Your first races
What kinds of racing games exist, how arcade differs from simulation, and which mode is the easiest place for a beginner to start.
a reference on racing games and sim racing
Racing games and sim racing without the noise
Gamemotors explains how racing games work, from easy-going arcade racers to serious simulators. No ratings and no ads here — just clear breakdowns of controls, racing lines, braking and car setup, so every race you drive is a little cleaner than the last.
A fast lap doesn't start with flooring the throttle — it starts with patience before the corner. Speed comes on its own once the mistakes go away.
Where to go next
Controls and wheels
Calibrating a gamepad, wheel and pedals, deadzones, sensitivity and assists — what to turn on at the start and what to drop later.
Racing line and braking
Outside edge, apex, corner exit and braking point: the core technique that works in almost any race.
Car setup
Tyre pressure, downforce and gearing in plain words: what each setting changes and how to avoid getting lost in them.
Site sections
- Games
Types of racing games, from arcade to simulation, and how to match a genre to your controls and free time.
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: wheel calibration, career mode, qualifying, wet tracks, crash-free online races. Plus our article catalogue.
- Mechanics
Racing line, braking points, weight transfer, understeer and oversteer, tyres and step-by-step car setup.
- Updates
What patches to racing games usually change and how to make sense of patch notes.
- Reviews
What to look for in a racing game and how to tell fact from the author's taste in someone else's review.
- Questions
Short answers about getting started in racing games, control settings and online racing rules.
- Glossary
A racer's dictionary: track and driving, car and setup, game and online.
Your first evening in a sim in five steps
Calibrate your controls
Run the setup wizard in the menu: check pedal travel, wheel rotation or stick sensitivity. If the car pulls to one side on a straight, it's almost always calibration, not your hands.
Choose your assists
To start with, keep ABS and traction control on, and use the racing line as a guide. It's easier to switch assists off one at a time once your driving becomes consistent.
One track, one car
Don't jump between a dozen cars. Pick a forgiving mid-power car and a track that's easy to learn, and stick with them for the whole evening.
Laps for consistency
The goal isn't lap time — it's a lap with no offs and no kerb strikes. Once clean laps come one after another, your pace will start to rise almost effortlessly.
Replay and review
Watch the replay of your best and your worst lap. Compare where you braked and how you exited the corners, and pick one section to work on next time.
The essentials
Do you sell games or keys?
No. We don't sell games, activation keys or accounts, and we don't act as a middleman. The sensible place to buy games is the official platform stores.
Which game or wheel should I buy?
We don't make specific recommendations: we have no rankings and no ads. Instead, we explain the criteria — which controls suit you, how much time you can put in, whether you want online play — so you can make the choice yourself.
Do you have cheats?
No. Cheats and mods banned by the rules break the terms of online services and spoil the race for other people. They can easily cost you your account.
Can I play with a gamepad?
Yes. Most racing games are designed with the gamepad in mind, and careful tuning of sensitivity and deadzones makes driving smooth. A wheel adds to the experience, but it isn't required.
About the project
Gamemotors is an independent reference on racing games and sim racing. We write for people who have just picked up a gamepad and for those already building a home cockpit who want to understand why the car keeps drifting off the racing line.
This domain was previously used for unrelated advertising. The current reference has no connection to it whatsoever.
We don't name the best games or devices, give ratings or publish prices. Our job is to explain the principles so that you can apply them in any race you choose for yourself.
Related sections
- Games
Types of racing games, from arcade to simulation, and how to match a genre to your controls and free time.
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: wheel calibration, career mode, qualifying, wet tracks, crash-free online races. Plus our article catalogue.
- Mechanics
Racing line, braking points, weight transfer, understeer and oversteer, tyres and step-by-step car setup.
- Questions
Short answers about getting started in racing games, control settings and online racing rules.
What we rely on
- User manuals and developer help pages for racing games
- Motorsport driving school training materials on driving technique
- Fair play rules of online services
We describe the general principles of racing games. Menus, modes and online racing rules in a particular game may differ and change with updates — check the developer's help pages.