Fresh sim racer!

[Boywonder502 1]

Hello, fellow Sim Racer.

 

I will make this short. I am currently looking into starting up my Sim career. I was wonder what software would be the best to start out with?

I just bought a Logitech Driving Force GT for starters and I'm looking to race indycar. 

 

I see that iracing has the biggest following with SimRacing. Would this be a great place to start? I really want the Online aspect to be perfect tho, as I'm super competitive when racing. I don't really care for the AI racing titles. If iRacing is my best bet, where could I snag a nice promo code? I just missed the 3 month Cadillac promo.

 

Thanks again in-advance.

 

[Darin Gangi 1,074]

Thanks for stopping by !

 

For Indycar racing, there's no better place IMO. Their online system is also the best out there. With the Indy 500 coming up, you can't miss that race ! You may want to try this promo code if it's still active:
 
3 months basic membership + Dallara Indycar for 24 $ US : PR-Indy
 
I know they are working on the adding the new Indycar to their fleet as well.

[CaTaPulT 658]

But don't expect to be able to race the Indy car right away, on iRacing, you start off with a Rookie license, so you have to race and up your safety rating so you can progress to whatever license the Dallara requires to race it.

Until then, you can run the Dallara but only in a test session (a practice session all by yourself).

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[Boywonder502 1]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

 

I love the Videos BTW Darin Gangi. They pretty much got me hooked on the SimRacing. So much thanks!

I just snagged AC on steam and have been racing around just to get the feel of the wheel. It's been a blast so far.

the PR-Indy promo code isn't working, I'm going to lay low on iRacing until the Indy 500. It seems like the promo codes are only used for new members. I don't wanna jump the gun to quick and see a promo code I really enjoy. 

 

Is there a limit to how many races you can race in a day on iRacing? I currently work from home Streaming videogames. (I know sounds weird, but it works.) I have a lot of time to race for the viewers. 

[J.A.R.V.I.S. 282]

If I could recommend some start up sims then they'd be Assetto Corsa (In Steam), and iRacing. Assetto Corsa has very little additional content that costs so that's good plus the physics are really good, pretty much iRacing level. But in my opinion every bit of iRacing content is worth the money. I personally enjoy iRacing a little more actually. Enjoy your time here!

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S.

[sebj 616]

I don't think so, I've done 4 races one day before. Plus you can hop on hosted games and race to your hearts content with competent drivers.

[Boywonder502 1]

This has been great news! 

Thanks for the warm welcomes, Hope to see you on the track!

[BenSim 0]

Hi. I'm just getting started with Sim racing with an Obutto Revolution, Logitech G27 and a PlayStation 3 (with Gran Tourismo 5) connected to a Sony 46 inch TV.

 

My goal is to learn and practice on the tracks I'm going to be driving on with HPDE events (driving a stock Boxster S). Can anyone recommend the best software and/or online service for a realistic track experience? The tracks I need for the near future are Road Atlanta, VIR, Lime Rock, NJMP and Watkins Glen.

 

Thanks for running a great site. I'd likely know nothing about Sim racing and would probably not have gotten the rig without the extensive testing and research you offer.

[rfernandes 21]

Hi. I'm just getting started with Sim racing with an Obutto Revolution, Logitech G27 and a PlayStation 3 (with Gran Tourismo 5) connected to a Sony 46 inch TV.

My goal is to learn and practice on the tracks I'm going to be driving on with HPDE events (driving a stock Boxster S). Can anyone recommend the best software and/or online service for a realistic track experience? The tracks I need for the near future are Road Atlanta, VIR, Lime Rock, NJMP and Watkins Glen.

Thanks for running a great site. I'd likely know nothing about Sim racing and would probably not have gotten the rig without the extensive testing and research you offer.

Go for iracing, it has those tracks and as they say, are laser scanned, so should be exacly the same.

[BenSim 0]

Thanks Rfernandes.

 

Do you know whether I can use iRacing with a 5 year old Dell XPS laptop running Vista with an Intel Core Duo T7250 @ 2Ghz, 3 GB, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS? Or do I need a newer gaming computer? I would connect the laptop to the Sony KDL 46XBR5 and the Logitech G27. 

[J.A.R.V.I.S. 282]

Thanks Rfernandes.

 

Do you know whether I can use iRacing with a 5 year old Dell XPS laptop running Vista with an Intel Core Duo T7250 @ 2Ghz, 3 GB, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS? Or do I need a newer gaming computer? I would connect the laptop to the Sony KDL 46XBR5 and the Logitech G27. 

 

I would recommend a new computer. You may be able to run it, but me personally I wouldn't recommend it.

 

 

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S.

[William Marsh 118]

In terms of iRacing, it is expensive, but it is worth it for the level of immersion and competition.

 

The only place where you can readily race Indy is iRacing. rFactor 2 will have a large influx of Indy content coming likely in the coming months (Indianapolis, Dallara DW12, Reynard 95i, Eagle Mk4, and more!), but as of right now, rF2 at best has some work to be done before it has my strong recommendation.

 

iRacing has a ladder system though, that will likely see you taking 2 or 3 months to get to IndyCar. iRacing's level system works on how safe of a driver you are (with a skill rating separate from your promotions, which I feel is a mistake, but that's how it is), and is divided into 5 levels: Rookie, D, C, B, and A.

 

Rookie will have you starting in the Street stocks, which are simple to drive. Next up are Legends cars, which can be VERY touchy, so you will learn how to emphasize smooth inputs into the car.

 

To get to your next class, you will need to fill your Minimum Performance Requirement: a set amount of races or time trials at your current license level, and then getting your Safety Rating (SR) to a certain level. An SR of 3.0 will get you to the next license at the end of iRacing's season (4 seasons a year, split into 3 month segments), while a 4.0 SR will get you the "Fast Track" promotion immediately to the next license.

 

Then you get promoted to your D Class license, which will be the beginning of the forks in the road, as well as the drain on your wallet: There are two series available, and you'll need to buy the license for each car and track you want to run. The 3 D-Class oval cars are:

 

-SK Modifieds: These cars are fun, beefy, but have almost no participation, with most drivers running other series. I actually did use this car to time trial my way up to C Class

-National Series: The equivalent of ARCA or K&N Series. They race at some of the same tracks as the Indy series do, so this may be the cheaper route to go. It utilizes a fixed setup, and no cautions, so you really have to be on your toes!

-Late Models: I see this as the middle ground between Street Stocks and National, where it's a little faster, little more agile, still has a grass roots feel to it. This would likely be the most expensive option, with you being required to buy a lot more tracks.

 

C Class: You've made it! Well, sort of... You can now race the IndyCar against drivers, in the fixed series. If you want to be able to tweak your setups and run longer races, you will need to get into the B-Class. So, bottom line, my estimated up front cost for you to make it from rookie to Indy, would run you around a hundred to a hundred and fifty, depending on how much you want to run and how fast you get up there. 

 

I have invested around $700 into iRacing since I started back on October of 2011, and in the ballpark of investing 2 grand into my six year history of sim racing, period. I like to joke around by saying: "Hey, it's cheaper than smoking!" When you bring it down to the nitty gritty, $700 for two and a half years of hard races, close finishes, crumpled (virtual) sheet metal? It's a steal! That's under a dollar a race, cheaper than playing SF Rush at my local bowling alley...

 

I think once you get started on iRacing, you'll get hooked

[BenSim 0]

Thanks JARVIS. Any suggestions on which computer I should buy?

[J.A.R.V.I.S. 282]

Thanks JARVIS. Any suggestions on which computer I should buy?

 

If you don't want to build one yourself, then have a look here: http://www.mainperformancepc.com/categories/gaming-pc/ They maybe too expensive, but if that's the case, then please tell me. I'll be happy to help. They're great PC for gaming.

 

 

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S.

[Darin Gangi 1,074]

But don't expect to be able to race the Indy car right away, on iRacing, you start off with a Rookie license, so you have to race and up your safety rating so you can progress to whatever license the Dallara requires to race it.

Until then, you can run the Dallara but only in a test session (a practice session all by yourself).

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

 

The Indy 500 will be open to all members Rookie to Pro. 

[CaTaPulT 658]

The Indy 500 will be open to all members Rookie to Pro. 

Agreed Darin, but for regular seasonal series races, he would have the have the proper license to run the Dallara?

He would also be able to run it in Hosted sessions I believe if the host allows it.

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[BenSim 0]

If you don't want to build one yourself, then have a look here: http://www.mainperformancepc.com/categories/gaming-pc/ They maybe too expensive, but if that's the case, then please tell me. I'll be happy to help. They're great PC for gaming.

 

 

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S

Thanks JARVIS. Hooked up the laptop to the TV and G27 and signed up with iRacing. While it works and I am learning the track in Test, the graphics are terrible.

 

I looked at the Main Performance choices and don't know which one suits my needs and they seem pricey. How much of a premium is Main Performance charging over some lesser known brand or say Dell? What other options are good?

[rfernandes 21]

You shouldnt go for oem stuff

Just go ahead and search for some setups other guys have and order the parts, as usually you pay much more with brands like asus, and the parts are the same.

[sebj 616]

Thanks JARVIS. Hooked up the laptop to the TV and G27 and signed up with iRacing. While it works and I am learning the track in Test, the graphics are terrible.

 

I looked at the Main Performance choices and don't know which one suits my needs and they seem pricey. How much of a premium is Main Performance charging over some lesser known brand or say Dell? What other options are good?

Try sliding the video memory slider under graphics in game to 1300. It should then upscale the textures and allow you to choose 2048 textures for cars. You may have to exit the game and then restart it to see the difference.

[J.A.R.V.I.S. 282]

Thanks JARVIS. Hooked up the laptop to the TV and G27 and signed up with iRacing. While it works and I am learning the track in Test, the graphics are terrible.

 

I looked at the Main Performance choices and don't know which one suits my needs and they seem pricey. How much of a premium is Main Performance charging over some lesser known brand or say Dell? What other options are good?

 

I'll get back to you later. That's when I get back from work.

 

 

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S.

[UNKLE 1,429]

The thing that I don't like about the IndyCar is that you need an A license in both oval AND road to race it properly.  I'd love to race in the Indy 500 in this car but I don't want to spend the extra money and time needed to get an oval A class license.

[BenSim 0]

Try sliding the video memory slider under graphics in game to 1300. It should then upscale the textures and allow you to choose 2048 textures for cars. You may have to exit the game and then restart it to see the difference.

Thank you! Big difference. But now the computer seems to be struggling to keep up, it's "stuttering."

[BenSim 0]

I'll get back to you later. That's when I get back from work.

 

 

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S.

Thanks

[J.A.R.V.I.S. 282]

Thanks

 

So I did a lot of research and found out that if you have the chance, building one is the best way to go. Please inform me whether that is an option for you.

 

 

>Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S.

[UNKLE 1,429]

I went with iBuyPower, they are cheap and you can customize and create your very own PC on their website with a huge amount of options.  I experienced no problems with them.

 

I've read the only possible risk with them is that their customer service can be ropey and sometimes damage can occur during transit.