iRacing recently introduced V8 Supercar racing, and Phillip Island Raceway. And now I've just found out that working closely with AT&T Williams, they're bringing the FW31 to the game - using the same amalgamation of laser scanning, CAD and real-world data that all of their in-game cars are crafted with.
Edit: woo, Spa Franchorps is also being brought to the game - looking forward to racing the FW31 on it.
Quote: "Because iRacing's physics programme is so accurate, he already knows the car well - the way it steers, the way it grips, even the way it sounds and every tiny intricacy of its set-up, from wing angles to suspension bump and rebound rates - and he's lapped this track thousands of times online."
"The telemetry confirms it. His braking points are spot on. He's firm and precise on the throttle. And in the fastest corner, he's entering at 100mph compared to an experienced drivers 110 - a sign of absolute confidence and natural feel for grip. Remember, this is a guy who has never sat in a race car in his life - he's only referencing thousands of virtual laps."
"Then on lap four, he pops in a 1:13.8, just three seconds off a solid time around here."
"It's a weirdly familiar experience, he says, like deja vu... with added sweat."
Some more coolness to post... Pretty much the only two things I can complain about in iRacing is a) the car you begin with is too much of a boat to be truly pleased to be driving and b) the graphics are starting to look a tad dated.
So here's a look at the Rookie replacement car (Mazda MX-5 Roadster coming in, Pontiac Solstice going out), and progress of their new lighting model:
I'll never touch LFS again... and to be honest I'm feeling a little underwhelmed about the remaining 18 weeks of our F1 2010 league - iRacing makes it feel like a toy.
Laguna Seca: 2:40. It's a good lap if you've managed to crash and lose a couple limbs. (Apparently if you crash hard enough you can't turn the wheel one to one side)
Some slow-mo Mustang footage: [Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct2q2aLX510]
- Added in a ticker bar when spectating with the UI hidden (you can hide the UI with the space bar). You can enable the tickers in the app.ini [Overlay] EnableTicker=1
Quote: Race SimCentre is offering free rides in iRacing?s sensational new Williams-Toyota FW31 on the weekend of October 30-31. Race Sim Centre?s Rex Hall invites anyone and everyone to stop by the facility at 127 Westall Road between Midday and Midnight next Saturday and Sunday for a free test drive of iRacing?s newest and most exciting car.
The Race SimCentre features four Gamers Cockpits equipped with Logitech G27 steering wheels, CST pedals and 46? Samsung HD monitors
Williams FW31 and Mazda MX-5 are now available and driveable in shared practice sessions until the new season starts officially next week.
For thsoe that want to race the FW31 F1 car, but are far off the A-class license requirement, don't fret; there is a "fun" series that can be driven in by anyone. The tracks include Zandvoort, Laguna Seca, Lime Rock and Silverstone.
The graphics engine has also been updated with an improved illumination model and volumetric shadows. For a big list of all the little changes, view this thread: Log in | iRacing.com? Motorsport Simulations
Quote: ?We?ve developed a special half-price package that includes a three-month subscription, with all of our basic content and grand prix racing series open to everyone, plus the Williams-Toyota FW31 and two of the world?s legendary grand prix circuits ? Silverstone and Zandvoort ? for US$35.00.?TT_TT
You won't pay $35 a month, just the first payment. That'll give you the FW31 and two F1 tracks. When your 3 months access is up, you'll only pay "2 a month thereafter - but you'll always own your cars and tracks. Even if you don't renew and come back a year later.
I've already dropped around $200 on iRacing cars and tracks (everything except oval-racing crap). And it's worth every cent.
Anyway starting to get a hang of the SRF. A good setup is like night and day - trying this one atm: RaceSetups.com - Upload, Download, and Share Sim Racing Setups for iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations
Quote: On a normal Thursday, Greger Huttu sits in the blue glow of a computer screen, in his bedroom in the teeny town of Vaasa on the west coast of Finland. In the afternoons, he joins his fisherman father to land a catch of perch netted from Arctic waters. But not today. Instead, he's wedged into the cockpit of a single-seater race car, in the boiling heat of Road Atlanta raceway, Georgia. He's never driven anything like this before - his regular drive is an old Ford Sierra - yet an empty track awaits him, a full race team is at his service and he has full permission to drive as fast as he pleases. Slippery fish suddenly seem a million miles away.
Words: Dan Read Photography: Daniel Byrne
This article was originally published in the November issue of Top Gear magazine
iRacing member and 2010 Drivers World Champion, Gregger Huttu, test drives a Skip Barber F2000 and a Star Mazda. Leading up to the test day at Road Atlanta, Gregger had never left his home in Finland or ever driven a racecar. Watch Gregger's amazing story, captured in two parts right here on Youtube. Visit iRacing.com and join the fastest growing live, online, internet racing game. Maybe you will be next year's world fastest alien.
The HPD ARX-01C LMP2 car is coming to iRacing. A debut winner in the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, the HPD-ARX01C LMP2 is based on the cars that have scored more than two dozen class and overall victories in American Le Mans Series competition since 2007. Fitted for the first time last year with HPD?s new 3.4 liter V8 engine, the nimble but powerful HPD ARX-01C LMP2 took Strakka Racing to the LMP2 class win at Le Mans (and fifth overall) as well as first place in the Michelin Green X Challenge.
The iRacing HPD ARX-01C LMP2 is expected to be available this summer.
Yeah I gotta admit I'm liking the new skippy :) That video looks incredible too, the graphics look rather lifelike :) Had to do a double take on the opening misaka shot lol
Got back into iRacing last night and I'm within 5 seconds of the pace setters (who looked to be top guys just praccing) in the MX-5 on the LimeRock track. Is this good enough to start racing with to improve my license or should I practice more?
btw rec, I bought the Barber car last night just to watch your race.... what a bore that was!
Perhaps boring to watch, but the Barbers are one of the most fun series to race in I think.
5 seconds behind the quickest guys obviously isn't fast enough to be competitive, especially not on a course as short as Limerock. You could jump in, but you'd just be a back-marker going for a clean race to boost your safety rating - which isn't really a bad thing at all if you're happy to finish in the last few spots.
I'd say if you really want to "race", you'd want to be within 3 seconds of the leaders and could compete for spots in the back half or back third of the pack. Jump on Mumble for a session and I'll have a look at your lap and where to make up the time.
Tires changed on numerous cars, but not the MX-5 yet.
There are many other large changes since you last jumped on though, such as how the cars interact with the track surface in very fundamental ways.
Most cars are slower because of the changes. Check the world record stats page and filter to see this season of this year to get a better idea of what times you're aiming for.
Okay this game is racist. It goes, "hey look that dude is asian, he must want to drive sideways!".
Anyway just started on my D license, grabbed the v8 and the skip. V8 is awesome, can't wait to get my license to race in that one. The skip is a pure racing machine.
Quote: Save 25% and get a $25 bonus! Add 1-year to your membership for only $75 and you save 25%, plus we’ll give you $25 bonus credits to spend on anything you want. Hurry, as this offer is only good until October 7th.
Don’t worry if your membership is not yet due for renewal, if you take advantage of this offer the additional year will be added to your current membership so you won’t miss anything.
Use promo code: PR-1FOR75-0911 when renewing to qualify for the savings and bonus credits.
Bonus credits will be emailed on October 14th. Limit one renewal bonus per member. Offer expires 10/7/2011.
1. Click the Renew Subscription button. 2. Choose 1-year from the Subscription Choices drop down. 3. Then choose payment method and fill out/review the billing and shipping information. 4. Accept the Terms and Agreements and then click the Next button. 5. Copy and Paste, or type the promotion code you were given and then click Apply and Confirm. 6. Review the Description and Price (will have been adjusted to the promotional price) and then click Next and follow along with the rest of the online instructions.
Its a good deal (I was emailed it too) but I just wont get the time or value for money from a years subscription.
I'm determined to complete the Career mode in F1 2011 over the next few weeks.... then stick with that for easy to enjoy multiplayer racing without worrying about hitting people (unintentionally).
For anyone who hasn't raced in a while, a new season and new patch has just gone live. The adjustments to the new tyre model are fantastic - everything drives better.