Does Gran Tursimo improve your driving?

[75Carrera]

It's been raining for weeks (off and on) in northern AZ. I got itchy to drive and got into the Gran Tursimo 4 (PS2) game. I've actually had it a while but never really got into it. After a week or two I've all but mastered the Ring and found the trick is to maintain a solid track line and using proper approaches and exit speeds to improve my lap times. The skills, relative to finding the best line into various turns and fastest lines, are uncanny, just like the actual road and/or track skills to acheive the best results. I've been surprised how many of us (so called mature guys) are playing this "excellent" driving game. I wonder how many of you play this game and what you think about it's value as a practical learning tool?

Here's a cartoon a drew to illustrate the feeling as you maneuver the Gran Tursimo 4 courses...

[masraum]

I suspect it good driving sims/games can improve specific skills related to driving. Other skills have to come with seat time.

Wow, great CARtoon!!

Do you get paid for your artistic talent or do it primarily for fun?

[ckissick]

I saw a post here recently that had a link to a Top Gear episode where JC raced Laguna Seca. JC's "teacher" had him practice the course on Gran Turismo between runs. Of course, it helps you learn the track. Other than that, I should think that only a real car can help you learn. I find it much more difficult to find the right line on a computer than on a real track.

[trekkor]

I've driven Sears around 500 laps and Laguna near the same in real life.

I have played the game way more laps than that. It has helped me learn the track and the line.
I can describe everything about either track turn by turn from memory, no problem.
even the little things.

The game rewards the right line, braking points, entry/exit speeds and gear selection.
I still try to play a bit before each track day.


KT

[nostatic]

I actually think it can hinder performance. The lack of vsiceral impact (ie g forces) give your brain a lot of false impressions that it links to the memory of the line. That's my theory anyway (goes along with my theory that videoconferencing is actually much worse than phone alone, but that's another story).

I used GT3 to run Laguna Seca a few times, but found that in reality, actually driving the track helped my game playing rather than the other way around.

[svandamme]

topgear once did a thing on GT4 and track racing, taking a car from GT4 and driving it around Laguna Seca...

if i remembe right, he came to the conclusion that it helps remembering corners, which helps the initial real life first laps... but also said it's to optimistic (Jezza coudn't get near his GT4 time in real life, was cooking the brakes of his NSX) and not seat of the pants realistic enough to think one will be able to compete with those who actually did hundreds of laps on a track,


found the video

[nota]

try the ring in GPL Grand Prix Legends
yes it's older but still the SIM
all the others are games

[on2wheels52]

I know I really suck at the motorcyle video games. The lack of feeling during braking and cornering puts me on the ground every time. I'm lucky to lead for a lap.
Jim

[75Carrera]

Svandamme,

Great video! That's exactly what I was asking about. There are obvious advantages to knowing (learning) a track and being prepared for it's challenges. But there is nothing to compare to actually feeling the "real" road or track under your "real" car. But... the games really are fun aren't they?
The more I drive the Ring or Laguna Seca in the game the better times I generate. Actually driving my Carrera through our local twistie sections is much the same. Knowing the turns and being comfortable pushing through the "G's" is a blast. I have learned from the game though. My line is tighter now and my exit speeds are way up.

[Dixie]

I think I'm ready for the NFL draft! You see, I've been playing that John Madden football game...

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

I think I'm ready for the NFL draft! You see, I've been playing that John Madden football game...

pretty good analogy

You want someone who's only trained in Half Life 2 watching your butt in combat? Although my son is pretty devastating with a sniper rifle in BF2.

[nut11]

Wasn't sim a large part of Lewis Hamilton's development? Just what I read.

87 blk coupe

[1fastredsc]

Well on the other hand those driving sims do get some bad habits out of you. Like braking before turning instead of both at the same time, or too much throttle too early, being progressive with your inputs instead of jabbing stuff, etc. At the very least a novice could figure out how to counter steer an over steering situation. After all there are lots of kids with 0 driving time getting a head start on vehicle dynamics, so as long as they don't think that they are the next Michael Schumacher (i'm guilty of that one) when they first get there license.

[nostatic]

simulators have their place. But a "real" driving sim and a PS2 are two different beasts.

We make "serious" games, and believe that they are great for training. BUT, horses for courses, and I still maintain that it can actually cause you more problems than solve them. Depends on the individual, the training regimin, number of hours doing each, etc.

[1fastredsc]

Well actually i was speaking from experience with Forza 2, I haven't played the GT series since GT2 on the PS1.

[Rearden]

Originally Posted by nota

try the ring in GPL Grand Prix Legends
yes it's older but still the SIM
all the others are games

I hate to agree with you nota, but I do believe that GPL is a helpful way to practice high performance driving. This simulation is very unforgiving and you can't get away with entering a corner too fast and out of control, or putting the power down too early. Juan Pablo Montoya stated several years ago that he races GPL to keep his car control reactions in tune. If it's good enough for JPM...

[Tervuren]

GPL is the ultimate thrill ride - NOTHING I have ever played or driven has some close. Unfortunately, it does not work for me right now. I am reluctant to give much benefit to most games you can find in a store, except for learning tracks. GPL is an exception though.

Now granted, I can't really feel the forces, but I was disappointed with GTL. I find even with all aids off, that it doesn't penalize overworkign the tires near enough. I'd expect racing tires to be even worse about it than road tires. In GTL, I can kick full lock of steering, and still make a turn with little loss...that irks me.

Another I play, is Racer, but it is not near finished, lots of unfinished aspects, I like it as I can see the raw data of everything live, allowing me to increase the realism adjusting things until I start seeing the real world numbers. I also like it as I can easily import content into it.
I recorded some new audio clips with my '84 944, and have them in the game for a car I'm working on.http://www.andrewscars.com/racer/recording.wmv

GTR/GTR2, I liked GTR's demo, perhaps its better at realism than GTL, I have yet to ply GTR2. I also have not played GTx or Forza x with a racing wheel, so cannot comment on those.