In a similar vein, the TPTCC league just finished its round at Heartland Park.  
A track with many Square corners.  But in the back section there is a Quick
left/right/left between two straights and at the entrance to that I was loosing
1/2 second each lap to the guy behind me.  I'd spend the rest of the lap building
up a small cushion only to see him chop off another big chunk at that one
corner entry.  
   At other times I have often heard, in Papyrus sims, cars behind me still at full
power while I'm already lifting/braking and downshifting.  
  I kept waiting for the big rearend hit because I was lifting so much earlier than
the other cars.
 I can brake later...I just can't make the turn.  

dave henrie

Braking has always been my worst "feature," in both real and simulated
braking.  I can't figure it out either...especially how guys can keep in
from looping with the extreme rear brake-bias often used in GPL.  There, the
explan. may be in simultaneous throttle+brake application (cf. prev.
discussion of Rubens & Schui @ Silver last year), but that doesn't seem to
apply to N2003, at least not to the same degree.

Then there's the "accordian effect" when the guy behind closes up under
braking.

Ultimately, I think some guys are just better than thee/me under braking.

The way I compensate is to focus on line and exit speed to the exclusion of
almost everything else.  That is, not to get so desperate w. my braking
efforts that I mess up the line (getting the car positioned for the exit)
and thus mess up my exit speed.

Plus making the car Double Wide going into the corner.  If they can't get
around me under braking, I can usually fend 'em off on the subsequent
straight.

P.S. If you find out what kind of Particle Physics (or other supernatural
force) is aiding these Aliens, lemme know, willya?

I have no idea what type of wheel/pedal setup you have, but I just ditched
my red MOMO for a MSFF, and it made a world of differance.

MadDAWG

  Since you mention this is also a problem in fixed setups, I suppose we
can count brake bias out. Obviously, the more rear brake bias you can handle
(up to the point just b4 the rears start to lock b4 the fronts of course),
the greater the braking potential of the car. So.....

  Firstly, the simple thing is the skills that come from experience ie laps
done. Being able to brake later is a matter of being able to

          a) handle heavy braking at high speeds, particularly with
aggressive brake bias
          b) Being able to throw the car into a corner and handle it -
notice the word "throw" rather than drive :)

   Both of these come from endless laps and endless daring! :) The best
drivers are expert at anticipating what the car is about to do and and
stopping it from doing it. The difference between aliens and the rest is
that a situation that results in most drivers losing control is a situation
that an alien sees as routine about a dozen times or more per lap. And these
natural/instincive recovery skills just get better over time - one gets a
feel for them.

  Also, being able to brake whilst turning in is crucial as well. This will
make a huge difference to anyone not presently doing this. And, of course,
the deeper the better.

  A few other things to tinker with whilst developing these skills are the
relationship between brake bias and the turn in characteristics of the
suspension. More rear brake bias makes the car turn in better under braking
but harder to handle. Less makes it turn in less but may inspire more
confidence and the ability to brake more aggressively. Have fun - do a lot
of laps and BE DARING. The more you walk the tightrope the better you get at
it. Just practice offline! :)

Seems to me that the advice is "get line and exits right first, as they the most
important, and THEN work on braking to get the last bit".

I gpl the rumour is to use the tire squeal to determine the braking threshold,
you want just the faintest bit of squeal.  Trail-braking also helps, lets you go
 just a little bit deeper, but requires good control to keep on the line.
Still haven't figured it out for the TA mod yet, but do know that loud
screeching noises and smoke coming out from the fenders is past threshold. :-)

Do you have good resistance in your brake pedal?  A squash ball under mine made
a big difference, especially with left foot braking.

HTH
Ken

Be sure to have engine braking also help the brakes. This makes a world
of a difference for stopping in a shorter distance. Don't pop the gears
down like an F1 car, but learn at which speed your gear rations have
which rpm When doing that, if you notice the tires going "squeak, squeak,
squeak" when you downshift, just give a little throttle to bring up the
engine rpm (heal-toe downshift).

As other have mentioned, finding the limit of the tire when braking also
help. With GPL the tire squeal was easier to judge with, but with NR2003
you'll have to experiment more. Find the point before the tires lockup.
My method for braking for most corners usually to apply full brake
pressure at the start of the brake point (harder to lock tires when going
faster) when gradually release some brake pressure and modulate if
needed.

Probably the ultimate corner to test this is the corner after the long
straight at Lemans (bsarthe track). You aproach that corner at 215mph (i
do anyway.. don't know about the aliens), so you have a long braking
zone. If you turn on the "race line" help, I find I am able to brake 2-3
car length later than the marked brake zone. If you brake for that corner
and just put on the brakes and don't downshift, its hard to even get the
corner at the marked brake point.

I think part of it may be analog pedals vs. digital pedals.

Digital Pedals, such as the MSFFW, have 64 'steps', or available output
levels.  Analog Pedals are near-infinite.

I think those with analog pedals are at a slight advantage here.

-Larry

It is just something that you will have to get the feel for.  I think it is
based on instincts.  I am kinda caucious so my instincts tell me to brake
early.  My tactic has been to brake 2 seconds later than I want to.  Doing
that I am usually competitive in the leagues in which I race.

Shock

...

The pedals are definitely important. My ECCI Trackstar 3000 made a huge
difference.

Achim