning in at slower speed, it’s important that the front tyres aren’t being over-worked. Braking and turning at the same time will only lead to tyre scrub and whole heap of understeer. Instead, allow the car to coast from the turn-in point to the apex.
Getting on the throttle too early will also cause understeer as it lifts the front end. With that in mind, one may benefit from squaring-off low-speed corner exits. Doing this will allow you to get hard on the power early all whilst not risking overshooting the turn or losing traction.
Where to Race
Now you know how to get the iRacing Ligier LMP3 car around a track quickly, you might be looking for a guide to racing the car. Well, there are plenty of series allowing you to race the entry-level prototype including an exciting multi-class championship.
When starting out with the new LMP3 model, it’s best to try it out and get comfortable in the LMP3 Turn Racing Trophy. This Class C series is a single-make event with fixed setups and short sprint races.
When it comes to more serious competition perfect for preparing racers for Class B and A multiclass events, the Falken Tyre Sports Car Challenge is perfect. Putting the Ligier in a top class position alongside GT4 machinery, it teaches players the skill of traffic management. It also allows budding engineers to dive into the car’s setup screen.
Whilst not very plentiful, one can make significant changes to the car’s suspension geometry and aero balance. Depending on the track, dropping the wing angles by a few clicks will provide greater top speed but make sure to preserve the balance from axle to axle. As for the suspension geometry, some front wheel toe out and rear roll bar changes can dramatically alter the low-speed performance.
Do you enjoy driving the new Ligier LMP3 car in iRacing? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
