With NASCAR shut down FOX Sports is set to broadcast a virtual iRacing event this weekend featuring NASCAR drivers and team personnel. https://www.foxnews.com/auto/fox-sports-broadcast-virtual-nascar-homestead-miami

 

This brought back some memories. A LONG time ago (1994 to be exact) a small software publishing company called Papyrus came out with a PC game called NASCAR Racing. Actually, it was more of a game - it was a racing simulation. Considering the computer and graphics horsepower back then the game was a marvel in how it handled race car setups, the physics of the car on a race track, and how cars handled in close quarters on the track.

 

But what made this game unique is that you could dial in to (yes, dial) into a group of servers and race against other real, live humans! I know, this doesn't seem like a big deal now. But back then we used dial up connections with 2400 baud modems and didn't have fancy high speed, internet technology. What's more, dialing in to these racing servers was a long distance phone call and back in those days you paid extra for long distance. I raced in weekly online leagues and did some pick up races so it was not uncommon for me to have a $300 phone bill each month! Ah, to be young and single with disposable income again!

 

Along with the long distance bills some of us invested in equipment. I invested in an ECCI wheel and pedal unit for my PC that cost about $1,000. You can see some of their latest products and prices here: http://ecci6000.com/6000_combo_01.htm

 

Within a few years actual NASCAR drivers also started racing with us. I remember holding off Dale Earnhardt Jr. one night at Myrtle Beach Speedway as he slammed into the back of my car on every turn trying to wreck me for the win. Back then his sponsor was Budweiser, and I can only imagine he was sampling his sponsor's product during that evening of racing.

 

Eventually NASCAR itself got involved and for two seasons we had an officially sanctioned NASCAR Racing Online Series. Again, this was well before the e-sports revolution. Thousands of drivers participated and one season I ended up in the top 10 in points.

 

I haven't done virtual racing in decades, but the iRacing platform looks great. In fact, it was founded by Dave Kaemmer, the guy who developed the original NASCAR game with Papyrus. Anyway, this brought back some memories of some good times racing online. I got hooked on racing back then and eventually went on to try some real racing in Legends and Sportsman cars for a few seasons, but my job took me away to a destination without any local tracks.

 

Maybe someday when I retire I'll give iRacing a try.

That old Papyrus game was the game of all games. No telling how many hours of my childhood were wasted going around Bristol and Talladega. 

The new iRacing platform has definitely caught me eye and if I had the time and money I’d definitely be involved. I still toy with the idea of it often. 

 

Also love the fact that Bobby Labonte is racing in this race Sunday 

Formula 1 is going to the doing a Virtual Race series now as well since they are canceling their races. They are using the F1 game by Codemasters which is pretty much just that, a game unfortunately. Something like iRacing is more realistic.

 

I was big into iRacing for quite a while, but then found other things to fill my time. I thought I would go back to it in the winter times, but that wasn't the case.

 

Here is my setup:

 

44 minutes ago, browne762 said:

Formula 1 is going to the doing a Virtual Race series now as well since they are canceling their races. They are using the F1 game which is pretty much just that, a game unfortunately. Something like iRacing is more realistic.

 

I was big into iRacing for quite a while, but then found other things to fill my time. I thought I would go back to it in the winter times, but that wasn't the case.

 

Here is my setup:

 

That’s one sweet setup! The big red button is that the ejection button to shoot you through the ceiling of your house? ?

1 hour ago, browne762 said:

Formula 1 is going to the doing a Virtual Race series now as well since they are canceling their races. They are using the F1 game by Codemasters which is pretty much just that, a game unfortunately. Something like iRacing is more realistic.

 

I was big into iRacing for quite a while, but then found other things to fill my time. I thought I would go back to it in the winter times, but that wasn't the case.

 

Here is my setup:

 

If you're going to do it - might as well go all the way.

Nice Set up.

A-Jay

8 hours ago, browne762 said:

Formula 1 is going to the doing a Virtual Race series now as well since they are canceling their races. They are using the F1 game by Codemasters which is pretty much just that, a game unfortunately. Something like iRacing is more realistic.

 

I was big into iRacing for quite a while, but then found other things to fill my time. I thought I would go back to it in the winter times, but that wasn't the case.

 

Here is my setup:

 

That's one heck of a rig. We didn't have stuff like that in the NROS days. The ECCI was about as high end as you could get. Multiple monitors? Forget it. We were running on VGA displays with 486 boxes.

 

 

21 hours ago, GReb said:

That old Papyrus game was the game of all games. No telling how many hours of my childhood were wasted going around Bristol and Talladega. 

The new iRacing platform has definitely caught me eye and if I had the time and money I’d definitely be involved. I still toy with the idea of it often. 

 

Also love the fact that Bobby Labonte is racing in this race Sunday 

Did you every try Grand Prix Legends by Papyrus? That was a whole other level of simulated racing physics. A big introduction to throttle steering for the uninitiated.

2 hours ago, Koz said:

Did you every try Grand Prix Legends by Papyrus? That was a whole other level of simulated racing physics. A big introduction to throttle steering for the uninitiated.

No I never had GPL. It’s crazy looking back and realizing how for ahead of the curve those games were. We took them for granted at the time. 

On 3/20/2020 at 12:33 PM, browne762 said:

Formula 1 is going to the doing a Virtual Race series now as well since they are canceling their races. They are using the F1 game by Codemasters which is pretty much just that, a game unfortunately. Something like iRacing is more realistic.

 

I was big into iRacing for quite a while, but then found other things to fill my time. I thought I would go back to it in the winter times, but that wasn't the case.

 

 

 

Very nice.

 

I have been at it since 2017 and really enjoy it.  I run on the Road Racing side but will jump in one of the NASCAR series at times.  I run mostly the Pro Mazda and the Forumula Renaults (2.0 and 3.5).

 

It is amazing how accurate the tracks are.  I spent 10 years road racing motorcycles and have been to 5 tracks that Iracing has scanned/runs and it is amazingly accurate.

 

My moment of fame .....  before I spun out of a top 5 finish.

 

 

 

Thanks everybody! I have been very happy with my racing rig. I wish I used it more then I do!

 

On 3/20/2020 at 12:18 PM, 12poundbass said:

That’s one sweet setup! The big red button is that the ejection button to shoot you through the ceiling of your house? ?

It is actually a emergence kill switch for the steering wheel motor. It uses and industrial servo for the wheel which can output some pretty high forces. I had it go haywire once and was very happy to have the kill switch.

 

Whipper snappers!

 

Pole Position ruined me for all racing games coming after.