iRacing: the PC race sim

So...iRacing's been around for a while and yet people still having talked about it much here?

Anyways, iRacing. That PC race sim that's so realistic it's used by actual pro race drivers to train for upcoming races. I gave it a try myself after getting one of those steering wheels and "$12 for 3 months" sales. It felt so damn real and fantastic! But of course, it comes at a price of being really hard to learn.

So, anyone else racing at iRacing?

I'd try it, but I tend to prefer unrealistic racing games.

I wouldn't call it "The PC race sim", since there are lots of alternatives: Live For Speed, C.A.R.S, rFactor (and coming soon rFactor 2), GT Legends, GTR 2 (and GTR 3 is being worked on), netKar-Pro, Race Pro, Assetto Corsa (another work-in-progress)...

I never said anything about alternatives. I just stated that iRacing is a PC race sim. And from what I hear, it outclasses most race sims out today in several aspects.

Keep in mind, my previous sim experience includes Gran Turismo and bits and pieces of Live for Speed.

I would try it, but the subscription-based business model puts me off. It would be bearable if it was just a "pay once, play for the rest of your life" sort of deal like most other games.

That, and knowing my luck with Hard Core realistic driving physics of the sort found in Grand Prix Legends and Richard Burns Rally that often ends up with me skidding off a turn and plowing into a wall...yeah.

(If you're coming from arcade racing games where you can just leadfoot your way to the finish line, DON'T. That's the first of many habits you will have to unlearn when transitioning to such titles.)

Lessee... I drive a car in real life. I managed to get a decent wheel. I still mess up a lot, but I manage to get used to the handling anyway because it seems natural.

Well, you see, people who pay for this game are usually amateur racers who want to get more practice without having to pay for gas, tires, entrance fees, etc. Professional racers also can have some fun with it because of the online community that allows to have some serious racing without consequences.

The payment system is similar to a MMO, so you're supposed to play everyday, get better, and maybe, just maybe, win a championship one day or even get a chance in a real racing car.

Some of the pro racers use these kind of games as test drive for tracks that they have never seen, or if they're need some skill retouch if they're injured or something...

Plus, this one is continuously updated, so that's a fair trade-off for subscription...