Spec me a racing game - very specific requirements!

bainbridge · 11 Jan 2019 at 20:46

Hi all

I used to love racing games but things have changed.. I've aged

All I tend to do now is sit there tweaking the car to get a higher max speed, take her out for a test lap then repeat! I don't race anymore, it's all just looking at gear ratios and aerodynamics (which I find very interesting but an by no means an expert).

What I'm after is a racing game with this level of depth, good graphics but most importantly a simple long test track. Gone are the days when I'd learn all the corners of a track and how to shave off a few thou here and there, I just want a big oval with long straights to test max speed.

Please can one be recommended?

Thanks

agnes · 11 Jan 2019 at 20:52

Hmmmm, maybe Forza? It has drag racing and fairly decent car setup options and upgrades? Looks amazing too! Also cross platform if you have a xbox and fancy continuing your tweaking on the TV instead of at the desk.

FlyingScotsman · 11 Jan 2019 at 20:55

Pcars 2 has a fair bit of tuning in it as well.

bainbridge · 11 Jan 2019 at 21:15

I like these suggestions, is there a high speed oval?

I have Assetta Corsa which has lots of option but no oval I can find.

Ninco! · 11 Jan 2019 at 21:24

Testing on Ovals will limit the choice somewhat - as far as I know, iRacing? rFactor 2 has Indianapolis Brick Yard.

My recommendation is Automobilista.

If you fancy taking a punt at driving around some of the original F1 classic circuits, or small club circuits in Brazil - No ovals sadly. You can (if you purchase a couple of packs) tune a Fiat Uno all the way to current F1's. The default game has ton of content. There is one track Brazillia? (a simple 6 turn track) I love to drive around when testing and racing.

Driving feel and force feedback is up there with the triple A games - Where it falls over is the graphics department and lesser known racing series (e.g. Brazilian Motor Sports and Circuits). If you are after eye candy I will defer.

Personally if the game (sim) is damn good - I don't care for graphics.

Uncle Petey · 11 Jan 2019 at 21:26

https://assettocorsa.club/en/tracks.html
Click the oval tag on the left.

Forza's probably your best bet if it still does all the body/engine/drivetrain swapping and tweaking etc.
Haven't played since FM4, so I dunno.

DJ85 · 11 Jan 2019 at 21:38

Pcars 2 might be a good shout for you not sure if the ovals come with the standard edition as I bought the deluxe but there are a few tracks and for tuning there’s quiet a lot that can be changed! Having the season pass I get all the new stuff added as it comes out and I like to test drive everything on the ovals when I’m bored. Don’t go into the tuning side to much. Maybe Pcars 1 might be a cheaper alternative.
Can’t really change body kits add turbos, upgrade engines etc if that’s part of what your after maybe forza but not played that yet.

Devrij · 11 Jan 2019 at 22:47

Pcars 2 is going to float your boat. There's an overlay in game that shows you tyre and brake temps, suspension travel etc as you drive the track, so if you like tuning, you'll have fun spotting corners where your setup needs fixing and trying to balance it for good times on a varied track.

Like so

bainbridge · 11 Jan 2019 at 23:32

Uncle Petey said:
https://assettocorsa.club/en/tracks.html
Click the oval tag on the left.

Forza's probably your best bet if it still does all the body/engine/drivetrain swapping and tweaking etc.
Haven't played since FM4, so I dunno.

This is excellent, got the indie track on the go, trying to get the cars as close to their quoted top speeds as possible.

Thanks

bainbridge · 11 Jan 2019 at 23:34

Thanks Devrij and David Flett will pick this up.

TonyTurbo78 · 11 Jan 2019 at 23:36

Devrij said:
Pcars 2 is going to float your boat. There's an overlay in game that shows you tyre and brake temps, suspension travel etc as you drive the track, so if you like tuning, you'll have fun spotting corners where your setup needs fixing and trying to balance it for good times on a varied track.

Like so

That's a mighty interesting line approaching Brundle and Nelson, what on earth are you doing over there.

agnes · 11 Jan 2019 at 23:55

TonyTurbo78 said:
That's a mighty interesting line approaching Brundle and Nelson, what on earth are you doing over there.

He's probably been blue flagged

Devrij · 12 Jan 2019 at 08:02

TonyTurbo78 said:
That's a mighty interesting line approaching Brundle and Nelson, what on earth are you doing over there.

Ha, not me, just a googled image.

TonyTurbo78 · 12 Jan 2019 at 08:39

agnes said:
He's probably been blue flagged

Devrij said:
Ha, not me, just a googled image.

PinkFloyd · 12 Jan 2019 at 09:52

bainbridge said:
I like these suggestions, is there a high speed oval?

I have Assetta Corsa which has lots of option but no oval I can find.

There's a bunch of modded tracks available on sites like Race Department, one that I've played around with in the past which partly fits your bill is this one:
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/skidpad.5554/

Skip beyond the name, around the skidpan is a huge banked loop ideal for testing max speed. It's not a pretty modded circuit though!

bainbridge · 12 Jan 2019 at 18:31

PinkFloyd said:
There's a bunch of modded tracks available on sites like Race Department, one that I've played around with in the past which partly fits your bill is this one:
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/skidpad.5554/

Skip beyond the name, around the skidpan is a huge banked loop ideal for testing max speed. It's not a pretty modded circuit though!

Thanks, I found one called Autobahn which is just that, a 15km strip of Autobahn which you drive up and down. Perfect!