by Dean Chapman, Northern New Jersey Region PCA

Congratulations – Welcome to Installment 10!

You have found yourself on the pole position at the Dean’s List!

The Dean’s List is the place for me to ask questions of fellow PCA Sim Racing competitors, hopefully gleaning tidbits of information about their likes, dislikes, and equipment.

The latest news on the SIM equipment front is the new DD2.5 Fanatec shipments are making their way out into racers hands. Hopefully we’ll see more competitive driving. Direct Drive is an awesome addition to every racers rig. Increased fidelity and a more realistic feel to the experience…Have Fun if you’ve snagged one!
Also to note- Series 7 is now scheduled. First race is September 29th…have fun and stay safe.

so without further ado…here are our latest, fully approved, scrutineered and signed off e-Racers

 

Andrew Smiley, Connecticut Valley Region ( CVR), 2021 Cayman GTS 4.0 and 1989 911 Targa

Bill Anderson, Longhorn Region, 2012 Porsche Cayman R, 2013 Porsche Carrera S

Jose Rivas, Riesentoter, in search of new p-car past cars include 997TT, 987, 944T, and another 944T

Will Waldron, Hudson Champlain PCA Region. I drive a 968 which I use to compete in PCA Club Racing.

And now, the questions!


“What is your favorite car-specific movie or documentary?”

Andrew Smiley, “Ford V Ferrari.”

Bill Anderson, Truth in 24.”

Jose Rivas, Talladega Nights is by far one of my favorites. I quote it all the time. “I want to go fast”, “if you are not first, you are last”. It’s a classic.”

Will Waldron, “‘The Quick and the Dead.’ It’s an amazing documentary about Formula One’s most dangerous years in the 70s. You spend time with Jackie Stewart and poor François Cevert, who died at Watkins Glen. ‘Stroker Ace’ with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton if you need some cheering up.”


“What is your favorite movie with a car featured? (i.e action scenes: James Bond, Baby Driver, 6 Underground, Mission Impossible, Bullet, etc.)”

Andrew Smiley, Against All Odds, Ferris Bueler’s Day Off, and Risky Business.”

Bill Anderson, 1970 Porsche 917K in Le Mans.”

Jose Rivas, “Bad Boys with the 964 Turbo.

Will Waldron, “I’ve got to go with the chase scene from ‘The French Connection’ where Popeye Doyle, played by Gene Hackman, chases an elevated subway train through Brooklyn. He commandeers a car, and proceeds to beat the hell out of it in a desperate chase through busy streets to catch the man who tried to kill him.”


“What equipment do you use for your Rig? (Be as specific or brief as you like)”

Andrew Smiley, GT Track Cockpit, Alienware PC and headphones, Logitech G20 Pedals and Wheel, Thrustmaster Shifter, Triple Monitors – Dell 32” each.”

Bill Anderson, Track Time Entertainment custom 8020 chassis, Simucube 2 Pro, Cube Controls Formula Pro, and OMP Pro USB wheels, Heusinkveld Ultimate+ pedals.  I run triple 32” 165hz 1440p monitors with a 27” data screen, driven with NVIDIA 3090 FE and AMD 5800x.

Jose Rivas, DIY 8020 that looks like a P1X, Simicube 2 Sport DD Wheel Base, Fanatec Porsche Wheel, Simcore STD24-WS, Heusinkveld Sprints, NRG Racing Seat.”

Will Waldron, “Heusinkveld Sprint pedals and an old Fanatec Porsche GT2 wheel which I’ve fixed several times. I made my own rig from an old race seat and extruded aluminum earlier this year. Oculus VR headset gives me a more realistic experience.”


“If you could, what Car would you like to drive? (Any era, any value)”

Andrew Smiley, 911 GT2 RS.”

Bill Anderson, Ferrari F2004.”

Jose Rivas, Carrera GT.”

Will Waldron, “I’d like to get my hands a Porsche 959. It’s a rare beauty.”


“What’s your favorite non-Porsche iRacing car?”

James Legault, “I’ve always enjoyed driving the Skippy.  But since starting PCA Sim Racing last year, it is clear to me that it doesn’t prepare you for heavier cars with a lot of horsepower. I’ve been on a real learning curve the past year..”

Bill Anderson, Dallara F3

Jose Rivas, “Miata.”

Will Waldron, “I ran the Ford Spec Racer in that series for a few years off and on. It was a real handful to drive at various stages of sim updates. I favor cars that respond well to throttle steer.”


“What’s your favorite iRacing Porsche?”

Andrew Smiley, “RUF12R.”

Bill Anderson, “Porsche 911 RSR.”

Jose Rivas, “The Cayman GT4.”

Will Waldron, “I enjoyed the RUF. It was fun to drive and quick.”


“Do you have a favorite iRacing circuit?”

Andrew Smiley, “Lime Rock.”

Bill Anderson, No, pretty much like racing anywhere.”

Jose Rivas, Watkins Glen.”

Will Waldron, “Lime Rock Park is my local track and I feel like I can run fast times there in the sim without trying too hard.”


“Shoes, socks, or slippers when you drive your rig?”

Andrew Smiley, “Crocs.”….!…beats Birkenstocks?

Bill Anderson, Puma Speed Cats.”

Jose Rivas, Sparco Shoes.”

Will Waldron, “I’m a driving shoe racer. Socks work, but it’s hard on your feet.”


“Gloves (what brand?), au-natural, or …mittens??  when you drive your rig??”

Andrew Smiley, “Au-Natural.”

Bill Anderson, Puma Podio gloves.”

Jose Rivas, RaceQuip Gloves.”

Will Waldron, “Au-natural: never saw the need for gloves personally.”


“How long have you SIM raced?”

Andrew Smiley, “One Year.”

Bill Anderson, “First sim I remember playing was Indy 500: The Simulation 1989.  That being said, I never took sim racing seriously until Series 5, so I’ve really been focused on sim racing for about a year.”

Jose Rivas, On and off 3 years.

Will Waldron, Over ten years now in various phases. I’d get into and then put things down for a while. My first real sim was ‘GT Legends.’ Loved those old cars.


“Is there another SIM car race platform you’ve tried? (Like?)”

Andrew Smiley, “Assetto Corsa.”

Bill Anderson, I’ve used Assetto Corsa Competizione and it’s a fantastic sim..”

Jose Rivas, When I first got into sim racing I had a Fanatec set up for the Xbox and I like to play F1 on it.”

Will Waldron, “I was into rFactor before Iracing. Lots of tracks and cars and it was cheaper.”


“What are your most used Steering Wheel Hot Keys (mapped buttons)?”

Andrew Smiley, “Relative and Fuel.”

Bill Anderson, “Brake balance +/- is the most critical buttons for me.”

Jose Rivas, (Exit) when I crash.”

Will Waldron, “Brake bias and traction control. I adjust my traction during opening laps. Brake bias is a moving target.”


“Do you follow any Car related websites? Blogs? YouTube Channels / Twitch? Etc..please share with us.”

Bill Anderson, “Box this Lap, Dave Cam and Dan Suzuki on YouTube.”

Jose Rivas, “Hoovies Garage, Obsessed Garage, Boost Brothers, TJ Hunt.”


“What’s your favorite tipple (drink)?”

Andrew Smiley, Kettle One Martini – Straight Up – Dry – Olives.”

Bill Anderson, Old Fashioned.”

Jose Rivas, I like a good whisky neat. (Whistle Pig one of my favorite).”

Will Waldron, “I’m a beer guy a heart. Like the English ales and German lager.


“Given a few hours locked away, what would you prefer to watch…”

Andrew Smiley, “GY Racing.”

Bill Anderson, I like to watch my friends in SRO, VLN, Series24, or IMSA.”

Jose Rivas, “Formula 1.”

Will Waldron, “I watch a lot of NASCAR because it’s on most weekends. Ideal Sunday would be F1 for breakfast, GT over lunch, and finish it all off with the stock cars.”


“Does SIM racing ’scratch your itch’ for car racing? or would you always prefer to race in real life?”

Andrew Smiley, Definitely Scratch’s my itch but nothing like the real deal!

Bill Anderson, Not even close.  I’ve not experienced anything close to the feeling of driving a racing car in competition.”

Jose Rivas, “During the lockdown, it defiantly filled that void. Although I must admit lately, I have been slacking on both real racing AND Sim. Hopefully, soon that will change.”

Will Waldron, “I race in real life and consider the two disciplines related but not as close as I’d like. I think the sim is good mental training, although it can also point your driving in the wrong direction as far as feel and technique. Real thing takes a lot more courage and cash.”


“If you were the boss at iRacing command, what new feature, improvement, race category or class would you make?”

Andrew Smiley, Stricter penalties/ bans for reckless drivers.

Bill Anderson, iRacing needs to simulate real-time weather (coming soon), corner marshals, and full course yellows so we can properly simulate endurance racing.

Jose Rivas, Free Porsche Cars for PCA members.”

Will Waldron, “I’d add a 944 first and foremost! Really, any front-engine car that doesn’t feel like a dump truck would be a blessing. Would love to see Watkins Glen get an update and add some of the new tracks from the Northeast.”

 

Thank You Drivers and see you out there on the track!

Don’t forget to check out the Tip Jar for more wisdom and general SIM racing good practice …


Read other Dean’s List Installments here!