New to AC

[Garrish]

I'm new to actual Sim Racing, have played racing games in the past but this seems to be the first real race sim I have used. I have enjoyed Dirt Rally and used to be under the impression that Forza had some realism to it. I'm hoping that I haven't come too late to the game. I noticed that AC RSR Live Timing is closing down and I'm hoping that doesn't mean that this isn't indicative of the title losing popularity or something negative.

I'm also new to the idea of online racing and have to admit that while I'm not the worlds worst driver, I have to call myself a nub here. I'd like to start making friends and I like the idea of learning to race and I like the idea of clean racing. I believe in learning and building skill and I like the idea of placing based on skill and not spinning out other drivers or being spun out myself.

If anyone can point me in the right direction to start becoming involved in the racing community, I would definately appreciate it. I've already taken the time to download a few recommended apps, including helicorsa to improve my awareness, and I'm looking to race and learn with a mature group of people. Thanks for any info. I run with a T150 Pro package and don't have a shifter or handbrake, just the paddle shifters, and I use TrackIR, so I hope my set up is sufficient to get started.

[446F676A7567676C657220]

Try this for racing: http://simracingsystem.com/

[gamer11]

Well realistic simulation like WRC, Project Cars, Asseto Corsa etc
v.s. Dirt Rally or Need for speed or the crew are very different to handle.
Can be a bit frustation... deal with it, that you can´t win the first races and
you can be very fast off the track...
Direct input is also very different... You can crash your car very easily and
mostly the games of a real simualtion will give you a lot of penalty....

[Johnny_Marbles]

I just started today too down the rabbit hole. Get a wheel and just get yelled at a lot till u figure stuff out. I learned a blue flag means ur being lapped and gtfo the way.

[rallysmo]

well racedepartment have great stuf but i guess you already know it, try searching in the groups too, lately i enjoy a few multiplayer races in open servers give a try

[Garrish]

Thanks for the replies. I know it will be an uphill battle to get used to actual racing physics. It sounds like there is a friendly community and I just need to get the nerve to jump into a couple of races. Thanks for the simracingsystem link, I definately appreciate that this is a sim and not a simcade like Rally and other games. I totally understand that games like Forza want the gamer to be able to drive any car at any speed, else they may get frustrated and give up. I look forward to the frustration as it creates a learning environment. Very little is impossible, but it's the difficult that makes life worthwhile. Good Luck Johnny, maybe I'll catch you on the track sometime, and thanks rallysmo, I will definately try to get my feet wet in some multiplayer races. I've put in some time practicing and trying to learn tracks, and have gotten to intermediate against A.I. but not will full aggression. I find that people don't really behave like A.I. and sometimes that's a good thing, but sometimes it's nervewracking to think that real people will see me eating their dust. It's hard on the ego to be a noob in front of others, but something I just need to step up and do, it won't be the first time for sure, but it doesn't seem to get easier. I do love racedepartment too, it's nice to see all the apps, tracks, and cars available, and I'm glad I bought the right racing sim as this one seems highly supported and I'll look into online the online races as well. I am looking for an experience that penalizes me for driving off the track and stuff as well. I know there are penalties for hitting walls and running all four wheels off the track along with making contact with other cars. I think that adds realism to the racing and forces better driving.

[Jim]

I'd recommend trying the Mazda MX5 races on SRS if possible, they are slower cars and tons of fun and also tougher to make huge, race ending mistakes in.

Sim Racing System will put you against other players as close to your ability as possible.

Look at what track they will be using this week:

http://www.simracingsystem.com/

Then practice it for a while and jump in a race.
It'll be slow paced enough not to freak you out and will be a great way to get over your initial fears about online racing.

I'd also recommend trying out the Nords track days online using the normal Assetto online browser, these are full of chilled out folk just driving around in a huge variety of cars, it'll help you deal with traffic and overtakes in a safe, fun, risk free way.

[Proff_Chaos]

Originally posted by Johnny_Marbles:

I just started today too down the rabbit hole. Get a wheel and just get yelled at a lot till u figure stuff out. I learned a blue flag means ur being lapped and gtfo the way.

lol.

[Dajonaga]

Here are a few apps that are, IMHO, in game essentials:

The Crew Chief: http://thecrewchief.org/

Helicorsa: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/helicorsa.5199/

Car Radar (I prefer Helicorsa): http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/car-radar.15743/

SideKick (essentials dashboard): http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/sidekick.11007/

SimHub (REALLY Advanced Dashboard): http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/simhub-diy-sim-racing-dash.10252/

Real Head Motion: http://www.assettocorsa.net/forum/index.php?threads/real-head-motion-1-0-2.4755/


For Multiplayer:

Sim Racing System (RANKED MP FREE service): http://www.simracingsystem.com/showthread.php?tid=92


For FFB Wheels:

LUT Generator for AC (better FFB): http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/lut-generator-for-ac.9740/


Optional but recommended:

Content Manager (free and paid versions): https://x4fab.itch.io/ac-content-manager

[Garrish]

Thanks Jim, I'll definately get set up with that. About to start some practice laps now. I still have to wait for admin approval for the SRS site before I can see the races, but that gives me time to get used to the car. Thanks for the info about the Nords track days as well, nice to know what online races to check in the AC browser. I've read that a lot of the races are crash fests and I want to avoid that at all costs. DOGjuggler also recommended SRS, so that seems to be an ideal place to start. I'm liking the AC community already, very supportive and cool people!

[Garrish]

@Dajonaga Thank you for all the links. I got set up with Content Manager last night, donated a few bucks for the full version, I like to support people who put effort into thier work. I appreciate the info about the LUT Generator, should help me get a better feel while driving. The SimHub mod looks really outstanding as well. I think I will stick with Helicorsa as recommended, seems most racers prefer that for awareness and it seems to work really well with A.I. races so far. I'm going to give the Real Head Motion a try too, I use TrackIR but the view can still get quite jiggly at higher speeds.

[Meatsac]

Content Manager is a god send for AC (I just love it).

[Garrish]

I do love the Content Manager as well. It really helps more than I thought it would. I'm really loving the Mazda MX- Cup as well. Very nice handling and a great car to get used to running corners. Kinda reminds me of the way the '91 Subaru Legacy that I use to have ran before I snapped the sway bar. I kinda wish I had gotten into racing when I was young now. I'm really greatful for all the tips and links from people, I'm really starting to get a good handle on this. A little more practice and I should be able to start racing! Thanks everyone, great people here.

[Dajonaga]

Don't forget to try out The Crew Chief, it's a multi-sim app that adds audio info and awareness. I can't drive without it...

You can even talk to the app and get the info you want when you want it.

Awesome piece of software.

[Jim]

Crew Chief is a musy have, seriously.
It adds a level of immersion that is more important than you may realise, my crew chief spotter is now part of my team and as well as giving out genuinely useful info it adss to the feeling of being part of a team and not just hot lapping.

Don't worry about crash fests on the 24 / 7 track days, especially on the Nords, it's a big enough track that it isn't really an issue, while still having enough traffic to get you used to that side of things.

After that try a 24 / 7 at Spa, they are usually online. These are more intense as the track is a lot smaller, but a nice step up and a good bridge between chilled and proper racing.

The feeling I am getting from you OP is that you are a respectful person who weants to do the right thing, so right there you have all the tools you need.

Just go at your pace, respect blue flags and you'll be absolutely fine :)

[Rummy1963]

If you want to part of a community that helps beginning racers, join a league like ours. Our league is called Rummy’s Racing League. We are a league in our third year and are based in Los Angeles. We have 13 active members. We are 5 races into a 15-Race 1991 F1 Season. We try to use as many tracks from that era. Anyone who has joined our league is impressed with the camaraderie and how the expert drivers help the less experienced drivers with setups and racing line. We race every Tuesday @ 7:00 pm PST. Contact me via Steam chat if you’re interested. We will help you improve and you will feel welcomed into a group of friendly, respectful racers.