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iRacing, Virtual Reality, and the Future of Motor Sport
We have a plague on. Sporting events are being canceled or postponed, likely including the Olympics.
Some leagues have chosen to play games without spectators and test athletes. Some have simply abandoned the rest of the season.
But only one sport, to my knowledge, has elected to run events…in virtual reality.
That sport is NASCAR.
What is iRacing?
Let’s start with what iRacing isn’t: It’s not a video game. It’s called one, but it’s a level above your typical video game, although with the right gear and a decent internet connection you can start playing it right away. Right now, it’s only available for Windows PCs. And you do need a controller (steering wheel). The software is a pretty reasonable subscription, especially right now (they’re offering 50% off while everyone’s in quarantine, so the normal cost is $110 a year).
And it’s a full featured, physics-accurate racing simulator that operates as an MMORPG, and has official leagues. The tracks are accurate copies of real tracks. The cars are accurate copies of real cars.
It’s so accurate that race drivers use it to train when it’s not possible to get out on the real track.