SimHQ.com - Motorsports Zone - Feature: Sim Racing Tips - Getting the Most Out of Your Virtual Racing Hobby

While I was working on the first installment of our "Fast Lap" track tips series, one of our members suggested to me that a basic explanation of how to best prepare for sim racing, both on the personal and personal computer level might also be useful — especially for folks new to hard-core racing sims. This discussion won't focus on a particular track, or on how to set up a particular car's chassis, but on the general things a person can do to make their sim racing experience comfortable and fun. What follows is the first of a four-part guide that is by no means an all-encompassing list of things that will make your sim racing experience better. But hopefully what we're about to provide will help you to better acclimate yourself and your PC to the world of high fidelity racing simulations.

PC Workstation Setup

When you get into a car for the first time, one of the things you need to do is to adjust the car's cockpit to meet your driving needs. No one likes to drive a car when they're uncomfortable — straining muscles or contorting their bodies to operate the controls is no fun, and quite stressful. So we sit down in our car, and then adjust the seat, steering wheel, mirrors, stereo volume, sun visors, seat belt, etc., until we're ready to accomplish the task at hand. For the sim racer, modern PCs, peripherals and controllers can quite effectively mimic the controls and environment of a modern car. And as such, things like chair height and placement, wheel position, pedal distance, and monitor height all are just as important to a good sim racing session as the preceding are to operating a real car.

The "driving" position you are looking for at your PC are a match for those in your real car: Arms should be slightly bent at the elbows when gripping the wheel, with a grip near the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, thumbs resting on the wheel rather than wrapped around it. The wheel should be firmly attached to your computer desk, preferably directly in line with the center of your monitor to prevent back or neck strain.

With feet resting on the pedals your legs should be slightly bent at the knees, with a good reach to pedals but not too far or too close, such that you can comfortably and subconsciously work the full range of pedal travel. For your pedals, ensure that they don't slide around or migrate across the floor as you attempt to use them. Some pedals come with carpet grips, or rubber feet to enhance traction on hard flooring.

When seated at the wheel, you should be able to look straight-ahead at the monitor, with your spine straight and your head upright, not tilted to look down or up at the monitor. A good, multi-adjustable office chair will let make most of these adjustments. But sometimes you might find that you need to elevate your entire desktop or monitor to put the fine touches on your ergonomic setup. For example, in the past I've used some scraps of 2x4s under my computer desk's feet in order to elevate the entire desk and improve my screen viewing angle.

Ultimately your goal is to get your body in a comfortable position with no body part being held at awkward angle that will result in needless muscle strain. The more relaxed and comfortable your body position is while sim racing, the more you'll be able to concentrate on the sim and the less fatigued you'll become as you drive. But one word of advice — you should expect after a long driving session that your left ankle will be sore. This is common as you teach yourself to do left foot braking, as your ankle will frequently have to keep your left foot hovering over brake pedal. As you become more accustomed to left foot braking (a necessity to become capable of fast, consistent race laps), your foot muscles will adapt and the strain will become less noticeable.

Close Racing in PCC

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