We have over 100 dirt track racers waiting to answer your questions and help you out!

are there any dirt track racing games for ps3

Introduction

If you’re asking, “are there any dirt track racing games for ps3,” you’re probably a new racer, a parent shopping for a budding driver, or a fan who loves sliding through clay and gravel. I’ve coached grassroots racers for two decades, and I’ll give you the straight scoop: what exists on PS3, what doesn’t, which games are worth your time, how to set them up, and how to use them to build real-world dirt driving skills.

You’ll learn:

Which PS3 titles deliver the best dirt-surface experience
How to find them affordably today
Controller and wheel settings that actually help you learn car control
Practice drills, tuning basics, and common pitfalls to avoid

What Is the answer to “are there any dirt track racing games for ps3” and Why It Matters

Short answer: there are plenty of PS3 games with dirt and loose-surface racing, but almost no dedicated dirt oval (sprint car/late model) sims on PS3. If you specifically want World of Outlaws–style oval racing, PS3 isn’t the best platform. If you want to learn the core dirt skills—throttle control, rotation on entry, weight transfer—several PS3 titles do a solid job.

Why it matters: getting expectations right saves you money and frustration. You can still practice the craft on PS3 using rally, rallycross, off-road trucks, and motocross/ATV games that model sliding and traction loss.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Going on PS3 Dirt Racing

Define your goal

Oval dirt only? Consider newer platforms (PS4/PS5/PC) for licensed dirt-oval titles.
Learn dirt car control and racecraft? PS3 off-road and rally titles work great.

Pick the right games (PS3)

Realistic(ish) handling on loose surfaces:
- DiRT 3, DiRT 2 (rally, rallycross, landrush short courses)
- WRC 3/4 (stage rally—excellent throttle/brake discipline training)
- Sega Rally Revo (arcade-leaning but teaches weight transfer and lines)
- Baja: Edge of Control (endurance off-road with rugged terrain reading)
Fun/arcade but still useful for car control:
- MotorStorm series (MotorStorm, Pacific Rift, Apocalypse)
- DiRT Showdown, FUEL, Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad, Nail’d
Bike/ATV (great for reading ruts/berms and throttle finesse):
- MX vs ATV Reflex, Alive, Supercross

Note: A fully licensed sprint car/late model dirt-oval game did not see a widespread PS3 release in most regions.

Buy smart in 2025

Prioritize physical discs (used) from reputable shops; PS3 discs are generally region-free, but DLC is region-locked.
PS Store availability varies; some servers for online modes have been retired.
Check forums or product pages for any server shutdown notices before buying for online play.

Choose your controls

Gamepad (DualShock 3): start here if you’re new. Increase analog stick sensitivity slightly, lower steering deadzone, and use gentle thumb inputs.
Wheel (if you want better feel): Logitech G27/Driving Force GT and Thrustmaster T500 RS/T300 RS (PS3 mode) are proven. Logitech G29 includes a PS3 mode; G923 generally does not officially support PS3.

Set your baseline car control

Assists: turn on ABS low, traction control low or off, stability control low. As you improve, reduce them.
Steering saturation: reduce slightly so you’re not over-correcting.
Force feedback: medium; raise road feel for gravel. Avoid max settings—they mask finesse.

Start a simple practice plan

Time Trial laps first. Pick a short loose-surface circuit (rallycross in DiRT 3 works well).
Drill A: 10 laps focusing on “slow in, rotate mid, throttle out.” Log your best 3-lap average.
Drill B: Trail-brake into corners—ease off brake as you turn in, feel the nose set.
Drill C: Throttle-steer exits—feed power until the rear just begins to step, hold a mild slip.
Review replays for steering smoothness; aim to reduce sawing at the wheel.

Tune lightly (where available)

Differential: higher power lock, lower coast lock helps rotation on throttle without killing entry.
Gearing: shorten final drive for snap on exit; lengthen if you’re wheel-spinning.
Suspension: soften rear anti-roll bar for rotation; increase front rebound a notch to plant turn-in.

Key Things Beginners Should Know

Look where you want to go. On dirt, your hands follow your eyes—focus through corner exit, not the obstacle you fear.
Manage weight transfer. Brake in a straight line, release as you turn, roll back to throttle to stabilize.
Slip angle beats slide show. A small, controlled drift is fast; big, smoky slides are fun but slow.
Consistency wins. Stringing three tidy laps beats one hero lap and two spins.
Etiquette (local split-screen/lan): give a car width, don’t “dive-bomb,” and rejoin safely if you go off.

Safety notes:

Wheel rigs: secure your stand/chair; sudden FFB jolts can tip a lightweight stand.
Take breaks. Fatigue drives bad inputs; 20–30 minute sessions are more productive.

Equipment, Gear, and Real Costs

Console: a used PS3 is affordable; ensure good ventilation and test disc drive.
Games: most listed titles are inexpensive on disc.
Wheels:
- Budget: Logitech Driving Force GT (used) often under $100.
- Mid: Logitech G27 or Thrustmaster T300 RS (PS3 mode).
- High: Thrustmaster T500 RS (used), sturdy pedals.
Stands/rigs: a simple wheel stand plus a solid chair works; upgrade later if you stick with it.
Display: use your TV’s “Game Mode” to reduce input lag—big help for countersteer timing.

What you don’t need:

A $1,000 rig to learn basics. Solid inputs and consistent practice matter more than hardware.

Expert Tips to Improve Faster

Two-foot discipline: feather throttle while trailing off brake into entry—teaches fine control.
“90% rule”: drive at 90% pace for 10 laps clean before pushing—it builds consistency.
Camera choice: bumper/hood camera improves precision; chase cam makes lines harder to judge.
Track notes: pick two braking reference points and one apex mark per corner; call them out loud.
Ghost chasing: race your previous best ghost in Time Trial; improvement becomes measurable.
Save setups: one loose (more rotation), one stable (race stint) for changing track feel.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Expecting a true sprint car/late model sim on PS3. It’s mostly off-road and rally—adjust goals.
Over-correcting slides. Use smaller, earlier inputs; big countersteer swings cause “tank slappers.”
Maxing assists or FFB. Over-assistance hides feel; too-strong FFB causes fatigue and bad habits.
Ignoring tires. Spinning the rears overheats them—even arcade titles penalize wheelspin with slower exits.
Skipping replays. Watching your hands and car attitude is a fast-track to understanding mistakes.

FAQs

Does PS3 have a World of Outlaws or sprint car game? Not in a widely released, dedicated form. Xbox 360 had a WoO title; PS3 owners should look to DiRT/WRC/Baja/MotorStorm for dirt driving practice.
Which PS3 game feels closest to dirt-oval driving? Try DiRT 3’s rallycross with rear-wheel-drive cars and reduced assists. It’s not oval racing, but it teaches rotation, throttle steering, and exit drive.
Can I use a modern wheel on PS3? Logitech G27 and Driving Force GT work well. Thrustmaster T500 RS/T300 RS support PS3 mode. Logitech G29 has a PS3 switch; G923 generally does not. Check model support before buying.
Are online servers still active? Many PS3 games now have offline-only modes; some online servers were retired. Local split-screen and time trials still work great for practice.
Where should I buy these games today? Used discs from reputable shops or marketplaces. PS3 discs are largely region-free, but DLC is region-locked—match game and account regions if you want DLC.

Conclusion

If you came here wondering “are there any dirt track racing games for ps3,” the honest take is: PS3 lacks a true dirt-oval sim, but it offers several excellent dirt and loose-surface titles that will build the exact skills you need—throttle finesse, weight transfer, and consistent lines. Start with DiRT 3 or WRC 4, tune your controls, run the drills above, and track your lap averages. You’ll be surprised how quickly those virtual habits translate to the real clay.

Optional suggested images:

Photo of a simple PS3 wheel setup (wheel stand, TV in Game Mode)
Screenshot of DiRT 3 rallycross corner entry with a ghost car
Diagram highlighting “slow in, rotate mid, throttle out” on a short course corner