Sim Racing - Getting into it

[boroandy87]

Looking at getting into Sim Racing as I previously spent many hours on the Forza games over the years. I previously only used a control pad but I realise now that this was limiting things somewhat.

I've been looking to rig creation (I can make stuff) and have seen a few set ups that look awesome. I've also seen some set ups that are retailing at over £20k, which I just cannot fathom!

Question...

For some one just starting in sim racing, what would be the best bet? I can go months between playing so feel a mega set up isn't for me, but I do like the idea of triple screens.

I've even seen the F1 replica car on ebay for a laugh but £7.5k says I'm in lala land!

Budget isn't relevant really as if I was adamant on something id still buy it anyway.

I currently have an xbox360 but ideally i'd like something that could work with a PC and an Xbox one as i'll probably end up with both.

[sidaorb]

Would suggest you check out Project Cars, looks to be pretty good.

[flanders010]

I play on Assetto Corsa quite a bit now. I think project cars is still in closed beta but coming out soon.

I game with a G27 wheel, 27" 1440p screen (i personally don't think a 1440p screen is needed for sim racing) and a set of headphones. I'm like you, can leave gaming for a couple of months then jump back on it

[flanders010]

I play on Assetto Corsa quite a bit now. I think project cars is still in closed beta but coming out soon.

I game with a G27 wheel, 27" 1440p screen (i personally don't think a 1440p screen is needed for sim racing) and a set of headphones. I'm like you, can leave gaming for a couple of months then jump back on it

[RobGT81]

Assetto Corsa or iRacing. Project Cars is a little arcadey, although might feel similar to Forza.

[tim-b]

Plan for triple screens....makes a huge difference to immersion and sense of speed. Also would agree that PCars is towards the 'simcade' end of the scale, iRacing and R-factor are generally considered most realistic with Assetto Corsa close behind.

[Muska]

I think if you really want to get into Sim Racing then you really have to look at iRacing. The paywall really helps with breading good competition and clean(er) races. The setup side of things will completely change the handling of the car and coming in a week or so are driver swaps for endurance events, I'm taking part in a 24 hour race at Spa at the start of next month, currently 35 teams with as minimum of 3 drivers per team.

Here is a recent race of mine, the most intense I've had yet racing hard for a podium finish:

http://youtu.be/p4yLN2ieKMQ

The level of competition is unlike other racing games I've played, I have Assetto Corsa, played most of the others (apart from project cars) iRacing excels in the racing aspect and competition.

You could look into rigs made from 80-20 aluminimum, or something like an Obutto Revolution (I use one of those) I use tripple monitors, and the various peripherals on offer really help to make it a more immersive experience.

edit to add, If going PC with a good budget I would recommend the newer Fanatec stuff, but I don't think it works with an XboxONE. Have a look at a Logitech G27, they're discounted in Curry's right now and they're actually very very good, having a clutch pedal, and a couple of cheap modifications can be made to make the brakes more progressive etc.

Edited by Muska on Thursday 9th October 11:24

[boroandy87]

I played on the Rfactor sim at the Ferrari days and enjoyed it. I've seen a few videos etc on it since then and it looks good.

Whats the depth of gameplay like? Are there challenge's or is it just purely online?

I'm thinking to build a wooden rig with a bucket seat which should be fairly straight forward.

With regards to motion rig's, is it really worth while? Force feedback steering wheels seem to be par for the course these days so would be pretty much a given.

My basic thinking for now would be:


Basic Rig with set up for - Wheel, Pedals & triple screens but using just one screen for now.

I've seen various "add on's" but are any of them worthwhile?

[Muska]

With regard to motion rigs, I've never used them but I'm sure they add another layer. I'm not sure I could justify the cost personally. You can fit things called 'buttkickers' to an amp to add feeling to the rig, that might be something I explore in the future, it's a good deal cheaper.

Add-on wise, in the future Occulus Rift looks to be something that will be huge once the resolution is there. Currently I have a sequential shifter, like is fitted to the series I race in currently (RUF Cup) I have a button box on order again as it suits what I want to race. I have TrackIR too, although I don't like it all compared to triple monitors.

iRacing is purely online competition against real opponents, there are no AI or anything like that, although there are time trials. There are a series of achievements, for things like turning 1000 laps, winning so many races in a row etc, but there is not heavy emphasis on these.

[DMN]

If your serious, then most of the serious leages use iRacing, rFactor or rFactor 2. Project Cars might change that, as it looks stunning but needs to have the depth of the other three. Some leagues still use older sims like GTR2 and GTL, although they are both basically mods of rFactor.

I use a G27 wheel, mounted on one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/racing-simulator-gamers-co...

When combined with a decent gaming PC I found using the seat actually made me faster. I race in several Endurance Leagues, mainly using the Enduracers Mod for rFactor:

http://www.enduracers.com/es.html

Lots of modern LMP cars and some of racing is as good as I've seen live. With 8, 12 and 24 hour races the norm.

[boroandy87]

Muska said:

With regard to motion rigs, I've never used them but I'm sure they add another layer. I'm not sure I could justify the cost personally. You can fit things called 'buttkickers' to an amp to add feeling to the rig, that might be something I explore in the future, it's a good deal cheaper.

Add-on wise, in the future Occulus Rift looks to be something that will be huge once the resolution is there. Currently I have a sequential shifter, like is fitted to the series I race in currently (RUF Cup) I have a button box on order again as it suits what I want to race. I have TrackIR too, although I don't like it all compared to triple monitors.

iRacing is purely online competition against real opponents, there are no AI or anything like that, although there are time trials. There are a series of achievements, for things like turning 1000 laps, winning so many races in a row etc, but there is not heavy emphasis on these.

Buttkickers, that's the one I was thinking of in terms of Add ons.


Button box & TrackIR? What are these for and they're purpose.

Sorry, certain searches on google don't come up due to work filters

[Muska]

A button box is for pit changes, adjusting brake bias or wing on the fly along with many other things, like communications etc.

I've ordered something similar to this: http://www.gtplanet.net/forum/attachments/button-b...

TrackIR tracks your head movements, so you can look around the cockpit if you wish, look towards an apex for example, but with the FOV available with triple monitors it works far better and is actually easier to race faster too. I personally think TrackIR is more suited to milsim & flight sim games.

[sa_20v]

Does anyone have any experience with http://www.playseat.com/? The F1 seat coupled with the Ferrari F1 wheel look great.

I'm also looking to get into this - love my racing games but find the standard console controllers limiting.

This might be fun for sts and giggles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQLF06rwzVE

[Muska]

The only thing I don't like about the Playseat is the bar splitting your legs/feet.

[Altrezia]

I have a Nixim chassis - nice and study.

I have a buttkicker but it's next to useless. Only works half the time (the amps tend to get hot and give up) and it's only a wobble feeling, nothing realistic.

Welcome to the club =)

[laam999]

I'm starting to look into something similar but I'm on a pretty low budget and don't have much space, I have a ps3 and ps4 and have been looking at f1 2014 and project cars along with a playseat challenge and a thrustmaster t300rs. Is this an ok starting point as I can't afford the money or space for a dedicated pc setup.

[Altrezia]

That wheel will work on a PC too, so it's a solid choice.

[Davidos]

I got back into simracing (using iracing almost exclusivly) at the start of 2014 using this rig:

http://www.gtomegaracing.com/gt-omega-pro-racing-s...

Which has been perfect and is very good value for a fixed type rig.

Using with a single 27" monitor and Thrustmaster Wheel & Shifter.

[andrewrob]

tim-b said:

Plan for triple screens....makes a huge difference to immersion and sense of speed. Also would agree that PCars is towards the 'simcade' end of the scale, iRacing and R-factor are generally considered most realistic with Assetto Corsa close behind.

I've steered away (pardon the pun) from triple screens until the retail version of the occulus rift is out. Seems like it will be a whole different level of immersion.

[boroandy87]

Looks an interesting prospect, certainly.