IndyCar and sportscar racer Stefan Wilson talks sim racing and how it can be a fundamental part of a real-world racer’s prep work in this edition of the Sim Racing & Esports News Roundup.
I also bring you some competitive sim racing news, new sim racing hardware and more general sim racing news.
All this and more in this week’s Sim Racing & Esports News Roundup.
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
Granted that this interview discusses in part a commercial sim product (Buttkicker), but this interview with Stefan Wilson also discusses how sim racing benefits a real world racer. You can watch it above.
David Harbour talks the ‘Gran Turismo’ film adaptation and working with director Neill Blomkamp on Collider. “Based on a true story, ‘Gran Turismo’ is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of teenage Gran Turismo player Jann Mardenborough whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional race car driver.”
Competitive Sim Racing News
The Apex Racing Team has remained dominant in the IMSA Esports Michelin Global Championship. “In last Sunday’s (November 6th) third round of a four-race season, the team recorded a second consecutive 1-2 result – in reverse order on this occasion. On the virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Yohann Harth and Jamie Fluke triumphed ahead of teammates Alejandro Sanchez and Kevin Ellis Jr., who had won the first two events. Kieran Harrison and Corentin Guinez secured their second win of the season in the Touring Car class.”
SpeedHouse Racing League have their European Sprint Series starting in a few weeks time. Featuring 6 rounds and 3 classes LMP2, GTE and GT3. Races will be held on a Thursday night at 7pm GMT (8pm CET) with a 2 week break over the Christmas period. Check out all the details on their SimGrid event page.
On Episode 11 of this season’s Traxion Podcast, Lindsey Eckhouse, Director of Licensing, Ecommerce and Esports at McLaren Racing explains how McLaren Racing is engaging with virtual racing. “Lindsey explains how the company picks and chooses the right virtual implementations that engage and also represent McLaren’s values. So that means F1 Esports, of course, but also Rocket League and even creating competitions for fans to take part in.” You can listen to the episode here.
Williams Esports, the esports division of Formula One team Williams Racing, has announced a partnership with Spanish esports organisation DUX Gaming. As a result, DUX becomes a partner of Williams Esports for the F1 Esports Series. “Alongside the F1 Esports Series, Williams Esports competes in a number of sim racing platforms including iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione and Gran Turismo. Recently, its drivers have been competing in the Le Mans Virtual series featuring the likes of two-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen.”
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
Fanatec has provided an update on their Podium Racing Wheel F1. “Now for the best news of the day. Despite the supply delays, we were recently able to secure all components for the Podium Racing Wheel F1, and run the production line at full capacity. Because we know it will be difficult to get your hands on our entry-level bases until next year, we decided to offer the Podium Racing Wheel F1 at a reduced price for a limited time. (We would like to offer this price until the CSL DD returns, but we expect a high demand, so let’s say ‘while stocks last’.)“
Next Level Racing has introduced the new Elite Lite series of racing simulators. “The launch of the Elite Lite products offers unmatched value for sim racers with a more affordable price point, but still offering premium features as found in the premium Elite series range of simulator cockpits.”
General Sim Racing News
Julian Strasser in Race Department argues that DiRT Rally 3.0 will come, it just won’t be Named DiRT Rally. “DiRT Rally 3.0 is the next expected title in the realistic rally simulation niche by Codemasters. Or should I say was? How likely is the next title part of the DiRT franchise? Or will DiRT be the next franchise to bite the dust at EA’s hands?“
Adam Ismail of Jalopnik feels that with Project Cars 4 dead, racing games are feeling weaker than ever. “It’s disheartening to lose another racing franchise at a time when the genre feels stagnant. Forza Horizon and F1 are good, but resoundingly repetitive and hardly boundary-pushing. Gran Turismo 7 is a sublime driving experience wrapped in a single-player campaign that often feels architected to keep you from playing. Who’s to say what Need For Speed Unbound holds, but given the brand’s track record over the past decade, tempered expectations are probably best. Rinse and repeat that sentiment for the upcoming Forza Motorsport, due next year.”
The European Parliament has passed a resolution recognizing the value of the esports and video game industries, recommending a long-term strategy to support and fund the sectors. “The European Parliament resolution recognises the value that esports, and the video game industry more broadly, offers economically and culturally in Europe. It endorses the development of a long-term European video game strategy that takes into account esports and builds on existing national strategies.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.