Coming over to iracing

[Z Crazy]

Is there a lot of active players at any given time? Or is it best to wait for certain time of day?

I've been interested in this sim for a long time, I want to try this out whenever I decide to splurge on a good pc.

Personally, I'm not finding it tough to get into a full field of racers. I'm racing the more popular series and see fields from 9-25 nearly all night (I race from 6pm - 10pm PST). But note, when I have a day off and race mid day, the numbers seem fairly similar. Weekends are definitely better for fields though. Also I feel like the beginning of the week has higher participation.

• Porsche GT3 Cup (9-20 this one is inconsistent, but generally goes official)
• F3 Series (both Simucube and Sprint roughly 10-15 consistently)
• IMSA Sportscar Challenge (45 mins races, biggest fields consistently 20+)
• VRS Sprint (45 mins races, 9-20 racers)
• Simlab Production car series (10-15 on average for me)
• Fanatec Global (inconsistent, 8-12 cars is what I'm finding when it goes official. Heavily depends on the track as the car has a bad fixed setup)
• Ferrari Challenge (consistently 15-20 car fields)
• Spec Racer (is hit or miss, but the car needs a good setup)
• Skip Barber (consistently strong at around 20 cars per start)
• 24 Hour Le Mans Sprint (60 mins races with a fairly consistent 15-20+ car field)
• Radicals (8-15 cars fields, but depending on track and driving style this can be a incident builder, difficult to drive fast)

 

[Corsa]

He guys,

Just saying Hi as I move from GT Sport to iracing.

It‘s been fun there but it was getting a little old with the penalty system and drivers exploiting the weaknesses of the game.

So on a proper sim now, eh? God knows I‘m struggling with the different physics, especially the breaking. But I‘ll get there with time, I guess.

See you on the track!

OP you still iRacing?
Most fall off after a few months, then come back, then fall off.

IMSA GT3@Monza was a great run tonight 300+ showed up.

Switches to Imola this week should be some really good racing if you’re still around.

 

[Majorwolf72]

OP you still iRacing?
Most fall off after a few months, then come back, then fall off.

IMSA GT3@Monza was a great run tonight 300+ showed up.

Switches to Imola this week should be some really good racing if you’re still around.

i am! I took a break in the meantime for personal reasons, but I‘m back on for 4 weeks now. Never touched the PS4 again...

 

[gkonz]

I started last week and clearly see what you are saying. There's no need for that much content, but there is still quite a bit of costs involved with the sim. The annual fee isn't too bad, honestly for me, spending a few hundred dollars on cars and tracks is the issue. So I'll just have to see how I feel about the additional purchases. I love the physics model, even if the engine is a little dated. Its very vanilla... which is good. No surprises. I'll give it some time before fully assessing it, but I never thought I'd say this... I'm missing GT Sport's penalty AI. 45% wrong is much better than 100% wrong.

IRacing is the best racing out there. I went out and bought a fanatec racing wheel and pedals like 6 years ago so it would be more immersive. I dont think I bought anything in 2 years. the run deals twice a year where you can buy 2 years of service for like 100 bucks. it may not be as pretty as some of the other simms but their tire model is amazing and with a good wheel and ffb, you can feel everything. the cars and tracks are great but they saved on the scenery. LOL they will eventually switch to a new graphics engine. only a matter of time.

 

[gkonz]

OP you still iRacing?
Most fall off after a few months, then come back, then fall off.

IMSA GT3@Monza was a great run tonight 300+ showed up.

Switches to Imola this week should be some really good racing if you’re still around.

Dont give up. you will eventually get out of the rookie league. amazing on how people get 10000 irating. they are winning races never getting in an accident and great races everytime. they race in a series with great drivers. That's why people love it. The point system is why it works with the different licences. A and B class series are great but there are alot of alien drivers that just blow you doors off. Racecraft is the word. a good pair of pedals is what everyone needs. more than the wheel. a pro one the championship with a momo wheel. he had a nice set of pedals

 

[gkonz]

OP you still iRacing?
Most fall off after a few months, then come back, then fall off.

IMSA GT3@Monza was a great run tonight 300+ showed up.

Switches to Imola this week should be some really good racing if you’re still around.

going to look for you guys. Iracing is the best. just need a cheap wheel and a good set of pedals. I am on teamspeak all the time and race with alot of Europeans and Aussies. They are great road racers. So funny that teamspeak is clearer than any land line or cell phone. voice over I.P. They finally figured how to make it dependable and clear. Its the same people year in year out. I think I am going on 10 years as a member

 

[gkonz]

Everyone starts somewhere mate. Gran Turismo isn't uncompetitive... I remember for me I started on GT5P many years ago and when I came across to iRacing yes it was daunting, however the basic principles of working out how to go fast apply to any racing situation/simulation. You'll be fine! Welcome to iRacing, best change I ever made that is for sure!

Love grand turismo but it really is a game. Iracing is a true racing simm. take one of the cars the give you when you sign up and just do lap after lap. Skippy and the mazda cup are great official races. thats why Most of us have a 2000 to 3000 irating . The rookies make it interesting. You need to qualify high and hold your position to get irating points. There are still peolple using game controllers namely the dreaded rookies who eventually get a wheel. i love racing. i like the fixed series where everyone has the same setup.

 

[Majorwolf72]

Update on the gear:

Sold: Fanatec F1 Podium Racing Wheel

Bought: Simucube 2 Pro, Ascher Racing F28-SC, Ascher Racing B16L-SC (to use with a Fanatec GT rim, a steal from eBay )

Pre-Ordered: Racewerk S1 Pro hydraulic pedals (Fanatec V3 inverted will be sold once these arrive, Dec ˋ20)

Why, you ask? I got REALLY tired of Fanatecs drivers that I could always only somehow set to my liking but never fully (or had to delete because they caused too many problems...) plus quality issues. Fanatec is a good supplier of gear, but I decided that good doesn’t cut it anymore for me.

 

[Z Crazy]

Congrats. I think you now have some of (if not) the best gear on the market, but beware of chasing the greener grass. Its a never ending chase.

 

[Z Crazy]

Question for everyone out there, are you guys still finding running minimum tires pressures yields the best grip in the GT style cars? I'm not finding that to be the case, especially with the 7th gen tire model cars.

 

[Majorwolf72]

Question for everyone out there, are you guys still finding running minimum tires pressures yields the best grip in the GT style cars? I'm not finding that to be the case, especially with the 7th gen tire model cars.

Thx brother, yeah, I know, but I should be fine now for the next 5 years or so

As for tires, we ran Daytona at between 117 and 121 psi cold/up to 150 warm. That worked fine and was not artificially low. Dunno about NTM7 though, somehow I dread the day this comes to GTE and GT3, but we‘ll make do, I guess

 

[Z Crazy]

T... I dread the day this comes to GTE and GT3, but we‘ll make do, I guess

Man... that day will be a bad day for all. Personally, I find that I benefit from the low traction, but its not enjoyable.

The cold tire traction and characteristics are just over exaggerated. Wheel-spin makes the tire's traction temporarily drop like 30-40% even after your done spinning up. The rear tires seem to have less grip than the fronts when cold for some reason. The adjustment to grass and sand interaction is silly. Everything but the road is like wet grass (hot or cold tire temps). Granted, the 6th Gen model is too grippy off the track, but the update is just too exaggerated.

 

[Majorwolf72]

Man... that day will be a bad day for all. Personally, I find that I benefit from the low traction, but its not enjoyable.

The cold tire traction and characteristics are just over exaggerated. Wheel-spin makes the tire's traction temporarily drop like 30-40% even after your done spinning up. The rear tires seem to have less grip than the fronts when cold for some reason. The adjustment to grass and sand interaction is silly. Everything but the road is like wet grass (hot or cold tire temps). Granted, the 6th Gen model is too grippy off the track, but the update is just too exaggerated.

TOTALLY agree, on all points!! Man, and I thought I was crazy, anytime I stated this do far people were like „Nah, you just can’t drive...“, „Nah, NTM7 is spot on..,“ ...

And I‘m like „Dudes, I KNOW how a 911 GT3 Cup feels IRL, I‘ve driven one on Nordschleife, and it felt NOTHING like this during the first 4 or 5 laps...“ and again it’s like „But my Mazda feels just like this, so it’s spot on...“

I mean, we are losing 20% of the field in IMSA the way it is, these numbers are going to go WAY up, in the lower tiers there will be races where out of 35 starting barely 10 cross the finish line...

 

[Borowillow]

Hi guys i have just joined iracing from GTsport AC and ACC best move ive ever made i absolutly love it

 

[Majorwolf72]

Hi guys i have just joined iracing from GTsport AC and ACC best move ive ever made i absolutly love it

Great to hear, welcome and Godspeed

 

[Borowillow]

Hi racers I just joined last week and I have just posted my first video on you tube . It’s a 20 lap race in which I finished started 7th and finished 2nd my best result so far . It’s in the MX5 @ Lime Rock (chicanes). There is no commentary just the race . I’m just learning how to record and upload . I would appreciate it if you would take the time to watch it and maybe leave a comment . I’m not an alien driver just average driver who has to put in lots of laps. Any comments would be welcome good or bad . My you tube name is Boro Willow cheers

 

[Majorwolf72]

Hi racers I just joined last week and I have just posted my first video on you tube . It’s a 20 lap race in which I finished started 7th and finished 2nd my best result so far . It’s in the MX5 @ Lime Rock (chicanes). There is no commentary just the race . I’m just learning how to record and upload . I would appreciate it if you would take the time to watch it and maybe leave a comment . I’m not an alien driver just average driver who has to put in lots of laps. Any comments would be welcome good or bad . My you tube name is Boro Willow cheers

hey, nice race, keep them coming!

I subbed as I think we „small fish“ need to stick together My Channel is MajorWolf72.

 

[AdamMorcs]

I bit the bullet and got iRacing yesterday, I LOVE the format of the races . Bit confusing at first working the whole lot out, but loving it.
Using CSL elite with Mclaren rim on a wheel stand and couch. Thinking I might get the next level GT track rig. More ergonomic and easier to move around .

 

[Majorwolf72]

I bit the bullet and got iRacing yesterday, I LOVE the format of the races . Bit confusing at first working the whole lot out, but loving it.
Using CSL elite with Mclaren rim on a wheel stand and couch. Thinking I might get the next level GT track rig. More ergonomic and easier to move around .

Welcome to the crazy lot

Yeah, it’s not totally self-explanatory, but worth the grind in the beginning.

Rigwise aluminum Profile is the way to go, super durable, super customizable. Depending on where you are doing a 8020 rig DIY can save you quite a bit.

See you on the track, bro 👍

 

[JackRyanWMU]

I tried iRacing a few years ago and gave up on it after a few months. A co-worker nagged me into giving it another try back in November. Safe to say I'm hooked this time. Currently at C Rating for Road Courses and D for Ovals. I'm also 4th in my division right now in the Cadillac CTS-V series; love that I can run for a championship against others at my skill level. (Unlike GT Sport that only cares about the aliens.) Only have a few iRacing videos on my channel at the moment, but will have more later.

​

 

[Z Crazy]

...love that I can run for a championship against others at my skill level. (Unlike GT Sport that only cares about the aliens.)

I personally think GT Sport sets up better racing through skill, but it does cater to only the fastest for the championships.

 

[azrilnazli]

My personal advices

- go for division division championship, there are 10 divisions, and top3 of each will be rewarded by icredit

- there are 4 seasons per year, if you race 8 weeks / 12 weeks for a season, usd10 is your reward ( usd40 per year )

- only race 1-2 series, dont climb up way fast

 

[azrilnazli]

Is there a lot of active players at any given time? Or is it best to wait for certain time of day?

I've been interested in this sim for a long time, I want to try this out whenever I decide to splurge on a good pc.

Mazda Global series always full 24h
Skip Barber series too
IMSA too, but during peak hour, do you have the gut to race 40 people for 1 hour ?

 

[VFOURMAX1]

The main thing is the membership fee that throws people off.

I hear this a lot but honestly if you buy your iracing subscription when on sale then the monthly fee really is not much more than a PS+ subscription that is required to be able to participate in the online racing on the Playstation.

As a new user to the service I bought a 2 year subscription during the x-mas sale and my monthly subscription fee breaks down to like 4.15 U.S. dollars a month. That cannot be considered a high amount if you only get on the service a couple times a month for a few hours each time.

The biggest draw that iracing has for me is the availability of real world circuits that really are not available to race on anywhere else, in any other game or sim. Granted these come at an extra expense but I can only buy the tracks that I actually want.

How much you want to spend above the included base content is totally up to you and what you want to get out of the service.

Something else that is a new addition is the introduction of AI and the capability of being able to race offline whether for practice or trying setups or just for more relaxed enjoyment.

 

[JackRyanWMU]

Bought the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 car and test drove it today on Watkins Glen. Safe to say I've found the car I want to drive next season, felt very stable and yet an absolute rocket-ship at the same time. I'll plan on entering the last two IMSA races this season to meet my MPR for C-Class races to get my B License, in addition to the final two races in the Cadillac. (I did a couple of races in the Audi RS3 TCR, but I didn't like it. Any kind of sideways motion and the car seemed doomed to spinning out.) Next season for me will either be IMSA or the GT Sprint Series in the Mercedes.

 

[Z Crazy]

Bought the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 car and test drove it today on Watkins Glen. Safe to say I've found the car I want to drive next season, felt very stable and yet an absolute rocket-ship at the same time.

That car is just an unfair advantage. I can run that car at some tracks faster than my slower GTEs. It simply has turn in at EVERY aspect of the corner. Corner entry... nailed it, off your line by a touch at Mid-corner... no problem, need to tighten up the line on exit...got that covered. And if that's not enough, its pretty stable at the same time. It also has the least (or nearly lowest) adjustment range of the GT3s, but is easy to get fast. Like I said before, at Daytona I was rivaling my slowest GTE cars for outright lap time. I'm expecting it to get nerfed at some point, TBH.

 

[Z Crazy]

Next season for me will either be IMSA or the GT Sprint Series in the Mercedes.

Next season, I'm REALLY looking forward to the Cayman GT4 series. Hopefully the car and series works well.

 

[Veinz]

do you have the gut to race 40 people for 1 hour ?

Lol, yes that is fine.

 

[Z Crazy]

Lol, yes that is fine.

Personally I find that I do better in longer races. I tend to make up for lack of outright pace in consistency. When you push 10/10ths for an hour, you are going to make a mistake, the question is how big. I generally push to 9/10ths and can do that pace all day with only small errors. I do ramp up to 100% speed when there is a reward, but often find its not necessary.

 

[BSDShoes]

I took a ~5 month break and just came back a couple weeks ago and did my first race a few days ago since September. Participation seems up across the board, which is a good thing- a growing game population means more people to race against. IMSA seems way more popular than ever, I'm seeing 7-9 splits on weekends when there were normally 5-6 (except for when Circuit du LeMans or Spa comes around then there's 11 splits). VRS GT Sprint seems to have dropped in participation a little though compared to last August but streamers like Matt Malone and others are doing VRS more often which seems to spark interest in the VRS series again since Bathurst isn't a very popular track and had a huge turnup a couple weeks ago.

Back in Sept when iRacing added the Audi RS3 LMS, the IMSA Pilot series was pretty popular, but now a ghost town on most days, hopefully the Cayman GT4 will bring it back up again.