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I know many of you don't give a flip, but there are a few AK who have inquired about it and at least one other AK is now actually a member and in my region and club on iRacing.
This is pretty much what I spend 99% of my free 'play' time on.
Sounds awesome. If I had the 300 bucks for the wheel and pedals I would be all over it. What can you tell me about it? Do you get to practice by yourself? I would hate to get out there and make a fool of myself.
It's a very complex and flexible system. You cannot run it "offline". It's completely web based in terms of the interface and it then launches the simulation software locally - but you must be connected and authenticated through the website in order to run it. There are several types of sessions including 'testing', which is you on the track alone. Then there are open practices that anyone can join, Qualifying sessions, Time Trial Sessions, and then races.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tider
iRacing is NOT cheap. I pay $156 a year for my membership, and the subscription gets you basic items such as 2 vehicles (rookie cars) and a few tracks. Then you purchase what you like. You have to pay for each vehicle and track separated or in a bundle (you get discounts, iPoints, etc for various items such as winning divisions, championships, buying multiple items, etc). Most vehicles run $15 and each track is generally $20 - $30 depending on how many configurations it has. For example, with Daytona you get the oval and the road coarse, Virginia International has 3 or 4 different configurations of the circuit, etc. When you purchase something, it's yours to use as long as you are a member. If you unsubscribe and come back, all your ratings, stats, and items will still be there for you waiting.
Anyone who thinks because they run Gran Turismo on a console and thinks they can jump on here and race will be highly disappointed. There are some basic and advanced setups to run with... but you really need to understand some basics of car dynamics and setups. The various setup variables for each vehicle are dependent on the vehicle and whether they can be changed in the 'real life' series as well. Rookie cars don't have any changes allowed. You jump in and drive. The advanced version of the rookie cars introduces you to basic setup parameters. Then as you progress up the License level from Rookie to D to C to B to A each vehicle in that class is more difficult to drive and learn. For example, the NASCAR COT is a beast to learn to drive. The thing handles erratically and the brakes are like trying to keep the titanic from running into an iceburg. You need to understand Caster, Camber, Toe-In, Toe-Out, Sway Bars, Sway Bar Gaps, Spring Rates, Shock rates, Rebound, Stops, Tire pressures, Preload, Shock Collars, Track Bars, Ride Height, Cross Weight, Brake Bias, Gearing, Final Gear Ratios, etc. Then of course there are aerodynamics for the vehicles with adjustable wings and spoilers.
There are alot of people who share setups, and a lot of external sites to get them from. There are many drivers who don't know, and don't want to know, all the items above - but it certainly helps to fine tune a setup when you can't get it just right.
The sim is "pretty", but the most impressive thing is that the Tracks are spot on down to millimeters including bumps and cracks, etc. They also laser scan the vehicles and the physics modeling is second to none. They are constantly updating and improving, gradually adding more complexity to items such as the tire modeling. We hope at some point they will be able to model the rubber build up in grooves from the various driving lines and improve further the modeling of tire temperatures and the wearing out rate that goes with it.
You can get a wheel and pedal combo for as little as $150 that will 'get you started', but we have people running with everything from those wheels to people who have spent $25K - $40K on motion simulators and equipment. The Logitech G25 is probably the most popular wheel right now and it goes for about $225 - $250. It's probably the best Force Feedback wheel available without spending like $2,800 on a Frex from Japan. And the Force Feedback in iRacing is fantastic and really gives you great handling feedback, so I suggest a FF wheel. Fanatec is starting to make a move with this combo for about $300:
http://www.fanatec.de/webshop/new_us...mages/63_3.jpghttp://www.fanatec.de/webshop/new_us...mages/63_2.jpg
Non-Force Feedback wheels can go from a few hundred to about $1,600 for this nice setup from ECCI which has fluid dampening, etc:
http://www.ecci6000.com/6000/6006Proto_6.jpg
http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/hero/...6110815946.jpg
Many people buy the G25 and then add an after market pedal setup such as CST which has load cell technology and cost around $700.
http://www.cannonsimulationtechnolog...ets-cutout.jpg
Or.. check out the attachment for about $20K. ;)
That sounds awesome. My oldest son and I are big into Nascar. He loves to go fast and he's always under my feet watching me work on the car. I think we would both get a kick out of it. Give us a chance to learn to set cars up and what not. We probably wouldnt be any good. How's the community? In other words would we just get in the way?
There's room for everybody, which is why there are levels you have to work your way through. If you joined today, you wouldn't be able to drive any of the cars other than the Legends and the Pontiac Solstice because they are the rookie vehicles. Once you got your SR (Safety Rating) up to 4.00 you can drive the advanced version and when you get the D license you can get those vehicles for that license level.
You have two different licenses, one for oval and one for road course. Then you have an iRating, TTrating, and SR (Safety Rating). Your license level is based on SR and is what you want to concentrate on when you first join. SR uses a formula involving CPI (Corners per Incident) to determine your value. IE - drive as many laps without getting incident points as you can. You can get incidents by spinning, putting all 4 tires off the track, wrecking and rubbing the wall, running into other vehicles, etc. They put a high emphasis on car control and courtesy. There is also a protest system in place if you think someone was going against the FIRST Sporting Code, which is the licensing body's guidelines. If you think someone intentionally wrecked you, you can file a protest and the Steward will watch the replay and making a ruling. The other driver may just get a warning, or if it's very serious (like driving backwards on track, cursing and verbally abusing another driver in chat, by text, PM or forums, etc) they could be suspended or permanently banned. Of course, you can also get in trouble for repeatedly protesting for no valid reason.
Just like any community, you have the whiners, complainers, the ass kissers, the Fan Boys like myself, etc. ;) The forums are usually very helpful, but can get 'testy' from time to time. When you join, you are placed in a Club based on your address. That Club is in a region. Your state or group of states depending on the population of the state in iracing, will compete for the regional championship with the regional champions moving on for the world championship. I'm the Regional Liaison for my region (Mid-Atlantic) which consists of various states. I'm in the PA club - but there is also the Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, Atlantic (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, DE) and Virginias (Virginia/WV), etc. I represent my region at any meetings, chats, conferences etc that take place with iRacing/FIRST. There are racers from virtually everywhere around the world. Europe and Australia have good numbers participating but you have people from South Africa, Czech Republic, Slovenia, etc racing at various times 24/7.
All names used are "real"... they appear as they did on your Credit Card you use to sign up. If you had multiple people using 1 card, you can request a name be switched if you give enough validity to it, like your son - etc. This why there is no 'hiding' behind nicknames and such. Your real identity and name is known to everyone your racing with. It's always cool to be racing and before you know it your practicing/racing/chatting with Dale Jr, John Henry (Owner of the Red Sox - very nice guy, but won't talk about Manny <G>), Martin Truex, Brad Keselowski, TJ Majors (Juniors Spotter), Darren Stevens (NASCAR Modified Champion and has driven some truck and nationwide races), etc. Matt Kenseth's son races and I believe Denny Hamlin just signed up as well.