If you're serious about improving your performance in Forza Horizon 6, you’ve likely spent time exploring the different modes available. Rivals Mode is one of the most competitive and rewarding ways to test your driving skills against others. But for many players, getting the best results in this mode requires more than just jumping in and hoping for the best. You need a solid practice plan. In this article, we’ll break down practical steps to help you improve in Rivals Mode, based on how players typically approach the mode.

What Is Rivals Mode?

Rivals Mode in Forza Horizon 6 allows you to compete against other players’ times on specific tracks. You don’t race head-to-head, but rather, you are trying to set a better lap time than someone else’s on a particular circuit or event. It’s all about precision, consistency, and optimizing your car’s setup to get that edge.

In practice, Rivals Mode is about going beyond just beating the AI. You’re chasing real players’ lap times, which adds another layer of challenge. And because you’re trying to match or beat those times, your goal should always be to focus on the little things that make the biggest difference, such as braking points, throttle control, and cornering lines.

How Should I Set Up My Practice?

Focus on One Track or Event at a Time

When you first enter Rivals Mode, pick one track or event and stick to it for a while. Don’t jump between too many tracks, as this will dilute your focus. By concentrating on one challenge, you can refine your driving and adapt to the quirks of a particular track.

Start by understanding the layout of the course. Focus on learning each corner’s braking points and exit strategies. Once you’re familiar with a course, you can start refining the smaller details of your driving.

Select the Right Car

Choosing the right car is a crucial part of Rivals Mode. Many players go for speed, but that’s not always the best route. It’s more important to have a car that you feel comfortable driving on the specific track you’re racing.

If you’ve spent time in free roam or other races, you’ve probably tried out a variety of cars. Pay attention to which cars feel most responsive to you, which ones offer the handling you need for tight corners, and which ones can maintain speed without becoming too unstable. Make sure your car’s class is suitable for the event’s restrictions, and take time to tune it for optimal performance. This isn’t something you’ll perfect in one go, but it’s key to consistent success.

Understand the Leaderboard Times

The Rivals Mode leaderboard is where you’ll see how you measure up against others. It's important to have a clear understanding of what you’re aiming for. Often, players will look at the top 10 leaderboard times and get discouraged, but don’t let this demotivate you. Instead, aim for a more reasonable improvement. Maybe you’re aiming to break into the top 100 or top 50 on a track. Use this as your benchmark, and gradually increase your target as you improve.

How Do I Improve My Lap Times?

Master Cornering

One of the most effective ways to shave seconds off your lap time is to perfect your cornering. Most players tend to overbrake or understeer in corners, which slows them down. A simple tip is to brake earlier and enter the corner smoothly, making sure you don’t scrub off too much speed. Focus on the racing line, and experiment with different approaches to each corner.

On certain tight corners, it’s better to brake in a straight line and not turn the wheel too much before you’ve slowed down enough. Learning how much brake pressure you need without losing control of the car will come with time.

Smooth Inputs

Rivals Mode rewards smoothness. Your inputs—whether it’s the throttle, brakes, or steering—should be as smooth as possible. Jerky steering or over-acceleration will make your car less predictable, and in competitive racing, this costs valuable time.

Rather than trying to push the car to its absolute limit, focus on getting the best lap you can through smooth, controlled movements. By reducing unnecessary over-corrections or aggressive throttle pushes, you’ll gain much better consistency, and that will lead to faster lap times.

Study Your Replays

A great way to improve is by watching your own replays. When you’re attempting to beat a rival’s time, try analyzing their ghost car and your own. Compare where you’re losing time. Are you braking too early or too late? Are you taking the corners too wide or clipping the apex? Replay analysis will give you a good idea of areas where you need to adjust your driving.

Focus on Consistency, Not Just Speed

You’ll get faster with time, but it’s important to note that Rivals Mode rewards consistency just as much as it rewards speed. If you can hit the same lap time consistently, you’re well on your way to improving. Focus on making clean laps rather than going for an all-out fast lap that might fall apart due to a small mistake. If you want to improve your consistency, try to focus on one thing at a time. For example, on one lap, concentrate only on braking. On the next lap, focus on accelerating out of corners.

What Are the Best Ways to Practice for Rivals Mode?

Set Personal Goals

It’s important to create your own milestones in Rivals Mode. Maybe your goal is to beat your personal best on a certain track, or maybe you want to break into a new leaderboard rank. By setting goals that are specific to your own progression, you can work more effectively towards achieving them.

If you're struggling to make significant progress on your own, you can also try joining an online community or finding other players to practice with. It’s common to get feedback from other experienced players or share tips with one another. You may be surprised by how much you can improve by learning from others.

Take Breaks Between Sessions

One of the biggest mistakes that players make is overdoing it in practice sessions. Sometimes, hours of constant racing can actually hurt your progress, especially if you’re starting to make the same mistakes over and over again. If you’re noticing a dip in your performance, it’s time to step away and take a break. Your reflexes and focus need time to recharge. It’s far more productive to practice for shorter, focused bursts of time rather than trying to perfect a track in one sitting.

Experiment with Different Car Setups

The tuning menu in Forza Horizon 6 gives you a lot of flexibility in adjusting your car to match your driving style. If you’ve been using a certain car setup for a while, try experimenting with it. Changing a few tweaks in suspension, tire pressure, or even differential settings can drastically affect how your car handles on a track. While some setups will naturally suit certain courses better, there’s no harm in experimenting to find the one that’s best for you.

Should I Buy a New Account or Focus on Progressing My Current One?

If you're struggling to keep up with other players’ times or feel limited by your current progression, you might consider buying an account with better stats or vehicles, like a FH6 Account from the Microsoft Store. This can give you access to more advanced cars and setups, but remember, the most important thing is to keep practicing and refining your skills. No account, no matter how advanced, can replace consistent practice in Rivals Mode.

Rivals Mode in Forza Horizon 6 is about more than just fast cars and high speeds. It’s a test of your skill and consistency, requiring practice, patience, and focus. By mastering the basics like cornering, car setup, and smooth inputs, and by setting specific goals for improvement, you can gradually climb the leaderboard and compete with the best. Take your time, stay focused, and always keep refining your technique.