Just Tried iRacing.com and...

2e9x's · 11-12-2008, 08:33 PM

In last month's Road & Track there was an article about iracing.com. So since i already had the force feedback steering wheel and pedals, I thought I would take the $20 risk and try it out.

According to R&T, the company spent an incredible amount of time and money taking digital scans of various tracks. All I can report is that the graphics are incredible! I highly recommend a good video card for this game.

In addition to unlimited practice time alone on the track, there are also race series in which you can participate. The rules are very strict and you get penalized for unsafe conduct on the track. The series involve testing, qualifying and racing.

You start out with 2 cars... a Solstice and a Legends 34 Roadster. There are 6 tracks including Sears Point. Since that was closest to home, I started there.

Obviously there are HUGE differences between driving a real car and playing a video game...albeit a very good video game. Having said that, the dynamics are spot on and very realistic. Lacking the ability to see out the sides of the car, it makes looking far ahead really difficult. Plus their rendering of the Solstice has a window net which also really complicates matters. However once I got used to the track and once my mind acclimated to the lack of sensory input from my seat and eyes, I was able to really pick up speed.

So far I have logged 3 hours or so and thoroughly enjoy it. While nowhere as thrilling as really driving on a track, it does have some advantages. Specifically no new tires to buy, no waking-up at 5:00 am to get to the track on time, no damage to a valuable car, no need for insurance, no $10/gal race gas, etc... For those of us with kids and jobs and little spare time, this game is a worthwhile stop-gap. I highly recommend it!

Happy gaming...

scollins · 11-14-2008, 04:24 PM

I've always thought there might be a market for a high quality driving simulator, if it had most of the tracks available. You could test out various lines around the track in the game and see which ones appear to work better than others. Drive that same line a bunch of times, then hit the real track in the real car and see if it translates.

I think it would be especially handy for those tracks you've never been on, but will be soon....

satakal · 11-14-2008, 04:28 PM

2 things. First, no buttonwillow, no satakal. Second, a good number of the tracks they have are also in GranTurismo4 (the real driving simulator (R)). I'm curious to know what is different besides a more adult, skilled, and professional online community

2e9x's · 11-15-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satakal

2 things. First, no buttonwillow, no satakal. Second, a good number of the tracks they have are also in GranTurismo4 (the real driving simulator (R)). I'm curious to know what is different besides a more adult, skilled, and professional online community

I've never played GT4 so I can't comment. Try iRacing and let me know what you think. I only signed-up for a month so if there's a better way, I am all over it.

darkphantom · 11-19-2008, 12:10 AM

hmmm might try this...I have my G25 sitting here doing nothing...
p.s. a good idea would be to move this to the gaming section! or copy this over there!

325racer · 11-19-2008, 12:23 AM

Check out GTR from SimBin. Very good game, not to mention you can download tracks and nearly every track in the world is modeled on there. Haven't looked lately, but even some US tracks, but no Willow or ButtonWillow. I did find ThunderHill for another game.

You have to have a very fast PC to run these games.

Dascamel · 11-19-2008, 12:31 PM

Need to have everyone petition for Buttonwillow and other tracks to get added

E90330iS · 11-24-2008, 09:12 PM

nice

2e9x's · 11-25-2008, 02:25 PM

I tried by first "real" race and what an experience! It was very exciting! I didn't finish the session because my kids came barging into the room and I wrecked the car. Not good for my standing in the series, but better than really getting hurt.

Can somebody PLEASE help talk me around Laguna Seca? How is one supposed to navigate the corkscrew when you can't really see that far ahead?

S4to335 · 11-25-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

I tried by first "real" race and what an experience! It was very exciting! I didn't finish the session because my kids came barging into the room and I wrecked the car. Not good for my standing in the series, but better than really getting hurt.

Can somebody PLEASE help talk me around Laguna Seca? How is one supposed to navigate the corkscrew when you can't really see that far ahead?

Check my tape..aim for the tree.

2e9x's · 11-27-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S4to335

Check my tape..aim for the tree.

THANKS! That is really helpful!! What I can see is that my lines are basically right. What's missing is the rest of the sensory input like feeling the chassis loading, brake feedback and road camber. You also can't look THAT far ahead through a corner because of the limitations of the simulator. It is amazing exactly how big of a difference those things make!

Take for example the 2 left hand uphill corners leading up to the corkscrew. Because I can't see out the "left" window, I can't judge the radius of the corners so I always end-up either scrubbing off too much speed or not using enough steering input. So one big difference between the sim and the real thing is that you have to memorize steering inputs instead of using eye hand coordination to help.

But still...I've hit walls oh...I don't know...like 20 times so far. It is kind of nice to be able to just hit the reset button and carry-on.

325racer · 11-27-2008, 10:41 AM

Do more research on the settings, sometimes, you can set a turn head setting. Although it usually doesn't start to work until you turn the wheel.

satakal · 11-27-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325racer

Do more research on the settings, sometimes, you can set a turn head setting. Although it usually doesn't start to work until you turn the wheel.

what was the game that was set up at the Roval? 3 42" LCDs, pneumatics on the drivers seat, and a sub right under the driver?

2e9x's · 11-28-2008, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the suggestions folks!

I have now completed 2 full "races" and it remains very exciting! Honestly... this is a good alternative. Yesterday I had part of Thanksgiving dinner cooking and had some time until something else needed to go into the oven. So I went onto the sim, joined a race, and spent a half hour at the track. Once again, my 8 year old son came into the room and distracted me. So I spun and got hit by another car while pulling back onto the track. The remaining 4 laps were run with a flat tire that eventually left the rim. Oh well... I had a good time anyhow.

And FWIW, the tree in Steve's video is not part of the sim.

So if I upload one of my sessions to youtube, can somebody give me some pointers?

Kerr · 12-29-2010, 07:32 PM

Sorry for the bump, but I could not help but post after seeing this post.

I've been racing at iRacing for over 2 years and like it a lot.

It's certainly the most accurate sim out there.

Anybody else involved?

Spa was just released a few days ago but I've not had a chance to try it just yet.

Here is a nice video of the Williams FW31(although painted red) lapping Spa.

There is a lot of videos compairing real life to iRacing footage and here is one at VIR which I'm sure many of you will know well.

There is a glitch where hands don't move in replays and there is still many flaws in the sim, but the driving model and accuracy of the tracks is really high.

Also quite a few big name real race drivers race too.

11-12-2008, 08:33 PM	#1
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	Just Tried iRacing.com and... In last month's Road & Track there was an article about iracing.com. So since i already had the force feedback steering wheel and pedals, I thought I would take the $20 risk and try it out. According to R&T, the company spent an incredible amount of time and money taking digital scans of various tracks. All I can report is that the graphics are incredible! I highly recommend a good video card for this game. In addition to unlimited practice time alone on the track, there are also race series in which you can participate. The rules are very strict and you get penalized for unsafe conduct on the track. The series involve testing, qualifying and racing. You start out with 2 cars... a Solstice and a Legends 34 Roadster. There are 6 tracks including Sears Point. Since that was closest to home, I started there. Obviously there are HUGE differences between driving a real car and playing a video game...albeit a very good video game. Having said that, the dynamics are spot on and very realistic. Lacking the ability to see out the sides of the car, it makes looking far ahead really difficult. Plus their rendering of the Solstice has a window net which also really complicates matters. However once I got used to the track and once my mind acclimated to the lack of sensory input from my seat and eyes, I was able to really pick up speed. So far I have logged 3 hours or so and thoroughly enjoy it. While nowhere as thrilling as really driving on a track, it does have some advantages. Specifically no new tires to buy, no waking-up at 5:00 am to get to the track on time, no damage to a valuable car, no need for insurance, no $10/gal race gas, etc... For those of us with kids and jobs and little spare time, this game is a worthwhile stop-gap. I highly recommend it! Happy gaming... __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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11-14-2008, 04:24 PM	#2
scollins Bootleggin' 'n Gunrunnin' 137 Rep 2,372 Posts Drives: 2024 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (3)	I've always thought there might be a market for a high quality driving simulator, if it had most of the tracks available. You could test out various lines around the track in the game and see which ones appear to work better than others. Drive that same line a bunch of times, then hit the real track in the real car and see if it translates. I think it would be especially handy for those tracks you've never been on, but will be soon.... __________________ Scott 2024 G01 X3 M40i, Brooklyn Grey Metallic /// 2015 F15 X5 35i, Space Gray Metallic, 99K miles /// 2013 F30 320xi, Mojave Metallic, 112k miles 2019 Ford F450 STX, Oxford White 2013 Ducati Multistrada Touring S, Red
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11-14-2008, 04:28 PM	#3
satakal Major 95 Rep 1,476 Posts Drives: e46 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: socal iTrader: (2)	2 things. First, no buttonwillow, no satakal. Second, a good number of the tracks they have are also in GranTurismo4 (the real driving simulator (R)). I'm curious to know what is different besides a more adult, skilled, and professional online community
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11-19-2008, 12:10 AM	#5
darkphantom Banned 595 Rep 5,946 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The place for Bimmers iTrader: (4)	hmmm might try this...I have my G25 sitting here doing nothing... p.s. a good idea would be to move this to the gaming section! or copy this over there!
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11-19-2008, 12:23 AM	#6
325racer Private First Class 1 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 92 325is Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Check out GTR from SimBin. Very good game, not to mention you can download tracks and nearly every track in the world is modeled on there. Haven't looked lately, but even some US tracks, but no Willow or ButtonWillow. I did find ThunderHill for another game. You have to have a very fast PC to run these games.
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11-19-2008, 12:31 PM	#7
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel 48 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA iTrader: (0)	Need to have everyone petition for Buttonwillow and other tracks to get added __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired)
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11-24-2008, 09:12 PM	#8
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	nice __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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11-25-2008, 02:25 PM	#9
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	I tried by first "real" race and what an experience! It was very exciting! I didn't finish the session because my kids came barging into the room and I wrecked the car. Not good for my standing in the series, but better than really getting hurt. Can somebody PLEASE help talk me around Laguna Seca? How is one supposed to navigate the corkscrew when you can't really see that far ahead? __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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11-27-2008, 10:41 AM	#12
325racer Private First Class 1 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 92 325is Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Do more research on the settings, sometimes, you can set a turn head setting. Although it usually doesn't start to work until you turn the wheel. __________________ Why does every Forum use a different signature format???????????
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11-28-2008, 10:08 AM	#14
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the suggestions folks! I have now completed 2 full "races" and it remains very exciting! Honestly... this is a good alternative. Yesterday I had part of Thanksgiving dinner cooking and had some time until something else needed to go into the oven. So I went onto the sim, joined a race, and spent a half hour at the track. Once again, my 8 year old son came into the room and distracted me. So I spun and got hit by another car while pulling back onto the track. The remaining 4 laps were run with a flat tire that eventually left the rim. Oh well... I had a good time anyhow. And FWIW, the tree in Steve's video is not part of the sim. So if I upload one of my sessions to youtube, can somebody give me some pointers? __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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12-29-2010, 07:32 PM	#15
Kerr Brigadier General 112 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: BMW M235I Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (0)	Sorry for the bump, but I could not help but post after seeing this post. I've been racing at iRacing for over 2 years and like it a lot. It's certainly the most accurate sim out there. Anybody else involved? Spa was just released a few days ago but I've not had a chance to try it just yet. Here is a nice video of the Williams FW31(although painted red) lapping Spa. There is a lot of videos compairing real life to iRacing footage and here is one at VIR which I'm sure many of you will know well. There is a glitch where hands don't move in replays and there is still many flaws in the sim, but the driving model and accuracy of the tracks is really high. Also quite a few big name real race drivers race too.
	Appreciate 0 Quote