Racing Sim Thread, Part II

[pk500]

Wish I had a rig that can run it. Instead, I'll live vicariously through you, The Donald.

[DChaps]

I am not even sure that my rig will be able to run it. I am close to the minimum specs. We will see later on tonight.

[DChaps]

New iRacing Build - 2012 Season 1 begins tonight!

The first new build of 2012 is now available.

Highlights include the installation of the new tire model on the Star Mazda, Radical SR8, Riley Mk XX and Williams-Toyota FW31 along with improvements to those cars already equipped with the NTM. These changes have made all the cars more predictable and have improved the tire feel. A total of 18 cars are now equipped with the NTM.

Drafting aerodynamics have also been enhanced which improves super speedway pack racing, and almost all cars now feature a model of brake temperature that will make the rotors glow if they get hot enough..........

New Tire Model

- There are improvements to the tire damping forces, both vertical and lateral. There are improvements to the carcass torsional stiffnesses, which affect the load sensitivity. Fixed a significant bug with lateral/vertical force coordinate transformation. These changes have made all the cars more predictable and have improved the tire feel.

- The NTM is now on the Star Mazda, the Radical SR8, the Riley Daytona Prototype, and the Williams FW31; in addition, improvements have been made to the 14 cars already using the NTM. 18 cars now have the new tire model:

Chevrolette Corvette C6R
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala Class B
Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Chevrolet Silverado
Ford GT
HPD ARX-01c
Legends Ford '34 Coupe and Rookie
Mazda MX-5 Cup and Roadster
Radical SR8
Riley Daytona Prototype
Skip Barber Formula 2000
Spec Racer Ford
Star Mazda
Street Stock
Williams-Toyota FW31

Damn, no Indycars. That is what I was most looking forward to was the NTM on the Indycars. Oh well, the old tire model does not seem terrible on the Indycars anyway........

[Rodster]

Can you play iRacing with a gamepad or does it still require a wheel setup?

[DChaps]

Can you play iRacing with a gamepad or does it still require a wheel setup?

Yes, you can use a gamepad.

http://www.iracing.com/membership/system-requirements/

One thing you will need is a controller, and there are several options which will accommodate just about any budget. Gamepads, joysticks and steering wheels are all compatible with iRacing.com, so you can spend as little or as much as you want on hardware in order to compete with more than 30,000 iRacers around the world.

In terms of having the best virtual racing experience however we do suggest a force feedback steering wheel over other types of controllers. Most wheels on the market today also come with a pedal set which is also needed. Some suggested, readily available forced feedback/pedal sets combo are listed below......

A quality gamepad can be purchased for as little as $19.99. Suggestions include:

-Xbox 360 controller for Windows
-Logitech Dual Action Gamepad
-Extreme 3D Pro

[pk500]

Playing iRacing with a gamepad is like playing Augusta National for the first time with junior clubs when you're 6 feet tall.

Yes, you can do it. But why would you?

Sorry if that sounds condescending, but it's a fact.

[WPatrick]

iRacing is emailing out offers to former members 3 months for $9.00. They made an offer I couldn't refuse. Now I have to drag my playseat and wheel back out of the attic.

[pk500]

Donington Park is coming next to iRacing. A BTCC car also may be added:

http://www.virtualr.net/iracing-com-don ... cc-as-well

I LOVE Donington and drool over the prospect of hauling ass through a laser-scanned version of the Craner Curves. Plus some door-banging BTCC action would be mega, even if they're not the fantastic Super Touring cars of the late 90s.

The best racing sim just keeps distancing itself from the rest of the field.

[Gurantsu]

I saw on their facebook page that they just hooked up a deal with RUF, so we'll finally see a version of the Porsche show up. That will be cool, I loved watching the Super Cup guys all those years at the Indy F1.

[Smurfy]

Hey Guys,

I haven't turned a virtual wheel in about a year and I let my iRacing subscription expire at Christmas.

I finally feel the itch again. I might even install GTR2 just to get some experience in.

What's the popular PC game that the old NASCAR 2003, rFactor, and iRacing crowd are playing now for poker nights? I'd like to join in again if I have the sufficient PC power.

Regards,
Ferhad.

[pk500]

F1 2011 for the 360, every Friday night, Smurf.

Seriously, that's the racing game du jour at DSP. iRacing is the only PC racing game with any traction among the group here, but we haven't had an iRacing Poker Night since last fall.

Good to hear from you again!

[Smurfy]

Thanks Paul.

So I guess PC and 360 versions of F1 2011 don't co-operate in any sort of multi-player mode?

[pk500]

Thanks Paul.

So I guess PC and 360 versions of F1 2011 don't co-operate in any sort of multi-player mode?

I don't think so.

[DChaps]

Thanks Paul.

So I guess PC and 360 versions of F1 2011 don't co-operate in any sort of multi-player mode?

From the Codemasters Twitter Account:

As for your question we're sorry, but F1 2011 doesn't support cross-platform play.

While F1 2011 is a Games for Windows LIVE title, it does not support PC to Xbox 360 play like some games do (Shadowrun I think was one).

[DChaps]

Twin Ring Motegi now available for pre-order for iRacing

Twin Ring Motegi will be in the Season 2 2012 schedule that starts in a couple weeks for a few series. Likewise, the new Cadillac will be free to all iRacing members and will be available in the next build as well.

Twin Ring Motegi, one of the world’s most modern motorsports facilities, is available now for Pre-Sale. Built in 1997 to showcase Honda’s IndyCar program, Twin Ring Motegi boasts an egg-shaped, 1.5 mile oval along with separate road course facilities featuring three different configurations ranging from .86 to 2.98 miles in length.


iRacing’s rendition of ‘Twin Ring’ is the first new track to feature our new advanced shaders on the track surface – making it even more detailed and lifelike. All three road course configurations feature night lighting as well, making this the 8th iRacing track which you can run day or night.


Twin Ring Motegi is set to join Okayama and Suzuka on iRacing’s catalogue of Japanese race tracks in a couple of weeks. Be one of the first iRacers to experience its many challenges by pre-ordering Twin Ring Motegi now.

[Gurantsu]

I didn't know the Cadillac was going to be a free car. Very cool!

[Gurantsu]

Just spent a few quick laps in the Cadillac at Watkins Glen. I'm just using the baseline setup, but so far I like it. The rear end can get loose real quick, so you need to pay attention and that may be fixed with some setup tweaks, but overall its a real fun car. It feels a lot like the GT or Corvette, with a squirlly back end that you really need to pay attention too; not easy but really satisfying when you slide through a turn and still carry a lot of speed onto the straight. I like the sound a lot too; it's no Corvette, but then again what is?

Can't believe they give it away for free. iRacing really is a great bargain, and they take care of their user base.

[pk500]

rFactor 2 Beta immersion video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 9lqpqpeDI8

Impressive.

[Gurantsu]

Wow, the night racing looks awesome, and I can't wait to try the old F1 cars! When is it due out anyway?

On another note, just had a great race in iRacing, 120 laps in the Chevy trucks at Richmond. I was planning on running a late model race, but had my times wrong, so snagged a quick setup from the forums and jumped right into the Richmond race. Started 11th (only 2 of the 15 drivers actually posted a qualifying time) out of 15. Had a super clean race, no incidents even though I had a wreck in front of me that I had to come to a complete stop for. Made one pit stop, and ended up with a 4th place finish, even led a few laps after a caution until the eventual podium finishers well and truly put me in my place. The last 10 laps or so were awesome, as a gentleman from England and I were wrestling trucks with tires burning up quickly. He finally just couldn't hold his low enough, so I got underneath him for the pass. On the next turn I see him coming up fast on the inside. Figuring his tires were shot, I let him get in front of me, and he went way high like I hoped, and I gunned it coming out of the turn to keep him behind me for good. I felt like Dale Earnhardt!

The trucks really are a hoot to drive, and most of the racing I've done in them has been pretty clean. I'm glad I took the bait when you guys recommended them. Now if I could only get return the Williams F1 and the VW, I never use those guys!

Oh, I also heard from the leader of my race team (even though I haven't run with them in a while) that the NGTC Honda Civic from the British Touring Car Championship and the Honda HSV-010 GT from the Japanese Super GT series are coming to iRacing. The BTCC is crazy enough in real life, I wonder how it will be in the sim?!?

Also, I'm planning on running the iRacing Indy 500 this year, provided no surprises crop up for us, we've had too many of those lately. Any of you guys planning on it?

[pk500]

No Indy 500 for me. I'll be at IMS, working the race. Good luck, Grant!

[Gurantsu]

Getting a little final practice in before the race...

[pk500]

Nice setup! Panther Racing of the IZOD IndyCar Series is officially sponsoring a team in the race today. Very cool.

[Gurantsu]

Aaaaaannnnd, out after ten laps. Booted from the rear while I was slowing down for a wreck in front of me. Should have expected it, since in my race there was a wreck in turn 2 on the pace lap.

[pk500]

Bummer, Grant!

[Gurantsu]

Yeah, I was trying to play it safe, but just got rear ended (without even the courtesy of a reach around!). I was hopeful, because everyone in my race had actually gotten a qualifying time. But I know I screwed mine up (40.5) so I got put into a lower split, where everyone thinks they can win it in turn one. Sad but I should have tried another qualifying session.

Having said that, I then switched over to acting as a spotter for the leader of our race team using Teamspeak, and to be honest had an absolute blast. Watched an exciting clean race, calculated some fuel loads for him, kept him informed of lap times for competitors, and had a ton of fun regardless. Sad thing is he hit the outside wall of the short shoot between 3 and 4 with only five to go, and that was his race. Still, a ton of fun, and I can't wait to relax and watch the actual race tomorrow.

That's what I love about racing, every one tells a story. Even when my story ends way too soon!