I'm thinking about getting into realistic racing simulators as an affordable alternative to track days.

Rfactor www.rfactor.net. is a customizeable realistic tuneable racing simulator. From the reviews I've read on the internet it seems to be one of the more popular racing sims.
Does anybody here play it? If you don't play rFactor, which game do you play? What do you think of it?

Did you find any cars/setting that most closely resemble a Fiero? (anybody find any mods to choose a similar looking/handling car?)


Now that would be a dream setup (stolen of the Matrox tripple-head-to-go)

What steering wheel do you use?

My two dream steering wheels below:

The Logitech G25



The Porsche steering wheel by Fanatec (yes I know Porsche... But I think it's the most realistic wheel out there. If I understand it correctly Fanatec modeled it of an actual size Porsche car steering wheel)

I played Live for speed a few years back and back then it was the best racing simulator around.

I have an older game called Viper Racing that is VERY realistic (though you can set it to arcade mode to make it easier). Customizable and tuneable (things like ride height, toe-in, camber, spring and shocks and dampening, etc.) cars (mostly just Vipers though), realistic damage models ... several year old graphics, but realistic simulation anyway. It's made by Sierra Sports.

[This message has been edited by timwdegner (edited 10-10-2007).]

quote Originally posted by timwdegner: I have an older game called Viper Racing that is VERY realistic (though you can set it to arcade mode to make it easier). Customizable and tuneable (things like ride height, toe-in, camber, spring and shocks and dampening, etc.) cars (mostly just Vipers though), realistic damage models ... several year old graphics, but realistic simulation anyway. It's made by Sierra Sports.

ha, I remember that game.. it was awesome.. I'm gonna have to find it now.. lol

quote Originally posted by AJ7: ha, I remember that game.. it was awesome.. I'm gonna have to find it now.. lol

Haha ditto, I think we should burn Austrian here a copy.

quote Originally posted by timwdegner: I have an older game called Viper Racing that is VERY realistic (though you can set it to arcade mode to make it easier). Customizable and tuneable (things like ride height, toe-in, camber, spring and shocks and dampening, etc.) cars (mostly just Vipers though), realistic damage models ... several year old graphics, but realistic simulation anyway. It's made by Sierra Sports.

ya ya! loved that game!
loved that view where you just see the front wheels & the glowing rotors

but - sims are not a very good alternative to track time. not even close. even at its most realistic - you cannot ever "sim" the most important input - lateral G's. the feeling of a tire slip. the feeling of your car just before it breaks lose. the feathering out of and breaking into the corner to keep the front from pushing.

there was a "Popular Mechanics" article a few years ago which was a top driver vs a top driving gamer. they rounded up the cars of the sim, and went to the tracks of the sim. the real driver walked ALL OVER the gamer in all categories. even in the sim. and, the sim times were roughly 5% slower than real times, all around.

yes, sims are great for working out roughly how to set the car. and, to learn the track layout.

[This message has been edited by Pyrthian (edited 10-10-2007).]

Thanks. I'd appreciate that


I'm aware that a simulator will never replace the real thing. (unless it's similar to a professional training simulator used to train professional pilots ) There was also a Top Gear Episode where Jeremy Clarkson practiced Laguna Seca with Gran Turismo 4, and then tried to repeat it in a real Honda NSX. That was a fun video. Interestingly a few rallye drivers claim that they practice on simulators. Doubt us mere mortals have access to them though.

I'm hoping that racing sims would supplement track time and just give me the ability to practice between track days. That's why I'm hoping that the physics are realistic.