Becoming a Mentally Strong Sim Racer

Tips on becoming a mentally strong sim racer are just part of what you will find in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup.

In addition to mental toughness, you will learn about Formula E’s approach to esports, why Formula E racer Dan Ticktum thinks that a sim racer will soon be on the Formula E grid and how to be more physically comfortable sim racing.

I also have the latest competitive sim racing and general sim racing news, tech reviews and an awesome Mini Cooper S sim rig for you to check out.

All this and more in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup on Motorsport Prospects. Its sim racing news for racers not gamers.

From Sim Racing to the Real Thing

Sim Racing Roundup

Jann Mardenborough is subject of the new blockbuster Hollywood film, Gran Turismo, charting his unconventional motorsport shift from virtual to reality. Here’s a look back at the Brit’s experience in Formula E, from Rookie Tests to sim work.

“How easy is the transition and what does it take to make the jump from the virtual world into the physical one? Jann Mardenborough, is among those best-placed to answer that question.“

Jann also discusses the transition from sim racing to the real thing in my interview with him that you can read here.

Esports Illustrated’s Charlie Cater recently attended the London E-Prix to speak with Formula E’s Director of Gaming, Kieran Holmes-Darby. Holmes-Darby has years of experience in gaming and esports, as a co-founder of Excel Esports in 2014, he built one of the biggest esports organisations in the UK alongside his brother Joel.

The winner of the Accelerate championship gets an extremely special opportunity; they get to drive a real Formula E car. Holmes-Darby believes that we see sim racers getting a shot in a real car. However, there’s a large mental skill gap to overcome, and it may take some time.

“We’ve run the Accelerate Championship now for a few years. And it’s all about bringing the world’s best sim racers to Formula E. So racing in Formula E cars on Formula E tracks to see who is actually the Formula E esports champion. So the guys that you’ll see on stage are the best of the best.”

“There are transferable skills both ways, but you need time in that given discipline to actually be quick. So these sim racers would need a lot of time in a Formula E car before they were quick. Much like the Formula E drivers would need more time in a sim rig to be really quick in that. So, I think we will see it, but I think you need time.”

Sim Racing Roundup

Formula E driver Dan Ticktum can see the when esports drivers will be able to compete in the series.

“I think there will be some kind of transition soon, and obviously some of them are pretty bloody good, so it would be stupid not to give them a go. I still think… There is definitely a very different technique and talent to being good on a sim than there is in real life. But there’s no doubt that, you know, some esports drivers will be able to translate that to a real car, there’s no doubt.”

Essentially Sports looks at how a 5-year-old prodigy might become the next Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton after showing off insane driving skills.

Video games have become a big part of our society and aren’t as frowned upon as they used to be in the past. The multi-billion dollar industry has also become extremely advanced over the years. The prime example of this is simulations. Sims are so popular they have been integrated into various industries for training purposes for their lifelike response, including F1. The Red Bull man is a massive fan of sim racing and all teams use simulators for practice, among other things.

In fact, sim racing has become a valid and well-paying career in today’s day and age. So when we see a young 5-year-old kid absolutely tear it up on the simulator, we can’t help but wonder. Wonder if we’re looking at the next Hamilton or Verstappen? The 5-year-old put a lap on Zandvoort that would impress the two world champions as well.

5-Year-Old Prodigy Might Become the Next Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton after Showing off Insane Driving Skills
Pratt Miller Sim

Pratt Miller have announced the acquisition of a new Driver-in-the-Loop Simulator System. Scheduled for installation in the fall of 2023 and operational by January 2024, “this state-of-the-art DiL system supplied by AB Dynamics will revolutionize vehicle simulation capabilities for both motorsports and non-motorsports customers.” Once it is operational it will be “for hire” to any team looking to use it.

For further information or to book the Pratt Miller DiL system, please contact: Luke Sagur Pratt Miller Motorsports Business Director Email: lsagur@prattmiller.com

If you are wondering how drivers and teams use a simulator like the one that Pratt Miller is installing, Racer explains it in how racers are simulating their way to success.

“The simulators are running all day, every day,” he tells RACER. “The only teams that aren’t using simulators at a large scale are the teams that aren’t factory backed or manufacturer supported. The largest teams like Hendrick, Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas, those guys are probably in the simulator every single day. Maybe it’s not every driver every day and every team every day, but there’s probably some sort of team representation in that simulator seemingly every day.”

Three Hundred and Sixty students from the city of Detroit are invited to participate in the Sim 4 STEM program presented by DNG Motors held during 9 dates in the month of September in conjunction with the world-famous Autoshow. There will be four dedicated STEM activities inspired by motorsports and one challenge on top-of-the-line simulators. Kids will also receive tickets to attend the Autoshow with the DNG Motors group. During each event up to 40 students will learn, laugh and experience the world of motorsports hands-on and get to apply what they learned in simulators, driving a INDY car in-game through the streets of Detroit.

You can register here.

Competitive Sim Racing News

Here are more headlines from the world of competitive sim racing.

Becoming a Mentally Strong Sim Racer

Sim Racing Tips & Techniques

Driving in your sim rig for extended periods of time can be painful. In the video above, Sim and real-life racer Daniel Morad goes over 5 areas of the body that tend to hurt while driving and how to fix them!

Sim racing isn’t just about having the best equipment and technical skills; it’s also about cultivating a resilient and focused mindset that can give you a competitive edge. Box this Lap explores some effective tips and strategies that can help you become mentally strong and excel in the world of sim racing.

Sim Racing Roundup

Box this Lap also looks at understanding Field of View (FOV). “Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or just starting out, understanding FOV is crucial for an immersive and realistic experience.”

Sim Racing Tech Roundup

Sim Racing Roundup
Sim Racing Roundup
Sim Racing Roundup

This is just too cool! Check out how Brent Cheney converted a real-life Mini Cooper from the junkyard into a full blown sim rig.

Here is a roundup of the latest sim racing tech news and reviews from around the world.

Becoming a Mentally Strong Sim Racer

General Sim Racing News

Sim Racing Roundup
Mark Boudreau
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.