Hatzenbach

Ah, yes that's what I signed up for this year :-)
AC doesn't have the car that RSR offers: Renault Megane RS (Project Cars does), so I am using the Toyota 86 as it seems to have about the same speed as the Renault. Maybe there's a better car in AC to prep for the Ring.
And yes it's mostly about muscle memory and to remember the 127 (or so) turns and the names of the various sections.

I don't use project cars as the track is not as exactly modeled as in the two other sims. For example: In Wehrseifen you are using speed signs as markers for brake points and turn in, they are missing in PC but are there in AC and iRacing.

ProCoach

I just couldn't remember if AC's 'Ring was available last spring, but it was. iRacing is still the best for landmarks, IMO.

Hatzenbach

And since I am on a roll, let me try responding to the OP's question (I am throwing Project Cars in because what the heck). All my comments about graphics are in relation to VR with Oculus Rift:

iRacing:
Pro:
* best, most realistic tracks
* best online racing
Con:
* limited track selection
* limited car selection
* pricey (if anyone really cares about that)
* no AI (duh)
* no Porsches (but Ruf), 991 Cup Car coming in January)
* very tricky to drive (cars seem to like to spin)

Assetto Corsa:
Pro:
* most selection of Porsches (and Ferrari) in ANY game
* (all, most?) tracks are laser scanned
* lots of cars to select from
Con:
* small selection of tracks (mostly European, Italian)
* VR is still in Beta and graphics are a little less crisp
* really poor AI: the drivers are fast but are very "cautious" in passing you
* very archaic replay mode

Project Cars:
Pro:
* great graphics
* lots of tracks and lots of cars
* very good AI
* only simulator which can simulate ALL kind of weather
Con:
* tracks are not laser scanned and not 100% accurate, which is not a problem unless you want to prepare yourself for actually driving this track
* no Porsches (but Ruf)

squid42

On the bright side, user-contributed tracks seem to work pretty well for AC, better than made-from-scratch car models which need a lot of mechanical parameters. I have about 100 tracks in my installation, up from 19 in the stock game (both numbers do not include variants of the same track). Many of the mod tracks are not racetracks, there are lots of hillclimbs and some rallly stages. Plus test tracks: Just endless floor, suspension test track with different bumps to kayol over while looking at telemetry, autocross on an airfield, Isle of Man, skidpad with radius markings and even a 7-floor garage that you can race up and down against your friends.

There is a racetrack builder for $60 or so that starts out from Google maps data, guides you through a simplified 3D modeling and then calls the AC utilities for you to make compile the binary track format. Didn't use it yet, sounds slick.

ace37

Interesting... if I get some free time I may have to look this up. Would love to have my local track in a sim, even if it was low quality.

ProCoach

Race Track Builder is available through Steam, good discussions in the AC forums. Really liked Bob's Track Builder, but that was long ago... and for rFactor.

squid42

Well I finally found out why the 488 GTB feels so goofy. They mounted those P Zeros the wrong way round!




(disclaimer yes I know it just the graphics but still)

loxner

IMO as a true simulation or hardcore training tool, iRacing is by far the best. The realism, feel, etc just seems so much more like the real thing to me. It's a bit of a quality vs quantity situation in my mind though - there are a lot more local tracks available on AC, not to mention the ability to convert rFactor tracks into the game if it's not there.

+1 for Project Cars! That's my favorite for just playing around or letting friends try out the sim.

dizzy8085

Has anyone tried Assetto Corsa on a console (xbox one)? It was released on consoles recently.

I'm planning to build a computer for iracing and the like, but I'm not in the position to buy the parts at the moment.

Forza is decent, however the more realism, the better.

I'm using the g920 wheel/pedals. The xbox variation of the g29. I didn't know about these replacement springs for the logitec pedals. Will be ordering one of those!

ProCoach

I like Forza for Sebring, Road America and Road Atlanta. Not like iRacing but pretty good for a console game.

squid42

Wait, did they just put the "Michelin" logo on the P Zero?

My life is ruined.

ProCoach

Looks like the Michelin tread pattern...

squid42

Which one? And is it supposed to have the wave toward the inside?

Maybe I'm just massively confused...

ProCoach

Hah! No, you're right. P Zero tread pattern, backwards in the sim.

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...y2_pdpcrop.jpg

Evolved Rs

I play AC on console. Can't compare between iRacing but it's a much better sim than Forza. Same with projectcars. Also use a wheel, force feedback is much much better than Forza.