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are they any dirt track racing games for ps3? A Coach’s Guide

If you’re asking “are they any dirt track racing games for ps3,” you’re not alone. As a coach and crew chief, I hear it from new racers, families, and fans who want an inexpensive way to learn dirt car control. Good news: while PS3 doesn’t have modern dedicated dirt-oval games, it does have excellent off-road and rally titles that teach the same throttle, weight transfer, and slide control you need on the clay.

In this guide you’ll learn which PS3 games are worth buying, how to set up a wheel, practice drills that translate to real tracks, gear to consider, beginner mistakes to avoid, and a few pro tips to improve fast.

What Is “are they any dirt track racing games for ps3” / Why It Matters

The short answer: PS3 does not have a true, modern dirt-oval simulator (sprint cars, late models).
The practical answer: PS3 has several off-road and rally games with great physics on loose surfaces. They’re excellent for learning dirt fundamentals—throttle steering, countersteer timing, looking ahead, and left-foot braking. Those skills carry straight to grassroots dirt ovals.

Think of PS3 as an affordable training tool. With a used console, a budget wheel, and the right titles, you can build habits that pay off when you finally strap into a real car or move to newer sims.

Step-by-Step Guide: Find the Right Game, Set Up, and Start Training

Decide what you want to practice

Dirt-oval feel (closest options): look for rallycross or loose-surface tracks and rear-drive cars.
General dirt car control: rally, rallycross, and desert off-road are perfect.

Pick proven PS3 titles
Recommended for car control on dirt/gravel:

DiRT 2 / DiRT 3 / DiRT Showdown (Codemasters): Rally and rallycross with rewarding loose-surface physics.
Gran Turismo 5 and Gran Turismo 6: Rally stages on gravel and snow; excellent for consistent lapping and tuning basics.
Baja: Edge of Control: Long, rough desert races—great for throttle modulation and reading terrain.
SEGA Rally Revo: Arcade-leaning but with deformable surfaces; solid for learning weight transfer.
WRC (2010), WRC 2, WRC 3, WRC 4 (Milestone): Career-friendly rally progression; lots of dirt time.

Clear expectations

True dirt-oval cars (sprints, late models) are not on PS3. If dirt-oval is your end goal, use these titles to master fundamentals now; later, upgrade to PS4/PS5/PC for dedicated dirt-oval sims.

Get the right input device

Best value: Logitech G27 or Driving Force GT (native PS3 support, strong force feedback).
Also works: Logitech G29 in PS3 mode (check per-game support); Fanatec CSR (with PS3-compatible firmware).
Controller is OK to start, but a wheel + pedals accelerates learning.

Basic wheel setup (start here, fine-tune later)

Force Feedback: Medium to high; avoid clipping.
Steering Rotation: 540–720° for rally/off-road; adjust per title.
Deadzones: Minimal deadzone; slight smoothing on throttle for consistency.
Map buttons: Handbrake, look-back, camera, traction control toggle.
Driver aids to start: ABS 1; traction control 0–1; stability control off. Increase TC only if you’re spinning constantly.

First-night training plan (30–45 minutes)

Warm-up: 10 easy laps on a short gravel loop (RWD if possible). Focus on smooth throttle.
Drill 1: Throttle steering. Hold a steady 20–30% throttle mid-corner; add or lift to widen/tighten your line.
Drill 2: Scandinavian flick. On corner entry, quick light steer away, then into the turn while a small brake tap shifts weight forward.
Drill 3: Left-foot braking. Hold maintenance throttle and trim speed with your left foot to stabilize the rear.
Review: Watch your replay. Note where countersteer starts too late—practice earlier input next session.

Key Things Beginners Should Know

Loose surface = car rotates with weight, not just steering angle. Manage weight transfer with brake and throttle.
Eyes up. Look through the corner exit, not at the nose. It calms your hands and steadies the car.
Be patient with the right foot. On dirt, the throttle is your finest steering tool.
Short runs, frequent resets. Ten clean laps teach more than one messy marathon.
Translate to real tracks: The habits you build—smooth inputs, looking ahead, managing rotation—are exactly what coaches want to see on day one at the dirt oval.
Safety at home: Clamp the wheel securely, keep wrists straight, and take breaks. Force feedback can fatigue hands and forearms.

Equipment, Gear, and Costs

Console: Used PS3 consoles are inexpensive and reliable for offline practice.
Games (disc): Most titles above are cheap used. Expect limited or no online features as some servers are retired—single-player still shines.
Wheels (used market prices vary):
- Logitech Driving Force GT: budget-friendly, great starter.
- Logitech G27: robust, with H-pattern shifter; common and affordable.
- Logitech G29: newer; works in PS3 mode on many titles—verify per game.
Optional: Wheel stand or sturdy desk; a basic rig prevents wobble and improves consistency.
What you don’t need: Fancy load-cell pedals or direct-drive wheels. On PS3, a solid belt/gear wheel is plenty to learn fundamentals.

Expert Tips to Improve Faster

Build consistency first. Aim for 10 consecutive laps within 0.5–1.0 seconds before chasing setup.
Use ghost laps. Beat your previous best by a tenth, not a second—small gains stick.
Tune lightly to tame oversteer:
- Soften rear anti-roll bar a click or two.
- Lower rear diff lock on throttle and coast (if available).
- Lengthen the final drive slightly to smooth wheelspin.
- Drop initial turn-in speed; roll the car with a brush of brake instead of a big stab.
Camera view: Use cockpit or bonnet view to judge weight and slip. Chase cams hide subtle rotation.
Mental reset: If you crash twice in a lap, pause and reset your rhythm. Don’t “send it” angry.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Over-correcting slides. Small, early countersteer beats big, late catches.
Flooring the throttle on exit. Roll into power; if it steps out, hold throttle steady and steer—don’t snap lift.
Cranking up traction control to mask technique. It slows learning and corners.
Ignoring replays and telemetry. Your eyes lie; the replay doesn’t.
Changing three setup items at once. Adjust one thing, test, then decide.

FAQs

Are there any true dirt-oval games on PS3?
Not modern ones. PS3’s best “dirt” options are rally/off-road. Use them to learn, then move to PS4/PS5/PC for dedicated dirt-oval titles.
Which PS3 games should I buy first?
Start with DiRT 3 (rally + rallycross) and Gran Turismo 6 (repeatable gravel stages). Add Baja: Edge of Control if you like long, rough races.
Can I learn sprint-car style on these games?
You can learn transferable skills—throttle steering, rotation control, looking ahead—even if the cars/tracks aren’t oval.
Do I need a wheel, or is a controller fine?
A controller works to start, but a wheel + pedals speeds up learning dramatically. A used Logitech G27 or Driving Force GT is perfect.
Will my Logitech G29 work on PS3?
Often yes, in PS3 mode, but support varies by game. Check the specific title’s compatibility list before you buy.
Are online lobbies still active on PS3?
Many servers are limited or shut down. Plan on single-player and time trials for training; that’s where most learning happens anyway.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering “are they any dirt track racing games for ps3,” the honest answer is: not true dirt-oval sims—but plenty of excellent dirt and gravel racing that will make you a better driver. Grab a budget wheel, pick DiRT 3 or GT6, and run short, focused drills. Master throttle control, weight transfer, and vision. Those skills transfer directly to real clay tracks and set you up for success when you move to newer, dirt-oval-focused sims or the real thing.

Next steps: pick one title, clamp the wheel, run 10 calm laps tonight. Consistency first—speed follows.

Optional suggested images:

Close-up of a PS3 wheel-and-pedals setup on a sturdy desk.
In-game screenshot of a gravel stage corner with visible slide angle (from DiRT 3 or GT6).
Side-by-side of throttle and steering trace from a clean lap (conceptual graphic).