When competing in a racing simulator, it’s important to have a trusted suite of apps ready to go to help streamline your driving experience.
Real-life drivers have engineers on the pitwall to help talk them through the race, as well as plenty of data to sift through to work out where their driving can be improved.
Sim racers are generally on their own in this regard, and only have their wheelbase and pedals, as well as their chosen sim’s HUD display, giving them feedback.
It can be a faff trying to find all the data you need while driving, and the slightest distraction can knock you out of your rhythm, which affects your pace and could cause an incident. AMS2 is no exception, so Coach Dave Academy decided to find the five best apps that you can use to help you make the most of the title.
If you fancy getting AMS2 properly set up before getting external apps thrown into the mix, why not check out Coach Dave Academy’s Beginner Guide to doing so.
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Number 5: Racing Life
Starting at number 5 is Racing Life, a downloadable app that allows users to simulate an in-depth career mode while playing AMS2.
While the title offers multiplayer and single player racing, the latter against AI, there’s no dedicated career mode. There is a championship mode that means you can compete in a set number of rounds against the AI to claim the driver’s crown, but developers Reiza have yet to release their deeper career mode.
Racing Life nicely fills the gap in the meantime. Available through Overtake.gg, Racing Life lets you create an entire career mode journey for a driver of your choice. The app allows you to set the driver’s name, choose a sponsor, and build an entire backstory to help boost immersion.
The app also features a currency system that means you need to buy cars to progress your career, as well as pay entry fees for different championships. Until Reiza releases their own career mode, Racing Life lets you live the life of a real racing driver.
All you need to do is download the file from Overtake, and then run through the installation as explained within the file. The app is impressively intuitive, and provides an ideal in-between until the in-game mode comes online.
Number 4: Racelab
Coming in at number 4 is an excellent app that’ll help enhance your AMS2 experience – Racelab. The program offers a range of different tools that you can overlay in-game, which allows you to have a full rundown of what is happening in the race you’re contesting.
Each overlay has been designed to be as clear and concise as possible so that a quick glance is all you need to process the required information, with the list of optional tools ranging from in-depth standings overviews to a fuel calculator, and even a G-meter that shows the forces being enacted on your vehicle when cornering.
You can also hook up a heart rate monitor using the external app Pulsoid, which gives you real-time information on how your heart is dealing with you threading through traffic at a soaking Nordschleife. The overlays can be placed wherever you like on the screen, making it easier to focus on the task at hand while having all the information you need directly in front of you, and without having to click through different submenus while behind the wheel.
- The graphics will also take into account what car and series you’re racing in, so don’t worry if you’re switching between a vehicle with hybrid and one without, as the program will automatically show the critical information needed.
- To grab the program, you can download the app from the Racelab website.
Number 3: SimHub
For drivers who enjoy having haptic feedback with AMS2 alongside their force feedback wheel, number 3 belongs to SimHub. The program is able to read the telemetry output by AMS2 to control the motors on peripherals such as bass shakers, fans, and motors, so that they only work based on the information the game is giving them, as opposed to firing off randomly or using inaccurate stereo output signals.
A range of forces can be simulated, such as tyre slip, wheels locking and spinning up, and even jump landings to help enhance the immersion your rig offers. In addition to these features, you can also create your own on-screen overlays, such as period-correct rev gauges and the like, if you’re piloting an older car.
- You can create multiple profiles for different games, as the number and strength of the effects used in AMS2 will likely be different from those of other titles, such as rallying games like EA Sports WRC.
- The program can even be used to run motion rigs, allowing you to alter the different ranges of travel the system can reach.
- Most of these in-depth settings will require a one-time paid licence to access, and the app can be downloaded from SimHubs’ website.
Number 2: CrewChief
Just missing the top spot but coming in at number 2 is CrewChief. Sometimes, having a ton of information plastered across the screen can be distracting, and reducing it can help mitigate the mental load on your brain as you try to keep control of your vehicle or race wheel to wheel.
The free app CrewChief is excellent in helping to reduce this workload, as CrewChief will tell you all the info you need to know verbally, rather than via an on-screen display.
CrewChief, also known as Jim by default, has a range of different voices that you can select to help guide you through the session. There’s also a very useful spotter function, which is especially handy for drivers who don’t use triple screens or VR, and thus struggle to see out the side of their vehicle to know if they’re still side by side with their opponent.
- Aside from this, CrewChief can tell you the gap to the cars in front and behind, how long you have left in the race, how much fuel you have, as well as keep you updated on your own lap times and whether any obstacles are ahead of you, plus many other elements.
- You can also tweak the timing of CrewChief’s many calls to best suit you, for example how long before you reach your pitbox that it starts to count you down.
- To download the program, simply head to CrewChief’s website.
Number 1: Coach Dave Delta
Finally, the number one app for Automobilista 2 (AMS2) belongs to Coach Dave Academy’s very own Delta app, which is excellent for those who relish precise telemetry data about their driving.
Not only can drivers look through the telemetry, which also includes data from faster drivers intertwined with yours, but Delta’s AI and Auto Insight features will let you know exactly how to find those extra few tenths you’ve been trying to secure.
Auto Insights studies your lap for you and gives you instant tips on your Braking, Entry, Apex and Exits in every corner of a lap.
You’ll also have access to vehicle data, tyre pressures, a handy fuel calculator, as well as your best, average, and theoretical optimal lap times to study.
The track map graphic can show you exactly where you’re losing time around the lap, showing you if you’re braking too early or late, turning in late or early for certain corners, and much more.
Delta’s new Leaderboard feature is also there at your fingertips, which allows you to compare your best lap times with other drivers who use Delta and have completed a lap on the same car/track combination as you.
If you’re keen to maximize your time out on track and improve your driving technique, Coach Dave Delta will help to make these goals a reality.
Wrapping Up
This collection of external apps will open up a new dimension for your sim racing journey within Automobilista 2, giving you the chance to not only be more immersed in your driving and gaming experience, but also improve your technique.
This will not only increase your confidence out on track, but also make it easier to compete online and with harder AI difficulty levels.
AI Coaching that actually works
Don't get lost in the data, instantly unlock lap time using our new real-time Auto Insights coaching. Elevate your braking, apex, and exit performance in record time.
