How racing simulators are reshaping motorsports is a continuous theme in this column and this week is no exception. See how the Clemson Tiger racing team uses them and much more in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup.
Overview
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
Sim Racing Is Not Inferior, Just Different
There’s a reason that many professional drivers use sim racing alongside their real world campaigns. Sim Racing focuses exclusively on the mental aspect of racing, free of physical and financial threat. You are largely free to push the absolute limits of what you’re capable of in terms of accuracy, consistency and focus against other people. You are free to put into practice the most daring aspects of motorsport theory. It’s the best possible tribute to motorsport in a risk-free zone.
From Clemson to Daytona: How Racing Simulators are Reshaping Motorsports
When Clemson Tiger Racing takes to the track on Feb. 28 at Carolina Motorsports Park, it will mark the team’s first-ever endurance race. But the drivers will arrive at the track having already logged hundreds of laps there — virtually.
Established in 2023, CTR serves as Clemson’s only student-run endurance racing team. Over the past three years, CTR has been preparing to participate in a live race, and all the organization’s hard work will finally come to fruition at the end of this month.
When race weekend arrives, it will be the first time the team has physically been on the track. While the team has not visited the track in person, drivers have been able to gain experience using simulators in preparation for the big day.
“If you focus on the race craft, the general handling and just learning the track layout, it’s phenomenal,” Krippendorf told The Tiger.
Brando Badoer on Karting and Sim Racing to Stay Sharp
Brando Badoer has been getting prepared for the new season and has spared no effort in beginning his preparations for the 2026 campaign. The Italian joins Rodin Motorsport for his second year in F3, and has high hopes for what the new collaboration will bring.
“It’s definitely very useful to stay in terms of mentality right now to keep the reflexes active, to stay sharp mentally – the simulator is helpful as well. Now I’m really looking forward to drive the car again in Barcelona and make the 2026 season one to remember.”
Competitive Sim Racing News
Motorsport UK Esports Launches iRacing Competition and More
- Motorsport UK Esports launches multi-discipline iRacing competition
- Motorsport UK Esports is looking strong in 2026 (Paul Crawford)
- iRacing Bathurst 12h: Mental Guide 2026 (Box This Lap)
- 2026 PRI Hoosier 500 Event Schedule Released (PRI)
- TechSport Racing Refreshes iRacing Team (GT4 America)
- This Week in iRacing | February 17th to February 23rd, 2026 (iRacing)
- Firing on all cylinders – A successful 2025 for Next Level Racing & Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
- The World’s Best Teams Go Head to Head in the First Ever ‘Esports Team Competition,’ Premiering at 13:00 (GMT) on Sunday, 22 February! (Gran Turismo Live)
- iRacing Weekly Tune-in | eSports & Community Events | February 19th to February 25th, 2026 (iRacing)
Sim Racing Tips & Techniques
This Braking Habit Is Killing Your Lap Time!
Does braking later actually make you faster or could it be slowing you down? In this video, Daniel Morad runs a simple, controlled test to answer one of the most debated questions in sim racing.
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
Steering Wheels and More Sim Racing Tech
- Simagic GT Neo Steering Wheel Review (TweakTown)
- 8 Best Gaming Steering Wheels for 2026 (TechnoBezz)
- Turtle Beach made an all-in-one budget racing wheel that ‘feels like a cheat code’ — and it helped me beat peak Max Verstappen (Tom’s Guide)
- Revosim sim racing handbrake, shifter and clutch set for “early March” release (Traxion)
- Sim-Lab Show Porsche 963 Teaser – New Wheel Inbound? (Overtake)
General Sim Racing News
iRacing or Le Mans Ultimate?
- Best Car Racing Games You Must Try On Simulator Rigs (NDTV)
- RIDE 6 PS5 and PC Tech Deep Dive – Photorealism Achieved? (Gaming Bolt)
- Confirmed: Official MXGP video game series returns in 2026 (Traxion)
- Grand Pro Circuit: Baranyai Previews Turbo Engine, Shares New Info (Overtake)
- iRacing Arcade Releases on Steam March 3! (iRacing)
- iRacing Arcade: Release Date & Everything We Know (Operation Sports)
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Accelerates Global Brand Growth Through Expanded Sim Racing Licensing Agreements (WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca)
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. As a 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.
