Assetto Corsa EVO Driving Academy Guide: How to Get 3 Stars

Last week, Kunos Simulazioni finally introduced progression to its latest game. Players can now take part in Special Events, buy and customise cars and complete driving academy challenges in Assetto Corsa EVO.

Six driving academy licences are available in total, each unlocking a new class of car with each licence comprising of between five and six challenges breaking a circuit down into mini-sectors. Each challenge has a trio of times to beat with three levels of completion represented by stars. Whilst simply passing ACE driving academy tests is not overly complicated, achieving three stars is not the matter of a moment.

So here is your guide to achieving three stars in every ACE driving academy licence test challenge including the times you need and a few driving tips.

How to Complete ACE Sportscar Test​

The first ACE driving academy licence takes place at Brands Hatch on the GP course, so make sure not to turn right at Surtees. Here, you will be driving a collection of sportscars as you make your way around the track’s sectors before completing a full lap.

SP-01: Your First Hairpin​

The first challenge sees you jump aboard an Audi RS3 running from Turn 1, Paddock Hill Bend and around the Druid’s Hairpin. For the best result, make sure to hold the accelerator flat and only change into first gear when the lights go out. Also, turn off traction control for greater power out of turns. Here are the times you need.

• 1 Star: 00:25.000
• 2 Stars: 00:21.200
• 3 Stars: 00:20.400

SP-02: L-Turns​

For the second Brands Hatch Sportscar Driving Academy licence test in Assetto Corsa EVO, you drive a Ford Escort RS Cosworth from the exit of Druid’s to the beginning of the GP loop just before Hawthorn Bend. Here, you can use the clutch at the start for a better launch whilst maximising the cut on the first corner, Graham Hill Bend will ensure you carry momentum through the course.

• 1 Star: 00:40.000
• 2 Stars: 00:37.200
• 3 Stars: 00:36.100

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SP-03: Electric Car, Fast Corner​

The third test sees you take an Alpine A290 Concept electric hatchback from Pilgrim’s Drop to Dingle Dell, so halfway round the Brands Hatch GP loop. A heavy car that understeers a lot, we recommend ensuring you slow the car down early and power through each of the two turns. To assist you in this, turn traction control off, but only after pulling away from the line for a better launch.

• 1 Star: 00:37.500
• 2 Stars: 00:32.500
• 3 Stars: 00:31.700

SP-04: Rear Wheel Drive​

As its name suggests, the first time you will drive a rear-wheel drive car in ACE driving academy challenges will be the fourth Sportscar test. It puts you behind the wheel of a Toyota GR86 at the bottom of Dingle Dell as you race to the start-finish straight. A simple lift in fourth gear for the first corner and big cut on the apex of Turn 2, Stirling’s, will put you in a good place to achieve three stars.

• 1 Star: 00:39.500
• 2 Stars: 00:34.300
• 3 Stars: 00:33.400

SP-05: Show us the Lap​

One final Assetto Corsa EVO Driving Academy Sportscar test sends you for a full lap of Brands Hatch GP aboard the Alpine A110. A simpler test to complete, simply run a clean lap without too much sliding and hit every apex and you should match the three-star requirement.

• 1 Star: 1:59.000
• 2 Stars: 1:47.000
• 3 Stars: 1:44.300

Assetto Corsa EVO Supercar Test 3 Stars​

From Sportscars at Brands Hatch to exotic Supercars in the exotic location of Imola in Italy, the second Driving Academy licence puts you behind the wheel of faster models. Whilst the previous licence saw us recommend turning traction control off immediately, simply lowering its setting in these challenges should keep you out of harm’s way.

SC-01: Italian Chicanes​

The first ACE driving academy challenge at Imola provides you with a Lotus Emira to go from the final corner, through the Tamburello and Villeneuve Chicanes. Extracting time here is all about cutting kerbs as much as possible without unsettling the car. A manual, you can also use the clutch for a better launch off the line.

• 1 Star: 00:58.000
• 2 Stars: 00:51.800
• 3 Stars: 00:50.800

SC-02: Your First Wet Drive​

The weather system in Assetto Corsa EVO has been one of the game’s selling points throughout the lead-up to its release and in the second Supercar Driving Academy challenge, you finally explore it. In rainy conditions, you must drive the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm from the exit of Villeneuve through Tosa and Piratella. Adapting your line slightly to straighten the car up before applying the throttle will be a key though there is no need to run a full wet line.

• 1 Star: 00:42.000
• 2 Stars: 00:35.500
• 3 Stars: 00:34.400

SC-03: The Acque Minerali​

As the name suggests, Supercar test three in the AC EVO driving academy focuses on Acque Minerali and the run up the hill towards and through the Variante Alta chicane. Aboard the powerful Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, you will be happy to know this takes place in the dry. Get the car slowed down early into the first turn and square off your run up the hill. For the chicane, rotating the car by cutting the right-hander will allow you to apply power earlier through the left.

Imola in Assetto Corsa EVO.

• 1 Star: 00:36.000
• 2 Stars: 00:29.600
• 3 Stars: 00:28.400

SC-04: Brake Hard, Exit Harder​

For the fourth supercar challenge, you return to the wheel of the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm for the final sector of Imola including the run from Variante Alta to the Rivazza and down to the finish line. Optimising time here is all about braking late for the first left-hander, aiming for the apex kerb and cutting it as much as possible. Do not cut the final corner too much as it will unsettle the car. But you can run all four wheels over the kerb on exit.

• 00:45.000
• 00:42.000
• 00:40.900

SC-05: Show us the Lap​

Once again, the final supercar licence test in AC EVO‘s driving academy sends you round a full lap, this time of Imola aboard the BMW M4 CSL. With plenty of torque, using higher gears and squaring off corners works best in most cases. Just make sure not to slide too much and keep things clean and you should achieve the three-star time.

• 1 Star: 2:12.000
• 2 Stars: 2:01:000
• 3 Stars: 1:58.500

How To Get 3 Stars in Hypercar Driving Academy​

The third Assetto Corsa EVO driving academy licence focuses on Hypercars around Laguna Seca, though with the current car list looking a but meagre, you will only be driving the Ferrari 296 GTB – which we would consider a supercar, but that is beyond the point.

HC-01: Damp Track, Beast Car​

Your first turns of the Ferrari wheel in AC EVO send you from the Laguna Seca start line through Turns 1 and 2 with the first test ending under the Dunlop bridge. Keeping it on-track here is harder than passing the test, so do not push it too much into the Andretti Hairpin. Instead, start coasting over the crest, cut the pit lane as much as possible and brake no later than the cone marker on the right. Beware, hitting the brake will cause a lot of understeer.

• 1 Star: 00:40.000
• 2 Stars: 00:36.000
• 3 Stars: 00:34.100

HC-02: Mastering L-Corners​

Laguna Seca is known for its long-apex right angle turns which means maximising exit speed is crucial and it is in the second challenge that you put that theory to good use. From the Dunlop bridge, you will face a right-hand turn and two lefts before crossing the line on the Rahal Straight. Slow in, fast out will work best for these turns, but make sure not to go onto the gravel as it will slow you down dramatically.

• 1 Star: 00:39.000
• 2 Stars: 00:33.400
• 3 Stars: 00:39.000

HC-03: Welcome to the Corkscrew​

Arguably one of the most famous sequence of corners in the world, the third Supercar Driving Academy test in AC EVO focuses on the Corkscrew. After rising up the Rahal Straight, brake earlier than you typically would in a race car and hug the left-hand apex. Wait until the car settles before getting on the power, though we would recommend to never quite reach max throttle as the Rainey Curve will require early braking. Only dab the brake pedal here as the ABS could send you off-track. Lower traction control settings can help you rotate the car through the exit but given its 819 brake horsepower, that may be playing with fire.

Take on Laguna Seca in a Ferrari 296 GTB for the third AC EVO Driving Academy licence.

• 1 Star: 00:28.000
• 2 Stars: 00:25.100
• 3 Stars: 00:23.400

HC-04: Dive Deep​

For the fourth challenge, you once again start from the top of the Corkscrew, though you can push your braking point further back with a shorter run to the turn. However, you will then run all the way to the start-finish line. The right-hander after Rainey has good grip and camber on the inside so make sure to aim for a big cut of the apex and you should just about clip it. For the final hairpin, the first braking board is your point to mash the pedal. Cut the sausage kerb as much as possible and jump on the power early.

• 1 Star: 00:45.000
• 2 Stars: 00:37.500
• 3 Stars: 00:36.100

HC-05: Show us the Lap​

As we are now accustomed to the individual sectors of Laguna Seca, it is time to put them all together for a full lap to complete the Hypercar driving academy licence in Assetto Corsa EVO. As ever, these full-lap challenges are far simpler to complete than the micro sectors as long as you keep it clean.

• 1 Star: 1:43.000
• 2 Stars: 1:34.800
• 3 Stars: 1:38.616

Complete Racing 1 Driving Academy​

After making your way through the list of road car licences that make up the Assetto Corsa EVO Driving Academy, it is time to take on a number of race cars starting with the diminutive Mazda MX-5 Global Cup. Surprisingly, the Racing 1 licence takes place at the large Suzuka Circuit with its long, winding curves and fast straights.

R1-01: Rain and the Snake​

The first sector of Suzuka Grand Prix circuit is made up of the Esses which snake up the hill. You take on this challenging sequence in the wet in the first R1 challenge in the AC EVO Driving Academy. Already a light rear end, this test is all about keeping the car stable, so aim for the apex cones laid out by the developer and be progressive on the pedals.

• 1 Star: 00:55.000
• 2 Stars: 00:50.500
• 3 Stars: 00:48.600

R1-02: Get to the Hairpin​

The second racing Driving Academy test runs from the exit of the Esses through Dunlop, the Degners and ends on the exit of the hairpin. Balance the throttle towards the end of Dunlop before making the most of the cuts you can get away with through Degner 1. Degner 2 requires a greater focus on the exit whilst, as the finish line is just after the exit of the hairpin, we recommend a tight line through the final corner. So brake towards the apex and trail brake to rotate the car.

• 1 Star: 00:51.500
• 2 Stars: 00:47.200
• 3 Stars: 00:44.500

R1-03: Meet the Spoon​

Spoon is one of the trickiest turns at Suzuka and even more-so in the Assetto Corsa EVO Mazda MX-5 Cup with its tendency to over-rotate on the brakes. Keep your line as tight as possible on the run from the start to the corner and brake whilst aiming towards the first apex. Come off the brakes as you apply steering lock for the second apex and simply coast into the turn. Finally, slam the throttle as soon as you see a line to the exit.

AC EVO Racing 1 Driving Academy takes place at Suzuka.

• 1 Star: 00:49.500
• 2 Stars: 00:42.500
• 3 Stars: 00:39.200

R1-04: Be Brave, Welcome to 130R​

The final Suzuka mini sector in the AC EVO Racing 1 Driving Academy is the run through 130R and the Casio Triangle chicane. Taking the sequence on in the wet makes the fast left-hander a real challenge. Brake to fourth before thinking of turning in and hold half throttle through the apex. Brake early for the chicane and run all over the kerbs. Be gentle on power out of the chicane for the quick run to the line.

• 1 Star: 00:53.500
• 2 Stars: 00:49.500
• 3 Stars: 00:46.200

R1-05: Show us the Lap​

And the merry-go-round of ACE Driving Academy tests comes to the end once more, this time with a full lap of Suzuka aboard the Mazda MX-5. In dry conditions, you can push the first and final sectors a bit more as the greater grip will tighten up the rear. Though as ever with this car, beware not to come off the throttle to fast or hit the brakes too suddenly whilst cornering.

• 1 Star: 2:46.200
• 2 Stars: 2:36.500
• 3 Stars: 2:32.800

Guide to Race 2 Challenge in ACE​

Just two licences to go until we are masters of all levels of motorsport and in Racing 2, it’s the turn of the BMW M2 CS Racing at Bathurst. Much more stable than the Mazda on corner entry, this car has lots of torque and so corner exits can be tricky. Though we recommend using higher gears than usual for optimal traction.

R2-01: Welcome to Australia​

The first Assetto Corsa EVO Racing 2 Driving Academy test kicks off from the start line at Bathurst and runs through to the Cutting. The key here is to get an excellent run out of the first corner by carrying momentum through the turn. This focus on corner exit speed is also true through Quarry and the Cutting given their uphill nature.

• 1 Star: 00:59.500
• 2 Stars: 00:51.300
• 3 Stars: 00:49.200

R2-02: Uphill We Go​

Famous for its mountain section, Bathurst is all about carrying speed through these fast corners, a sector you will learn with the second AC EVO challenge in the M2. Flat out through the first pair of corners and minor lifts through the second two turns will ensure you get to Skyline with a three-star time.

• 1 Star: 00:38.500
• 2 Stars: 00:31.800
• 3 Stars: 00:30.500

R2-03: And Downhill, With Walls​

This year’s Bathurst 12 Hours saw some hefty whacks on the downhill run through Skyline, but hopefully you won’t experience those in test number three of the Bathurst Driving Academy in Assetto Corsa EVO. This third test goes down from McPhillamy Park to the exit of Forest’s Elbow. Crucial here is Skyline where each corner is taken in a different gear (fourth then third). Do not drop to second as you would in other cars as it will kill your acceleration.

BMW M2 CS Racing in Assetto Corsa EVO.

Equally, Forest’s Elbow is a two-corner sequence that requires braking to hug the inside of the right-hander before again braking for the left-hand hairpin. In either section, never brake while turning as it will unsettle the car.

• 1 Star: 00:41.000
• 2 Stars: 00:32.800
• 3 Stars: 00:31.700

R2-04: The Fastest Straight, And a Turn​

Running downhill, the Conrod straight picks speed up fast with the Chase combining a flat-out left hander into a tricky braking zone for a third-gear chicane. Hold to the right-side of the track and brake as soon as your wheel is straight. For the final corner, brake at the separation of the track and pit entry and clatter the inside kerb.

• 1 Star: 00:58.000
• 2 Stars: 00:49.800
• 3 Stars: 00:48.300

R2-05: Show us the Lap​

You now should have all the tools you need to complete a full lap of Bathurst in record, three-star time. In the same conditions as each of the sector tests, you should only need to apply what you have done up until now.

• 1 Star: 2:36.500
• 2 Stars: 2:28.500
• 3 Stars: 2:26.400

Assetto Corsa EVO Racing 3 Driving Academy​

Different to other Driving Academy tests in Assetto Corsa EVO, Racing 3 sees you take on the top tier of machinery available in the game’s Early Access form to complete full laps of each of the tracks.

R3-01: Master Brands Hatch​

For the first Racing 3 event, you revisit Brands Hatch in the Mercedes-AMG GT2. Now provided with a bit of downforce, you can push harder into the faster corners like Paddock Hill and Hawthorn. But with its stiffer chassis, this race car will not handle kerbs as well as the sportscars from earlier, so avoid cutting too much.

• 1 Star: 1:40.000
• 2 Stars: 1:32.600
• 3 Stars: 1:31.250

R3-02: Master Imola​

In Italian style, you return to Imola in the Ferrari 488 Challenge within the Italian AC EVO. This car is very powerful with brakes that perhaps do not match expectations and so going back to the braking zones used during the earlier Supercar driving academy challenges may serve you well, especially in these rainy conditions.

• 1 Star: 2:15.000
• 2 Stars: 2:03.500
• 3 Stars: 2:01.400

R3-03: Master Laguna Seca​

For your second trip to Assetto Corsa EVO‘s representation of Laguna Seca in Driving Academy, you hop back aboard the Mercedes-AMG GT2. Much like with the first Racing 3 challenge, this car has a good amount of downforce and stopping power meaning the longer turns of the middle sector can be faster and the crest before Turn 1 is not quite as dangerous as it was in the 296.

Drive the Porsche GT3 Cup car in AC EVO‘s Driving Academy.

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R3-04: Master Suzuka​

The fourth Racing 3 Assetto Corsa EVO Driving Academy challenge is the first time you get to drive the Porsche 911 Cup car as it takes you to the winding roads of Suzuka. Despite the clear, sunny conditions, this car proves particularly difficult on direction changes and progressively tightening corners, something this circuit has a lot of. Make sure to always keep a bit of throttle through the Esses and, much like when driving the Mazda, only brake in a straight line.

R3-05: Master Bathurst​

The final challenge in ACE‘s Driving Academy takes place at Bathurst in the Ferrari 488 Challenge. With a light front end, the key in this challenge is to trail brake over the mountain to keep the front tyres on the ground, especially over crests. Moreover, the braking zone into the Chase will require an early braking point and a lift through the fast right-hander due to the car’s poor brakes.

How many Assetto Corsa EVO Driving Academy challenges have you completed with three stars? Let us know in the comments.