Starting an iRacing Career

[Dreamon_21 4]

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to say hello and introduce myself.  I have been away from PC based sim racing since 2004 and been dabbling in with PS2 and XBOX racing games.   I was at a trade show and someone brought up the topic of online sim racing and it perked my interest.   That was November last year and I have been reading forums and researching computer parts to build my system and start my career in iRacing.

 

I will have all my parts for my computer by this weekend and plan on building it so I can get started.   I am really excited and just hope that the system I am going to put together will work as I am hoping it will.   I am pretty excited about it, for those that are interested here is the system:

 

Intel i5-3570k 3.4Ghz CPU, Asus P8Z77-v Pro Motherboard, 8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X series ram, 120GB SSD Drive, Gigabyte GTX760 4GB GPU, Corsair HX850 Pro Series PSU in a CM Storm Scout 2 Advanced Case.  I am going to run 3 AOC 24" monitors with Windows 8.1.

 

I have a Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel for PS2 that I am hoping I can get working on the PC, otherwise I am dead in the water until I can save some money for a new wheel.

 

I hope to post my trials and tribulations as I have read so many posts that have been of assistance to me so I hope that I can offer some assistance for others.

 

Well, wish me luck. 

[MattyK-USA 109]

For what it's worth, the guy that won 2 out of the last 3 iRacing championships (oval that is) won them with a DFGT, so I think you're okay there ... If you've already got an iRacing membership, then I suggest you read a reference post over there by John Bodin that contains just about all of the necessary reading as an iRacing rookie that you could think of. I'd also recommend the Driving School videos there (or on YouTube) - they are a great refresher even if you've been on tracks IRL.

When you get into your rookie career on iRacing, give me shout - maybe we can knock out some practices and races together at some point.

Cheers -

[Dreamon_21 4]

Hey MattyK-USA,

Thanks for the advice. I have been watching and ready everything I can up to this point. Thank you for the offer to practice and race and I will take you up on that. I know I will need all the help I can get.

[MattyK-USA 109]

Hey, no worries. I should add that there are some great resources right here on ISR, in the iRacing forum and in the "getting started" section. See you on the track!

[Gunstar 615]

BTW, Driving Force Pro works fine on PC, just download the profiler from Logitech and plug it in.

[Dreamon_21 4]

Thanks for the heads up on the steering wheel. I built my system this weekend and it went really, really well. The computer is awesome and the 3 monitor setup running the Gigabyte GTX760 4gb is amazing. I have everything turned on and I'm getting nothing below 130 fps while testing on Summit Park.

The steering wheel connected without an issue. I struggled a but setting up the three monitors in iRacing but I eventually got it.....nothing a cold beer couldn't help.

My son was so excited I had to set him up with his own IRacing account. Now I have to share my new computer!

I cannot believe how good iRacing is! It is so real! I had an issue downloading the iRacing content as well with Explorer. I give up and decided to load Google Chrome and then thought I would try downloading iRacing and it worked perfect. Another reason to hate Explorer.

[MattyK-USA 109]

Great news, Dreamon - good to see your son getting involved too. I have my son loving Forza 5, but he's not so fond of the real physics of iRacing quite yet.   He's learning that we slow down with brakes, not with downshifts! 

 

You might want to consider getting Assetto Corsa as well.  It is nowhere near as involved as the iRacing experience, but that also makes it much more relaxing.  The ISR community has some apps you can download to see how we're all collectively doing on our laps - just check out the Assetto Corsa forum, it's all right at the top.

 

See you on the track!

[Dreamon_21 4]

Thanks MattyK. I am looking for a good program that captures lap times. I tried loading the Atlas program on iRacing but I get an error that it requires Microsoft .net Framework v3.5 Sp1 or greater. I am running windows 8.1 with Framework 4.5. So right now I am old school and recording my laps by writing them down.

So far I have been running the MX-5 cup car at Lime Rock. I am in the mid to high 1:02 laps with and without the chicane. I tried the ghost car in a practice session which is a great way to get the feel of other cars without it causing a problem for yourself and the other racers. Im working on 12-15 consistent laps then 15-20 before I move to another track.

My son is running 1:05-1:07 at Lime Rock and enjoying it.

Having a blast so far.

[orcsoul 7]

Try iSpeed as an alternative to Atlas, it runs on your computer and has a web-backend available that you can connect to with your smartphone, other device, etc... it's even got a lap analyzer where you can compare your sessions against a repository of saved sessions to see where you can improve, etc.

 

It's "donationware" meaning what you get for free is the full program, the only thing you have to put up with is a scrolling banner asking you to donate ($15 USD if i recall) to make it go away, which even after only 20-30min of using it I felt was worth it.

 

http://www.nessoft.com/ispeed/

[Jason Dunnington 25]

Yeah man I use I speed running on another monitor all the time. Just grab an old vid card and monitor plug it in and go.. Reason why is that with google chrome you can have it on the other monitor be able to get into practice click continue on the site withdraw and get into the next qualifying or race session besides checking the dashboard, pressroom, forums, ect ect. Never miss another race again

 

see ya on the track!

J  

[Dreamon_21 4]

Well, I appreciate all the advise. I actually sorted out the issue with Atlas, all I had to do was turn on the Framework in Control Panel. Once I did that it runs great.

I have been running the MX-5 cup road series and was able to get my D-License after 3 races. I spent alot of time doing TT ad practice learning the track. I also used the ghost option to start out on the track with other cars, but that wasnt real enough so I turned to practice and TT.

Once I had my D-license in road racing I turned to oval and did the same thing there but I used qualifying and turned in a pretty good time. In my first race I started well, dropped to sixth, i passed the fifth place to take the position back and then as luck would have it the top 3 cars got together and I ended up finishing in 2nd place.

I jumped into my second race and while running 3rd got a run on a car, got my nose even with hsi door and he ran me down to the grass. I knew if I hit the grass I might spin and he would continue on......my stubhorn side came out and I stayed my my line, we touched and collected half the field. It was ironic that I was the only rookie in the field, all other racers had d licenses. Anyway I finished 2 laps down but was able to get along side a car that we ran nlike that for the final 6 laps, giving each other room.

The third race I started 3rd, passed the pole sitter on lap four and then led the remaining 16 laps for my first win! It was awesome, the field was clean, close racing I kept myself clean and tidy and it was a great finish. One more TT after my first win and I obtained my D-License in oval as well.

Overall I have had a great experience and am loving iRacing! Absolutely awesome sim!!!!!!

[Dreamon_21 4]

Well, I definitely jumped the gun on my excitement and rather easy transition from rookie to D-License. I am enjoying the road racing in the Mazda Cup but I have to say that the street stock oval is the most ridiculous excuse for racing that I have ever seen!!! I have started a number of races up front, ran side by side with guys giving them plenty of room only to have them nudge me out.

I ran a race tonight from pole, led the first 10 laps, came up on lap cars that were just slightly slower. Rather than bump them, I tried getting by them high, giving the two guys on my rear bumper the inside. They easily slid by and I slid in behind them until I got a run on the inside going down the back stretch, i pulled down under the white line, and this poor excuse for a driver drops below the white line and punts me into the wall. I key the mike and say, "really, I was below the white line, are you kidding me?" What a bunch of crap!

So I decided I am going to have to spend some money and get out of rookie and start racing in D-Class. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sorry for the rant just frustrated and disappointed.

[UNKLE 1,429]

Street Sock Car is a bit of a joke really the racing is pretty bad, although I've had some fun races by not taking it too seriously and just taking my time from the back of the grid (even starting from pits) and working my way up to the front and even won a couple of races that way too.  I'd say avoid mid pack and start from the back and learn how to avoid crashes or qualify at the front to avoid it all.

 

I'm kinda thinking of moving up on oval for the only reason of getting to Indy car oval. Has anyone any advice on the best route to go for minimal $ spend?

[Dreamon_21 4]

Thanks U.N.K.L.E for the advise. I bought the Chevy Monte Carlo SS and a couple new short tracks. I ventured out into a practice on USA Int with a few other guys and it was night and day over street stock. The guys give me room, I give them room, guy tapped me and apologized as he was practicing bumping and getting bumped. When I said I was just trying to get up to speed he offered me his setup, which worked out pretty good. Way better than street stock rookie, which is truly rookie!

Im thinking of running the MX5 cup full season as I have had a blast there, and practicing with the Skippy on road circuits and practicing and running the odd race in Late Model in preparation for the next season.

Raced Okyama in MX5 Friday night and started 6th with no qualifying lap and ran 4th the entire race until the final lap when the third place car spun and I jumped on the opportunity and finished third. I only dropped one tire off, otherwise an incident free run!

[Jason Dunnington 25]

Thanks U.N.K.L.E for the advise. I bought the Chevy Monte Carlo SS and a couple new short tracks. I ventured out into a practice on USA Int with a few other guys and it was night and day over street stock. The guys give me room, I give them room, guy tapped me and apologized as he was practicing bumping and getting bumped. When I said I was just trying to get up to speed he offered me his setup, which worked out pretty good. Way better than street stock rookie, which is truly rookie!

Im thinking of running the MX5 cup full season as I have had a blast there, and practicing with the Skippy on road circuits and practicing and running the odd race in Late Model in preparation for the next season.

Raced Okyama in MX5 Friday night and started 6th with no qualifying lap and ran 4th the entire race until the final lap when the third place car spun and I jumped on the opportunity and finished third. I only dropped one tire off, otherwise an incident free run!

Hey for me working up the oval ranks I did the math and went with the SK mod, and Tour cars. get two cars to bump two license's for the price of one.. There's a bunch of cool guys in the community that'll offer help, setups (if your practicing with them and your cool) and for the most part they try to give ya room. Short tracks don't offer much, had a ton of fun when I ran them. I still go run em every once in awhile now.. Lost all my sweet set's so I can't help in that dept. All in all really glad I got to know some of the guys in there.

 

J 

[Wumps 0]

Hey Dreamon you've got some good advice here and I wish you luck on your iRacing career. I recently was incentivized to come back after a 2 year hiatus and am looking to start Season 2 out in the Star Mazda on the road side, shoot me a PM if you ever want to get into a practice session together. 

[Dreamon_21 4]

Well it has been a while since I posted. I have been travelling on business and when I can racing. I decided that I would race the MX5 cup series in season 2 since I own all the tracks. I purchased the Skippy and will race it on the tracks I own there as well and the same for the Late Model for oval.

I really enjoy road racing so I have been enjoying the MX5 Cup. I raced Summit Point and did fairly well, held my own. Okyama was a great race as well, but I just raced Lime Rock last night and took my first win. I followed some advice I read from John Bodin and qualified so in my split I started 3rd. Had a good start and slipped into 2nd for the first 13 laps, and then the leader blew a shift entering turn one and popped the engine. I lead for the final 7 laps taking the win. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and I felt sorry for the leader, but I know in racing when lady luck shines on you you take it.

I also raced LM at Lanier and started back in the pack and managed to finish 3rd. Such a small track I was curious as to how it would play out, but everybody provided room and it was actually a really enjoyable race. I really enjoy the LM the splits are always good and the drivers are really nice.

I raced the skippy at Okyama and made a few mistakes. I seem to get caught out lifting off the throttle and inducing oversteer. It is going to require more seat time. It is a fun car to drive and with a few changes that can be made to the setups it gives you the ability to tweak it slightly.

Overall I have been working on improving my SR and have remained at a D license level learning to drive before I advance to a C license. As I understand it becomes harder to improve SR at higher license levels but easy to lose SR. I have watched videos by Rich Eklund which are awesome to help learn the lines and pick up speed. He does a great job with these videos.

I have also bern working on my patience, trying to stay out of the way of the faster guys and race guys in my speed range without making mistakes that ruin it for everyone. Racecraft is really important and I want to get comfortable as I progress, building a solid foundation. Slow in fast out....for everything! Practice, practice, practice.....having a blast!