TORA PC Racing Championships?

Hi All,

First post, and only found this because I just saw the TORA TCC on Motors TV, it was amazing. I had a look through the Championships, and noticed that you don't have a PC Championship for any PC Sim, and was wondering are you going to in the future, or would like to?

I do have an Xbox360, but the handling and physics just isn't as crisp as LFS, so I find that I always return to the PC. LFS has a MASSIVE FAN BASE, so having a professional driving championship would not be very difficult to fill.

I currently run my own server as well ( which can handle 47 cars on track at the same time, with no packet loss )

I have been sim racing since 2003, specifically Live for Speed. I have run my own online team, since 2004, and still going strong, with plenty of accolades to boot. I have a G27 and Triple Screen setup (which is awesome btw)

I also ran the very successful ESL Pro Series for Live for Speed for the UK ( as Germany had this for years) and felt we was loosing out.

Let me now your thoughts guys, and will keep an eye open for the next Sim Races on MotorsTV

Merry Christmas

Fordie

I play GTR2 now and again. Struggling to get online with it though if I could I'd jump at the chance for a PC championship.   

We would love to expand into the PC market, but there hasn't been enough interest from our members to get a series going, nor do we have any experience at running PC based sims. I have a beefy PC and a G27 as I used to do a lot of iRacing, but went away from it as my friends play the Xbox mainly and that has become our main game for use on TORA.

However, with the recent disappointment of Forza 5's online capabilities we are looking to try out other games/consoles/systems, so if your interested then maybe you could guide us on how to get started? It would be appreciated.

Have been a Live for Speed player back around 2007-8, and attempted to compete in the CTRA servers in the game, the CTRA being the guys that ran the Sim Touring Car Cup (look on youtube, it's immense). They had a fully automated Ranking system, meaning that the better you got in the CTRA Lobbies, the better chance you had at running more powerful vehicles in higher championships on the CTRA ladder. It was brilliant in its day, there were about 20 or so registered that were good enough to run the 2006 BMW Sauber (the only F1 car in the game), meaning a potential "F1" style championship was on the cards.

Cannot remember why they stopped.

The only issues with LFS is that out of 20 cars, there are only 2 real cars on it, aswell as the F1 car, the Formula BMW that ran for a good few years in the 2000s. Despite the realistic nature of the game, the circuits arent real either.

I would suggest iRacing however for some it is rather costly to begin but after a while it mellows down to just a track here or there and your subscription. I love iRacing and it's known as the pinnacle of PC Simulators community wise.

rFactor is quite good and has literally hundreds of mods but it's rather dated and with rFactor 2 I'm sure that it isn't that popular anymore (although a lot of mid ranged PC's handle it very well). rFactor 2 is fairly new but many people dislike it's unfriendly difficulty to mod compared to the original and as far as 2013 goes, the graphics aren't up to scratch.

Now heres my last thought. Assetto Corsa, the supposed next huge sim. It's been regarded as miles better than iRacing and rFactor in graphics and is supposedly got top notch physics. I find it rather silly to compare AC to iRacing since both sims have completely different goals. (iRacing wanting to dominate online racing while Assetto Corsa sets out to bring physics and graphics to a new level in simulators) AC is still very much in beta and AI hasn't been added to it but when they add everything I'm sure it would be one of the best to chose from.

AC was just released on Steam as a Greenlight project I think. I was going to give it a go and see how it goes. rFactor 2 isn't officially released yet so maybe it will improve.

Hopefully if we get some people together in the new year or something then we can start working on PC sims and see how they work for us.

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your replies, and hopefully, I am here to answer your questions.

A little lowdown on me that I haven't mentioned already, is anything there is to know about LFS and online sim racing, running leagues, I know it.  Not blowing my own here, but I have been there and done it and it worked, and it was popular, very popular.  I even got prizes donated from ESL sponsors for the winners and runners up.  I am no WR holder or do hotlaps, I am more of an organizer and race for pure fun and enjoyment, and sometimes my spelling is atrocious LOL, Anyway, moving on to your questions:

A)  Am I employed or a beta tester for LFS
No I am not.  I am an individual/Run a team that just loves and enjoys LFS as it is not a big house development backed by masses amount of money or company ( there is 1 developer, 1 track and car designer / 1 web applications and music writer. Although very Indi, it is aimed at the "professional driver" for sim racing.

B)  Why LFS? first of all
Well, in my honest opinion, LFS is the "most realistic" racing sim out there at the moment for the PC.  Its FFB is not comparable to anything else on the market " at this time of writing" and I have spoken to people who drive IRacing, AC, RF2 etc etc.

I know LFS runs on a Direct 8 system, but this opens it up to people that don't have a powerful PC as it will run on practically anything, and we are still waiting for the more improved physics update, Rockingham track update and new tracks and also the Scirocco.

C)I am afriad you will not find a GTR2 server online anymore.  I have the following:
GTR, GTR2, GT Legends, Race 07, all the add ones, Power and Glory Mod for GTR 2 ( massive mod, well worth the download) Race On, Retro Expansion, STCC II, to name a few LOL.  I don't know why, but all these multiplayer's are now really redundant.

D) @Richy59 I am here to help, guide, promote, what ever you call it with TORA and hopefully LFS as this would be massive, for LFS, as you gather, this is my passion.  I can turn my own server to run as a TORA server, not a problem.  LFS is "free" to download for demo players, but the problem you have is demo players, usually have no interest in driving fairly and cleanly, like I promote my team, and also TORA would promote, so I keep my server to licensed drivers only.

A S2 License is only £24 and no extra cost's for anything else.  S3 has not been finalised yet, but unlike Iracing etc etc, there is no monthly charge, just a one off payment.  To be honest, the interest I would generate, all drivers would be S2 Licensed anyway, so interest would never be a problem if we was to start a championship.

The fact that a LFS Championship would have the kind of backing you already have with Forza Championships would not only just generate interest, but I have become a PR solider for LFS and if I announced anything with this size and the potential to be aired on MotorsTV, I think we would have to turn people away to be honest.

Now the difficult one.....

E) @AMR Garage

There is only 2 "real" cars as you mentioned, and also all the tracks are "fictional", but can I ask you this...does it really matter?  We are not operating realtime track times, or split times for a real life ( laser scanned track) this is purly for fun, enjoyment, and close, engaging racing on a professional level, everything TORA is about, so I read in the About Us?

Does "realism" really matter?

Answer me this.......What is Realism?

This is my answer....Realism is actually getting in a "real" car on a "real" track and having the seat of your pants feeling, the clutch, the brake bite, the G's on acceleration, you will NEVER EVER get this on a computer unless you have over 10K to spend on a simulate.  So like I asked, does it really matter if you raced at Brands Hatch or Aston Club Circuit ( ACC is a fictional LFS Track)?

There is now a new feature called Airio, which I run on my server.  It will tell a driver the inside out of a ducks a$$ if he wants to know, how close he is to WR, his PB, the lap record for this race etc etc, there is loads of admin/driver controls. I have the free version running on my server, but there is an enhanced version that you can pay for, which will tell you everything you ever needed to know and also set certain restrictions to cars ( i.e. weight penalties (i.e BTCC per race ) or engine restrictions) the list is endless, and like I mentioned, the drivers available now is 47 per server ( it is on mine)

Now for the ending....Finally I here to call LOL

The only problem I might forsee here, is with the Motors TV I saw today, which brought me here, they have a "stewards enquiry" that happened mid race.  LFS doesn't have that function, but LFS driver's know this, and appeal at the end, but that is the only thing I see. LFS races have been streamed live in the past with no problems.

OK my final thoughts:

1)  Do you think I think this will work:  Oh Yes
2)  Do you think this will be successful:  Oh Yes
3)  Am I dedicated to the promoation of LFS: Oh Yes
4)  Could it promote TORA to a new level on the PC market: Oh Yes
5)  Am I now sounding like the Chirchill Dog...Oh No No No No ROFL

I hope, that I have answered everything you will think of asking, but I doubt it, but what TORA standfore and how they promote the Online Racing Simulation, and the fact they have ties with the MSA and MotorsTV, this is a real gap and chance to promote the PC Gaming Simulation world, which in my honest opinion, a console will never top the physics or feeling ( trust me I have tried both )

If anybody has any questions, please, don't hesitate to contact me, I am here to serve and promote:D 

Happy Chrimbo one and all

Regards

Fordie

I will just add, as you posted after I wrote my essay...you need a VERY HIGH POWERED GFX PC TO RUN AC which a lot of people don't have, me included. I can run LFS, triple screen, maxed GFX ( Triple screens running at 1600x900 each and still acheive 40+ fps) Also you need £30 plus for an totally unfinished product "at this time of writing" and yes you will get free updates, but no download to test, to see "if it works" and also no multi-player at the moment

LFS works on almost any PC 5+ years old, no questions asked and you can set to the MAX GFX Settings and still get great FPS

Fordie

The only problem I might forsee here, is with the Motors TV I saw today, which brought me here, they have a "stewards enquiry" that happened mid race. LFS doesn't have that function, but LFS driver's know this, and appeal at the end, but that is the only thing I see. LFS races have been streamed live in the past with no problems.

Neither does Forza. That was an error my end.

Those races aren't "live", they are recorded, cut and edited from a raw replay on Forza. The overlays etc are added and the comms team chat over it.

I added those SIs a la F1 etc where, say, the team's director would immediately send an SI to the stewards, and it pops up on screen. Obviously, we can't do that on here, so putting the SIs on screen during the race was sort of false advertising and it's not happening again

Anyway on the PC front, my personal opinion regarding the real-ness of it all is that if it is "realistic" (basically the physics) then it's suitable for what we do.

I dont doubt the realism of LFS despite the fictional cars or courses, but for example, If we end up having a big event on TORA with LFS we can never really attatch it to a real-world event, like we would with Sebring and Le Mans, we cannot really do that with the full Aston GP course in the full fat FZR.

What happened with the CTRA? and what was there to replace it?

AMR Garage wrote:I dont doubt the realism of LFS despite the fictional cars or courses, but for example, If we end up having a big event on TORA with LFS we can never really attatch it to a real-world event, like we would with Sebring and Le Mans, we cannot really do that with the full Aston GP course in the full fat FZR.

What happened with the CTRA? and what was there to replace it?

CTRA just came to an end. The main force behind CTRA, Becky Rose, it writing her own game, as far as I know, so this took her time away from CTRA. There is cargame-nl now, which is pretty much the same but uses the new Ario plugin, but I don't like it, as it is all cars together, so obviously, if you like a XFG and your against a FXR, your never going to win, pointless to me.

So this is where you need to take a back step and determine the difference between "reality" and "fictional" I mean, you driving a Seat Touring Car at Sebring on a computer is it "reality" just because the track is named that and so is the car?

Fictional or reality, surly all we are looking for is great, close, fun, clean, TV candy close racing, whether the track/car is real or not? I bet in Forza and at Sebring, your not doing "real track times" to what the real drivers do, are you?

Fordie

In my honest opinion, LFS and TORA, backed my Motors and MSA could be a major break through for online sim racing in the UK. Remember, IRacing, is USA based, Rf2 and AC, you need power PC to run. LFS is developed and maintained in the UK by a UK Dev.

Real or no real, surely pure simulation, fun, clean, close racing is the key here?

Fordie

I just downloaded it to have a try

BG Chucky 82 wrote:I just downloaded it to have a try

Cool, if you have any questions, give me a shout   

Fordie

Well i dont have a wheel and cant seem to get it to run right with my pad just to try it out

BG Chucky 82 wrote:Well i dont have a wheel and cant seem to get it to run right with my pad just to try it out

I know there is very quick driver's out there, that use keyboard's, so may be trying just setting up keyboard to start with and then try PAD. Sorry I have only ever used Wheel with LFS.

Oh by the way, if anybody lives in the UK, and wants a Logitech MOMO Wheel with 2 sets of pedals, very well looked after I have it here, as I upgraded to a G27, so Momo fully working now just collecting dust

Fordie

No way, no way is it possible to use a keyboard on a PC sim AND be quick!

AMR Garage wrote:No way, no way is it possible to use a keyboard on a PC sim AND be quick!

Yep "it was" as you have the keyboard help option, but then again, how can you expect to be quick on a pad, this is not Forza ROFL, and not a console, this is "real sim racing".

Sorry was only just kidding.

Fordie

Ok I found a thing that sets up the pad but it inverts the brake and accelerator (thats is well hard the wrong way round) but the main thing is it works on my PC, weather it will handle other players on the screen i will have to wait and see

I have an LFS S2 license, and I'd love to use it!

Live For Speed is great fun, and would definitely not need any faffing about for online. Very pick up and go as far as that's concerned.

I'm currently at work and get back tomorrow, plus we have out final TEC 12 Hours race this weekend so we're a little busy. I'll get LFS installed and updated, and get my G27 set up (also need it for GT6 anyway) and I'll be in touch. It won't be a quick thing, but we'll give it a go and if you have some organisation behind this already then we'll get together and see what's what.

hi Richy59,

That's great. I totally understand that your very busy, but at least we can see this as a possible and these things takes ages to setup. You will have to let me know when your all hooked up, and I will change my server to a demo license server so you can join on there, as the demo servers (public ones) can be a little dodgy as they are not administered, unless you have an S2 license already and I will join you online.

Regards

Fordie

I'll give the demo a try with my G25

Okay it's pretty amazing, the Formula BMW felt awesome, however my laptop can't seem to cope hitting 20 fps even with most settings turned down and only 12 cars on track

ok here my question -

Now as a owner of most pc racing games, rfactor 2 for me at the moment has and will most likely be and have the biggest potential but why not run a series on the original rfactor?