Esports- Why Sim Racing is the Way Forward

The postponement of many sporting events across the globe have left many in dismay. Not only do we have to deal with the tragic nature of the coronavirus, but we have to stay inside bored stiff, and for sports fans not being able to watch their favourite sporting events, this is a tragedy indeed.

However, for racing fans, not all hope is lost. As racing is possibly the only real-life sport in the world that you could almost get the 100% authentic experience whilst sitting at home. Of course, I am referring to sim racing.

Sim racing is a genre of simulation software that portrays the look, feel and sound of real-world racing as accurately as possible on the hardware it has been developed on.

Prolific F1 and racing teams such as McLaren, BMW, Porsche and Aston Martin, use multi million pound state of the arc racing simulators for their drivers to use and practice on before races, so they can refine their skills and prepare for what’s ahead.

One F1 driver that has been at the forefront of the sim racing scene is McLaren driver Lando Norris. During the pandemic, he has taken to simulation racing to compete in events such as F1 charity races, and competitive IndyCar races.

Due to the nature of real-world racing, the shift from real life to virtual racing seems like a match made in heaven. As drivers are able to race safely and as competitively as they would do on the track. The fans are also gratified by being able to not only watch their icons, but to also play on the same simulators as their heroes, from programs such as iRacing, Gran Turismo and rFactor 2.

With many racing simulators having tie ins to real car companies such as Gran Turismo and Mazda, rFactor 2 and BMW and iRacing with Subuaru. Many car companies and racing teams are completely on board with the racing simulator genre, and with FIA regulations being present in Gran Turismo and Dirt Rally 2.0, then it is possible to see more racing federations and disciplines follow in the convergence to a digital landscape.

As of writing, Formula E has since gone virtual for a fundraising partnership with UNICEF. Where the electric street racing series has been promoting the: ‘ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge’. The e sports event is a nine-week competition which features the teams and drivers from the Formula E Championship series. The event also features a selection of the best gamers who have made it through the qualifying stages, and allows them the once in a lifetime opportunity to race with the pros.

]With regards to the many innovations racing has contributed towards society and the motoring industry over the years, is virtual racing the way forward for the future? Would racing fans tire of the virtual world of screeching tires and wheel to wheel action? Only time will tell, but as a fun and extremely safe solution for motorsports during the pandemic, simulation racing is the answer.

By Michael Rose