When to lift vs stay in the throttle on dirt

Learn about When to lift vs stay in the throttle on dirt

Introduction

You want to know When to lift vs stay in the throttle on dirt so you can stop guessing and start driving with confidence. Here’s the simple rule: lift to set and save the car, throttle to drive and rotate it. Below, we’ll show you exactly how to apply that in iRacing.

Quick Answer

Lift as you enter to set the nose and stop wheelspin. Roll back on the throttle through the middle to balance the car. Add throttle on exit for drive, but feather if it starts spinning or pushing. Heavy/tacky tracks = more throttle. Slick tracks = earlier lift and smoother pickup.

Key Takeaways

• Lift to plant the front tires and control entry.
• Use steady, partial throttle mid-corner to balance yaw.
• Add throttle on exit for drive; feather if it spins or pushes.
• The slicker the track, the more you lift and the smoother you apply power.
• Car type matters: winged sprints tolerate more throttle; street stocks need gentler inputs.

What When to lift vs stay in the throttle on dirt Means

• “Lift” means briefly coming off the gas (often 10–50%) to set the car, stop wheelspin, or avoid contact.
• “Stay in the throttle” means holding or smoothly increasing pedal to keep rear grip, rotate the car, and build exit speed.
• On dirt, the throttle is a steering tool. Too much gas = wheelspin and a push; too little = the car won’t rotate.

Understanding When to lift vs stay in the throttle on dirt (What It Is & Why It Matters)

Dirt grip changes lap-to-lap. As the track slicks off, the rear tires can’t handle sudden torque. Lifting stabilizes the chassis and plants the front. Throttle adds rear grip and rotation when applied smoothly. Getting this timing right reduces spins, builds consistent laps, and improves both iRating and Safety Rating.

• Heavy/tacky surface: you can carry more throttle, even near 100% in spots.
• Slick surface: you’ll breathe the throttle earlier and roll it on later.
• Car differences:
  • Street Stock/UMPs: need smooth, patient throttle.
  • Winged Sprints: wings add downforce; you can stay in it longer, but wheelspin still punishes.
  • Non-wing: more lift and throttle modulation to keep the car straight.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Corner Entry (Turn-In)

• Lift 10–40% before turn-in to plant the nose.
• If the front washes up (push), lift a touch more and/or add a tiny brake tap.
• On heavy tracks, a short “breathe” may be enough; on slick, lift earlier.

2. Mid-Corner (Rotation and Balance)

• Hold a steady, partial throttle (30–70% depending on grip) to keep the rear loaded.
• If the rear steps out too much, ease off a few percent; don’t snap-lift.
• If it won’t rotate, hold a touch more throttle or slightly reduce steering angle.

3. Corner Exit (Drive Off)

• Start rolling throttle as the car straightens.
• If RPM spikes or the car pushes to the wall, pause the throttle increase.
• Aim for a smooth, linear squeeze to full throttle when the car is pointed.

4. Adjust for Track State

• Tacky: shorter lift on entry, earlier throttle pickup, bigger throttle windows.
• Slick: longer/earlier lift, slower throttle pickup, smaller throttle windows.
• Cushion: keep a steady pedal; avoid big lift-stab cycles that upset the car on the lip.

5. Adjust for Car Type

• Street Stock/UMP: think “feather and roll.” Abrupt throttle = push or snap-oversteer.
• Winged 305/360/410: hold more throttle, but be smooth. Use small lifts to correct yaw.
• Non-wing sprint: more modulation and earlier lifts; small mistakes get amplified.

Practical Examples

• Example 1: Rookie Dirt Street Stock at USA (track going slick)

  • Entry: Lift to 30–40% before turn-in.
  • Middle: Hold ~50% to keep the car rotating.
  • Exit: Roll to 70–90%; if it pushes high, pause and re-squeeze.

• Example 2: 360 Sprint at Eldora with a top cushion

  • Entry: Small breathe to set the car, keep some throttle to stay in the wing’s downforce.
  • Middle: Steady pedal riding the cushion; avoid quick lifts that drop you off the lip.
  • Exit: Smooth squeeze to full as the car straightens.

• Example 3: UMP Modified on a bottom feeder slick line

  • Entry: Earlier lift to plant the nose, tiny brake tap if needed.
  • Middle: Light maintenance throttle; don’t chase big yaw.
  • Exit: Gentle roll-on; prioritize traction over absolute throttle.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Pinning the throttle: causes push and wheelspin. Fix: breathe on entry, roll on exit.
• Snap-lifting mid-corner: upsets the car. Fix: make small, progressive adjustments.
• Stabbing the throttle on exit: breaks traction. Fix: smooth, linear squeeze.
• Ignoring track state: same input every lap won’t work. Fix: adjust lift points and throttle pickup as the groove slicks off.
• Overusing brakes: locks fronts and induces push. Fix: minimal taps, bias conservative.
• Gear too short (rev limiter on exit): adds wheelspin. Fix: lengthen gear if available or be gentler on throttle.

Helpful Tips for Beginners

• Use audio and FFB: a rising “zing” sound = wheelspin; lighten the throttle.
• Calibrate pedals: ensure linear throttle in iRacing; add a tiny deadzone if you have pedal noise.
• Drill: ghost laps with 50% max throttle for 10 laps on a slick track—focus on smooth exits, then add more.
• Spot the slick: shiny black = low grip, brown/tacky = higher grip. Adjust lift/throttle accordingly.
• Clean racing: in traffic, lift early and avoid divebombs. Finishing clean boosts Safety Rating more than one risky pass.
• Content basics: membership includes at least one dirt car and some dirt tracks; most series use paid content. Start with rookie series using included content, then add tracks you race most.
• Practice effectively: run 10–15 lap runs as the surface evolves; save a baseline setup and compare throttle traces in the F3/F10 black boxes or with simple replays.

Why This Matters for iRacing Dirt Racers

• Pace: Correct lift/roll timing builds consistent corner speed.
• Tire behavior: Dirt tires overheat and glaze if you overspin; smooth throttle keeps them in their window.
• Racecraft: Controlled throttle avoids netcode touches, spins, and 0x/2x incidents.
• League nights: Admins may start tracks at different wear states; your lift/throttle plan must adapt quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions About When to lift vs stay in the throttle on dirt

• Do I need a wheel to race dirt in iRacing?

  • Strongly recommended. A force-feedback wheel and decent pedals make throttle control far easier than a gamepad.

• How much content do beginners need?

  • You can start with the included rookie dirt series. As you improve, buy the specific cars and tracks your favorite series runs most often.

• Is dirt harder than asphalt?

  • It’s different. Dirt demands more throttle modulation and adapting to changing grip. Many find it tougher at first but very rewarding.

• Can I race dirt with the free membership content?

  • Yes, you can run rookie events with included cars/tracks. Most advanced series use additional paid content.

• What car should I start with?

  • The Dirt Street Stock is a great first step. After that, try a winged 305 Sprint or UMP Modified to learn throttle control at higher speeds.

• Should I use brake on entry?

  • Minimal. A light tap can help set the nose, but most of your control comes from lift timing and smooth throttle.

Summary

Lift to set the car; roll throttle to balance it; squeeze to drive off. The slicker it gets, the earlier and smoother you must be. Practice small, progressive inputs and adapt to track state, car type, and traffic.

Got questions? Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/VSPAFjd7Ea

Related Guides

• Dirt Track States: Tacky vs Slick and How to Adjust
• Beginner Dirt Setups and What Actually Matters
• Reading and Using the Cushion Without Crashing
• Throttle Control Drills for Dirt Oval
• Safety Rating on Dirt: Clean Laps and Smart Racecraft