I think the "missing element" probably is risk - even though I never personally feel like I'm in danger. The real, tractable elements that are difficult to simu

I think the "missing element" probably is risk - even though I never personally feel like I'm in danger. The real, tractable elements that are difficult to simulate are G-forces, the "inertia" of the car throwing you around, the "wind in hair", and sounds/smells. Surprisingly - car simulators really "phone it in" with the sounds. In terms of remembering the experience - I have much fonder memories of my slow laptimes and small improvements on a trackday than "relatively quick" laptimes on a simulated track. I've thought about it a LOT (as I've recently had to sell my fun car) and I can't say there's one element that I can put my finger on.