You’ve just arrived. You’ve watched some very interesting and exciting videos on YouTube and you want to know what’s next. You’ve been answered with the basics, the name of the game and the platform, but everything else is completely unknown. What to do, what to buy, how much is it going to cost me? All these questions and more are what we are going to try to answer in this post and make it the natural gateway.
I watched a video on Twitch, Youtube, etc. and I want to play it.
Many of the best SimRacers started the same way. If you have not been able to find out the name you should know that normally it will have been iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Raceroom, rFactor2 or GT Sport as usually these titles are the ones that dominate the streaming with more public. We have categories with each of them, in which you can see tracks and deduce which was exactly the one you have seen, depending on it and your current platform you may be able to play it or not.
I only have a controller, what do I do?
We are talking about simulating a real activity that is done with a steering wheel and pedals. A steering wheel and pedals are much more accurate than a controller. The best thing to do, for your safety and for the safety of those who play with you, is to buy a steering wheel and pedals. They come in a wide range of price and qualities. For a first steering wheel we always stay between two brands: Logitech and Thrustmaster between 150 and 250 euros.
If you are lucky and verify that it is in good condition, it is possible to buy second hand hardware. Check that it has not been used too much or that it has no defects and is under warranty.
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Before you spend the money or face a similar investment you can opt if you have it in your area by visiting one of the numerous simulation centers that exist for some time and that usually have equipment and facilities of first level to enjoy simRacing.
I have a console, but I plan to buy a PC
If you have PS4 you have interesting titles like GT Sport, Assetto Corsa Competizione or Project Cars 2. With them you will start gently in the world of simRacing without needing large investments or expensive hardware, although that if, with different degree of immersion with respect to what is played on PC. Perhaps the most balanced and the maximum degree of fun could come from the hand of GT Sport together with Fanatec DD for PS4, to say something, although we must be aware of its price.
The good thing about these simulators or games is that you pay once, buy the hardware and enjoy. You don’t have to set up the PC, subscribe or do anything you haven’t done before. The community is huge and its accessibility and Sony’s promotion helps it to be well known.
I want to race against drivers, even if I have to buy a PC
A PC will not only allow you to race against real drivers if you are up to the level, but it will also allow you much more freedom of choice between other simulators and test high-end hardware that will lead you to enjoy simRacing like never before. The budget is the limit.
The expense that a PC means at hardware level is nothing compared to having to manage it and make it ready to run and be able to use it decently for simRacing. You need a considerable investment plus some computer skills to not end up frustrated. The nice thing about PC is that you can extend it with immersive hardware like bodyshakers, virtual reality HMD’s, OSW, pro pedals, shifters, etc.
On PC we have iRacing, which is a subscription service with closed content. There is also Assetto Corsa that with a one-time payment allows access to expandable content through mods. Assetto Corsa Competizione is a new release oriented only to GT3 with closed content although it still maintains a single payment model. Raceroom is paid for content but not for subscription to the service and is also closed content without mods. And finally rFactor2 which allows mods and also has paid content.
Each of these has strengths and weaknesses that each user tends to exaggerate or diminish. Here we have always been very iRacing for the theme of variety, verisimilitude and its competitive environment, but naturally we have tried them all and we understand that depending on the needs of each user there are different preferences.
I purchased AC, ACC, RR, rF2 or PC2 on Steam
All of them have major communities that you will need to locate to start competing. With most of them in their base content you’ll find a limited multiplayer mode with people who aren’t too serious and don’t mind finishing the race at the first turn. To enjoy serious competition you will need to access third party services like SimRacing System, The Sim Grid, simracing.GP or championships like British GT, Ferrari Esports Academy, etc.
If you have a bit of interest and a good command of English you may find a comfortable community with a more or less varied schedule for racing or training.
People talk about iRacing and I love it
I’ve said before that we are very iRacing here for a number of reasons. The ability to race at any time of the day against people from all over the world in generally good clean conditions is something hard to beat. It may not be the best simulator, it may not have the best FFB or a thousand other bugs, but for enjoyment when something goes right, it’s definitely the best, in our humble and honest opinion.
Although it is available through Steam I do not recommend buying it there (at least you have very affordable prices there), as it is not possible to take advantage of the offers available, and in a simulator as expensive as this you have to keep in mind the pocket.
On this website we frequently post codes and instructions on how to sign up for little money. This usually includes 3 months subscription to the service which is usually enough time to have a first contact and understand how some things work.
It seems complex from what you say…
More than complex is varied. Extremely varied and that the first time we enter makes us overflow the information and that leads to confusion. iRacing has a system of seasons that last 3 months (13 weeks) around which revolves its entire ecosystem. The updates are made based on the seasons, the circuits are selected based on the seasons, the points are distributed every week, etc…
There are 4 disciplines in which it is possible to compete: Oval, Road, Dirt Oval and RallyCross. The most popular are Road, our typical championships like F1, and Oval, what we generally know as NASCAR.
In these disciplines there are a multitude of classes and subclasses in which to compete, with different vehicles, races of different lengths and characteristics and all with their own unique calendar and schedule. As you can see there is a lot of work behind it.
All of this works like clockwork, with its statistics, penalties, records, etc. Everything is recorded and can be analyzed later. Each race we do will make us lose or gain talent and safety points, and according to those numbers we will be allowed to drive more advanced classes and with people of higher level or not.
It attracts me and scares me at the same time
Not fear, but respect. We all start from the bottom, so you have to be aware of it the first few times. Limit yourself to run with the base content of the Rookie series, a Mazda MX-5 on circuits in the USA or Japan being especially clean and respecting others who are also starting. Learn from your mistakes and progress step by step to be able to settle down and discover what our level really is.
You don’t have to take it seriously, but keep in mind that there are people who can’t put in the time that you can. Respect and be friendly and don’t forget that you can report anyone who acts against the code of conduct and race code, just as you can be reported and sanctioned too.
Where are the real drivers?
You just started and you are in the learning levels. You need to progress and get to at least 3000 iR or talent points to start crossing paths with them in some official series. You can always attend special events with someone and see them in your same session, but given the level difference, I don’t advise it. Everything has its time and right now it is better that you dedicate yourself to learn and enjoy within your competitive environment.
I can’t improve my times
I’m sorry to tell you that this is not an easy way. We are talking about time, training and more time. The one who takes the least takes months and the one who takes the most never gets there in his life. You need to learn basic riding concepts and to develop your own learning methods. But don’t worry, because learning while you progress, win and compete is one of the best things you can do in a hobby as well as in life.
I’m here to win!
If you love racing, it is your hobby and that you can dedicate yourself to it with a certain commitment, congratulations first, because you are going to enjoy it a lot. You’ll also have some disappointments, as in everything, but that will be because you will have a continuous challenge, something that will cost you effort and that will make you smile when you get it. Keep working and don’t lose heart because this road has only just begun for you and you may have a lot of fun in the meantime.
See you on the track!
