foreigner says hi

[drees nice]

Post by drees on 15 hours ago

Hi guys, i think i'm gonna introduce myself. I seem to be on a path to getting addicted to the one thing that "no one else" does in a 1000 mile radius, which is the (mainly Australian) V8 series.

I'm Dries Nys (sounds like Drees Nice in English), i'm 30 something and i'm from Belgium. I've always had the dream of being a racing driver and sim racing has come to a level that's much closer to the real thing as i would have believed a couple years ago. I have to admit that i was a (naive) strong believer in GT5 (on release) being the closest to the real thing, but that was of course before i learned about iracing. I've been a member for half a year now and despite having all other "sims", i don't think i'll switch to anything else. Although there were some days in iracing that i wished there was an alternative that would live up to being the most expensive software in it's niche.

But if i would have to explain to a 4 year younger version of myself how much i now enjoy this, i would laugh at myself, hard and i would be called a "freaky nerd"

I bought all road tracks & some cars in iracing (Ruf, McLaren, Z4, star mazda, Ford GT) but till today, i still don't race anything official besides the adv mazda's. I want to be a consistent driver first, with a decent pace. The only series i have participated in are those advanced mazda's and those i'll probably keep running. I had some pretty decent overall standings so far. But the chance to abuse your pedals and H-shifter is one of the big reasons i enjoy that series so much.
But from everything i drove, i'm the least attracted to the most popular series. I'm a sucker for no aids, so i loved the c-spec way more once i discovered it and never thought there would be something more pleasing to drive, till i did my first laps without crashing with the holden. Last week i was really showing signs of addictive behaviours on Phillip Island, i'm sure. I did only 2 races so far, those were in week 13 and i'm was very happy from those results. Don't think Oran will become one of my favourites. I guess something very difficult yet very rewarding is more my thing than the more generic GT3 racing (imo)

Ever since i discovered the "GT5 with FFB wheel" - combo i've been working on my DIY rig (with very average skills) and at the moment it's in a "growing stage";
I made the monitor mount / dashboard-ish thing only a week ago to replace a very tiny wheelmount. The extra "shelf" is there to stay after testing and liking it's use. The speakers on top are mounted for testing but i kinda like the position and i might make 2 decent mounts for them today. I also mounted the subwoofer right above my knees/feet earlier today and that things definitively staying there. Awesome V8 stationary growl - feel . After i've given my speakers a fixed place, i'll paint everything. And the frame is next, it's gonna be a more closed heavier "unit" eventually. Oh yeah, my seat is my best rig purchase by far and i got it for 70€ (fully adjustable ex-audi leather seat)

I also love making paints, maybe you noticed my "NICE DREES" skin... I made it first as "ICEWATCH". I did a couple paints, only one for the V8 though.

 

[Noodleguitar]

Hey Dries, welcome! I think I saw you in a V8 practice session yesterday.

Looks like you're pretty serious about racing, good to see. Very nice paint too, looks awesome.

I probably agree in the opinion that aid-less cars are overall more fun, but I've also found it great to try to master some of the GT3 cars, where the field is probably closer. A bunch of participation also means lots of competition and no worries about races not going official.

The Mustang is another car that requires gentle handling. It does have ABS, but it steers similar to the V8 and power-on oversteer is also definitely a factor. I'm just now trying the V8 car and so far I find it more difficult than the Mustang. Both are relatively safe: you can catch most of the slides, but I find it's easier to make a mistake in the V8 that costs you too many tenths.

 

[Daunt]

Welcome Dries! Great rig!! Can't wait to make my own (need a basement and some money first)

Interesting approach to iRacing. I'm trying to not be shy about jumping in races (As I've tried, with no luck, to jump into 3 races at Oran with the V8 This week) so long as I feel comfortable enough not to wreck terribly. My biggest fear is taking someone else out, not so much crashing myself out. Still this leads to many many practice sessions.

As for assists, I'm just for authenticity. If it is in the car in real life, then I'm all for it. You can say driving without assists makes you a better driver, but I don't know. In general I guess it just comes back to the cars you like.

Don't be shy about getting on our TS, especially if you're turning laps in the V8.