Best Sim/Game to practice the ring, Assetto Corsa best?
Discussion
Morning All,
Doing my first ring trip as a driver (second time I have visited) at the end of the summer.
Have a PS4 currently and just bought a wheel and chair so I can get as much practice in as possible.
I started using GT-Sport, but the track is very narrow and not that realistic, there are a lot of tolerances that allow you to do things you really shouldn't like ramping over curbs, touching the grass and trail braking at high speed etc. Probably not that good for learning good habits.
I've now got Assetto Corsa, although the graphics aren't quite as polished, the track seems much more realistic, wider, actual trees so you can't see around the corners, the gradients and even bumps in the track the trees are there etc.
I know people rate the physics of this game, but I have found a lot of the cars almost un-drivable (certainly frustrating enough not to want to use them), over/under steering at low speeds, terrible brakes, very temperamental and prone to slidding off the track at the slightest provocation once at higher speeds. I hated it to start off with until I tried the Porsche 919, that is pretty sorted and I can now constantly do 6.00m laps although I still find it understeers and is fairly easy to loose control, however smoothly I drive. In someways I guess this is a positive because it forces you to drive smoothly to try to keep traction but in my experience so far, they could have done a better job with a lot of the cars.
I wonder if this is a PS4 versus PC thing, is the game significantly better on PC over console?
Be interested to hear of any other games worth trying or any cars which have good physics on the above.
Cheers,
HBT
Doing my first ring trip as a driver (second time I have visited) at the end of the summer.
Have a PS4 currently and just bought a wheel and chair so I can get as much practice in as possible.
I started using GT-Sport, but the track is very narrow and not that realistic, there are a lot of tolerances that allow you to do things you really shouldn't like ramping over curbs, touching the grass and trail braking at high speed etc. Probably not that good for learning good habits.
I've now got Assetto Corsa, although the graphics aren't quite as polished, the track seems much more realistic, wider, actual trees so you can't see around the corners, the gradients and even bumps in the track the trees are there etc.
I know people rate the physics of this game, but I have found a lot of the cars almost un-drivable (certainly frustrating enough not to want to use them), over/under steering at low speeds, terrible brakes, very temperamental and prone to slidding off the track at the slightest provocation once at higher speeds. I hated it to start off with until I tried the Porsche 919, that is pretty sorted and I can now constantly do 6.00m laps although I still find it understeers and is fairly easy to loose control, however smoothly I drive. In someways I guess this is a positive because it forces you to drive smoothly to try to keep traction but in my experience so far, they could have done a better job with a lot of the cars.
I wonder if this is a PS4 versus PC thing, is the game significantly better on PC over console?
Be interested to hear of any other games worth trying or any cars which have good physics on the above.
Cheers,
HBT
My advice as someone who did exactly as you are planning?
Use sims as a guide only, do NOT rely on them for corners that you think are flat, 4th gear or whatever.
Think of the Ring as a toll road ONLY, drive on the right in traffic, make way for quick cars.
Go in the evenings, plan your trip with the calendar, NEVER go on public holidays anywhere in Europe and have no preconceptions of laptimes.
Don't film anything, don't time anything.
Honestly, the first time you go through that gate you will feel more alive than you ever have in your damn life, and you will realise that after about a minute this place is nothing like games.
All they can do is help you with layout, rely on them for nothing else.
Use sims as a guide only, do NOT rely on them for corners that you think are flat, 4th gear or whatever.
Think of the Ring as a toll road ONLY, drive on the right in traffic, make way for quick cars.
Go in the evenings, plan your trip with the calendar, NEVER go on public holidays anywhere in Europe and have no preconceptions of laptimes.
Don't film anything, don't time anything.
Honestly, the first time you go through that gate you will feel more alive than you ever have in your damn life, and you will realise that after about a minute this place is nothing like games.
All they can do is help you with layout, rely on them for nothing else.
chunder27 said:
My advice as someone who did exactly as you are planning?
Use sims as a guide only, do NOT rely on them for corners that you think are flat, 4th gear or whatever.
Think of the Ring as a toll road ONLY, drive on the right in traffic, make way for quick cars.
Go in the evenings, plan your trip with the calendar, NEVER go on public holidays anywhere in Europe and have no preconceptions of laptimes.
Don't film anything, don't time anything.
Honestly, the first time you go through that gate you will feel more alive than you ever have in your damn life, and you will realise that after about a minute this place is nothing like games.
All they can do is help you with layout, rely on them for nothing else.
Thanks for response, chunder27. Good advice and totally agree. Use sims as a guide only, do NOT rely on them for corners that you think are flat, 4th gear or whatever.
Think of the Ring as a toll road ONLY, drive on the right in traffic, make way for quick cars.
Go in the evenings, plan your trip with the calendar, NEVER go on public holidays anywhere in Europe and have no preconceptions of laptimes.
Don't film anything, don't time anything.
Honestly, the first time you go through that gate you will feel more alive than you ever have in your damn life, and you will realise that after about a minute this place is nothing like games.
All they can do is help you with layout, rely on them for nothing else.
I'm going with a group who've been going for years, I have been out with them before as a passenger.
Should have qualified, it's purely to learn the track, what corners comes after which and what the line is. I've already assumed that I'll be starting from scratch when I get there in terms of breaking zones, what gear to be in and what speeds I can take corners. And I'm likely to get a coach for 30-60 mins.
I do the same with new track days and it's still starting fresh on the day, but at least you are familiar with the layout and what is coming up and roughly where the breaking points are and the smoothest/fastest lines are. I find it really helpful and I'm much less nervous on the day for the first few laps when I have had a chance to do some virtual prep.
I'm hiring a car there with an eye watering excess, so I'm not planning any heroics, the goal is to get around the circuit 7-10 times and had the car back in the same condition I got it. I'll leave the record breaking to the pros and the nutters.
It's a proper track day though, not a tourist day, so will be a little less hectic/dangerous, I've been as a passenger on a tourist day and made the decision there and then it wasn't for me.
Edited by handbraketurn on Monday 8th July 13:15
Edited by handbraketurn on Monday 8th July 13:16
keirik said:
Never done the ring, but I just can't get on with Assetto Corsa, I much prefer Project Racer 2.
Don't do times anywhere like yours, but a small excuse is I go round in a caterham, as it's closest to my Westfield.
Give me something more powerful and I'm useless
Good to know it's not just me. Don't do times anywhere like yours, but a small excuse is I go round in a caterham, as it's closest to my Westfield.
Give me something more powerful and I'm useless
I bought the Ferrari pack and all the ones I've tried so far are bananas. I tried them round Silverstone which I know well, know the breaking points and lines and they were like drift cars with no brakes and tyres made of plastic not rubber. Awful.
Will give PR2 a go.
Are you on console or PC?
Edited by handbraketurn on Monday 8th July 13:18
I find that different speed cars have a very different rhythm around the Nordschliefe, and lines / braking points are not always transferable. I would not want to learn the track from a powerful high downforce car capable of 6 minute laps and then take my road car on, if i were relying on the game for anything apart from knowing what corner was coming up next.
Something like the cayman GT4 will be a lot more controllable and relevant. But the most fun I've had (and it's quick but not stupid) was the scuderia glickenhaus P4/5. Great sound and even better handling, it's a joy with a wheel (AC on PS4 with T300RS)
Something like the cayman GT4 will be a lot more controllable and relevant. But the most fun I've had (and it's quick but not stupid) was the scuderia glickenhaus P4/5. Great sound and even better handling, it's a joy with a wheel (AC on PS4 with T300RS)
One piece of advice, seek out Bridge to Gantry on facebook. Find out Dale, he is a real nice guy and a total Ring nut.
You can do the track briefing at Rent 4 Ring where I went, it is free. well worth a visit. No bullcrap, just plain advice.
What car are you hiring? Start in a Swift or something, don't go large! Do NOT drive with your mates in their cars, you will be too tempted, just do a few laps on your own before you do, if they have been before they will know it better than you.
I passed Porsches, Beemers and a few others in my Swift. it was a rocket.
And one more thing, be careful about car sickness, I got it after 5 laps DRIVING, cost me a fortune as I had to give the bloody car back with 6 laps left on it!
And finally, the games are great for layout only, they can be useful, but remember one thing, treat it like a public road, not a track, I know it's tempting, but the people that crash are those that treat it like a race track and show off. And if it rains, for Gods sake be careful it is a skidpan in the wet on even road tyres, let alone track day tyres as I used.
If you crash, you have to pay for barrier repair, closure time and recovery and it will dwarf your excess, as that will depends on what damage you do.
You can do the track briefing at Rent 4 Ring where I went, it is free. well worth a visit. No bullcrap, just plain advice.
What car are you hiring? Start in a Swift or something, don't go large! Do NOT drive with your mates in their cars, you will be too tempted, just do a few laps on your own before you do, if they have been before they will know it better than you.
I passed Porsches, Beemers and a few others in my Swift. it was a rocket.
And one more thing, be careful about car sickness, I got it after 5 laps DRIVING, cost me a fortune as I had to give the bloody car back with 6 laps left on it!
And finally, the games are great for layout only, they can be useful, but remember one thing, treat it like a public road, not a track, I know it's tempting, but the people that crash are those that treat it like a race track and show off. And if it rains, for Gods sake be careful it is a skidpan in the wet on even road tyres, let alone track day tyres as I used.
If you crash, you have to pay for barrier repair, closure time and recovery and it will dwarf your excess, as that will depends on what damage you do.
Edited by chunder27 on Monday 8th July 15:30
I think I've basically put two (related but different) topics into one.
Firstly obviously I use games to learn the basic layout of tracks and if possible the lines, so I'm a little bit more familiar with them than turning up and trying to learn it all from scratch on the day, especially something as complicated as the ring.
But, I also like racing games and have just bought a steering wheel and seat, which I want to use. I was posting my ring time as a gripe about how bad the physics are with most of the cars except the 919 which I can do a very quick time on but most of the other cars I can't even keep on the track and complete a lap however slowly or smoothly I drive them in AC. Not just on the ring, but any track. Poorly written post on my part in that regard, but hopefully that clears it up.
I'm actually pretty risk adverse when it comes to driving on tracks or public roads, I like driving fast on computers but I keep well within my limits when personal and financial injury are at stake.
The Cayman GT4 on AC is one of the cars which I found to be terrible, it just slides all over the place as low as 30/40 MPH. I also tried the smaller BMWs which would be more inline with what I am driving and same, just awful.
I like the Cayman GT4 on GT-Sport however, it's really nicely balanced and easy to drive.
Will try the scuderia glickenhaus P4/5n for a crack, thanks for suggestion.
I'm totally not planning to have an accident.
I'm aware of the costs involved in crashing, with barriers etc. but thanks for mentioning, definitely worth noting for anyone that doesn't know. Although I haven't driven it, I know a lot about it from visiting as a passenger and friends that go regularly. They've all offered similar advice as offered here, so all sensible comments and appreciated.
I haven't got FB, but I am renting from R4R. I think I will get an instructor from them and will be getting the briefing.
I'm not renting the Suzuki, purely because I want a semi-auto box, I've got a M car which I'm used to driving, so I've booked the 125i with ZF gear box. Won't be taking the TCS out of comfort mode though or provoking the back in anyway at any point. I'd love a Suzuki if they came with a decent flappy paddle gearbox would be a no-brainer, but I haven't driven manuals for years and don't want to re-learn on the ring.
If it's raining, I'm not sure I would even go out to be honest, would be a totally gutter if it was, keeping fingers crossed for a clear day.
Thanks for responses.
Firstly obviously I use games to learn the basic layout of tracks and if possible the lines, so I'm a little bit more familiar with them than turning up and trying to learn it all from scratch on the day, especially something as complicated as the ring.
But, I also like racing games and have just bought a steering wheel and seat, which I want to use. I was posting my ring time as a gripe about how bad the physics are with most of the cars except the 919 which I can do a very quick time on but most of the other cars I can't even keep on the track and complete a lap however slowly or smoothly I drive them in AC. Not just on the ring, but any track. Poorly written post on my part in that regard, but hopefully that clears it up.
I'm actually pretty risk adverse when it comes to driving on tracks or public roads, I like driving fast on computers but I keep well within my limits when personal and financial injury are at stake.
skinny said:
I find that different speed cars have a very different rhythm around the Nordschliefe, and lines / braking points are not always transferable. I would not want to learn the track from a powerful high downforce car capable of 6 minute laps and then take my road car on, if i were relying on the game for anything apart from knowing what corner was coming up next.
Something like the cayman GT4 will be a lot more controllable and relevant. But the most fun I've had (and it's quick but not stupid) was the scuderia glickenhaus P4/5. Great sound and even better handling, it's a joy with a wheel (AC on PS4 with T300RS)
Totally agree. See above. Something like the cayman GT4 will be a lot more controllable and relevant. But the most fun I've had (and it's quick but not stupid) was the scuderia glickenhaus P4/5. Great sound and even better handling, it's a joy with a wheel (AC on PS4 with T300RS)
The Cayman GT4 on AC is one of the cars which I found to be terrible, it just slides all over the place as low as 30/40 MPH. I also tried the smaller BMWs which would be more inline with what I am driving and same, just awful.
I like the Cayman GT4 on GT-Sport however, it's really nicely balanced and easy to drive.
Will try the scuderia glickenhaus P4/5n for a crack, thanks for suggestion.
chunder27 said:
One piece of advice, seek out Bridge to Gantry on facebook. Find out Dale, he is a real nice guy and a total Ring nut.
You can do the track briefing at Rent 4 Ring where I went, it is free. well worth a visit. No bullcrap, just plain advice.
What car are you hiring? Start in a Swift or something, don't go large! Do NOT drive with your mates in their cars, you will be too tempted, just do a few laps on your own before you do, if they have been before they will know it better than you.
I passed Porsches, Beemers and a few others in my Swift. it was a rocket.
And one more thing, be careful about car sickness, I got it after 5 laps DRIVING, cost me a fortune as I had to give the bloody car back with 6 laps left on it!
And finally, the games are great for layout only, they can be useful, but remember one thing, treat it like a public road, not a track, I know it's tempting, but the people that crash are those that treat it like a race track and show off. And if it rains, for Gods sake be careful it is a skidpan in the wet on even road tyres, let alone track day tyres as I used.
If you crash, you have to pay for barrier repair, closure time and recovery and it will dwarf your excess, as that will depends on what damage you do.
Can you stop talking about crashing please You can do the track briefing at Rent 4 Ring where I went, it is free. well worth a visit. No bullcrap, just plain advice.
What car are you hiring? Start in a Swift or something, don't go large! Do NOT drive with your mates in their cars, you will be too tempted, just do a few laps on your own before you do, if they have been before they will know it better than you.
I passed Porsches, Beemers and a few others in my Swift. it was a rocket.
And one more thing, be careful about car sickness, I got it after 5 laps DRIVING, cost me a fortune as I had to give the bloody car back with 6 laps left on it!
And finally, the games are great for layout only, they can be useful, but remember one thing, treat it like a public road, not a track, I know it's tempting, but the people that crash are those that treat it like a race track and show off. And if it rains, for Gods sake be careful it is a skidpan in the wet on even road tyres, let alone track day tyres as I used.
If you crash, you have to pay for barrier repair, closure time and recovery and it will dwarf your excess, as that will depends on what damage you do.
Edited by chunder27 on Monday 8th July 15:30
I'm totally not planning to have an accident. I'm aware of the costs involved in crashing, with barriers etc. but thanks for mentioning, definitely worth noting for anyone that doesn't know. Although I haven't driven it, I know a lot about it from visiting as a passenger and friends that go regularly. They've all offered similar advice as offered here, so all sensible comments and appreciated.
I haven't got FB, but I am renting from R4R. I think I will get an instructor from them and will be getting the briefing.
I'm not renting the Suzuki, purely because I want a semi-auto box, I've got a M car which I'm used to driving, so I've booked the 125i with ZF gear box. Won't be taking the TCS out of comfort mode though or provoking the back in anyway at any point. I'd love a Suzuki if they came with a decent flappy paddle gearbox would be a no-brainer, but I haven't driven manuals for years and don't want to re-learn on the ring.
If it's raining, I'm not sure I would even go out to be honest, would be a totally gutter if it was, keeping fingers crossed for a clear day.
Thanks for responses.
handbraketurn said:
keirik said:
Never done the ring, but I just can't get on with Assetto Corsa, I much prefer Project Racer 2.
Don't do times anywhere like yours, but a small excuse is I go round in a caterham, as it's closest to my Westfield.
Give me something more powerful and I'm useless
Good to know it's not just me. Don't do times anywhere like yours, but a small excuse is I go round in a caterham, as it's closest to my Westfield.
Give me something more powerful and I'm useless
I bought the Ferrari pack and all the ones I've tried so far are bananas. I tried them round Silverstone which I know well, know the breaking points and lines and they were like drift cars with no brakes and tyres made of plastic not rubber. Awful.
Will give PR2 a go.
Are you on console or PC?
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 8th July 13:18
I'm rubbish, my real car is much easier, but I'm less rubbish on PR2
Probably out of your price range (unless you want to blow ££££) but I've driven the ring IRL and on most sims, for me, the closest and most immersive is iracing with Oculus Rift VR, it's the only thing that gives you a sense of the elevation changes.
You can easily learn the basic layout on most sims these days though, if that's all you're looking for.
You can easily learn the basic layout on most sims these days though, if that's all you're looking for.
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