Looking to get into racing sims (questions)

[LJ575 0]

Hey guys!

 

I've been looking into iRacing for the last few weeks. It seems really cool. Some of the rigs you guys have are pretty unreal. I'm not looking for anything extravagant, since I'm not entirely sure its for me yet. However, I do want to give iRacing a fair shake. I know there are some pretty fundamental accessories required to give you a fuller experience.

 

For a person who is not looking to go crazy, but just have a great casual racing experience. Is iRacing for me?

 

How much money am I looking to dish out to give iRacing a fair shake? I already have a computer fully capable of running the game.

 

 

Thanks guys!

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

On iRacing I think that you'll be spending a good amount of over 200 dollars on content and maybe more on a membership. For hardware I can't really speak as it's pretty addictive

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

[CaTaPulT 658]

For iRacing, I would get in on the 3 months for the price of one deal, I believe this site has a link for that offer.

Once the 3 months are up, you'll know if you want to stick with it or not.

The base membership will give you enough cars and tracks to get started with a Rookie license for both road and oval racing.

As for equipment, that's up to you, you can race at a desk of build yourself a low cost rig like the "Deathmobile" which is made from 2x4's and a car seat from a wrecker.

As for wheel, my suggestion would be a Logitech G27, it has a decent wheel, pedals (with clutch) and a H-pattern shifter, paddle shifters behind the wheel, it's not the cheapest out there price wise but for the money, it's hard to beat.

Another cheaper alternative would be a Logitech DFGT (Driving Force GT), it only has 2 pedals (which are crap), the wheel is a little smaller than the G27 but the wheel is good, it has a small sequential shifter built onto the wheel housing to the right of the wheel.

Also, there are other good sims out there, so if you don't care much for iRacing, there are other fun alternatives.

Good luck in whatever you decide and most importantly, have fun!

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[Bruce Raeburn 2]

Well said Jack, I agree.

 

Bruce

[snowman529 5]

Jack is dead on.  You can see if iRacing is for you pretty cheap.  If the bug bites you though, you are going to want more.

 

The Logitech g27 is probably the best bang for the buck.  You can customize it too if you are handy at all.  Definitely don't worry about the rig.  I race at an old desk with an old desk chair and no one is having more fun.  Good luck!

[Darin Gangi 1,074]

The computer is your biggest expense. You'll need a wheel and pedal set to get going and can attach it to a desk for now to get a feel for it. If you like it, then you can expand from there. I recommend doing what the guys above said and start with the 3 months for the price of one deal. What JARVIS said is beyond the starting up. You don't need $200 to check it out. The base content is all you need to get going and that's for the 3 months for the price of one deal. 

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

The computer is your biggest expense. You'll need a wheel and pedal set to get going and can attach it to a desk for now to get a feel for it. If you like it, then you can expand from there. I recommend doing what the guys above said and start with the 3 months for the price of one deal. What JARVIS said is beyond the starting up. You don't need $200 to check it out. The base content is all you need to get going and that's for the 3 months for the price of one deal. 

 

If you wanna get serious with some of the higher up series, that's what you may end up using. Though you can easily survive both Rookie and D class series without going over 50 even. Me in my GT3 Challenge series, I'm spending well over a 150 on just tracks...

 

 

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

[Ricky Davies 326]

Also take your time as a rookie, just pace yourself and have fun then you won't be flying through licenses buying all the content you can, i mainly race open wheelers so i'm focusing on only buying formula content at the moment i'm running the skippy and have done for awhile it never gets bored. So find what path you want to take and go for that conent but as i said take your time and have fun

 

CHEERS!

[SteveS 1,391]

IRacing does not need to be expensive you can have lots of fun with the standard tracks and cars, for well over 3 months. Agree 100% take your time in rockie road series, learn the craft of racing. Skip barber car is another great car to purchase and learn. Personally I love the RUF GT3 series.

Be aware that you cannot easily repeat the special 50% off deal once you have signed up once so take care which deal you first purchase. The deals which come with extra car and track and 50% off! "Days of thunder" is an example.

About twice a year tiRacing has a 50% special for all members which is when I buy a one or two year subscription.

It's personal emotion to buy lots of tracks and cars that can make iRacing expensive. Just like real life cars, no one really needs a fast sports car but we "want" a nice car!

Jacks post was spot on!

Assetto corsa is another great way to get into sim racing, lots of cars and tracks with excellent physics.

[curveto 74]

I'll offer up my feedback as a "previously unconvinced" (of sims, in general), long time SCCA wonk and recent iRacing n00b.

 

I've spent a bunch of coin in my first month iRacing but don't feel the least bit robbed (nor concerned).

If I could turn back the clock a few weeks I probably would have bought only 1 car (for play, if you will) and focused on the cars and tracks that are "included".

 

...and that car is the Riley DP.

 

I know I can't race with it (doing so requires credentials I don't have) but I *can* test (alone) and have run a few "Open Practices" (with the 911 GT2 Conti) and had a blast.

 

...and it's a super nice, easy car to play with (well mannered, easy to grok).

 

I've been using Club Sport Wheel (BMW) and Club Sport v2 Pedals thus far (and a big but poorly aligned Nvidia surround kit driven by a single GTX 760 "For The Win" (4GB) GPU). Thumbs up on the wheel and pedals.

 

Do It!!!! You'll love it!!!

 

If you haven't done so yet, go DEVOUR Ganges youtube videos. I found them (and some vids by Sim Racing Review) to be VERY helpful.

[HectorSRRookie 0]

First & foremost I'm greener than green when it comes to PC sim games & rigs(great on Xbox On). I'm starting my hobby with the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Ferrari 458 Italia Edition & the Simul8r MK II PVC Rig (Thank u Simul8r) don't have a sim racing seat yet, I'm improvising for now  with a gaming chair I have (X Rocker). Besides the seat I'm thinking of getting the butt kicker 2,TM T3PA pedals & TM  TH8RS shifter in the future in that order. Now,I asked this question on YouTube on the PVC rig to the guys at Inside Sim Racing, " Will I be able to install the butt kicker 2  without bothering my elderly downstairs neighbor lol." . Now as expected they said it will be very difficult. I respectfully accepted their reply but then had an idea on putting the PVC rig in a sort of hammock style jig or putting rubber pugs under the rig. Any opinions on this idea or any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. My elderly neighbor is very nice to my family & me so out of respect I wouldn't want her losing her mind or sleep cause of me lol. If no going around it guess gotta wait till I move lol. THANK YOU GUYS Let your roads be smooth & gas tanks filled!!!!!!! :grin: