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Dec. 29, 2008 3:47 p.m. fiat22turbo SuperDork

The potentiometer in the pedal assembly may be misaligned so that when you go WOT, you're going over center and the signal drops back down to zero. I would exchange it for a new one under warranty or look at adding a pedal stop to the assembly and adjust it for proper WOT and leave it at that.

You could do the same for the brake pedal only add a small mostly sealed off air or hydraulic pump to provide some "feeling" An R/C car shock with the piston holes mostly closed off should get a decent feeling of varying firmness without the weird constant tension springs provide.. You'd have to play with the valving and stroke to get things to work properly.

Ideally, if I were designing a throttle and brake pedal solution, I'd have them top hinged with a pressure transducer on the brake side to provide better feedback with perhaps a small pump to simulate ABS. I would think this could allow you to actually modulate the brakes like you would in a real car.
Dec. 29, 2008 4:18 p.m. Scott Lear Club Editor

Sounds like a faulty potentiometer? If it's new, I'd exchange it and say it's busted. Does it do the same thing in other programs or in the game controller configuration screen in windows?
Dec. 29, 2008 4:35 p.m. noisycricket Reader

ReverendDexter wrote:

This thing scares me... I've sank waaaaaay too many hours into the Gran Turismo series, and then Forza when my g/f insisted on an Xbox instead of a PS2 (luckily we picked up a Wii for the current generation of systems, so no race-sim to fuel the addiction).

I have never played Forza, but I just acquired a Playstation and have been playing the GT series of games.

They could not hold a candle to a PC game as far as realism is concerned. It's like comparing Coors to beer.
Dec. 29, 2008 5:55 p.m. DirtyBird222 HalfDork

I hope you are talking about Coors Original "The Banquet Beer." Coors light on the other hand is more like water.
Dec. 30, 2008 7:19 a.m. mrsoul55 New Reader

It must be the potentiometer. It does exactly the same thing in GT Legends and during the controller config in windows. I'll take it back and try a new one. Thanks everyone.
Dec. 30, 2008 11:26 p.m. DirtyBird222 HalfDork

I am extremely disappointed with iRacing. I paid $50 for a 3-month subscription just because that is the usually time period for when I get bored with games. For that price you get 3 ovals and 3 road courses along with 2 cars. New tracks besides the one you get with your subscription range from $15-25 a piece as do new cars. Freakin' ridiculous. It's like a god damn pyramid scheme, they must have contacted Amway and Vector Marketing (Cutco Knives) on how to market and sell this game and things associated with it.

Then there is the fact that the Solstice doesn't have ABS, the ass end kicks out way to easy...my 400hp Trans Am doesn't even kick out like it does in the game. The '34 Legend runs like it should on the ovals though. I recently purchased GTR Evolution as well and much more happy with that than iRacing. Fing A man, fing a.
Dec. 30, 2008 11:52 p.m. Tom Heath Production Editor

That's the difference between a real racing sim and a game. iRacing isn't the answer for instant racing gratification, but I find it wwwaaaayyy more rewarding to spend time with than anything else I've played.

The iRacing sim is hard, maybe even to the point of being discouraging, but when you've mastered it enough to be able to race in a pack, I think it's incredibly realistic. Stick with it long enough to get through the learning curve, and you'll be hooked!
Dec. 31, 2008 8:24 a.m. DirtyBird222 HalfDork

i did my first race last night and it was ok for the first few laps racing in a pack, then a huge wreck ensued and that was pretty much the end of my day as i went a lap or two down.
Dec. 31, 2008 8:42 a.m. Scott Lear Club Editor

There is a very steep learning curve, but the reward comes when you've got a track down and you've moved up the scale a bit so that you're racing with other competent individuals. It takes a week or two to get there (at least), but it's the only thing I've experienced that comes close to the feel of real wheel-to-wheel racing.

Gotta keep a sense of humor about things during the "Rookietastic" starting phase. Always remember, it takes two people to cause a multi-car accident (although sometimes one person can do 95 percent of the work).
Dec. 31, 2008 8:58 a.m. walterj HalfDork

DirtyBird222 wrote: I recently purchased GTR Evolution as well and much more happy with that than iRacing. Fing A man, fing a.

GTR2 and rFactor are both great too. rFactor has excellent online play compared to most racing sims although out of the box it takes a lot of work and additional downloads to get it set up properly... but I've got over 100 tracks and cars out the wazoo. Wanna race a 74 911 RSR at Mid-Ohio? No problem... wanna drive a BMW Sauber F1 car around VIR? No propblemo... additional cost is $0. Wanna race a full grid any day of the week for $7.95 a month... nasasimracing.com.
Dec. 31, 2008 9:55 a.m. MCarp22 New Reader

GTR Evolution is on sale with race '07 on steam for $27 this week:

http://store.steampowered.com/sub/956/
Dec. 31, 2008 3:57 p.m. jde Reader

MCarp22 wrote:

GTR Evolution is on sale with race '07 on steam for $27 this week:

http://store.steampowered.com/sub/956/

I bought a boxed copy at Micro Center recently for $19. I think it can be found in Best Buys as well. I don't believe the upgrade is offered in stores, just the GTR:E + RACE07 combo.
Dec. 31, 2008 5:40 p.m. DirtyBird222 HalfDork

I have GTR, Race, GTR2, GT Legends, Race 07, and now GTR Evolution. I still need to get rFactor.

One thing I did just figure out though, is when you put force feedback to full you can get a wayyyyy better feeel for the car in iRacing.
Jan. 5, 2009 9:41 p.m. jj New Reader

DirtyBird222 wrote:

One thing I did just figure out though, is when you put force feedback to full you can get a wayyyyy better feeel for the car in iRacing.

I'll have to try that. Haven't played with those settings much.

Finally saw a pro driver in one of my races. I crashed out early, so I just watched his in car to see if I could find a better line. It seems like the fast guys all brake REALLY late. I don't know how they do it because I just fly off the track when I try.
Jan. 6, 2009 9:09 a.m. Scott Lear Club Editor

The really good pedal setups are pressure based (like a real hydraulic system) instead of position-based (like a Logitech); I'm guessing the average pro guy on iRacing has pretty good pedals, but then again, I suspect it's easy to fall victim to the Spec-Miata-esque "must be that he has better hardware" mentality. I bet that, in a real race, every one of us would be astonished by how late the pro guys brake, too.

That said, I stuck some high-density foam under the brake pedal on my Logitech setup and it really helped make my braking more consistent; I probably picked up half a brake marker, on average, since it feels more like a real pedal now and it's not as easy to lock the brakes.

Not locking up also helps with tire longevity on things like the Radical.
Jan. 9, 2009 11:26 p.m. jj New Reader

Scott Lear wrote:

That said, I stuck some high-density foam under the brake pedal on my Logitech setup and it really helped make my braking more consistent; I probably picked up half a brake marker, on average, since it feels more like a real pedal now and it's not as easy to lock the brakes.

Not locking up also helps with tire longevity on things like the Radical.

Thanks for the foam idea. I do lock up fairly often, especially in trail braking. Maybe I'll find some medium density foam. I cant remember but I think the pedals have plastic arms and I dont know how durable it would be if there were additional force put on it.

One other thing I noticed, and I don't know if it's the fastest way, but it seems like some drivers take a straight shot to the apex on some corners rather than gradually turn in. Especially on turn one at lime rock.
July 15, 2009 3:09 a.m. rwdsport New Reader

I would strongly suggest checking out Live for Speed ( www.lfs.net ) I have recently pulled the trusty g25 out of the closet and it really fired me up for this again. Personally, I agree with some of the concerns that have been voiced on here. I have done my research, just re-read the GRM article on iRacing and here is my opinion:

I have a hard time swallowing a monthly fee on a game. Never did for WoW and Im still on the fence about iRacing. The fact that each track/car costs additional $ does not help the constant drain on the wallet (however small compared to a weekend of racing!) My solution? Try LFS! You get a free trial, and a one time fee (50$?) unlocks all additional car/tracks forever, with all future updates included. While it is not pro-racer endorsed, I believe it has its advantages...

Realism: I cannot comment on iRacing, but LFS has an extensively detailed and constantly tweaked system. It is really, really hard to set a fast lap. Chances are, much like iRacing, it will take you over a week just to keep up with midpackers and not spin out every other lap. Things like tyre wear, surface conditions, tyre deformation, clutch wear, engine wear, stalling...etc. All present. You cannot tune the engine, but you can adjust final drives, ratios, shocks, breaks... and so on. Im sure you can spend a day setting a car up for your driving style for a particular track. Im going to go ahead and assume that iRacing has taken the realism a step further, just by the technology they use. However, LFS is by no means "just settling"...

Cars: Im going to give this one to LFS. It has no real cars, but yet it does. We are talkin something that looks like a 944/FC Rx7. Both naturally aspirated and turbo variants. You have your light (ala civic/gti), basic front wheel drive econobox. You have locost cars, mid engine turbo kit cars, a la Porsche GT3 cars. All imitations but in the same spirit. And then you have stripped racing versions of half of these. Sequential and all. iRacing has race cars, great, but not something you can relate to if you were not raised on a go kart since 12.

Tracks: Real, GPS cloud mapping... iRacing hands down. Its a bummer you have to pay for each track though. LFS has no real tracks, but it does have great ones. Multiple configurations, dirt tracks and even allows you to build your own autocross courses! Big bonus!

Community: iRacing is a baby. But more serious and caters only to serious enthusiasts. I really like the penalty and name system. Takes out the ankle biters with moms credit card (mostly!). On the other hand, LFS is more established and has been around for longer. Many great teams, tracks. You can find the right people, its just not enforced as much. And when you want to cut loose, its not a problem, there is drifting and all!

Conclusion: iRacing is a serious gig. Its a full driver training tool. Considering the investments and technology involved, I understand the pricing. However, LFS is a great compromise. If I want to practice "real" tracks, I have Forza 2, not the same, but for a smaller budget it works. Dont forget, LFS has a total of 3 guys working on it. That is all. Very grassroots, simple and has come a long way.

The Verdict~

If iRacing is Motec, then Live for Speed is Megasquirt. Cheaper, not as serious, just as fun, and 80% of the function.

How many miatas run motec ?
July 15, 2009 5:30 a.m. ddavidv UltraDork

Iracing got me back with a 3 month-for-$25 deal. They now have the Spec Racer Ford for free, which is wildly better than the turd Solstice I was saddled with previously. I like it much better now. They are also offering me a free track if I buy a 1 year subscription.

My question is (and Iracing's site sucks for such information), if I buy, say, VIR how does it get into the rotation of tracks I race on? I'm in another week of Laguna Seca, a track I hate because I find it frustrating to drive on. I'd be much happier if I could choose which tracks to race on but apparently you can't do that. So if I buy a track, how often will I get to race it?

Humorus aside: I've actually won a circle track race and placed high in several others. Not because I qualify well or can drive great, but simply due to the fact I'm not crashing into everyone else's spinning, wrecking Legends. I find this funny.
July 15, 2009 7:01 a.m. RedS13Coupe Reader

rwdsport wrote:

While it is not pro-racer endorsed, I believe it has its advantages...

Maybe not pro racer endorsed... but pro race team endorsed... How do you think they got the BMW? The traded testing time, technical data and name rights for use of their simulator engine for a touring BMW sim racing booth.

I have to agree on their view of tracks as well. How many of you have driven the same track in real life, and in iracing? Was it really THE SAME? Sure the layout was the same, distance from corner to corner, and possibly even camber changes... But what about bumps and groves? What about changing grip levels across the track? Slick spots, ect... Sure they may have included major/historic surfaces, but for the most part its just the same size and shape, but not really THE SAME. Why pay for the labor to map, and the rights to the track when its not going to really re-create all aspects? Especially if you are never racing it in real life.I would rather the energy put into trying to duplicate spent on just making the best fictional track possible instead.

As far as cars, they do at least have the MRT, both open wheel BMW's, the race about, and they have the rights to the Scirocco that will be added when its done. Those are all real cars.

LX4 and LX6 may as well be real cars too, considering there is little guessing what they may be modeled after. Just not officially named.

LFS is definitely one of the better options IMO especially once you start considering price.
July 15, 2009 7:19 p.m. InigoMontoya Reader

In my latest magazine from SCCA I saw they have a promotion to do iRacing for half price. Thought that would be hand if you are an SCCA member

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