Racing Games for Beginners: Tips to Dominate the Track

Racing games offer a thrilling blend of speed, precision, and competition, making them one of the most popular gaming genres today. Whether you're drifting through the streets of Forza Horizon, chasing milliseconds in Gran Turismo, or battling for pole position in F1, mastering racing games takes more than just pressing the accelerator.

If you're new to racing games and want to improve your skills, this guide will provide essential tips and accessories to help you take control of the track and start winning races.

What kind of racing game is right for you?

Not all racing games are the same, and choosing the right one can help you learn the basics faster. If you prefer a more casual, arcade-like and open-world experience, Forza Horizon is a great option. 

If you're looking for a realistic racing sim, Gran Turismo, F1,  Forza Motorsport and iRacing offer deeper mechanics that closely mimic real-world driving. They offer a fairly high skill level without being unapproachable for beginners. Be warned, you’ll have to sink some hours into this to get Gold on every track, beat the quickest time and get the trophies, but it’s possible.

Games like Assetto Corsa and Automobilista are highly regarded for their realism and precision, making them excellent choices for aspiring sim racers. The reason these ‘games’ are more often referred to as ‘sims’ is because they are designed to be driving simulators, not just games. They accurately mimic the physics of driving far better than racing games and require not only some serious practice and control, but a working knowledge of cars and their components to truly master.

Games like Forza Horizon are some of the best introductions to driving games for beginners due to their approachability, more arcade-like features and modes and sheer enjoyment.

Master the basics of driving

Before pushing for faster lap times, you need to master the fundamental driving techniques that apply across all racing games:

• Braking points: learn when and where to brake before corners to maintain control and avoid understeering off the track. Many racing games offer visual cues of some kind to help you know exactly when to brake — but don’t rely on them, they aren’t optimal.

• Acceleration control: avoid mashing the throttle — smooth inputs help you maintain traction and prevent wheel spin. With experimentation, you’ll see just how much time you can gain around a corner with smoother inputs.

• Racing line: following the optimal racing line ensures you take corners efficiently and maintain speed. Most racing games offer some type of racing line, and despite what some may say, there is no shame in using it! Much like braking points, they don’t provide optimal lines, and in the long run, your knowledge of the track is more important.

• Weight transfer: understanding how the weight of your car shifts during braking and acceleration helps you anticipate handling changes. Modern racers do a great job of replicating the physics, so try to apply real-world principles to your in-game controls. 

Consider racing accessories for your controller

You can quickly boost your racing capabilities with a deceptively simple accessory: the Racer Kit from Thumb Soldiers. With its wheel and pedal thumbstick designs, it’s truly optimised for racing.

Precise steering, braking, and acceleration are key to hitting your apex and maintaining control. The Racer Kit gives controller racers an edge with a wheel that increases range for smoother, more precise movements—no downward pressure needed. Simply glide side to side, keeping your thumb secure for confident control in intense races.

The included throttle pedal enhances grip and directional input, making transitions between throttle and brake seamless. Even if you don’t use the right stick for throttle and brake, it’s still a great addition for camera control — or just adding style to your controller.

Adjust your settings for better control

Every racing game allows for some level of customisation in controls, assists, and sensitivity. As a beginner, you may want to start with driving assists like traction control and ABS enabled. However, as you improve, gradually turn off these assists to develop more precise control.

As you turn assists off and gain more precise control, you’ll go faster. In the F1 games, turning traction control off, or putting it on medium, allows you to more quickly accelerate out of corners, as the computer is not modulating acceleration to maintain grip.

You should also fine-tune your controller settings. Increasing steering sensitivity and reducing dead zones can make your inputs more responsive, giving you better control over your car’s movements. Give yourself time to figure out how you play before you adjust these settings.

Learn how to take corners efficiently

One of the biggest differences between beginners and experienced racers is how they handle corners. The fastest way through a corner follows the slow in, fast out principle:

   1. Brake before the turn, not while turning.

   2. Ease off the brakes as you enter the corner to maintain grip.

   3. Gradually accelerate out of the corner as you straighten your wheels.

   4. Do not straighten your wheels too fast or you’re liable to spin out.

Mastering this technique will drastically improve your lap times and overall performance. It sounds simple, but it’s not easy to do in practice, especially on a controller. Remember, slow in, fast out.

Use manual gears to gain more control

If you want to take your racing skills to the next level, consider switching to manual gears. This gives you better control over your car’s acceleration and allows you to optimise gear shifts for maximum speed. Many top racing games, including F1 and Gran Turismo, allow you to use manual shifting with or without a clutch.

Being able to shift down at the apex so you can speed out of it quickly, or changing down to let your engine do some of the braking for you are incredibly effective tactics to employ against other racers online, since many do not use manual gears.

Practice in time trials before jumping into races

Before competing online or in career mode, spend time in time trials or free practice sessions. This allows you to:

• Learn the track layout and braking points.

• Experiment with different driving techniques.

• Improve consistency without the pressure of other racers.

Practicing in a controlled environment will help you build confidence and muscle memory before facing real opponents.

Study your competition and adapt

If you're racing online or in career mode, take time to study how other racers drive. Observe their braking points, overtaking strategies, and cornering techniques. Learning from better players can help you refine your own approach and spot opportunities to improve.

Fine-tune your car setup

Many racing games allow you to customise your car setup, including suspension, tyre pressure, gear ratios, and aerodynamics. While default setups work well for beginners, experimenting with these settings can help you tailor your car’s handling to suit your driving style.

For many gamers who are never going to invest the hours needed to understand how cars work in real life, many racing games allow you to download car setups from other users to apply to yours. Check social media and your favourite games’ message boards to find setups.

Make sure you’re having fun!

One of the most important aspects of racing games is enjoyment. Instead of stressing over perfect lap times, focus on improving steadily while having a great time. Racing games are about the thrill of the competition, the excitement of mastering a track, and the satisfaction that comes with hitting a perfect apex or getting gold on a tough challenge.

Rather than always chasing a single fast lap, aim for consistency. Completing multiple laps with minimal mistakes will naturally refine your skills, helping you develop a rhythm and better control.

You’re on your way to becoming the next Lewis Hamilton!

Becoming a competitive racer in games like Forza, Gran Turismo, F1, and iRacing takes time and practice. By focusing on the fundamentals, refining your technique, and making small adjustments to your setup, you can steadily improve and start winning more races. 

Whether you're playing casually or aiming for the podium, following these tips will help you dominate the track and enjoy the thrill of racing to its fullest.

If you want to gain greater control of your movements in-game, why not check out our Racer Pro Thumbsticks?