Assetto Corsa Beginner’s Guide

What is Assetto Corsa?

Assetto Corsa is a popular racing simulation video game developed by the Italian game developer Kunos Simulazioni. The term “Assetto Corsa” is Italian for “racing setup” or “racing trim.” The game was initially released for PC in 2014 and later made available for consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox.

Is Assetto Corsa hard for beginners?

Initially, Assetto Corsa may appear intimidating as a racing simulator, but by incorporating practice and employing the following tips and tricks, you can triumph over the game.

It is essential to keep in mind that racing simulators like Assetto Corsa emphasize realism and authenticity, which can present a steeper learning curve for newcomers. However, this also means that mastering the game can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

How to get started with Assetto Corsa – A Beginner’s Guide

There are numerous aspects to consider when starting your journey with Assetto Corsa. However, in this beginner’s guide to Assetto Corsa, we will walk you through the essentials, enabling you to enter the competition confidently.

Check your PC system requirements: 

To get started with this Assetto Corsa beginner’s guide, you should check your PC system to ensure that you get the best possible racing experience.

Before diving into the world of Assetto Corsa, it is crucial to ensure that your PC meets the optimal system requirements to provide the best possible racing experience.

Here are the recommended system requirements for the PC version of Assetto Corsa:

• Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz or AMD FX-8350 4.0 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: DirectX 11 compatible (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960/AMD Radeon R9 290 or equivalent)
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 30 GB available space
• Sound Card: DirectX compatible

Install the game

To install Assetto Corsa on your PC and meet the recommended system requirements, you can follow these steps:

1. Purchase the game: Visit an authorized online store such as Steam and purchase a copy of Assetto Corsa for PC.
2. Download and install Steam: If you don’t have the Steam client installed on your PC, visit the official Steam website and download the Steam installer. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the Steam client.
3. Launch Steam and log in: After installing Steam, launch the client and log in with your Steam account credentials. If you don’t have an account, create a new one.
4. Activate your game key: Once logged in, click on the “Games” menu at the top-left corner of the Steam client and select “Activate a Product on Steam.” Follow the prompts to enter the game key that you received upon purchase and activate Assetto Corsa in your Steam library.
5. Download Assetto Corsa: In your Steam library, locate Assetto Corsa and click on it to open the game’s store page. On the store page, click the “Install” button to initiate the download and installation process. Choose the location where you want to install the game and confirm the installation.
6. Configure game settings: Once the download and installation are complete, you can launch Assetto Corsa from your Steam library. The game may prompt you to configure various settings such as graphics options, control inputs, and audio settings. Adjust these settings according to your preferences.
7. Start racing: With the game properly installed and configured, you can now choose your preferred game mode (single-player, multiplayer, etc.) and start enjoying the racing experience in Assetto Corsa.

How to setup cars

To get the full experience out of Assetto Corsa, car setups are fundamental. There can be many ways to configure your car depending on tactics. However, there are areas you should focus on to achieve the best performance when you get behind the wheel.

Fuel:

One of the most important aspects of motorsport is having fuel in the car. But when do you have too much and when do you have too little? And how do you know when you have the correct amount in the tank? It’s a strategy in itself.

However, as a starting point, you can always use the following formula to calculate the amount of fuel you need in the tank to complete a race.

“FR = ((TR * 60) / TL ) * FL + (2 * FL)” 

(FR=fuel for the race, TR=race duration in minutes, FL=Fuel per lap as calculated by the game, TL=Lap Time of the leader in seconds).

Tire Pressure:

All cars have different tire pressures, which also depend on the driver’s preferences and the weather and temperature conditions they are driving in. However, the most common conditions can be said to be dry weather and wet weather. And in these conditions, the tire pressure of your tires does matter.

To optimize performance, your target should be around 27.7 PSI. Tire pressures ranging from 27 to 28 PSI are acceptable, but ideally, you want to aim for a value as close to 28 PSI as possible without exceeding it. Understanding how tire pressures affect performance is crucial. As a general rule of thumb, there is a 0.1 PSI change per 1-degree Celsius change in ambient temperature.

Traction Control:

Although driver assists are designed to provide assistance, the true method to achieve the fastest lap time in Assetto Corsa is to disable them. This encompasses features such as traction control, ABS, and the racing line.

As you begin to gain confidence in your skills and your car, you can gradually disable each one of these features. Begin by turning off ABS or anti-lock brakes initially. With them deactivated, you will have the ability to brake later into the corners. However, it is important to exercise caution to avoid locking up. After some practice, proceed to switch off traction control, followed by the racing line. The racing line often prompts you to brake earlier than necessary in most cases. 

Download and buy setups:

If you don’t want to spend time setting up your car, there is also the option to download setups: Either for free, but often for a fee. This is for those who would rather spend their time competing on the track instead of preparing the car completely for the race.

Choose the right steering wheel

When competing on the numerous different tracks in Assetto Corsa, it is important to have the best possible control over your car. This requires a sim racing wheel.

That’s where sim racing steering wheels from Asetek comes in as an excellent choice. We offer a range of different sim racing wheels for various categories, so you can without a problem find the wheel you need.

You are now ready to race

You have now been through the Assetto Corsa Beginner’s Guide! By now, you should have a fundamental understanding of the game mechanics, controls, and various aspects of racing in Assetto Corsa.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t achieve immediate success. Keep honing your skills, experimenting with different setups, and learning from your mistakes.