Video Games vs Real Life: First Hand

[Murderface]

A few weeks ago I had the chance to take my car to Summit Point Raceway, which I'd turned many virtual laps of in iRacing with a Logitech Driving Force GT.

For those unfamiliar with Summit Point:




After driving primarily a Miata and a Corvette C6-R on iRacing I was going to be driving a Boxster S, which is basically the same thing.




So listen up thumb jockeys, here's how driving a real track compares to its video game equivalent:

--The track was very similar, but it wasn't quite the way I pictured it from playing the game. Elevation changes seemed different, especially. It's great having your subonscious shouting "There's a sharp left up here!!" but the reality is going to still be a surprise.

-Playing the game got me acquainted with the easiest and most spectacular ways to wreck. A few times, in the game, I lifted off/braked coming out of turn 4 without getting the car completely straightened up, which inevitably caused a spin and caused my car to flip. Out of curiosity, I looked on YouTube and found someone who crashed in the same way:



--Being in a real car is a whole different experirence. Nobody's worried about the condition of their stock brakes/fluid in a video game. Nobody has the pungent smell of brake components/road grime being burnt at all four corners of the car engulfing your helmet. There's subtle things like that. Then there's the big thing...

Put up ten displays, a movie theater sound system, a steering wheel with a thousand buttons and a ten speed H-pattern shifter then throw it on a hydraulic platform that moves around like a Decepticon...it doesn't matter.

You just can't simulate grip and balance. These are ultimately what sculpt lines around corners; feeling what you can do with the car to make it go fast. Video games just can't give you that.

iRacing is a great tool for learning, though. Knowing what turn is coming up next, knowing what mistakes will lead to repair bills and having a reasonable idea of the racing line all allows the driver to focus more on improving driving skills instead of memorizing the circuit. The prior knowledge definitely helps a driver squeeze the most out of the limited amount of track time given at an HPDE. But it just doesn't compare.

So forget $300 wheels and $400 gaming seats and spending hours and hours racing people in your living room to improve driving skills. Save the money for some nice brakes and tires and go do the real thing once you've done enough virtual laps to memorize the track. The game seems frivolous afterwards

[Mr Miyagi]

Outstanding editorial, friend.

[Air-over-water]

Sounds like you had some fun.
Games and toys have always lacked, compared to the real thing.
I thought this was common knowledge.

[watsontb]

the way you wrote it i was expecting a little spin.

ouch.

But good on ya for getting out there

[Murderface]

the way you wrote it i was expecting a little spin.

ouch.

edit: realized you thought that was me

[Eightysixturbo]

So forget $300 wheels and $400 gaming seats and spending hours and hours racing people in your living room.

Pfft. Obviously you just need to upgrade to a Fanatec.

[Mr Miyagi]

But in all seriousness, I bet you had a hell of a lot easier time picking up the real racing than a first timer that hadn't played the game. These Simulation games are that, games, but they are also extremely accurate for what they are. 6

[Aonarch]

Good tale chap.

[Bias_Ply]

I dont think that video is him, just an example.

[Aonarch]

I dont think that video is him, just an example.

Yup gathered that.

[jaystone]

I am not a gamer. 99% of FPS games give me vertigo/motion sickness or something after a few minutes of play. Simulation games I can play a little longer. But in the end, I feel like I've been wasting my time when I could be out DOING something instead.

The OP's realization that automotive simulation games cannot create the FEEL of being in a car while driving on a track has been my biggest complaint about them. It has also been my excuse for being terrible at them (but that is probably a cop out ).

Simulations such as Gran Turismo and Forza gives people the chance to "drive" at racetracks all around the world. Not everybody can fly to Germany to put in some practice laps at the 'Ring. But there is no substitute for actually driving on a racetrack. The concentration required, the plethora of stimuli (sights, sounds, smells), and the sensation of speed cannot be duplicated with a controller and a TV screen.

[Aonarch]

I am not a gamer. 99% of FPS games give me vertigo/motion sickness or something after a few minutes of play. Simulation games I can play a little longer. But in the end, I feel like I've been wasting my time when I could be out DOING something instead.

The OP's realization that automotive simulation games cannot create the FEEL of being in a car while driving on a track has been my biggest complaint about them. It has also been my excuse for being terrible at them (but that is probably a cop out ).

Simulations such as Gran Turismo and Forza gives people the chance to "drive" at racetracks all around the world. Not everybody can fly to Germany to put in some practice laps at the 'Ring. But there is no substitute for actually driving on a racetrack. The concentration required, the plethora of stimuli (sights, sounds, smells), and the sensation of speed cannot be duplicated with a controller and a TV screen.

I just take a torch to a tire every several minutes.

[Air-over-water]

Simulations such as Gran Turismo and Forza gives people the chance to "drive" at racetracks all around the world. Not everybody can fly to Germany to put in some practice laps at the 'Ring. But there is no substitute for actually driving on a racetrack. The concentration required, the plethora of stimuli (sights, sounds, smells), and the sensation of speed cannot be duplicated with a controller and a TV screen.

They also allow you to sit in your skivvies and drink/smoke while racing.

[AKADriver]

The real test is to go back and run the simulation again, but this time take each corner like you did on the real track.

I've driven Summit Main more than any other track, I'd love to see how well the sim measures up to my memory.

[lilmoose21]

I completely agree with the OP. I am an avid iRacer, and when I graduated college I was fortunate enough to be given the skip barber one day racing school at Lime Rock. I was able to drive the MX-5 and the formula barber on Lime Rock, as I had a million times in iRacing,

The memorization of the track is by far the most helpful thing about iRacing, Another iRacer and I were way ahead of the rest of the class just because of that. The cars essentially drive the same as in the game, but, as mentioned, there's just things that can't be recreated by a computer chair and laptop.

Either way, I love iRacing, and I am striving to save enough to get a better/more realistic setup.

[Murderface]

But in all seriousness, I bet you had a hell of a lot easier time picking up the real racing than a first timer that hadn't played the game.

This wasn't my first time at a track, just my first time at Summit Point Circuit and tracking the Boxster, but yes, you are right.

I just don't think they're very useful for anything more than learning the track and basics, though the entire sim industry tries to lead you to believe otherwise.

For those who haven't seen it, there's this guy too:
http://www.iracing.com/greger-huttu/

[Lithium Lotus]

Jeremy Clarkson did a similar comparison with an NSX at Laguna Seca.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olWCXfwTvhI

[Mr Miyagi]

This wasn't my first time at a track, just my first time at Summit Point Circuit and tracking the Boxster, but yes, you are right.

I just don't think they're very useful for anything more than learning the track and basics, though the entire sim industry tries to lead you to believe otherwise.

For those who haven't seen it, there's this guy too:
http://www.iracing.com/greger-huttu/

I agree.

Just out of curiosity, what do the f1 racers use? I know they use simulators, but which one?

[PhilHVW]

Last winter I did a full season of GP Legends racing online with a group of 25 or so other sim-racers from around the world. That was really the first time I had done so much sim racng, but I had been doing HPDEs for about 10 years. It was funny, getting out on the real track (at Summit Point) last spring, my first impression off the bat was how tame everyone was driving. I could no longer pull up alongside the guy in front of me, stuff my fender on the inside of the turn and roar off into the distance. Instead, I had to wait patiently until he got around to giving me a point by on the next straight (or whenever he got around to it).

Of course, there's no g-forces sitting in your living room, but I'm getting a heck of a lot of entertainment from my online racing these days. Years ago, I used to think that eventually when my kids got a little older so that I had more free time, and had more spare cash that I'd go to four or five track events each year. At this point, I don't see that happening. I like the comradery in the paddock of HPDEs and standing around talking cars, and it's nice to get out on a real racetrack, but I think that one or two events a year will be my max, even when I have my Cayman and my kids have moved out of the house. Sim racing gives me plenty of racing action, and I love the fact that my health and wallet are never impacted when I crash.

[Cousin Eddie]

I own a G27 and a racing seat/pedal setup. Never once have I thought it was an exact replica of the real thing, not sure why anyone would?

However it is great for memorizing lines, corners, braking points and rhythm. It is also great for reflexes and eye hand co-ordination. I don't see how it could possibly be seen as a negative thing?

You aren't equal to a skilled real life race car driver because you have a top 20 lap time worldwide in a racing game. However the more memorization and exposure you have before taking on the real deal the better.

[Iroczgirl]

Nothing beats reality.

[TW@]

A lot of actual pro drivers actually say the same thing--it's hard for them to pick-up video game racing because they can't "feel" what the car is doing. Along the same lines, there is not doubt about the value of iRacing in showing a driver the layout of a racetrack.

On the flip side of the coin is this chap, Lucas Ordonez. Started his racing career by qualifying through Gran Turismo Academy. Finished second overall @ LeMans just three years later. That's talent. http://techland.time.com/2011/06/14/...-mans-24-hour/

[c0mmon]

the ideology that it isn't going to effect your car negatively kinda ruins the whole argument

[Short Bus]

The nice thing about iRacing is you can enjoy some real competition for a very small initial investment.

Would I rather lay out the cash to go racing in a real Skip Barber Dodge? Absolutely. But it's a lot cheaper and far more convenient to boot up the gaming PC and have some fun.

It's obviously not a good replacement for real seat time. But it is good preparation for when you actually get out on a track. Knowing the layout before you put rubber to the surface for the first time is very nice.

[phryxis]

I've not been able to run on a track in a simulation vs. in real life, but am looking forward to it someday when I eventually hit up Laguna Seca and Nürburgring!

[phryxis]

The nice thing about iRacing is you can enjoy some real competition for a very small initial investment.

Would I rather lay out the cash to go racing in a real Skip Barber Dodge? Absolutely. But it's a lot cheaper and far more convenient to boot up the gaming PC and have some fun.

It's obviously not a good replacement for real seat time. But it is good preparation for when you actually get out on a track. Knowing the layout before you put rubber to the surface for the first time is very nice.

For sure it's a small overall investment to do iRacing, but to enjoy the track you don't have to go the Skip Barber route, which costs a pretty penny. One can get so much enjoyment from taking a sporty DD, especially since it hones in your skills on that particular car. I enjoy knowing the absolute limits of my Prelude.

[Short Bus]

For sure it's a small overall investment to do iRacing, but to enjoy the track you don't have to go the Skip Barber route, which costs a pretty penny. One can get so much enjoyment from taking a sporty DD, especially since it hones in your skills on that particular car. I enjoy knowing the absolute limits of my Prelude.

Sure, but I can go race in iRacing every day of the week, after work.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't prefer to be on a race track instead in whatever car happened to be available..... but even running your daily driver gets expensive.

Simply put, I'll never choose iRacing over an actual track day, but iRacing is nice to have for when you can't get to a track.

[phryxis]

Sure, but I can go race in iRacing every day of the week, after work.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't prefer to be on a race track instead in whatever car happened to be available..... but even running your daily driver gets expensive.

Simply put, I'll never choose iRacing over an actual track day, but iRacing is nice to have for when you can't get to a track.

Definitely.

[Ark6]

A lot of actual pro drivers actually say the same thing--it's hard for them to pick-up video game racing because they can't "feel" what the car is doing. Along the same lines, there is not doubt about the value of iRacing in showing a driver the layout of a racetrack.

On the flip side of the coin is this chap, Lucas Ordonez. Started his racing career by qualifying through Gran Turismo Academy. Finished second overall @ LeMans just three years later. That's talent. http://techland.time.com/2011/06/14/...-mans-24-hour/

Dude was an awesome autox driver to start with....

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[atomicalex]

I think there is a lot going for the racing games, especially with visualizing and learning the shape of the turns and such. But I can never drive them like I can drive my car. The physical feedback is so valuable, and the sound is much more focused.

I agree with the OP - go drive your car, people.

[HenryMuller]

I agree.

Just out of curiosity, what do the f1 racers use? I know they use simulators, but which one?

something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSatAI81k9w

the F1 teams spend a huge amount of money on their simulators (and normally they don't show these to the public, they have some cheaper more simple models for demonstrations) to get as accurate as possible, they are essential for the drivers preparation and testing of car setups and updates simulations... since they have very little time to test with the real car,

Iracing is obviously at lot less advanced but it does a good job with the tracks and car I think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJJfCYbNDp0

[Aguilar]

something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSatAI81k9w

And like this:

[phryxis]

And like this:

That is awesome!

[NailsInOurBacks]

I own a G27 and a racing seat/pedal setup. Never once have I thought it was an exact replica of the real thing, not sure why anyone would?

However it is great for memorizing lines, corners, braking points and rhythm. It is also great for reflexes and eye hand co-ordination. I don't see how it could possibly be seen as a negative thing?

You aren't equal to a skilled real life race car driver because you have a top 20 lap time worldwide in a racing game. However the more memorization and exposure you have before taking on the real deal the better.

I don't get it either. I disagree with OP just as well. Video games are most definitely a hugely cheaper and much, much more convenient derivative to HPDE's but I think he's missing the point in drawing a conclusion based on the premise that a video game may be a substitution; that's a ridiculous notion to begin with and the financial advice is purely asinine. As others have pointed out, the video game can be used as a tool (specifically for memorization) but not a substitution, the same way a penny can turn a flat head screw but that doesn't mean you don't buy a screw driver

What's surprised me is why people around here don't mention karting more often. That's by far the cheapest way to get into 'real' racing; high G forces, triple digit speeds, competitive fields at all experience levels, death factor and completely relies on driver competency. Get in a TAG series to start, engines can't be touched, no suspension to adjust, just driver vs. driver, no excuses or fattest check books to hide behind. Most cars if not all can transport a kart with trailer and parts (~850 lbs total), running costs are low, tracks exist all across the states.. no? no? You don't even need to race against other people, just go to practice sessions, pay $35 for 6 hours and haul butt. Helluva cheaper then stuffing your 911 into a wall during an HPDE (get a proper shifter kart and it'll be a helluva lot faster, too! )

I puckered up much more in the HPV-4 Birel at Moran Raceway then in a 911 gt3rs on the Nurburgring.

[NoDubJustYet]

I've done countless laps of the Nürburgring on GT4 and 5... and 5 laps on the real thing in my daily-driver.

Sure, you can learn the racing line, know what's coming up next, etc; but sitting on your couch or computer chair will never prepare you for the weight shifts, the feeling your stomach makes in the Karousell, or the changes in elevation.

Not to mention the fact that it's okay to wreck in the virtual world!