Well, each to his own, Ian, but time trialling is NOT racing!

Time trial, you learn ONE line and speed, braking points etc.. But in racing, when in a pack, you have to be a lot more flexible. Sure, out front or trailing by a bunch, you can run the racing line. But the challenge comes from being able to drive all the OTHER lines as fast as they can be taken, and also the skill to know when to pass, when not to pass, when to let someone past, when to block, getting used to the driving style of your opponents (they all differ), basically the strategy of the REAL sport.

A soccer game where you just kicked balls into an empty net isn't much of a soccer game. And a racing game where you are the ONLY guy on track isn't much better, IMO.

Find a friend with a PS3 and GT5/6, and go online in a clean room. Once you do, there's no going back...