rec.autos.simulators

I'd like to get started using a steering wheel and a program that
simulates road racing. I want it to be as realistic as possible.
Advice apprecitated.

 wait for the wheel with force feedback

ATTN: ANOTHER LOOOONNNNG post follows.  If you're in a hurry... don't
bother!  You've been warned.  ;-)

Welcome to the wild world of racing auto sims!  Hope you enjoy it as
much as those of us that lurk here on this r.a.s.(Rec.Autos.Simulators)
BBS.  I'm sure your post will get you more info than you know what to do
with! Now, for my limited opinions...

As for a wheel:  Get one from the start.  I first started sims with N1
Nascar Racing by Papyrus) on a joystick.  Had a blast.  THEN I got a
(wheel.  WOW! It added tremendously to the "racing experience".
HOWEVER, after all those months of joystick racing, I sort of had to
learn to drive again. Soon though, my times began to equal, then
eclipse, what I was running on a joystick.  However, the main thing I'd
emphasis about a wheel is: The way it enhances the "racing experience".
i.e. "real" race car drivers, nor do you when you drive, use joysticks,
thus if feels more "natural".  So, you're on the right track: Get a
wheel from the start.

Wheel recommendations?  First, do you want pedals on the floor for
gas/brake, or do you want them on the wheel?  I've only used one:
Thrustmaster T2 w/pedals. Mine really is worn out, and I've got to
replace some parts... but like the pink bunny... it's still going! Hard
to argue with the price of $99. Thrustmaster offers superb customer
support I might add... a very noteworthy selling point. I'm sure others
will give you some impressions concerning other wheels.  

SIM:  Whew!  This is a toughy.  As for "available now" road racing sims,
I'm not sure what's out and what's not.  Two old dependables are
"Indycar Racing 2" by Papyrus/Sierra, and "Grand Prix 2" by Microprose.
Bear in mind that these are "racing simulators", and not "games".  That
is, the challenge will be driving technique, learning tracks, car setup,
competing, etc.  There will not be any "shooting" or "cops and robbers",
or "horrific exploding cars", etc. If that's what you're looking for, I
don't have any suggestions, as I'm only into "racing sims".   Of the two
sims I mentioned, I have both, and enjoy both, however each has
different features that are fun, but take some getting used to.  I find
the car/tracks in GP2 easier to learn to drive, especially with all the
"driving helps" features it offers.  The car holds the track extremely
well... but once it lets go... it's gone baby. Very tough to "save". As
for Indycar 2, compared to GP2 it feels more like you're driving on
"ice"... takes some readjusting after a GP2 "season".  However, if you
react quick enough with the right inputs, you can often "save" a slide,
etc easier in ICR2. As said, both sims offers things that the other
doesn't, and I enjoy both tremendously.  Be advised, there are new "road
racing" sims headed to market. Those I'm aware of are: Ubisofts F1 and
Microsoft's CART Precsion Racing.  However these two are going to
require some serious computer horsepower to run.  The above sims I
mentioned, I'm running on a P75... and they're fine... just can't enjoy
as much "eye candy" (graphics effects) as a more powerful machine.  So,
this variable needs to be pitched into the equation as well:  What kind
of machine are you running?  

In recap GWD, explore and learn... and most important HAVE FUN.  As for
ICR2 and GP2... they may still be available at some of the software
departments... perhaps at "discount" prices seeing as they've been out a
while.  I bought GP2 for 29.95 (US$) and I think "way back when" I paid
$39 for ICR2... I'm sure both are much less than that now.

Hope this gives you a start.  Feel free to e-mail me with specific
questions.

God Bless,

Andre