ChatGPT – Simracing Interview
In today’s technological world, artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role. More and more companies and organisations are turning to AI systems to optimise their processes and increase productivity. One of these systems is ChatGPT, a large language model trainer developed by OpenAI. In the following article, we will interview ChatGPT and learn more about its capabilities and applications.
Not only this introduction, but also all the answers we receive today in this interview are completely generated by an AI. How far has ChatGPT come in the year 2023? Let’s test it out!
Max (Simracing-PC): Hello ChatGPT, Are you up for an interview about simracing?
ChatGPT: Yes, I am ready for an interview on the subject of simracing. Please ask me your questions.
Max (Simracing-PC): What do you already know about simracing?
ChatGPT: Simracing, or simulative racing, is a form of racing in which drivers compete on computer-based simulations of car races. These simulations try to recreate the experience of a real car race as closely as possible and often provide a safer environment than the real thing. There are many different simracing platforms and games, some of which are aimed at professional racers and teams, while others are for home or recreational use.
Max (Simracing-PC): Interesting, what simulations with a high degree of realism can you recommend?
ChatGPT:
- iRacing: It is an online racing simulation aimed at professional racers and teams, offering a wide range of race cars and tracks. It has a very high accuracy in terms of race car physics and track characteristics.
- rFactor 2: It is another professional racing simulation that offers a wide range of race cars and tracks. It has a very advanced physics engine and offers a realistic racing environment.
- Assetto Corsa: It is another realistic racing simulation aimed at simulating street racing and offers a wide range of cars and tracks. It has a very accurate physics engine and offers a realistic driving experience.
- Project Cars 2: It is a racing simulation that offers a large number of cars and tracks and specialises in simulating street racing, it has a very advanced physics engine and offers a realistic driving experience.
There are other racing simulations with high levels of realism, such as F1 2020, Dirt Rally 2.0 and Real Racing 3. These are just a few examples, there are many more racing simulations that offer high levels of realism.
Max (Simracing-PC): Which of these is best for a beginner?
ChatGPT: For newcomers to the world of simracing, it can be difficult to choose the right simulation because there are so many different options. Some simracing simulations are very demanding and require a lot of time and practice to master properly, while others have a lower learning curve.
A good choice for beginners can be “Assetto Corsa”. It has a very realistic physics engine and offers a realistic driving experience, but it is also easy to learn and has a lower learning curve than some of the other professional simulations. It also has a large number of tracks and cars available, there is also a large community that provides numerous mods, this allows you to customise the simulation to your own needs.
Another good example for beginners can be “iRacing”, it has a very high accuracy in terms of physics of the race car and track characteristics, it also has a large community and there are many race series you can join. It also has a large number of tracks and cars available.
It is important to note that it is best to try out some of the free demos before deciding which simulation to buy to make sure it meets your needs and that you are happy with it.
Max (Simracing-PC): You are talking about mods for Assetto Corsa. Where do you get them and how do you install them?
ChatGPT: Mods for Assetto Corsa can be downloaded from various websites, some examples are:
- RaceDepartment
- Assetto-DB
- Assetto Corsa Racing Simulation
- Kunos Simulazioni forum
These websites offer a wide range of mods, from cars and tracks to tools and customisations that can improve the simulation.
The installation of the mods varies depending on the mod and where you downloaded it, but usually you have to copy the downloaded file to the “content/tracks” or “content/cars” folder of the Assetto Corsa directory. However, some mods may also have specific installation instructions that describe how to install the mod. It is also important to make sure that the mod is compatible with the current version of the game to avoid problems when playing it
Max (Simracing PC): Thanks for the very detailed answer. Which wheel base would you recommend to a beginner whose budget is under 200€?
ChatGPT: If the budget is under 200€, the options for a wheel base will be more limited, as most wheel bases in this price range do not offer the same quality and realism as the more expensive models. A good choice for a wheel base under 200€ is the Trustmaster T150 Pro Racing Wheel. It offers good feedback and good precision. It also has 900 degrees of rotation and is good value for money. It is compatible with most steering wheels on the market and has a good robust construction. However, it is important to note that the choice of a wheel base is always also dependent on personal preferences and requirements.
Max (Simracing-PC):And how would you answer the question of many users as to whether Fanatec or Simucube is better in the high-end range?
ChatGPT: Fanatec and Simucube are both well-known manufacturers of simracing peripherals that offer high-quality and realistic wheel bases. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and which is better depends on personal preferences and requirements.
Fanatec has a wide range of wheel bases and steering wheels available and is most widely used in the simracing community. They also offer a wide range of accessories and upgrades that allow the setup to be customised to individual needs.
Simucube specialises in the high-end market and offers wheel bases with higher precision and realism. However, they tend to be more expensive than Fanatec’s and there are fewer options for upgrades and accessories.
Ultimately, the choice between Fanatec and Simucube depends on personal preferences and requirements
Max (Simracing-PC): Can you also help me with the FOV setting?
ChatGPT: To calculate the correct Field of View (FOV) for Sim Racing, there is a simple formula that can be used:
FOV = (2 * atan(h / (2 * d))) * (180 / pi)
In this formula, “h” stands for the height of the screen (in inches) and “d” for the distance of the eye from the screen (in inches). The result of the formula is given in degrees.
Another method is to use FOV calculators on the internet that require you to enter your screen size and seating position and calculate the recommended FOV. There are also many racing simulations that have a FOV slider in the settings, then you can find the correct FOV simply by trial and error.
The horizontal Field of View (FOV) can be calculated in a similar way to the vertical FOV, by using the width of the screen instead of the height.
The formula is:
FOV = (2 * atan(w / (2 * d))) * (180 / pi)
In this formula, “w” stands for the width of the screen (in inches) and “d” for the distance of the eye from the screen (in inches). The result of the formula is given in degrees.
Some racing simulations and games allow you to adjust the horizontal and vertical FOV separately, so you can adjust the horizontal and vertical FOV to get a more realistic field of view.
There are also FOV calculators on the internet that can calculate both the horizontal and vertical FOV by specifying the screen size and seating position.
Max (Simracing-PC): And what about fuel consumption? My race lasts 60 minutes, I consume 3 litres per lap and a lap lasts 2 minutes. How much fuel do I have to take with me if I want to have a buffer of five litres at the end?
ChatGPT: To find out how much fuel you need for a race that lasts 60 minutes and has a lap time of 2 minutes, you can calculate the number of laps you will complete during the race.
Since a lap lasts 2 minutes, and a race lasts 60 minutes, then it takes 60/2= 30 laps.
Since you use 3 litres of fuel per lap and complete 30 laps, you will need a total of 3 * 30 = 90 litres of fuel.
If you want to have a buffer of 5 litres, you need to take a total of 90 + 5 = 95 litres of fuel.
It is important to note that race simulators may have different models for fuel consumption, some simulate consumption more accurately than others and it may also be that some simulators have a fixed fuel consumption regardless of lap time. In this case, one must pay attention to the settings of the simulation.
Max (Simracing-PC): Can you give me a formula for that?
ChatGPT: Yes, to calculate the amount of fuel needed for a race with a duration of t minutes, a lap time of r minutes and a consumption of x litres per lap, you can use the following formula:
Fuel required = (t/r) * x + buffer.
In this formula, “t” stands for the duration of the race in minutes, “r” for the lap time in minutes, “x” for the fuel consumption per lap in litres and “buffer” for the desired amount of fuel to be carried as a reserve.
In your case the formula would be:
Fuel required = (60/2) * 3 + 5 = 90 + 5 = 95 litres.
It is important to note that there can always be some uncertainty in fuel consumption as simulations use different models for fuel consumption and it can also be affected by factors such as driving style, route conditions, weather conditions and even the type of vehicle.
Finally, ChatGPT was asked for the code for a simple website, which should contain a fuel calculator. After a few questions and bug fixes, the following small website emerged, which is 95% based on ChatGPT’s code. Only the colours, the logo and the social media links were added manually.
In summary, ChatGPT can answer many questions about simracing surprisingly well. The texts are mostly correct, but contain one or two inaccuracies. The AI often tries to express itself rather vaguely and goes into too much detail elsewhere.
Nevertheless, the first results are impressive, especially the ability to create a simple web application almost by itself.
Do you have any suggestions for further questions for the AI? Then feel free to leave a comment for the upcoming second part of the interview.
