PCA Sim Racing Michael Polasek PCA Northern New Jersey Region (NNJR) Games VS. Racing Simulators ● Visually, it’s almost impossible to distinguish games from simulators ○ Both have great graphics (impossible to distinguish) ○ Both have many tracks ○ Both allow you to adjust car setup ● But they are VERY different, so what makes them different? ○ Games are fun-oriented, simulators are totally race-oriented ○ Games have physics that are forgiving and fun-focused, simulators work with real race teams to achieve accurate physics and car handling ○ Games are played with a controller or a wheel, simulators are wheel-only ○ Games have limited support for team endurance races, simulators allow you to organize teams and switch drivers Games VS. Racing Simulators ● Games and simulators are VERY different… (continued) ○ Games reconstruct tracks from photos, simulators use laser scanning to model track detail down to each bump ○ Games have much lower competition quality, simulators have much higher level of competition quality, including professional drivers ○ Games pair you with random competitors, simulators pair you with “equal or stronger” competition ○ Game setup parameters feed generalized handling algorithm, simulators model handling after real life race team data ○ Games have 1000+ cars, simulators have far fewer but all are accurately modelled ○ Games have primarily “gamer” competitors, there are almost no “gamers” on simulators Sim Racing Options ● Games: ○ Gran Turismo Sport ○ Forza Motorsport 7 ○ Project Cars 2 ● Simulators ○ iRacing: great driving dynamics, has official race series, great competition, driver and safety ratings ○ rFactor 2: close to iRacing in driving dynamics, but lacks driver and safety rating ○ Assetto Corsa: has driver and safety ratings, but lacks quality competition ● iRacing is the only real choice to train for real racing Why iRacing? ● Extremely realistic ● Driver and safety ratings ensure competition is safe and challenging ● Supports many official racing series (IMSA, World Endurance Championship, NASCAR, etc) ● Sponsored series ○ Porsche Factory eSports Supercup ($100k prize pool) ○ NASCAR Peak Antifreeze Series ($100k pool) ○ VRS GT World Championship ($25k pool) ● Strong, diverse level of competition ● Hardcore Simulator - if it’s not in real racing, it’s not in iRacing (e.g. no track map, however with third-party add-ons you can add one in as well as new dashboards with SimHub) ● Max Verstappen (3rd in F1), Lando Norris (9th in F1), Shane Van Gisbergen (V8 Supercars), AJ Allmendinger (NASCAR) Video: Sim Racing vs. Real Racing (click picture or URL to play video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY13nqgMBsI Adapting to iRacing ● Initially adapting to iRacing will take some time to get used to due to absence of g-forces ● Simulation lacks g-forces, however you DO have... ○ Exactly accurate brake, throttle, and clutch feel ○ Accurate steering wheel force feedback ○ Can build cockpit with exact same seat as your real race car ○ Adjustable frame allows exact duplication of seat, wheel, and pedal position ○ 7.1 surround sound allows you to hear everything around you ○ Left, right, front, and rear frame shakers provide “seat of the pants” feedback (rumble strips, bumps, car contact, engine/chassis vibration) Adapting to iRacing (continued) ● It takes a while to adapt from real racing to iRacing, but the reverse is not true ○ Once adjusted to iRacing, everything learned in iRacing easily translates to the track ○ Unlimited track time on any track ○ Learn new or practice known tracks to prepare for PCA track events ○ Can safely explore the limits of the car without fear of damage costs ○ Can be paired with equal or stronger global competition ○ Explore impact of car setup changes at the touch of a button ○ Form race teams with fellow PCA members for 6, 12, and 24 hour events ○ Can host PCA races for to practice before or continued competition after PCA driving events Wheel and Pedal Tuning Can control pedal pressure, force feedback, pedal travel, brake stiffness, etc. Personal Experience - Before iRacing ● Gran Turismo 6 ● Very limited support for organized public races ● Team endurance races were almost impossible to do ● Arcade-y physics (not as realistic) ● Enjoyable, great graphics, over 1200 cars, 50+ tracks, but not constructive if you want to race Personal Experience - On iRacing ● Much tougher competition -- races group together “like or better” competition ● Continual learning about car/suspension setup (some races (like PCA) have fixed setup) ● Founded endurance racing team (Lone Wolf Motorsports), recruited drivers, managed and competed in many 6, 12, & 24 hour races ○ Team members are from Denmark, Spain, Canada, Alabama, UK, and California ● iRacing provides full support for team endurance races (24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona, Nurburgring, etc) ● Continually refined racing skills through constant “peer or better” competition ● Learned more in 1 year in iRacing than 5 years of Gran Turismo iRacing Car Setup - Porsche 919 LMP1 Setup options match real car - if you can adjust it real life you can adjust it in iRacing iRacing Car Setup - Porsche 911 GT3 Cup The Porsche GT3 Cup Car has much fewer adjustments than the 919, just like in real life Video: A Lap of Mosport in iRacing (click picture or URL to view video) https://youtu.be/BMw5A8-KQ10 PCA Sim Racing Series ● Founded by Jim Hemig and Doug Atkinson ● 8 Race points-based season, 2 drop races ● Fixed car setup - only differentiator is driver skill ● 10-Lap Hot Lap entry qualification round ● Top 60 drivers qualified for series ● Multiple splits, top 30 qualifiers for each race are in the broadcasted race ● Races are hosted and commentated by Podium eSports, livestreamed via YouTube ● Season 1 Prize: Porsche Driving Experience in California or Georgia (GT3 or 911 Turbo) ● Season 1: Porsche Cup cars ● Season 2: GTE cars (911 RSR) PCA Sim Racing Series - Endurance Event ● One 3 hour team endurance race ● Race will be on Sunday, October 13th, 6:00 PM EST ● Race will be at Circuit de Spa Francorchamps ● One race, two classes - 911 RSR and 911 GT3 Cup ○ You only race the drivers in your class - RSRs compete with RSRs, Cup cars compete with Cup cars ● At least two drivers take turns driving the same car ● Drivers must be from the same region to team up ● Perfect for drivers not ready to participate in the regular season - you will share the driving responsibilities with a fellow regional member ● Fixed setups ● Develop your race strategy - choose whether to change tires during pitstops - pitstop time vs overall speed on track Video: PCA Sim Racing Series - Round 7 (click URL (not picture) to view video) https://youtu.be/VOKf_CSBvT8?t=3483 iRacing Progression ● Start with solo practice & participation in Rookie Mazda series ● As drivers gain experience and improve their safety and performance rating, they become eligible for more race series ● External help available with driving, car setup, telemetry: setups4i.racing (free setups), Craigs’ Setup Shop, Virtual Racing School, Pure Driving School ● Can work up to competing with best in the world and win significant prizes (Porsche factory iRacing series has $100k prize pool) ● Always ensures you are paired with equal or stronger competition - as you improve, so does your competition ● Car setup is dependant on car - can adjust certain car parameters depending on the car ● “Fixed Setup” races allow you to focus on driving skill while “open setup” allow you to improve car setup skills Costs (Entry Level) ● Entry level seat, wheel, pedals, and shifter is around $500-$700 ○ Frames: GTR Simulator GTA ($400), Conquer, Openwheeler ○ Wheel + Pedal Set + Shifter: Logitech G29 ($250) or Thrustmaster T150 ○ Entry level monitor - existing TV ○ Entry level, but can be very competitive ● Computer ○ Entry level 1 - existing computer, with reduced graphics in iRacing ○ Entry level 2 - existing computer with upgraded graphics card ($400), allows for decent iRacing graphics ● iRacing Costs: ○ Software subscription $100 per year ○ $11.95 per car (one time purchase, lifetime ownership) ○ $14.95 per track (one time purchase, lifetime ownership) Costs (Advanced) ● Mid level systems: $3,000-$5,000 ○ 32:9 Ultrawide monitor, dedicated computer, belt driven wheel ● High end systems: $5,000-$10,000 ○ Triple monitors (offer best field of view), direct drive wheel, high end loadcell pedals, shakers, dedicated frames, 7.1 audio ● Equipment retains value, can sell for close to purchase price (ebay, iRacing forum) ○ Resale makes it very affordable to upgrade to higher end equipment ● Motion is NOT needed: ○ Motion sounds great, but effects are often not accurate due to imperfect modeling, motion latency, and mechanical limits ○ Inaccurate motion platforms detract from racing experience ○ $300 shakers > $10k motion platforms in my experience ○ Invest enough ($25k+) and motion can be great, but it’s not needed and is the LEAST important (after pedals, wheel, chassis, computer, shakers) Useful Site Links ● http://pcasimracing.org - send an email to the PCA Sim Racing Series admins ● https://www.iracing.com/ <- Main site for iRacing, visit here to sign up ● Search for “pca sim racing series” on youtube for broadcasts ● Questions? Contact me on iRacing, my username is Michael Polasek Published with the approval of the author, Michael Polasek..