Ultimate car / racing sim? Options

[DArenberg]

I know their is a passion for racing games from people on here, so I pose the question:

I am looking for the ultimate driving sim for the PC. I hear people bashing GT5 all the time as it is a console game; so I want a sim that will put all others to shame from eye candy to realism. whats the go?

I come from an FPS or RTS background and the last racing game I had for a home computer was Revs on the BBC in 86, and on console Mario Kart . I bought GT5 for the PS3, as I use the PS3 as a media server and have really enjoyed it, next step I bought a G27 and now I need more racing to quench my first.

[Ezkaton]

Awesome. I'm happy to do some "open practice" online if you want. I've been enjoying driving the WTCC Extreme cars lately, but I'll drive anything. Maybe if Commander actually ever comes online on Steam he can join in.

I've run online GTR servers before... sometimes they fill up fast, sometimes you struggle.
Whatever works, really.

Let me know if you sub to iRacing.