Racing simulator setup advice

[Gaz6002]

Hi all,

I've just bought a real race car with wheels and stuff, and would like to invest in a sim setup so I can learn basic track layouts before I attend test days or race weekends.

Currently I own a PS3, which really doesn't get used a lot. I'm a bit 'light' on computer nouse really and have no intention of playing other games on it - the most use it has had since I got it in November is watching a few films. However, since I have it, I may as well use it.

I've got a further £600 to spend on this, and my friend/colleague and member on this very site Lashout_UK told me that you guys are the consummate experts on the subject. What would you advise?

Regards,

Gaz

 

[Gaz6002]

UK tracks usually, but I'll be venturing off into Europe too.

I've considered the PC option, but there are a few problems:

a) I'm a bit of an ITphobe and think it'll just spawn never-ending problems

b) I don't think I'll be able to get a setup as good as I could by using a PS3 game with a seat and wheel within my budget.

I'm happy to be proved wrong on both counts though.

 

[Gaz6002]

I have a completely different budget for testing and tuition, but there are 15 race weekends in a year and test time is limited as I work full-time, so I figure this could give me a little extra advantage.

 

[Gaz6002]

roflcopter you want to buy a race car for the ps3?

There aren't any simulators on console...

You need to look into rfactor, Live for Speed etc etc rfactor 2 is in production.

No, I said I have a PS3 and around £600 to spend, and I'm open to suggestions.

RFactor is the only game that offers the tracks you want/need. Well worth the effort as well as there are literally Hundreds of tracks available for free download including Croft, Thruxton, Brands & Donny. Game plays really well an all & there are Busa powered Caterhams.

Sounds good... actually, RFactor has the car I've bought as well. This could be a good option. Is it hard to set up? I have an old PC - what sort of spec do you need to run RFactor reliably? I suppose I'd need a new monitor as I only have a 17" one.

Sorry to say but £600 will not go very far in making or buying a cockpit.
You don't explain what you have/need.

As you should be aware this can be an expensive hobby both in real terms and from the simulation side as well.

I've spent nearly that on a proper FIA raceseat and mounts alone.
Depends how far you want to take things but my own cockpit build (okay its going to be flash) but after 3 years working on it is currently over 4k with about 2k+ spent on audio/tactile immersion.

I'm fully aware how expensive motorsport is, believe me.

I'm also aware that you can end up spending silly money (as with everything!) but I want something rudimentary that's going to do the job. I don't need a hydraulically-powered F1 rig - it wouldn't fit in my gaff

 

[Gaz6002]

Very clever but I asked you actually what you do need.
All I know is you have £600 and a PS3 which is a budget someone spends on a playseat type cockpit and decent wheel.

As mentioned PC sims are your best source for simulation/handling and tracks.
Videos on youtube are free to watch but would probably be as useful as a PS3 game is regards training purposes.


I fail to see the benefit you realistically will get from driving even PC sims, particulary on such a basic setup towards helping your real driving/racing in the car whatever it is at wherever track.

The guys that do go for home simulation as a tool and not entertainment tend to spend quite large sums of money on it to gain some level of realisim or indeed accuracy and improve their lines and general consistency. I would also suggest that putting money into "driving training" the real thing would be money better spent to improve your real racing.

I'm trying to figure out what I want/need - hence asking on here! TBH I wasn't expecting people to be so condescending to someone who obviously doesn't know a lot about it.

As I've already stated I have a separate budget for 'real' racing, and will be using that for tuition.

So with that in mind your suggestion is to not bother unless I spend significantly more?

 

[Gaz6002]

Likewise their are probably loads of videos on youtube for the tracks he refers to and could learn the tracks, braking points and even possible gears depending on the videos available.

I'm a practical learner - watching and doing produce very different results

 

[Gaz6002]

I've been looking at the Logitech G27... so is the T500 is a huge step up from that in terms of performance? I've read the review on a sister publication's website and the reviewer rates it very highly, but doesn't compare it to the G27...