Are sim racing rigs worth the investment for improving real-world racecraft? You will find the answer in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. I also have explanations of both understeer and oversteer, all about data loggers and the increasing popularity of vintage racing. All this and more in this week’s edition of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
In the video above, Samir Abid of Your Data Driven explains understeer and oversteer. “Finally get a clear definition of understeer and oversteer – two of the most common terms anyone uses in a #motorsport paddock, but which few agree on the meaning. This is my version of the engineering definition to help you with your discussions. #racingdriver or #raceengineer this is designed to help.”
He also gives 3 clear and simple explanations here.
Episode 171 of Inside the SCCA Features AiM data guru Roger Caddell. “We’ll dig into what we can learn from using data loggers… and we’ll also take a look at how the Spec MX-5 class uses the AiM system to help ensure nobody has an unfair advantage. It’s a pretty remarkable compliance program for an entry level racing class.” You can watch the episode in the video above.
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets explains why you must make sure that your car has energy in it when you turn in.
“It wasn’t the increase in speed that caused you to be slower through this section of track, though. It was the lack of “energy” in the car when you turned in to the corner. By easing off the brakes quicker/sooner, the front tires were unloaded (less “energy” in them), and your car didn’t change direction the way you wanted. It’s human nature to think that you should go back to what you did in the past because it worked — kinda.”
In the video above, Enzo Mucci looks at whether sim rigs are worth the money for race drivers. “A lot of racing drivers and parents of drivers ask whether simulators are worth the money. That’s what I will answer (from my perspective) here.”
For a limited time, Blayze is offering you the chance to become a Blayze member and experience working 1-on-1 with a Blayze pro coach for two weeks—absolutely free! Click here to get started.
Episode 2 of Brundle Behind the Wheel sees Alex Brundle and Muehlner Motorsport take on the second race of the NLS season to prepare for the vicious challenge of the 2024 Nurburgring 24 hours. Alex and his teammates scored a podium in @VLNOFFICIAL Part 1 in their @Porsche 911 machine, but the second part of their preparations will be equally challenging as they ramp up towards the final 24-hour effort. You can watch the episode above.
Race Car & Series Developments
Esports organisations G2 Esports, Guild Esports and Outlaws Entertainment will field teams in the Prodigy Racing League, an ‘e2Real’ racing series. The three teams are joined by pickle brand SuckerPunch, TC Racing (a team led by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois) and Williams Racing, with each team fielding a total of four drivers to compete.
Created by sports, entertainment and media company Racing Prodigy, the Prodigy Racing League is an ‘e2Real’ series that supports sim-racers who are looking to achieve a career in real-world racing.
Sportscar365+ asks the question, coult the two-car WEC mandate make the series a closed shop? “But the new ruling significantly reduces the chance of any other privateer team getting a berth on the WEC grid – a concern voiced recently by Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach. While Porsche was never likely to maintain its current representation of five cars given JOTA’s defection, it now looks set to be effectively capped at three cars.”
Meanwhile, IMSA will not mandate four-driver lineups for the GTP and GTD Pro classes in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and three-driver squads in the six-hour races at Watkins Glen International and Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year as originally planned, it has been revealed by Sportscar365.
With a new GT3 model in the works, Mercedes-AMG Head of Motorsport says company is in ‘good discussions’ with the ACO about inclusion into LMGT3 but it will not happen in 2025. “We definitely wondered, and we were prepared quite well to be there. But unfortunately, we didn’t get any spots. We are not part of this so far. But maybe we can be part of the future because it’s the goal. Mercedes-AMG belongs to Le Mans as well.”
Available now – Allcomers races at our Cadwell Park race meeting, next Sunday 21st July. The format is 1 x 15 minute qualifying followed by 2 x 20min races for £295. All closed wheel cars are eligible, and 750MC membership will be required.
Registered 2024 competitors can enter by calling the office on 01332 814548 with payment. If not, you can find a pdf entry form HERE – complete and return to iain@750mc.co.uk
PRI looks at how vintage racing series are enjoying record car counts as interest continues to climb at a steady rate. “Globally, it’s on an upward trajectory right now,” explained Chris Ward of Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), Daytona Beach, Florida. “Like everybody in the live event industry, there were some resets needed—some because of the business case, and some because of the customers’ needs and wants. We are seeing a very positive trend emerging. There’s a distinct resurgence in interest in vintage and historic sports car racing. Our first two events of 2024 were record breakers for HSR. Our season opener—the Sebring Spring Fling—brought in 85 cars in 2023. This year, it was 130. Last year we had 233 cars at the Mitty, and we have 282 entries this year.”
As if right on cue in light of the above, Masters Historic Racing will introduce a new series next year for the spectacular Group C prototypes of the 1980s.
“The new Masters Le Mans 80+ category has been developed by Masters boss Frederic Fatien, who took over at the end of last year and had previously told Autosport about his desire to assess potential additions to the historic racing organiser’s portfolio. The first of these will be dedicated to Group C machines from 1982 to 1993 as well as the similar IMSA GTP cars that raced in North America during the same period.”
British Touring Car Championship organizer TOCA is targeting two new teams for the 2025 season, but is capping its grid at a maximum of 24 cars. “The series has dropped from 27 cars last year to an average of 20 this term. While TOCA chief Alan Gow was always adamant that he wanted numbers to drop from the BTCC’s recent spike in the low thirties, he wants new blood in for 2025.”
Top Gear Philippines reports that Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) premier one-make-race series is back for its 10th iteration this year, and from here on in it’ll be called something new: the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup.
The 2024 TGR Philippine Cup kicks off this weekend, July 13 for the first leg at the Clark International Speedway. The following race weekends will be on September 28 and November 9 at the same venue.
Track Days
Despite the video above being 6 years old, it will give you a good idea of what happens at a racing school.
Ginetta has announced testing opportunities for the G56 GTA and the G56 GT Pro in July and August.
The G56 GTA testing session takes place at Blyton Park UK on July 30th and you can register your interest here.
The G56 GT Pro testing session take place at Snertton on August 1st and Donington Park on August 29th. You can register your interest here.
Maxim looks at the Luxury Rally Club, a club that creates elite driving events for high-end car collectors. “LRC’s unofficial motto might well be “check your egos at the door, put your pedals to the floor.”
The video above is an introduction to the The NASA Rocky Mountain HPDE program.
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.
