I want to try iRacing, but I would need a new computer to run it so it's going to be more than just a trial's investment (i.e. free) to get started, and I need more information before I'm comfortable with that.
1. Tuning
What is tuning like and how necessary is it? Can I race competitively with stock setups? I don't care for tuning - I would much rather just drive the car and have a crew chief, literal or gameplay element, to translate my feedback into changes on the car.
2. Replays
I like to take screenshots and occasionally make movies from my games. Can you save replays of your races, can you switch focus to cars other than your own, and is there an outside "TV" view rather than just the in-car?
3. Race length
How long are typical races and do you get to do pit stops or are they all/mostly sprints?
4. Progression
I would probably be happy running the MX-5 for a good long while, but I would love to try the RUF. How long would it take to be able to drive it? Keep in mind I'm a family man so my game time is limited to about an hour a day during the week and a few hours on the weekend.
1. Tuning
Road: Most of the lower level Road Course series, they use fixed setups which everyone is on. But, once you get to around C class level, setups become open. Some cars are very setup dependent, where others don't see a huge gain in running a setup. 9 times out of 10 there are multiple setups that you can download off of the forums that other members have created. These range from "Almost Alien" setups to the guys that aren't too serious into iRacing. You're bound to find a setup you'll like. Once you rank up to the GT3 series, if you are running a McLaren and want a good balanced setup, just shoot me a message on either GTP or iRacing and I'll be more than happy to send you mine.
Oval: Here is something I've struggled with a bit. They have fixed setup series all the way through the Oval progression to make things easy but, if you head into the open setup series, things get difficult. You really have to know what you're doing to get a good setup as I've yet to find many people posting setups in forums. Seems to be much more tight lipped.
2. Replays
There are many different replay options (Scenic, TV 1, TV 2, TV 3, Pit Lane, Chase, Far Chase, Rear Chase, Bumper, Rear Bumper, Driver Position, Roll Bar, Roll Bar Gyro, Front Suspension, Rear Suspension, Chopper and Blimp). Not only are there a massive variety of Camera angles, you can completely adjust your own angles. Even things like panning and microphone placement are available. If you spend a lot of time, you can easily get the perfect angles for anything. If you are planning on recording videos for YouTube purposes, there are free applications like MSI Afterburner, which can record really well and high quality, given you have a computer that can handle it. Mine handles it with ease and I am running on a computer with specs that were impressive two years ago. So it's probably around average or just above average for a current desktop.
Here's 2 videos showing race quality, as well as Roll Bar and TV 1 Cameras. Don't be too scared by the crash in the first corner. A driver had an issue with his computer and that was what caused the trouble. Had he not had the issue, it would have been completely clean.
3. Race Length
Race Length also varies on series. Most road course series don't have races longer than 30 to 45 minutes. Although there are a few 70 and 90 minute races mixed in a few weeks of the season. On the oval side, the fixed setup series will usually run 30-50 laps with the open setup series usually running double that.
4. Progression
With the proper mind set, moving up to something like GT3 might only take 2 weeks or less with minimal play (1 hour per day). All depends on how safe you are at the beginning. Like others have said, use the Rookie and D Class series as a way of learning iRacings physics and racing with others. Finishing with no incidents will allow you to upgrade your license quickly and will give you a higher iRating, which will allow you to enter races with more experienced drivers who don't often do erratic maneuvers.
I have a DFGT. The thing is I've pretty much always driven automatic. I've dabbled with manuals here and there but I've never gotten comfortable tracking the gear I'm in while working around a road course. Part of the problem, I'm sure, is that I've been driving for over a decade in real life and it's all been with automatics - I've never even tried to drive stick.
The DFGT will do fine. I know a lot of guys who use it and are very competitive. Though, it might not be a bad idea to eventually upgrade to a high end pedal. Lap time wise, there is no advantage but, it will definitely make driving easier as well as consistency easier with a loaded brake cell.
Practice driving a sequential gearbox and blipping once you get iRacing. Manual gearboxes are not only faster but, are much more fun. Once you get the hang of it, driving an Automatic transmission will become really difficult as you can't dictate what gear you want at any given moment, this will leave you to the mercy of driving the car the way the computer wants you too. Versus a manual gives you the freedom to adjust the balance of the car with strategic upshifts, downshifts, and gear selection. Gives you the opportunity to drive with a personal character. If you want to shift lock on the downshifts to slide the car on entry, go for it. If you want to have nice smooth downshifts to drive into the corner with a controlled feel, you can do that too. It's all up to you, hopefully you get what I'm saying
Hopefully we'll be seeing you on the iRacing circuit shortly. Not many people are disapointed with the service, and seeing as you have done research and had legitimate questions to bring, I'd say you'll won't be disapointed either.
PS: There are many professional and semi professional racing drivers that are active on the service as well. A few times a year you will get into a race with them. It's a great feeling when you beat them or have a good race with them that you can brag about with your friends.
