iracing.com

[AutoAki]

I have tried ofcourse GT's, and when I frustrated PD's way to handle PR and developing I started to search something better for my racing-addiction.

My first PC-sim was SimBin's GTR2. I downloaded demo and gave some days to it. Something wasn't there. I just could not get same spirit that I was used to get in GT5P. There was some cool features but overall feel was somehow lame.

2nd contender was LFS. Same pathetic atmosphere that was bothering me in GTR2, was there too. It might be something to do with graphics maybe... I dont know. It just did not deliver.

3rd contender was iRacing. I heard about it in Finnish GT-academy finals in 2008 when it was in Beta. Someone of finalists was in there, and told about this new consept which is all about online-racing. My addiction is 100% about online-racing, so I bought my first sub. Since first few test-sessions my soul was sold. I made everything from start just like iRacing recommends, and the real-feel of car-handling and ffb was something very different and better than I have ever felt in any other sims. I think iRacings one big problem is, that they dont 'force' people to do profiler-settings and such like they recommend... end result is, that many new members use their own 'right' settings and cant get the right ffb-feel. Also iRacings online-racing structure is in it's own level. None other sim have things handled like they do. It's just amazing consept, and so addictive. Hosted-sessions too are awesome for League-racing. (my opinions are not spoiled by dollars spent in to there. To me sim-racing is cheap hobby cause I have daily-job. Actually it's moneysaver for me. Before this new alter-ego I use to 'road-race' in real life, and it was hugely more expensive... and dangerous... and very stupid.)

I'm 35 years old petrolhead dude, and before my sim-life I have been driving something like 20 my own different old rwd-cars to their limits in Finnish weather-conditions. I do know how cars and ffb should handle, and in iRacing they do it way better than in other sims. Only thing what I'm missing is stronger ffb in G25, but that's not iRacings fault but too weak ffb-engines in wheel. Just yesterday I was visiting in ARC-teams websites, but did not buy their mod... yet.

4th contender was NetKar pro. It's very samelike feel for me than iRacing, but athmosphere and tracks are very lame. I did not see any online-racing there either, so that was it.

5th contender was final GT5. No way back to it for me anymore. Cars just feel like thet are bit-blocks and floating over modelled too steril track. Online-structure also fails in many ways.

 

[Bigbazz]

I love iRacing, the new spa track is amazing... perfection. Though i love iRacing i have to admit it does not win every physics battle when it comes to driving, i can play GT5 and enjoy it just as much, and with power oversteer the tyre model in GT5 doesnt wet its pants, which the one in iRacing really does. iRacing is also way too sensitive to small disturbances, such as rubbing bumpers... In the real world it happens but if you even touch bumpers in iRacing you have a good chance of wrecking. Still though, online and general racing, overall car physics, force feedback... Makes iRacing the best in the business for a racing sim.

Just to mention it again... the new Spa circuit is just amazing.

 

[guitar421]

I'm looking for an alternative to GT5 as well particularly for on-line racing. How is iRacing with regard to on-line racing on a nightly basis for non-scheduled races? With work and family I usually have time to race a couple nights a week and some hours on the weekends but I have no really set schedule. At any given time are there races with reasonably full grids available? How does rFactor compare with iRacing with regard to ad-hoc on-line racing?

 

[NapoleonMikey]

iRacing only does online racing so they have it pretty well down. You can almost always find a race in the lower level cars, the higher level cars most people only race certain times due to having to learn the car on the track and getting plenty of practice.

 

[cmpinberkeley]

Cool, thanks for the feedback guys. I'll give netkar a try "soon".

iRacing is just so easy to download and start racing, and the quality and consistency of the service and product has me spoiled. I am too lazy to try anything else.

 

[marky5244]

How is iRacing with regard to on-line racing on a nightly basis for non-scheduled races?

This is what I love about iRacing (other than the great physics, cars and tracks!). I don't have the flexibility in life to be racing in leagues with one or two scheduled times a week (although that is also available in iRacing with "hosted" races). In iRacing's public races, each car has it's own series with the track changing each week. There is a fixed schedule of races, on average it is every 2 hours (it does vary per car - can be more often or less often - and some of the cars aren't so popular so fields can be quite small with some cars) so you know well in advance when the races will be. You sign up to the race in the preceding half hour. If there are too many people wanting to race then iRacing splits it into separate races (determined by your historic skill level). With the "Safety Rating" system you are almost guaranteed a quality race with random people but without the wreckers you find in online racing with other sims.

 

[isamu]

This is what I love about iRacing (other than the great physics, cars and tracks!). I don't have the flexibility in life to be racing in leagues with one or two scheduled times a week (although that is also available in iRacing with "hosted" races). In iRacing's public races, each car has it's own series with the track changing each week. There is a fixed schedule of races, on average it is every 2 hours (it does vary per car - can be more often or less often - and some of the cars aren't so popular so fields can be quite small with some cars) so you know well in advance when the races will be. You sign up to the race in the preceding half hour. If there are too many people wanting to race then iRacing splits it into separate races (determined by your historic skill level). With the "Safety Rating" system you are almost guaranteed a quality race with random people but without the wreckers you find in online racing with other sims.

The only thing I don't like is the limitation of only ONE track for the whole week! It would have been much better if official races allowed the host to choose which track they want to play on, Y'know....like a normal racing game. One track a week is kinda lame

Other than that it's cool 👍

 

[Blake]

That's what hosted races are for. 💡

 

[isamu]

That's what hosted races are for. 💡

But how often are hosted races going on? 24/7? And doesn't it cost money to host a race? If so, I can imagine the amount of hosted races dwindling due to the cost.

 

[AutoAki]

The only thing I don't like is the limitation of only ONE track for the whole week! It would have been much better if official races allowed the host to choose which track they want to play on, Y'know....like a normal racing game. One track a week is kinda lame

Other than that it's cool 👍

Sounds that you dont have any idea how iRacings Official Series are structured and meant to work. One week per track is only way to give fair chance for everyone to compete in series championship.

But how often are hosted races going on? 24/7? And doesn't it cost money to host a race? If so, I can imagine the amount of hosted races dwindling due to the cost.

You can create your own 4h session whenever you want, and give almost anykind of specifics for it. It's great deal for only 3$, and because you rent servertime, connections are perfect. Then just announce your session in Hosted racing sub-forum, or invite your friends or league-mates. I'm quite sure iRacing is still implementing some features more into Hosted-session options...

 

[Beliall]

I'm hoping someone could answer a few questions about Iracing for me please.

If I am to get this sim, I will need to build another computer that can go on the shelf and connect to my TV, so,,

Is it worth doing that?

After the initial subscription, how are extra cars and tracks paid for, and how much do they cost?

Can it run in HD ( I'd like to connect the PC via HDMI)

Do I need to put in lots of time to get anything out of it?

And finally, Will it ruin all other racing games!!

Thanks for your answers.

 

[AutoAki]

I'm hoping someone could answer a few questions about Iracing for me please.

If I am to get this sim, I will need to build another computer that can go on the shelf and connect to my TV, so,,

Is it worth doing that?

After the initial subscription, how are extra cars and tracks paid for, and how much do they cost?

Can it run in HD ( I'd like to connect the PC via HDMI)

Do I need to put in lots of time to get anything out of it?

And finally, Will it ruin all other racing games!!

Thanks for your answers.

Ask yourself, are you racing or driving enthusiast, and are simulators just fun for you, or serious hobby. ...if you find that you are racing-addict and simracing is real hobby for you, iRacing is nowadays the one and only way to go if you want to race under sanctioning body and perhaps see sometimes how worlds best simracers do their tricks.

You dont need very high-end PC to find out is iRacing your thing... my first machine was AMD dual core 775, and Nvidia 8800gt. It still works fine at my work, if I need my fix after workshift. You can buy that sort of second-hand PC with few hundred. HDMI is only way to go today. Extra cars and tracks are pain in the back first, (11-15$ each) but like in every hobby... equipments cost. Be it RC-cars, Golf, ice-hockey... you just need to buy stuff first. Think it this way. In iRacing you dont need to buy them all at one time. You can plan carefully what series you will focus at next season, and buy 3-6 items at one time so you get discount 10-20%. iRacing anyway is not like many other driving-games where you jump from car to another. If you want best results, I recommend to focus max 2 vehicles per season, and even those are good to be some sort of samelike.

There is going on some very good new member -deals now, so if you got wheel and find machine, you cant lose much. I would say that buying proper PC is good way anyway so that is not loss. rFactor 2 is coming soon, and NKpro is very nice too, so I highly recommend to get familiar with PC-gaming now. After few years PC-gaming, I really see that it's unbeatable when gaming turns out hobby.


...and last... for me, iRacing really made all other games feel meaningless. iRacings continuing develope, and sanctioning Official-series are priceless. Everything under one roof is so great consept.

 

[Beliall]

Great answer thanks you very much. I was'nt intending to spend a fortune on a new PC, just enough to get it working, I do love my racing, more so since i got my first wheel. So I think I will go for it, Thanks again!

 

[isamu]

Sounds that you dont have any idea how iRacings Official Series are structured and meant to work. One week per track is only way to give fair chance for everyone to compete in series championship.

You can create your own 4h session whenever you want, and give almost anykind of specifics for it. It's great deal for only 3$, and because you rent servertime, connections are perfect. Then just announce your session in Hosted racing sub-forum, or invite your friends or league-mates. I'm quite sure iRacing is still implementing some features more into Hosted-session options...

Hmmmm, I'm not 100% sure, but you MIGHT have a good point there...

 

[Beliall]

How much a month , not including subs, are you guys paying on average, if thats not too private a question?

 

[AutoAki]

How much a month , not including subs, are you guys paying on average, if thats not too private a question?

I always buy 1-year sub, which is 75$ if you wait example 'black friday' offers.

For new members there is promo going on now, it was 3month in 1months prize... I think there was also one extra track and car included, but I'm not sure. I would recommend to take that. 3months is definitely enough time to find out if this is your new love. I also recommend to open your sub so, that you can drive Season 1, 2011 from first week till end. (Season 1, 2011 starts somewhere middle of January) One season always lasts 3month, so that offer gives you chance to see what iRacings Official series and seasons is all about. I'm sure you can get lots of good advises and help from your Club-members, how to start your career in iRacing. I dont know where are you from, but every iRacer has own Club... mostly they are based on your Nation, but some smaller countries have combined Clubs.


I found via Google list of promos...http://www.simracingdesign.com/irac...ns/24520-iracing-promo-codes-new-members.html

I would recommend PR-NFFE: 3month + Chevrolet Monte Carlo aka Late Model with 18$. It's one god damn fun car to drive on roads too!

 

[cmpinberkeley]

I'm hoping someone could answer a few questions about Iracing for me please.

If I am to get this sim, I will need to build another computer that can go on the shelf and connect to my TV, so,,

Is it worth doing that?

After the initial subscription, how are extra cars and tracks paid for, and how much do they cost?

Can it run in HD ( I'd like to connect the PC via HDMI)

Do I need to put in lots of time to get anything out of it?

And finally, Will it ruin all other racing games!!

Thanks for your answers.

iRacing completely ruined driving games for me. I was a GT5P addict until I got sick of being wrecked online. Once I discovered iRacing, I jumped in with both feet. I bought a cheap computer, already had my wheel, and played on an old 20" monitor. I never touched GT5P again after that, and I have only played GT5 once so far. I logged 5 hours on iRacing the last two days.

iRacing is high-def and the graphics are excellent (but not quite like GT5 or some other consoles) and you can connect to your hi-def tv if you want.

If you want to be really fast, it can take a lot of practice, depending on how good you are. If you just want to do it for fun, just drive when you want as fast as you want.

A big part of what makes it fun for me is the community and social aspect. It is ONLY online racing against other people, and it is very easy to text/chat with other drivers. So you get to know people very quickly in spite of the large size of the community. Also, the iRacing developers and employees communicate with us and actually listen to what we want, which is cool.

Here is the FAQ that explains a lot of your questions.
http://www.iracing.com//membership/faqs/

Here are a bunch of cool iRacing videos we've been sharing.
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=130205

 

[Beliall]

Great, thanks alot you guys. seems worth building a new rig to run it. Might spend the money i was saving for a fanatec GGT2 on a pc instead.

 

[cmpinberkeley]

Sorry for the double-post from the videos thread but I don't know if anybody actually looks at those. This is an excellent display of iRacing's high-def graphics and physics. I love the details... 👍

 

[hampus_dh]

Latest news is that the Highcroft Acura ARX-01c which won it´s class at Le Mans 2010 will find it´s way into the game sometime in ´11.

An LMP2 car basically It´s about 4 seconds faster round Mid Ohio then the Riley.

OR it will come with this aerodynamics and colours.

 

[hampus_dh]

Oh and Interlagos btw

And Fmod (same as Forza)
Tyre model will not come in this build but hopefully the one after that. It´s a big project.

You will also be able to repair light damage like the front F1 wing etc. They have put a crew to work on fixing damage for 6 months which is cool.

And the other known things that also will arrive soon, Suzuka, Tsukuba, Okayama, Motegi, Oran Park etc.

 

[RACECAR]

Double post = Not good. Might want to edit your first post to include whats in the 2nd post.


And a small correction: It was the Strakka Racing Acura ARX-01C that Won Le Mans

 

[hampus_dh]

Double post = Not good. Might want to edit your first post to include whats in the 2nd post.


And a small correction: It was the Strakka Racing Acura ARX-01C that Won Le Mans

No point if i can´t delete my post

Yea sorry about that, but the blue car is the Strakka. But they said Highcroft in the episode so we really don´t know until later.

I personally think it´s the Strakka but we´ll see.

 

[Beliall]

Sorry for the double-post from the videos thread but I don't know if anybody actually looks at those. This is an excellent display of iRacing's high-def graphics and physics. I love the details... 👍

I cant wait to play this sim!

 

[NapoleonMikey]

No point if i can´t delete my post

Yea sorry about that, but the blue car is the Strakka. But they said Highcroft in the episode so we really don´t know until later.

I personally think it´s the Strakka but we´ll see.

Seeing as its the same chassis and engine it wouldnt matter if its the Strakka or Highcroft since its the same car just different teams. And I believe they said the deal was through Honda but it will be the Highcroft car. So they are probably just going to get the data and scan from Highcroft since it will be cheaper then sending a team to Strakka.

 

[RACECAR]

Seeing as its the same chassis and engine it wouldnt matter if its the Strakka or Highcroft since its the same car just different teams.

I think the reason Strakka or Highcroft is mentioned that way is because the cars use two different aero setups. The Strakka racing car exclusively used the 2010 LMP2 Aero while the Highcroft car still used the aero from previous years (though did use the 2010 aero at some ALMS races as well as Le Mans).

 

[NapoleonMikey]

According to the iRacing staff we are getting the Le Mans set up for the car.

 

[hampus_dh]

Seeing as its the same chassis and engine it wouldnt matter if its the Strakka or Highcroft since its the same car just different teams. And I believe they said the deal was through Honda but it will be the Highcroft car. So they are probably just going to get the data and scan from Highcroft since it will be cheaper then sending a team to Strakka.

The Highcroft is called ARX-01b

The Strakka is called ARX-01c

The difference is aerodynamics that are purely CFD meaning no windtunnel

The difference between b and c is about as big of a evolution as a was to b.

I think the reason Strakka or Highcroft is mentioned that way is because the cars use two different aero setups. The Strakka racing car exclusively used the 2010 LMP2 Aero while the Highcroft car still used the aero from previous years (though did use the 2010 aero at some ALMS races as well as Le Mans).

I think it´s the Staff which has given out the wrong info. Highcroft and Strakka has nothing in common other then they both use different versions av the same car.

But, i think they said Highcroft so that more people could relate to the car seeing as Highcroft has made a big impact on ALMS.

According to the iRacing staff we are getting the Le Mans set up for the car.

Yes we know but the problem is one staff member (which i trust more) said it was the Strakka while in the show they say Highcroft.

But the reason to that i have stated above.

Either way, we will have a seriously fast car on our hands. If you have driven the riley on Mid-Ohio you know that it gets round pretty damn quick.

Well you can erase somewhere around 5 seconds of your laptime to get a feel for just how quick an LMP2 car is.

 

[isamu]

According to the iRacing staff we are getting the Le Mans set up for the car.

Hmmm.....could Circuit De La Sarthe be on the horizon?

 

[NapoleonMikey]

The Highcroft is called ARX-01b

The Strakka is called ARX-01c

The difference is aerodynamics that are purely CFD meaning no windtunnel

The difference between b and c is about as big of a evolution as a was to b.



Yes we know but the problem is one staff member (which i trust more) said it was the Strakka while in the show they say Highcroft.

But the reason to that i have stated above.

Either way, we will have a seriously fast car on our hands. If you have driven the riley on Mid-Ohio you know that it gets round pretty damn quick.

Well you can erase somewhere around 5 seconds of your laptime to get a feel for just how quick an LMP2 car is.

Nope both teams ran the ARX-01C last year at Le Mans

Also i searched the entire iRacing forum for strakka and could only find one post even mentioning it and it wasn't by a staff member.

Steve Myers how ever said

So the car we are gettin is the third evolution of the car (sort of)

Highcroft Racing HPD ARX-01C

Correct. I went with this car for the fact that it won LeMan this past year in the LMP2 class and had connections to both the US and European series.

Steve

link to post

But that also dosnt make sense since Highcroft came 25 overall and 9th in class. Strakka on the other hand does not have ties to the US series. That is the only post I can find by a staff member on the subject. So what im getting from his post is we are getting the HPD ARX-01C version of the car and as for which team it doesnt actually matter since they both ran the same version. They probably posted the highcroft information because it is just easier logistically to get the data from that team then strakka.