My First Coaching Session with SimRaceBlog: A Journey into Open-Wheel Racing
When we first discussed collaborating with SimRaceBlog, the idea quickly came up to kick things off with a coaching session. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better way.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Marian Barbieru — I’m a sim racing coach and course author at GITGUD Racing, as well as a content creator on the YouTube channel of the same name. Coaching is always a two-way street for me — while I share my experience, I also get to see firsthand how another passionate sim racer approaches the craft.
For this first session, I had the pleasure of working with Wayne, one of the most competitive drivers from the SimRaceBlog team. We jumped straight into something exciting: the Super Formula Lights on iRacing, tackling the Barcelona Historic circuit.
From the first laps, it was clear Wayne is passionate about racing open wheels, and quite quick as a driver. My role wasn’t to reinvent his driving but to help fine-tune areas that could unlock even more pace. The atmosphere was relaxed yet focused — the kind of session where you forget about time because both sides are deeply engaged in the process.
We worked on some key areas:
- Corner approach & apex timing: Wayne had a tendency to turn in early, which meant he’d run out of track on exit and could not commit to pressing the throttle hard on his way out of the corners. By adjusting his turning points, we opened up the exits so he could attack the throttle with more confidence.
- Brake-shape distribution: Open-wheel cars are difficult because you can brake hard, but it’s double-edged sword. We explored how a sharper initial brake peak, followed by a quicker release, helps carry more minimum speed and lets the downforce do its magic. His issue was over-slowing mid-corner which gave him less grip.
- Brake bias and downshifting rhythm: Together, we looked at how brake bias changes car balance and discussed the downshifting rhythm used by top drivers to induce more rotation under heavy braking.
What impressed me most was Wayne’s openness to feedback. Of course, adjustments like these don’t become second nature overnight; they require repetition and practice. Wayne still made mistakes here and there as he experimented with the new approach, but throughout the session there were plenty of glimpses of real potential. We ended the session with a clear plan going forward.
I’m genuinely excited about where this partnership with SimRaceBlog is heading. If this first session is any indication, there’s a lot of fun, growth, and great content ahead for the community.
And if you’re reading this and feel inspired to take your own driving to the next level, make sure to continue following SimRaceBlog. You’ll find here an awesome hub of articles, perspectives, and experiences that every sim racer can learn from — and this coaching series is just the beginning.
Stay fast, stay smart — Marian
Marian Barbieru — Sim racing coach, online racing course author, and content creator at GITGUD Racing.
I help sim racers improve lap times, master proper racing techniques, and build consistency in iRacing.
