iRacing online "virtual" racing anyone?

Hi,

www.iracing.com

I just received an email from these guys saying they were coming out of beta with the public launch later this month. It does look pretty cool, but I've never been any kind of "gamer", let alone an online-gamer. Plus, they're pitching it as a simulator, not a game.....

Anyone here involved in the beta testing? Any alternatives? Comments?

BTW, I'm not affiliated with 'em in any way - In fact, I'm not even sure how they got my email.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Imho, iRacing is mostly a big money making machine. Last time I read about them (some months ago), they wanted to charge ridiculous amounts for just about everything. They say that their 13$ fee is everything you need, but IIRC, it just covers a crappy training car and a single track. Every additional car or track costs two digit amounts, totally beyond sanity. Better buy a 'normal' game/sim like rFactor, GTL or GTR2, pay one time and have everything for free - loads of cars (not the 10 mostly fictional cars of iRacing, but dozens of REAL licensed cars), tracks and a FREE online mode. And I doubt that iRacing's software will ever reach the standard of rF/GTR2, graphically as well as from a realism point of view.

 

Hey,

*Many* thanks for the comments.

I talked with one of my kids earlier (the "gaming generation".....) and it seems he concurs - PS3 + online (?) seems to be the way to go if you've got the $....

Thanks again, Cheers,
Ian

 

Depends on what you want to do. If you're a casual gamer, just want flick a switch and start playing without caring for too much realism, the PS3 (or Xbox) is for you. If you'd like the cars to behave like real ones do, get your hands on rF/GTL/GTR2. Their grade of reality has no match in the console world (no, also not Gran Tourismo 5).

 

Fellows, I respectfully disagree.

Starting with Grand Prix (Geoff Crammond), Grand Prix Legends (by Dave Kaemmer, principal of iRacing) and Microsoft's IndyCar II back in 1996, I've been using "simulators" for some time for training purposes and I can tell you, iRacing is the deal for that, especially in the US. When Barber Motorsports Park opened, I used Scott's great rFactor mod to learn how to WIN in a REAL race first time out in July of 2003.

I just used a LeMans mod for GTR2 to train a fellow halfway across the country for a successful outing in his FIA (yes, a real one) Cobra at the LeMans Classic 2008. I've had him use SimBin's M3 Challenge to learn the Nurburgring GP course for the OldTimer GP this weekend and we're working on Spa for his 6-Hour race in September.

I've used iRacing since March and the laser-scanned tracks, as well as the physics, are superb. I've used Lime Rock and VIR, as well as Laguna (and it's a whole lot better than GT4) to train professional drivers. I look at it as a tool and use it that way.

I have ZERO interest in unmoderated crashfests that most on-line venues seem to be. iRacing is a bargain, IMO.

 

+1000! The Nordschleife in the Enzo is really fun!

True, but iRacing deserves to be in there, too. The Radical SR8 and Formula Mazda are terrific!

 

Make sure to let the makers of the mod know that a real racer used their track for training. I guess they'll be thrilled to see the pictures of his Cobra at Le Mans knowing he practiced on 'their' track!

I haven't played it, so I don't doubt what you say is true. However, this is really for the hardcore gamer, or the professional driver looking for a way to practice. I consider myself halfway serious about sim racing (or rather considered, don't have any time for it at the moment), but I prefer to have a wide selection of cars wich are at least a bit aesthetic and a joy to look at. I rather have a photorealistic track that's 1cm off here and there than having a perfectly accurate piece of road that looks as if it came straight out of the 90s. There's a certain balance between realism and the look and features and so on - GTR etc have it, it seems to me that iRacing buys that bit of additional realism with massive loss on everything else, judging from what you can see on their site. Combined with the ridiculous price, it isn't a real alternative for me (and much less for our thread starter, I suppose).

Speaking of online racing, those crash orgys really ARE annoying. I joined a group of casual drivers who aren't too strict with leagues etc, but like clean racing for fun. Lots of communities like that out there!

 

Oh and btw, **THE** game/sim for us here will be Blimey's 'Ferrari project'. Blimey consists of the guys who made GTR1+2 and GTL, so it won't be an el cheapo license game with horrible physics. They'll cover basically every Ferrari model ever built. Unfortunately, no release date is announced yet, but looking at the screenshot (!) attached, I'm already saving to buy a new computer...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Holey-Moley! - *If* that's a "real" screen shot I am way impressed! However, I suspect you're correct that it'll require some high end graphics engine to maintain that quality.

As the OP I'm really glad we've got an "intelligent" discussion going - Thanks to all for the comments. I'm certainly not interested in "crash fests", but good physics so it "feels" somewhat real and could be used to, eg, learn a new track would be very cool.

It does appear that iracing are looking to make $ by "selling" you any kind of worthwhile car - A Pontiac Solstice! WTF? However, a years subscription is still less than a PS3.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Already ordered the HD 4870X2 this week... Maybe 2 of 'em in Crossfire... Hmmm...

Check out this movie clip from Anandtech from their GRID review. http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/games/2008/race-driver-grid-pc/GRID%20Movie.wmv

Awesome! And that's how fast $h/t happens IRL...

 

I just looked at Amazon, GTR2 costs less than 10€ nowadays. Buy it and see if you like it! Many additional tracks out there. rFactor gives you a unbelievably wide range of cars and tracks made by modding groups. rfactorcentral.com currently lists 195 cars (or car packs with several different cars), and 464 tracks.

Maybe Lolaman can chime in about the acutal costs of iRacing, but I remember a forum post at racesimcentral where someone listed what he paid for a couple of tracks and cars, and it was bizarre.

One last thing, if you want to play any of the games mentioned: Buy a wheel and pedals. Playing a racing game/sim with keyboard or pad kills all the fun!

 

I would have agreed with FarOut as i have always been into consoles but i think i may give it a better look. Perhaps we could have some fchat races if a few of us subscribed?

If i wanted to kill some time on PGR4 i would select a snow covered Nordschleife and take out the Maserati 250PF or borrow RTBs blue FXX

 

Some fchat races would be great, but I'd prefer GTR2 or rFactor, and a (private) server ...

 

Just finished an hour and half on GTL at Pro...

Whew, that's a bunch of work!

 

I'm not going to say I'm a beta tester, as I have not directly given them any feedback, but I have been invited to use the simulator and I can honestly say it is by far the most realistic sim I've ever driven. I have driven every Papyrus NASCAR sim, rFactor, and many others, and this is definitely the most "real-to-life" one I have played.

PS - the Radical SR8 on Laguna Seca and Lime Rock Park is very very fun.

 

ACross32, you don't have anything to do with Swift, do you?

 

Nah, but I just looked it up online (http://www.swiftengineering.com/) and it seems pretty cool!

 

I really, want to get a Sim. game, and I currently have a Mac, and I really don't want to buy a new computer, can I run say GTR2 while using Bootcamp???

 

Yes. I do it well on my early-2006 2.0 CD MBP with a 256MB X1600 under Boot Camp.

It's great!

 

What steering wheel is the best to use for that, and... is an internet connection required???

Also what are the system requirements???

 

Logitech G25 has replaced my old Momo Red. It's terrific, too. You can spend four or five times more and do no better, IMO.

The best pedals I've ever used are Todd Cannon's. See http://www.cannonsimulationtechnologies.com/

It took awhile as they're hand built, but they're worth every penny. Tell him I sent you!

For iRacing, you need an internet connection. For GTR2, rFactor and GT Legends, you don't.

Think I'll go wail around Monza in the 275 GTB/4...

As far as system requirements, the better games mentioned need at least 128MB video card. They'll play fine on my MacBook Pro, but not on my MB air.

 

Thanks so much! Really want a G25, but WAY too expensive!

 

Get your hands on a Logitech Driving Force Pro. Works with Playstation and Computer, offers the full 900° rotation and is rock solid. See if you can get one at ebay - MANY people buy wheels, use them one or two times and sell them a year later when they realized they don't have a use for them...

 

Bump.

I'd like to hear what experrience people have had in the past two months with iracing.

I'd also like to hear how the Blimey / Ferrari product is coming along. Any release dates?

I'd also like to hear what's the best sim to prepare me before I go to a racetrack. It could be either a console or PC, but ideally it would be 1080p and very realistic. I'm also thinking about GT5 Prologue for the PS3 and GTR2 for the PC.

Thanks!

 

Blimey releases some new screenshots now and then, no release date yet iirc.

As to GT5 vs. GTR2 (...and GTR, GTL, rFactor...) -> GT5 is a game with a sim mode. The others are sims with game modes.