Le Mans Ultimate Deserves More Love – Here’s Why You Should Play
Just had one of the most intense and exciting races I’ve ever experienced, and I had to share it because no one in my real life really "gets" the thrill of moments like this.
For some background, I’ve mostly raced in ACC, sticking to GT3s, but I recently dove into Le Mans Ultimate again, and wow—what a difference! Once you’re out of the rookie tier, the public lobbies are surprisingly clean and competitive. It’s a whole new level of fun and strategy.
Hypercars, though... they’re a completely different beast. Coming from GT3s, it took some getting used to, but they’re incredibly rewarding to drive once you adapt.
This race was at Fuji—a track I don’t usually enjoy—but this time it totally changed my mind. It was a 40-minute multi-class race with 200% fuel usage, so everyone needed at least one pit stop. Here’s how it went down:
- Quali/Start: Qualified P3 and managed to jump to P2 off the start. I put pressure on the BMW ahead and eventually claimed P1 early on.
- Mid-Race: A faster Peugeot caught up, and I decided not to fight too hard since it was costing me time. A braking mistake near the pit stop window allowed the BMW to reclaim P2, dropping me back to P3 where I started.
- Pit Strategy: This was the turning point. I realized my best shot at retaking P1 was to under-fuel during my stop. I took a gamble, putting in 4-5 liters less than originally planned. The result? A shorter pit stop that got me out in P1.
- Final Stint: With some luck navigating GT3 traffic, I built a 5-second gap. What followed was nine of the most nerve-wracking laps I’ve ever driven. I had to lift and coast every single lap to save fuel. Despite the pressure, that 5-second buffer and some favorable traffic gave me just enough breathing room.
By the final lap, the BMW was back on my tail. It was insanely close—I crossed the line with just 0.3 seconds to spare, 1L of fuel in my car, and 0.6% virtual fuel remaining. It was absolutely wild.
This race had everything: tight strategy, fuel management, and pure adrenaline. It reminded me why I love sim racing so much. No other game makes fuel strategy this dynamic, tense, and genuinely fun.
Why am I posting this?
- I don’t have anyone in real life who appreciates how incredible races like this are, so I needed to share it here.
- To anyone who gave up on LMS during its rough early access days: give it another shot. The game is in a fantastic state now, and the racing you can have is on another level.
Finally, to the Brit in the BMW: I’m the Dutchman. If you’re reading this, you’ll know exactly which race I’m talking about. That was an epic battle—much respect! Would love to hear your side of it if you see this.