Doing research for the driving cab forum.....

[BadMouth]

In a selfless act, I gave up a Friday of work and braved standing in cold wind so that I may gain knowledge of real controls
 and compare them to what is available for our racing cabs.    





This was a "Dream Car Sprint", so it was just four laps on a course set up in a parking lot ($99 Groupon).  Pedals and paddle shifters didn't feel much different than everyday cars, which surprised me.  Acceleration was good, but I'm used to motorcycles.  My first thought on the straightaway was that it felt like my bike taking off, but with a lot more weight along for the ride.  Handling was insane.  The car would not lose grip or squeal the tires no matter how fast I went into the corners (the guy said I was nowhere near the limits).   (This does not match my results when playing sim racers)

I was hoping to study the interior, but the guy started going over instructions as soon as I got in and ten seconds later I wasn't concentrating on anything but the course.
I also had a CD with the 1996 Orchestration of Splash Wave that I was hoping to play, but when I got in the car the guy quickly started his spiel,  I didn't make the request.

Driving a Ferrari not being enough of a sacrifice  , I then travelled to a classic arcade and did research for two hours. http://timelinearcade.net/
Unfortunately, they didn't have Outrun although it's listed on their website.  I was hoping to show a pic of the cab and say I drove both in one day.
 

[Well Fed Games]

I applaud your thoroughness and encourage further testing! 

[baritonomarchetto]

Hey, where's the iconic "outrun" blondie? 

[jackiabu]

nice men TEST DRIVE on Ferrari

[Fursphere]

The car would not lose grip or squeal the tires no matter how fast I went into the corners (the guy said I was nowhere near the limits).   (This does not match my results when playing sim racers)

You know, I've often felt this way about racing sims.  The only time I've had a similar experience to most sim racers in a real car is when I was driving in the snow in my Jeep back in the day...

Like Shift and Shift 2 are really not fun to me for the simple fact that the cars feel like you're driving on marbles on an ice covered track.  Where the hell is the traction?

Very cool adventure you had there too btw!   

[BadMouth]

Hey, where's the iconic "outrun" blondie? 

She's out of town for the weekend, hence all my fun! 
....and her hair is dyed red at the moment (although she is blonde).

The car would not lose grip or squeal the tires no matter how fast I went into the corners (the guy said I was nowhere near the limits).   (This does not match my results when playing sim racers)

You know, I've often felt this way about racing sims.  The only time I've had a similar experience to most sim racers in a real car is when I was driving in the snow in my Jeep back in the day...

Like Shift and Shift 2 are really not fun to me for the simple fact that the cars feel like you're driving on marbles on an ice covered track.  Where the hell is the traction?

Very cool adventure you had there too btw!

I think it's that sims do a horrible job of portraying the sense of speed.  You don't realize how fast your going in a sim unless you spend your time watching the speedometer.

[Locke141]

Thats amazing.

Where is the Stig? 

[wp34]

That's really awesome!  The Outrun attempt puts it over the top.   

Handling was insane.  The car would not lose grip or squeal the tires no matter how fast I went into the corners (the guy said I was nowhere near the limits).   (This does not match my results when playing sim racers)

My dad had a 1999 Corvette and driving it felt like a slot car.  It just went were you pointed it with no slippage.  The little I've played sims does not match this at all.