How to get into racing?

GodAtum

GodAtum

GodAtum

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27 Sep 2009
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I would like to start playing iracing and f1 2013 to see if I enjoy it. But atm I'm using my Saitek yoke and pedals for controls. Maybe Im just blaming my tools but Im rubbish with those lol.

I see 2nd hand G27s are around £200. Or the CSR Wheel XL bundle for 359 EUR. Id rather not spend money on a wheel if I might not enjoy racing (i have no idea if I will).
 
I bought the official xbox360 microsoft wheel and use a wireless adapter. £50 second hand for the wheel then £10-£20 for the wireless receiver. No shifter or clutch but its a pretty good wheel for the price.

I want a G27 soon but I need to buy a real car first lol.
 
I'd also recommend an x360 wheel to start you off.
Saying that, I'd also say to grab an xbox pad first and try it out with Assetto Corsa, Dirt 2 or maybe an F1 game or something.

Are you completely new to driving games?
 
I don't know what the xbox 360 wheel is like, but literally every serious simracer will tell you that the cheapest wheel that is actually worth getting would be the Logitech DFGT. Its about £100 new, but i have no idea of second hand prices because i didn't want to go second hand when i was shopping for a wheel a year or so ago (eventually I got the logitech G27 for ~£165 new because i've loved racing games for ages and knew i would like the wheel).

Also, if you arent even sure if you are going to like simracing, i would suggest avoiding iRacing and going for assetto corsa instead, mostly because of the ridiculous cost of iRacing if you want to keep playing it (someone on the forum recently said they paid ~$350 just for content and subscriptions over the past few years)

*edit*
found the post: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=25786222&postcount=4391
I didn't realise you could make some of the money back from participation in events and from referrals. however, that money is still a drop in the ocean compared to the vast expense of that game
 
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I've had both wheels and of course, the DFGT has higher rotation and beefier feedback etc. Definitely the best budget wheel on PC.
Saying that, I did prefer the MS wheel for F1 on console, maybe due to the native 270 degree lock and better paddles.
 
i only rarely play racing games but want to get into it more. This is for PC not consoles. I like the load cell pedals on the CSR, plus the lack of noise. And apparently belt drives are smoother.
 
Well if you'd rather not spend money on a wheel if you might not enjoy it, then grab an xbox pad and try a few games out to give you a better idea.

Assetto Corsa works very well with decently configured 360 pad.
 
GodAtum said:
Id rather not spend money on a wheel if I might not enjoy racing (i have no idea if I will).
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The only way forward is to try, and for that you HAVE to get a wheel:p I'd recommend a DFGT and GranTourismo5/6 - perfect entry into racing imho. DFGT is good enough for world record pace in all sims, its only not so great for drifting. PS3 +GT6 can be had for about a 100 notes. Assetto Corsa is also a great choice if you like good physics of suspension and tyres, but it's a beta and has no career mode at the moment.
 
DFGT is the cheapest wheel you should consider.

there's usually offers good offers around for iracing so don't pay full price.

download ispeed and use the lap analyser and compare your laptimes with faster people
http://www.nessoft.com/ispeed/lapanalyzer.html

keep in mind iracing is proper sim stuff and the game will punish you heavily for mistakes like putting 2 wheels on the grass.

you will only get promoted up the ranks if your safety rating is high enough.

safety rating means more than winning races at the start until you learn to stick to the track and not get involved in incidents with other drivers.

usually the lowest rank is so bad most people don't try to race and just start from the pitlane and worry about their safety rating.

all the idiots will be crashing at the first corner and even if it's not your fault you will still lose safety rating for it

as you move higher up you will get away from the idiots and can start to enjoy really clean racing no other game can offer you online
 
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Considering a used DFGT is around £30-50 more than a used MS wheel, it would make sense to get the better wheel to start with.
If you find you like it, you can always upgrade the pedals to CSR Elites or just sell the lot on for roughly what you paid and then invest in a better all round package.
 
GodAtum said:
ill might go for the g27 and bid under £200. is it noisy and sluggish compared to the CSR?
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G27 is pretty much silent, just as fast as CSR if not faster, but has different feel feedback - CSR is belt driven, g27 is cog drive. The cog notchiness is not felt at all at low strength, but at high strength FF belt driven wheels are nicer. I don't like "working out" using a steering wheel, so always drive at low strength.
 
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