Opinion | Real or Fantasy?

Paul Jeffrey · Jan 16, 2020

Sim Racing is a simulation of real motorsport - but many racers also enjoy some of the many scratch built fantasy circuits available in our favourite sims - what's your opinion on the real and virtual debate?

Do you get your kicks from racing on the same (virtual) tarmac as your motorsport heros? Do you find your fun in the fight against your rivals or even your own laptimes? Does the circuit really matter so long as it's an enjoyable experience?

We each enjoy our hobby in a different way, for different reasons, with no real 'right' answer as to how best to get the most from our sim racing experience.

One question I would love to ask you all is about the world of fantasy content (only dealing with tracks in this feature, cars will follow later...). At the head of this article I've put together a little poll asking if you have interest in fantasy created circuits, or if the only way to race is on replications of the real deal.

Throw down a vote and let us know your opinions in the poll below!

Sim Racing is awesome!

Image: Pinewood GP Assetto Corsa mod

KittX · Jan 16, 2020

I choose both. Especially if the fantasy circuits are made like they were real. Toban, Essington, Mills, Aosta come to mind. And it's a lot of fun to design the fantasy circuits as if they were real, while still keeping a bit of unique idea.

BrettSinclair1 · Jan 16, 2020

The very attraction of sim racing is trying to beat Jim Clark around 1960s Watkins Glen.

KittX · Jan 16, 2020

BrettSinclair1 said:
The very attraction of sim racing is trying to beat Jim Clark around 1960s Watkins Glen.

is Jim Clark laserscanned though?

M D Gourley · Jan 16, 2020

Both for me also and as KittX says above 'Especially if the fantasy circuits are made like they were real'....as I feel the Developers / Track artists have more scope to try ideas and do not have to worry about licenses to use name brand tracks...Wreckfest come to my mind as everything is fantasy but the Cars and Tracks have a realistic / believable look to them...and yes, even the 'Hellride' track....LOL

ShredatorFIN · Jan 16, 2020

Actually some Wreckfest tracks are real Finnish and Norwegian folk racing tracks, with fake names. Majority of them are fictional though

For me, it depends, in very serious sims I prefer real tracks. On the other hand, for example rally games fictional can be really good, for example WRC games. Their stages are just more interesting than those of Dirt Rally, even when DR has real stages

Stig Bidstrup · Jan 16, 2020

I prefer real. Fantasy tracks or roads seems to have sections of corners you wont find out there
for example 3 left corners followed immediately with 3 right corners and incredible climbs

.

mmmarac · Jan 16, 2020

I prefer real but there are awesome looking and fun to drive fantasy tracks, so both works for me.

norbs · Jan 16, 2020

People who poo poo fantasy tracks are the ones missing out.

I still consider Gentrack in AC one of the best tracks ever! EVER!!!!!

norbs · Jan 16, 2020

Stig Bidstrup said:
I prefer real. Fantasy tracks or roads seems to have sections of corners you wont find out there
for example 3 left corners followed immediately with 3 right corners and incredible climbs .

Sounds like Bilsterberg

Ryno917 · Jan 16, 2020

Agreed with some of the above; I love fictional content that's done in a realistic way. Being a designer, it's also what I enjoy creating myself.

I still say Blackwood from LFS is one of the best simracing tracks of all time. It's got a great flow and just works so well in any class of car.

Tommy2808 · Jan 16, 2020

I love fictional tracks when they are done as good as a existing one.

The-IC · Jan 16, 2020

I like a well resolved fantasy track, i.e. one where the author has paid attention to believeable track layout, kerbing, runoff, facilities etc. as if it could potentially be built...on top of that, what do inaccurately modelled real tracks count as?

Fat-Alfie · Jan 16, 2020

Both, for me. I have driven on real tracks that have felt completely fictional, and also fantasy tracks that I couldn't believe weren't real places.

A great track layout is a great track layout.

mantasisg · Jan 16, 2020

I like them, track is a track. Especially if it gets well made and most importantly gets a good layout/layouts, like for example Horsma track.

I have one track that has a layout that was used only few years IRL and some of it was demolished so I allowed myself to use slight fantasy for a missing part.

Bram Hengeveld · Jan 16, 2020

I wonder how many people, who have played rFactor back in the days, know that Toban, Mill Metro Park, etc were all fantasy tracks.

Personally I love a well done fantasy track more than yet another Spa, Nurb, Silverstone etc.

Secondly most real tracks were fake in the sketch phase and only became real once constructed on real soil.

More fantasy for me!

Terry Rock · Jan 16, 2020

Both.
It makes no difference to me, as long as they're good layouts with lots of corners.
I like nice scenery as well.

dhmotor · Jan 16, 2020

I’ve been on some terrible mod tracks. The good news is, that on AC at least, there are now a host of great fantasy tracks. I also lump historic tracks that no longer exist into this category. I am blown away by the creativity of people who are creating these gems. If you try to create your own track, even just drawing the outline, it’s hard to not be redundant and derivative - at least for me.

eg01st · Jan 16, 2020

Paul Jeffrey said:
Sim Racing is a simulation of real motorsport - but many racers also enjoy some of the many scratch built fantasy circuits available in our favourite sims - what's your opinion on the real and virtual debate?

Do you get your kicks from racing on the same (virtual) tarmac as your motorsport heros? Do you find your fun in the fight against your rivals or even your own laptimes? Does the circuit really matter so long as it's an enjoyable experience?

We each enjoy our hobby in a different way, for different reasons, with no real 'right' answer as to how best to get the most from our sim racing experience.

One question I would love to ask you all is about the world of fantasy content (only dealing with tracks in this feature, cars will follow later...). At the head of this article I've put together a little poll asking if you have interest in fantasy created circuits, or if the only way to race is on replications of the real deal.

Throw down a vote and let us know your opinions in the poll below!

Sim Racing is awesome!

View attachment 344039

Image: Pinwood GP Assetto Corsa mod