iRacing finally gets its act together

....in the form of the MX-5.

Yes, the new Williams F1 car is grabbing much of the limelight (and there's a great
3 month, car & two track package for new customers) but I spent most of my day off
yesterday racing the MX-5. It was simply superb fun, and I think I did more road
races in one day than I did in the whole of last season.

The old Solstice was a dog, and no advert for the service whatsoever. However
they've given it new tyres this build, making it much, much, much more entertaining
to drive. But that's not really important because the MX-5 is even better and
replaces the Solstice as your first (road) taste of the iRacing code.

Now, as I've said from the start, I'm not the biggest fan of the overall service
and its serious sporting goals. But I still think this is the best sim code on the
planet and with the changes made in this build the pleasure/pain balance for me
might finally have been tipped permanently towards pleasure.

Maybe. :-) I am pleased that they've finally decided to try some permanent Fun
servers, with no SR to worry about. But I think choosing the F1 and top end oval
car is a mistake... neither car are suitable for a quick relaxed race... which, for
me, is the whole point of a permanent Fun server!

Still, it's progress towards a more widely targeted sim, so I have to be
optimistic... especially if we persuade them to give the MX-5 a proper series which
isn't limited to the two Rookie tracks. I used to think the Skip Barber was the
only road car iRacing needed, but now I'd be happy if there was only the MX-5 in
various formats to suit driver preferences. It will hurt other series, but that's
the nature of iRacing, and I don't honestly care. The MX-5 really is a hugely
satisfying sim-ride. Perhaps the best ever.

Anyway, if you're currently not a member, this is a good time join or re-join. The
new build fun & frolics may only last until the end of Wk13 (next Monday night) but
for the next few days at least iRacing feels like a great place to be a member.

Unless, of course, the maintenance going on as I type changes things again and
makes the MX-5 more fragile. Part of the appeal so far has been the ability to make
a little contact and not cause the traditional iCrippling damage.

Andrew McP... suffering from an uncharacteristic attack of iFanboyism which
probably won't last

PS The MX-5 is, of course, running on two tracks you'll have to buy this week
(Mid-Ohio & the superb Road Atlanta). But this is iRacing, so that goes without
saying. :-) The F1 is running on the two tracks mentioned above, plus Laguna, so at
least one day in three is accessible with no extra expense.

Disclaimer: I have spent almost a month's wages now at iRacing. I may not be
capable of a rational opinion on the subject any more. ;-)