Monthly Gathering iRacing!!!
This will be fun!
Michael Polasek is an NNJR member representing our region in the national PCA Sim Racing Series. Michael finished 3rd in the 8-race inaugural national championship season and is currently battling for a podium finish in season 2. Michael will share his experiences in sim racing and provide an overview of everything you need to know to get started. He will compare and contrast several simulators before narrowing in on iRacing (the simulator used in the PCA Sim Racing Series).
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved in sim racing, are interested in using simulators to improve your on-track performance, or just want to learn more about sim racing, you will not want to miss this session. If you are currently using a game sim such as Forza, Gran Turismo, or Project Cars, understanding the contrasts between console-based game sims and iRacing will help you get the most out of the time you invest in sim racing.
Additional Background on iRacing
iRacing is the most effective simulator for acquiring racing skills that are directly applicable to real-life race driving, and it has something for everyone who is interested in motorsports. For those who love racing, but have not tracked or don’t have the opportunity to track, iRacing provides a safe environment to experience racing first-hand. iRacing will allow you to develop tremendous real-world racing skills before ever putting a wheel on track.
For those actively involved in track events, iRacing is extremely helpful in allowing you to have unlimited track time at each individual track in advance of every track event. The simulator also allows you to safely explore the limits of your car, your track, and yourself without needing to have Prudential on speed dial. During the off-season, iRacing will help you improve your racing skills through individual track sessions and by hosting competitive races with your PCA trackmates.
iRacing also provides a year-round environment that allows you to compete in many official and sponsored race series. You can work your way up to racing against the best drivers in the world and competing in world championships with prize pools up to $100,000.
Many professional racers use iRacing regularly to supplement their race training in and compete directly in iRacing sim events. For example, Max Verstappen, currently 3rd in the 2019 Formula 1 World Championship, competed in the iRacing 24 Hours of Spa and his team won that sim racing event. As you develop skills in iRacing, you can literally work your way up to competing directly against professional Formula One, road racing, and NASCAR drivers.
Although iRacing is designed exclusively for serious racing, it is not intimidating at all for newcomers. As a first-time iRacer, iRacing will pair you with other first-time drivers. As your skills improve, you will automatically be pitted against better and better competition so that you are always challenged without ever feeling intimidated.
If you’ve ever been curious about participating in sim racing, there are probably a million questions in your head that have kept you from ever seriously looking into it. If you’ve raced console games such as Forza or Gran Turismo, you may wonder why there would be any need to move to iRacing. Michael will answer all of these questions and a lot more.
Finally, it’s important to mention that sim racing can be very affordable. If concerns about the up-front investment have prevented you from exploring sim racing, Michael will guide you through equipment options that are inexpensive yet highly competitive. Of course, if you have an unlimited budget, and want to recreate your race car down to every detail, he will touch on that also.
We look forward to seeing all motorsports enthusiasts at the Oct 15th NNJR PCA meeting.
