Advice on using a sim for real-world training is part of the final Sim Racing Roundup for 2024. I also have a behind the scenes look at the Mercedes F1 sim, details on the new FIA Esports Code, how one company builds their steering wheels as well as the latest tech news, tips and advice plus much more!
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
In Part 1 of Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets look at sim training for real-world track drivers, he looks at the difference between what he calls “sim natives” and “sim immigrants.”
“My experience and research has led to an observation regarding the difference in driving style and technique between sim natives and sim immigrants: Sim natives drive the car off the front tires of the car, whereas many (but not all) sim immigrants drive cars off the rear tires. What do I mean by that?”
You can read Part 1 here.
The video above by Michi Hoyer is is a comparison between the Le Mans Ultimate Racing Game and the FIAWEC Reality. “We did a lap in the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 on Le Mans Ultimate. Lets compare this lap to a practice lap of the #54 Ferrari LMGT3 at Interlagos.”
While this video is a few years old, it offers an interesting peek behind the scenes of how an F1 teams uses the simulator. Anthony Davidson got unrestricted access for an in-depth look at the Mercedes simulator at their home base in Brackley.
Humber Polytechnic students in Toronto, Canada have access to two high-performance Formula-standard racing simulators thanks to a partnership between the Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design (FMCAD) and racing simulation technology company SimStaff.
The collaboration aims to bridge esports, industry partnerships and academic research, providing students with exposure to advanced racing technologies and motorsport dynamics. Over the next 20 months, these simulators will serve both competitive and academic pursuits, fostering skills in game design, engineering and motorsport.
“At Humber Esports, we’re shaping the future of esports education and innovation,” said Bernard Mafei, senior administrator for Humber Esports. “This collaboration with SimStaff allows our students to design, compete and create with industry-standard tools while building a community that celebrates creativity, technical mastery and collaboration. By blending hands-on experiences in sim racing with opportunities in esports, game development, research and industry partnerships, we’re preparing our students to excel in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
You can read more about the program here.
Competitive Sim Racing News
The FIA are getting more involved in esports. “All real-world motor sport competitions are ultimately governed by the International Sporting Code, and as virtual racing continues to grow rapidly, the FIA Esports Code will regulate Esports racing competitions, providing the ASNs with the necessary legal framework to conduct such events at the national level.”
- FIA Esports Code created, laying the ground for sanctioning future virtual competitions (FIA)
- The FIA Prepares to Regulate Sim-Racing (GT Planet)
- Global motorsport body FIA approves esports regulatory framework (Esports Insider)
- FIA’s new Esports Code set to regulate sim racing (Traxion)
Here are more headlines from the world of competitive sim racing
- 2025 BRSCC Clapham North Winter Esports Series – Register Now! (BRSCC)
- Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing secures multi-year expansion with Fanatec (Esports Insider)
- Max Verstappen Hosts F1 Sim Racing Spectacle in Madrid: Heineken Player 0.0 (MSN)
- Verstappen on sim racing finalists: ‘Incredible passion and dedication’ (GP Blog)
- Max Verstappen opens up on Red Bull confrontation regarding sim racing on race weekends (SportSkeeda)
- Veloce Esports partners with Thrustmaster (Esports Insider)
- Racing Unleashed Esports: Sánchez scores second win of the season at the Nürburgring (Traxion)
Sim Racing Tips & Techniques
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
Here is a roundup of the latest sim racing tech news, reviews, and recommendations from around the world
- How VPG Sim Designs a Steering Wheel (Motorsport Prospects)
- Fanatec offers free shipping for a limited period (Traxion)
- How to Build a Killer Sim Racing Setup: Best Sim Racing 2024 (Road & Track)
- Fanatec’s latest Podium GT3 sim racing wheel is now available (Traxion)
- Best Sim Racing Cockpit for 2024 (CNET)
- Pro-level iRacing setups now available from GO Setups (Traxion)
- Cooler Master partners with Simucube to launch co-branded Simucube 2 Pro Wheelbase (Overclock 3D)
- New Thrustmaster Sim Racing Wheel Uses an Axial Flux Motor Just Like a McLaren (MSN)
General Sim Racing News
- Assetto Corsa Evo Will Have a 600 Square Mile Open-World Map Around the Nurburgring (Yahoo)
- Assetto Corsa EVO: What Would Be Your Dream Open World Map? (Box This Lap)
- Assetto Corsa EVO To Feature Auto-Learning AI Opponents & Improve On ACC’s Multiplayer Ranking (Overtake)
- You can refuel, or recharge, your car in Assetto Corsa EVO’s open-world (Traxion)
- Assetto Corsa EVO: Small Big Details We Still Don’t Know (Box This Lap)
- iRacing 2025 Season 1 Build (iRacing)
- JDM: Japanese Drift Master’s insane customisation mode unveiled (Traxion)
- Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Season 2 Ibiza review: A step in the right direction (Traxion)
- iRacing’s Ferrari 499P lacks one crucial feature (Traxion)
- F1 24: A deeper dive into its PS5 Pro enhancements, plus first details on the upcoming season 4 (Playstation)
- ‘00s GT racer Saleen S7-R confirmed for Project Motor Racing (Traxion)
- Sony AI exploring “what we can do” with Gran Turismo Sophy and its new “fourth skill area” – strategy (Traxion)
- Nascent sim racing title Rennsport is now in free-to-play Early Access (Traxion)
- Popular World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 Gold Edition Coming to PC via Steam in 2025 (iRacing)
- Sim Racing Goes Casual With Free-To-Play Title My First Gran Turismo (GameRanx)
- Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit is a new futuristic arcade racer from the creator of Formula Retro Racing (Traxion)
- WGPX Launches Ultimate Web3GP Challenge: A Thrilling Fusion of Sim Racing, Gaming, and Web3 Innovation (Bitpinas)
- iRacing: Why Week 13 Might Not Be Your Ideal Racing Week (Box This Lap)
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.
