Which computer games for learning circuits?

[slf2012]

I have started doing a bit of racing in the UK, and am going to new tracks almost every meeting.

Some people ask if I use computer games to help me learn the tracks, and say so-and-so used them but when I ask which games, no-one has any suggestions.

Obviously, the major worldwide tracks are available on F1 games etc, but are there any games/consules that have less well-known tracks such as Cadwell Park, Castle Combe, Thruxton, etc?

[NJH]

iRacing seems to have by far the most realistic tracks but your limited currently to Brands Hatch and Oulton Park. rFactor is cheap and you can get most tracks from rFactorcentral but its somewhat basic in the way the cars drive (they all seem to handle the same) and the tracks are nothing like as accurate as in iRacing IMHO but the basics of a track such as Silverstone Arena GP is all there.

IMHE learn more and more quickly from a 1 hr one to one tuition session on the real thing.

[designndrive62]

Rfactor by far. it has the largest number of circuits available - pretty much any you can think of - certainly all the UK ones are available if you look around enough. Some of the quality of them is hit and miss but on the whole pretty dam good!

Saying all the cars handle the same is a bit far off to be honest as well, maybe the inital cars you get with the game this is true but some of the mods are stunning to look at and drive and produce lap times within tenths of the real thing - it can't be that bad if the 'Pro' version is what all the F1 teams and simulator centres use....

[bqf]

Race Driver Grid has Donington....

[Card]

I never use computer games to learn a new track.

I try and find onboard race footage of the track from a similar vehicles on Youtube.

[andy rob]

Card said:

I never use computer games to learn a new track.

I try and find onboard race footage of the track from a similar vehicles on Youtube.

I agree, this is what ive done in past

[dunc_sx]

slf2012 said:

I have started doing a bit of racing in the UK, and am going to new tracks almost every meeting.

I was the same last year, used GTR2 (on PC) - cheap to buy, not exactly a marvel to play but did the trick. Should have all the tracks you'd need for UK circuit racing.

Send me a message if you want more details about tracks etc.

Dunc.

[Graham]

THings like rfactor and the GTR series on the PC are generally the best with a good modders environment so you can find most uk circuits to some degree.

on the ps3 and xbox 360 I have a selection of grid, shift race pro and some are better than others.

I also use a proper wheel pedals and race seat.


You get out of a simultor what you put into it. if you treat it as you would in real life they can be a great tool. if you treat it as a game, bounce off cars and armco you'll get nothing out of it.


I've found them a great tool, for use to learn new circuits and help keep my eye in over the winter.

I mix this with you tube, my own video and data, and real testing.


Its not a substitue for testing but a great addition and saves a lot of time getting up to speed on a new circuit. I used it the first time i went to spa, hundreds of laps on the simulator meant I knew which way it went, and was quickly tuning my lines rather than remembering which way it went.

If the F1 boys are happy using simulators then so am I, and most of the f1 simulators are based on the pro edition of rfactor.

Rcator 2 will hopefully be out soon and that should be epic.

[thunderbelmont]

Card said:

I never use computer games to learn a new track.

I try and find onboard race footage of the track from a similar vehicles on Youtube.

Good idea - then if the person posting the footage uses a slow and poor line, you do too!

One of my old friends from years ago Stuart Saggers had never been to Spa. He learned the circuit using his PC and the "Formula One Grand Prix" game of it's era (which had REAL Lotus F1 cars in it none of these re-badged Tolemans!). Set pole, won race. Job done. That was in Formula 2000 IIRC. It did help having a bucket full of talent too. Shame he didn't have the budget to move much further up the ladder. Made it to Formula Opel Euroseries, then the cash ran out.

[Card]

True, but if you have driven a bit you can spot good or bad driving and you can see the lap times they are doing to see how competitive it is.

I only ever us it to learn the track not to learn all the minute detail, which can only be learn actually driving it.

[arollingstone]

andy rob said:

Card said:

I never use computer games to learn a new track.

I try and find onboard race footage of the track from a similar vehicles on Youtube.

I agree, this is what ive done in past

+1
defiantly the best way, whenever i was going to a new track I would just youtube it for some on boards and watch breaking points etc..

[NJH]

That only really works though if your watching fast clean laps from someone in the same car.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned Friday testing yet but if someone can afford to do it its pretty clearly the done thing.

[anonymous-user]

I asked this question last year and was told to get the PS3 with a G27 wheel, (and the F1 softwre as I wanter Sepang), I bought as recomended and am very happy with it, the sepang curcuit is very realistic, to the extent that my mates come around to use it,

[Count Johnny]

Berw said:

...the sepang curcuit is very realistic...

Not much use if you're racing at Lydden that weekend.

Anyway, personally (having given up playing children's games when I was a child and that tennis thing was all the rage):

Watch onboard from a similar car;

Do a test day at the relevant circuit with a good instructor;

Watch inboard again (lots of stuff will suddenly make sense); and

Practice (makes perfect).

In fact, save any money that you might be thinking of spending on PlayBox III (or whatever) and spend it on instruction in a real car.

Just my $0.02.

[Count Johnny]

Forgot to mention. Get some data logging on your car and compare yours with your instructor's. Speed, brakes (on/off)and TPS is a good start.

[anonymous-user]

Actually I don't think the PS station is a toy its come a long way, my employer use it in their driver development programme and they are a magor F1 sponser, and as I said it was recomended on here last year, my point on Sepang is tha it demonstrates that the curcuit is realistic, and therefore I assume the other curcuits are also ralistic.
You are of course right real driving is better but for 500 pounds you can get a PS3 and have unlimited use. It cost me 60 pound an hour plus fuel and tyres to run on the curcuit which is cheaper than you can get in Europe, and you can spend half an hour on it, going to the curcuit requires at least half a day, with travel and prep time, so the PS is a good investment.

[volks al]

For some of the tracks you cannot beat Mark Hales instructional DVD. I got it for Cadwell, and it really opened my eyes to the quicker lines and breaking down the lap m

[Some Gump]

Op, try race07 for the pc - i use it with the caterham extension.
Csr200 is modeled reasonably well, and the feedback wheel i use (g27) is pretty close to real with a few tweeks on the settings.
You can downlooad pretty much every uk track, and the game isn't too bad with a few mates round, either.

[terenceb]

Generally speaking for learning where the bends are sited,the computer is fine,just dont expect a realistic view of the gradients and general topography of the land scape. As for youtube,only watch the laps by professional drivers,not track day cowboys who invariably use the wrong lines,braking points etc etc. Above all,enjoy your track time and have fun.

[Nero601]

Card said:

I never use computer games to learn a new track.

I try and find onboard race footage of the track from a similar vehicles on Youtube.

This is how I learned Oulton last year