rec.autos.simulators

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I think most of the stuff you're missing is in the quick start guide
and the sporting code.

The quick start guide you're taken to on first login. But it's linked
under instruction in the menu at all times (as is the sporting code).

Don't forget they are still queuing on RSC to get in. I don't think you
will see what iRacing is really like for the casual racer until things
settle down. We have very experienced sim racers and drivers literally
running 10 races a day running with casual racers in the Rookie series.
Until the ratings pan out some guys will be running as backmarkers.

This is rather the catch 22 you describe. To really enjoy iRacing you
need to race enough to get a rating that puts you in with similar rated
drivers (there are plenty running similar times to you, Andrew). To race
more you need to enjoy the racing and the toughest time is the first
races. You either have to take someone else's word for it and believe in
the potential or dismiss it as no different to other, cheaper offerings.

You also need to buy cars to get the most out of the month, which rather
goes against the throw away trial option.

Yet as stated we are not yet at the public release stage, so things may
change when iRacing start looking to attract people in and market the
product.

I personally think the casual driver should hold a watching brief right
now and let the hotshoes work their way up otherwise it gives the wrong
impression that you won't be fast enough to enjoy iRacing and that is
far from the truth.

Cheers
Tony

On Mon, 4 Aug 2008 14:11 +0100 (BST),

Good point. I might try it somewhere in the fall, when it gets colder.

Hehe. Yeah, those where the days.

Cheers!

Remco

But what's the point? Unless I race cleanly for several hours every day
and get my rating up significantly, I can't race any cars I buy anyway.

Given that my only racing choices for the whole of this week are either
the basic Solstice at Lime Rock, or the basic Coupe at South Boston, it's
more likely that I'll die of boredom than score the points I need to get
hold of something more entertaining. :-)

I'd be happy if I could just race the Coupe at Lime Rock; it's a lively
little beast and an entertaining drive. But that's not an option... this
week or next, looking at the calendar.

After another Solstice race at LR this morning, where a field of 8 or so
Eastern European types have shown me a clean pair of heels again, I think
I can feel my enthusiasm leaking from my tyres faster than air from Lewis
Hamilton's front left.

Mind you, one driver did seem to be almost as slow as me for a few laps...
then he seemed to discover another gear and departed into the distance.
:-)

But it's not my slow performance which is the problem... I'm used to that!
It's the fact I'm forced to be in a car I dislike on a track I like for
the rest of the week, or in a car I like on an oval track I hate.

It's like racing in a straight jacket which I had to pay to get someone
to strap me into! I know I'm supposed to rise to the challenge and
wriggle my way out of that straight jacket, but...

But I'm going to stop whining. For now anyway. :->

Andrew McP

PS I'm pleased to report that it's a very simple process to stop your
subscription. A click of the mouse in your account details toggles
between auto-renewal and cancellation. That's to be applauded.

Huh?  Have you actually read the sporting code?

You need four races or 4 TT's and an SR over 3.0 to be promoted at season
end.  You can do that in one day, easily.

And as soon as you hit an SR of 4.0, you can race up a level as well.

The Class C Silver Crowns have been the most fun, white-knuckle racing I've
experienced in years.  It will be interesting to see what car Class B Ovals
turns out to be.

The Class C Mazda is taking me a bit more work.  Something doesn't feel
quite right to me since the last update.  It may be more correct, but it's
different enough that it's thrown me for a loop.

-Larry

Well you might well get hooked and it all becomes worthwhile as you have
something to aim for. Right now it would appear the Solstice doesn't
really appeal longer term than a few races. So why plough on with
iRacing? Yet if you do get to drive the Skip Barber you may feel those
apprenticeship races are worth the effort.

The problem is you won't know without trying. I really would like to see
a test drive option without buying the car, but I think iRacing have
enough on their plate right now and don't really need to hook in the
casual race just yet, but that time will surely come after public release.

Cheers
Tony

I have, but they're not the most transparent set of rules I've ever read
due to the complications of SR + race experience + tracks bought + cars
bought. All are limiting factors.

As I understand it, even if you race *cleanly* four times in a day as a
Rookie, you're only promoted (ie have the ability to use more of the
stuff you've bought) at the end of a Season (week?)

So as I understand it I don't have access to even the 'advanced' Solstice
or Coupe until the end of the week, no matter how many races I compete
in.

Oh hang on....

4.2.5.
Rookie?Series?
4.2.5.1.
Rookie Series are non-standard series in both categories (Oval and Road)
reserved for new iRacing.com members holding Rookie competition licenses.
4.2.5.2.
Rookie series shall typically include four race weeks.

...maybe it's four weeks for us lowlife, not one. Or maybe a season is
different to a series. I need to print all this out and try to make sense
of it. Not now though, work beckons.

Andrew McP

I believe you have misunderstood the rules. When I was a rookie (only just
last week) I was able to use the advanced Solstice and participate in races
using same as long as I kept my Safety rating above 3.0. As long as I kept
my Safety rating above 4.0 I was able to use and race the Skip Barbour car
though a purchase of the car was required. Same thing goes for the Oval side
with , respectively, the Advanced Legends and the Late Model.

You do not have to be promoted to use the above; your SR is the only
determinant. You can be bog slow and race them as long as you are safely bog
slow.

Dave

Thanks Dave, your experience is very helpful, thanks. It looks like my
first task is to get my SR over 3. That may take quite some time though
... I appear to get +.1 for a clean race, finishing at the back. Perhaps
my lack of speed is considered a hazard. :-)

Andrew McP

It shouldn't be Andrew. But here's a tip: The more clean laps, the
more your safety rating goes up. The Rookie races are pretty short.

When you qualify try to lap out the entire session... That helps with
getting down to a better laptime, it helps with consistency and it
helps you with SR (the more turns you take cleanly, the more you go up
in SR).

That basically sums up my iracing experience too, with new-found
enthusiasm for the project whenever we got our handson a new build,
only to fall into boredom and frustration again a couple of weeks
later (and back then, one didn't even have to pay real money).

All the best, Uwe

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