[Andy Whapham]

welcome, Andy!

Kris' suggestions  are great. Here are a few  things l'd like to add:
1. yes, helicorsa is great, car radar is another option. I tend to prefer the latter, but it stopped working for me for a reason I have not figured out, so I am back to helocorsa. Using  one of them is a must with singe-screen seetup, but even with 3 screens or VR they are very helpful. Position  it  where you can see it well, ideally in the center.

2.  notice that while most races on SRS are 20 min, some are 1 hr with a mandatory pitstop.  Plan accordingly!

3. Remember this is online racing, people how different pings and also different skills.  Very close racing may lead to unexpected crashes . And these happen quite often, so unless you are a brilliant qualifier and starts at the front, much of your succcess will depend on being able to avoid  pileups, cars spinning out, cars returning to the track in disregard of incoming traffic.

4.  and, likewise, if you spin out or get onto the grass, resist the urge to get back on the track right way, first check for traffic

5.  set your AC to autosave races. if someone misbehaves, against you or anyone, use protest form (accessible from AC) to report them

Thanks Pawel,

I will in time move online but at the moment I am concentrating on offline. Working through the career mode to try out cars, tracks and get a feel for everything in general.

I need to learn the skill of racing, not just the going fast but smoothness, which I haven't got anywhere near to yet!

I seem to be ok when in practice but put a few cars on track and i am all over the place, I just must pass everything at the earliest opportunity!!

Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated.