JhnRX7's Weekend Track Toy Build

JhnRX7 · 02-06-2014, 07:46 PM

Sooo I started playing a PC driving "simulator" called iRacing. I had heard about it before but never really thought it was anything other than Forza for PC. I was wrong.

First thing that drew me in was it had NJMP as an available track. I had heard that iRacing was supposed to be very realistic, but I had no idea how good it was. When I first started, I was driving like I would in Forza and I could not complete a lap without going 4 wheels off every lap. It took a long time to get it, but eventually I learned I had to treat it like a real car. Start slow and work your way faster and braking later, etc. The tracks are all laser scanned and they are really true to real life (at least NJMP and VIR).

I really think this will help me at least a little in my driving. I have learned a lot about how to steer the car with the throttle and brakes.

I am using a Thrustmaster T500RS steering wheel and pedals. I started out with the wheel clamped to a backwards step stool but that was not working so I welded up a "rig" out of scrap metal I had lying around and an old FD seat.

Using an old iPhone as a digital dash.

I started out driving the Spec Miata cup car and as a result I ended up driving Lime Rock a lot… I have learned to LOVE Lime Rock, such an awesome track! Reminds me a bit of NJMP Lightning, but so much better.

At the very least, this will be a great tool to use before going to a new track to get familiar with it before my first track day there.

***TitaniumTT*** · 02-07-2014, 04:02 AM

Holly Hell John, that is freaken AWESOME... I want it.... but I know exactly what it will mean for me... too ,uch playing and not enough working on the real car

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

I started out driving the Spec Miata cup car and as a result I ended up driving Lime Rock a lot… I have learned to LOVE Lime Rock, such an awesome track! Reminds me a bit of NJMP Lightning, but so much better.

I've said that EXACT same thing about LRP and Lightning... soooo what kind of times are you putting down?

No.... seriously

JhnRX7 · 02-07-2014, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

Holly Hell John, that is freaken AWESOME... I want it.... but I know exactly what it will mean for me... too ,uch playing and not enough working on the real car

You speak the truth... It took Ambrosio and I 3 days to complete the hard lines last weekend! Luckily for me, the game had just received an update and the servers were having problems. It would be down for maintenance every couple hours. If it was not for that we may never have finished

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

I've said that EXACT same thing about LRP and Lightning... soooo what kind of times are you putting down?

Right now in the spec miata cup car my I'm doing consistent 1.01:XXX's with a fast lap of 1.01.285. My optimal is in the 1.00:6XX range. The fast guys are doing 0.59:XXX's.

Lime rock is so much fun in the miata, very much a momentum course. Turn 1 / Big Bend has really helped me figure out trail braking. Shaved a full second once I figured that out. The left hander into the esses is where I have the most consistency problems. The miata likes to rotate in the left hander when trying to hit the late apex and setup for the esses.

Is the uphill as sketchy in real life as I would expect it to be??

Turn 7 / the downhill is my favorite... come down the hill, set the wheel right about where the hill goes flat then full throttle through trying not to scrub any speed.

RXtacy · 02-07-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

Is the uphill as sketchy in real life as I would expect it to be??

Turn 7 / the downhill is my favorite... come down the hill, set the wheel right about where the hill goes flat then full throttle through trying not to scrub any speed.

It can make you pucker for sure. Gotta be pointing straight when you crest

That turn takes some balls in real life also.

***TitaniumTT*** · 02-07-2014, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

You speak the truth... It took Ambrosio and I 3 days to complete the hard lines last weekend! Luckily for me, the game had just received an update and the servers were having problems. It would be down for maintenance every couple hours. If it was not for that we may never have finished

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

Right now in the spec miata cup car my I'm doing consistent 1.01:XXX's with a fast lap of 1.01.285. My optimal is in the 1.00:6XX range. The fast guys are doing 0.59:XXX's.

Very nice times... For reference I pull about 63s in my FC and about 70-71 in the RX8. I'm convinced there's more in the 8 with tires, not 19" rims and manipulating the DSC. I have a set of stock RX8 rims that I may put some race rubber on

.. ITS FC's are doing it in 59-60s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

Lime rock is so much fun in the miata, very much a momentum course.

It really is. THe Miata guys and the ITS guys only lift or brake once and that is for Big Bend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

Turn 1 / Big Bend has really helped me figure out trail braking. Shaved a full second once I figured that out.

Yeah.... Are you treating it as a double Apex or as a late Apex one turn?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

The left hander into the esses is where I have the most consistency problems. The miata likes to rotate in the left hander when trying to hit the late apex and setup for the esses.

Hmmmmm... The way I generally take that turn is late braking and FAR FAR FAR right. Let the car settle and turn in. Once the nose is pointing halfway into the Apex stand on the gas and go. The FC will rotate itself, hit the apex and I can put all the power to the ground through the esses and down no-name straight. It scared the ever living shit our of me last year when I had the LRP pipe on, she boost crept to about 17psi and probably about 450rwhp. Scared the shit out of me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

Is the uphill as sketchy in real life as I would expect it to be??

Yes... make sure the car is settled and pointing straight

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

Turn 7 / the downhill is my favorite... come down the hill, set the wheel right about where the hill goes flat then full throttle through trying not to scrub any speed.

Fuck that turn! But that's probably because I've been off track there once in a pro Boxster S with a pro driver and I've seen a few people get really loose there. I pucker ALOT but still manage about 150mph before the braking zone

Quote:

Originally Posted by RXtacy

It can make you pucker for sure. Gotta be pointing straight when you crest

That turn takes some balls in real life also.

Yes it does!