An instructor discusses the some car control basics

“How many of you have ever been cut off by another driver before?” Inevitably, the entire class would raise their hands in acknowledgement.  My next question:  “How did that make you feel?”  The group would usually express their anger, surprise and general resentment of the offending driver.

The next question was my favorite… “How many of you have accidently cut someone off while driving?”  Earnestly, the hands would slowly rise around the group until a majority of the drivers were showing their hands indicating that they too had committed that common driving mistake.  (Author’s note: my hand would be raised as well, not only to encourage honest responses, but because I had, in fact, cut off a cement truck one time and I was lucky there was no “4x”, just a raised middle finger salute from the driver).  Then, I would ask the group if anyone had purposefully meant to cut the other driver off.  There were a few wise cracks, but for years, the majority of drivers I worked with of all ages, abilities and backgrounds would agree that they didn’t mean to purposely cut off the other driver.

“We had something to learn
Now it’s time for the wheel to turn”

Since I have been racing on the iRacing service, I have witnessed many an overly optimistic racing move.  Whether it is a low percentage pass that didn’t pay off or being part of a wreck that takes out the entire field, if you race long enough on iRacing, you have probably know what I mean, it can get a little crazy out there.  This will come as no surprise to my colleagues here, but, on occasion… I have been the driver making that mistake and ruining another member’s race.  I try not to, but it happens.

A driver earns a “1x” in their company fire truck

My assumption is that the majority of us who race here all want to race competitively, have fun, and generally not be the guy who causes another’s demise… especially if the racing has been close and clean.  Unfortunately though, this is not always the case.  Within my first few weeks at iRacing, I already knew the best part about the service:  The emotions that one experiences during a close race with other members are very real.  Even though we can’t get injured, we all have iRating, Safety Rating and our reputation at stake, which is generally enough to keep order.  (Us staffers have the “iLetYouWin” awards that we give out.  A few are more rare than others… which is to say that if you get one from me, the value of that award is not transferable to iRacing credits!)  If not, we always can resort to the protest process, which is going through a revision at the moment.  But, the emotion of running in a close race, the thrill of making a pass — especially if it moves you into a position to win — is extremely powerful.  In fact, it’s intoxicating.  It must be one reason why we all enjoy this sport.

One of the great things that I have noticed about getting into a 2x or a 4x with another driver on iRacing is that, just like the drivers I used to instruct, the driver and I didn’t mean to hit each other, or ruin the other’s race.  It happens though, and plenty of replay watching and debating usually takes place.  The unpleasant side of this situation is when someone gets on their mic and curses at another member or tells the whole field how bad the other driver is.  In some races, sometimes the tirade lasts for the entire yellow flag situation… which we all know is long enough as it is.  And it is worse if the cursing and complaining continues when there are no yellow flags as the rest of us are trying concentrate even harder to keep our own race clean and competitive.

In the “few” times that I have been either clearly at-fault or the victim, I have had some very positive experiences that far too often don’t go unnoticed.  At first, like many of us, I either hit the mic button or type something that I probably shouldn’t…  if you race here, you know the feeling.  Yet, as a staff member, I know I really shouldn’t do it.  The best part of this community is represented when I resist the urge to assign blame.  Here is what happens…

I find myself in the midst of a big crash in a recent Carb Cup event, I’m #12.

I or the other driver will initiate conversation either on the mic or by typing… Depending on what happened, I will either offer a fairly lame apology or I’ll go and watch the replay while my car is being towed in, or I will wait in silence, groveling about what happened while lamenting the early end of my race.  Lately, though, I have been having really positive interactions with other members and I truly believe that the other members don’t know I work for iRacing.  What usually happens is that we both review the incident, maybe after the race is over, have a brief conversation, possibly apologize to each other (but not always) and then the incident is over.  It is the equivalent of “better luck next time.” No paperwork, no bodily harm, no damage bill, no hard feelings.

And this is the best part!  (Thanks for reading this far!!) The best part is that when I see that driver again in a race, we typically say hello, provide each other a little bit more racing room, and have a generally more positive experience.  After taking the opportunity to make amends with the other driver, I have noticed that my frustration and anger immediately evaporate.  Why?  Simple.  Most of the time, after taking a moment to send a private message (PM) or chatting after the race, I found out that the other guy didn’t mean to ruin my race, and of course, I certainly didn’t mean to ruin his.

“Let’s admit we made a mistake
But can we still be friends?”

This situation, which plays out in almost every race on our service, can end in one of two ways:  In frustration and anger over an unfortunate end to the race, or as a community we could all take a deep breath, keep our finger off the mic, review what happened and try to settle things off line.  I have sent and received a fair number of private messages to other members after a race didn’t go my way.  Sometimes it was to seek an explanation, sometimes it was to offer my apology for a low percentage move.  The best part always happens afterwards though, when I see that driver in another race, we’ve had a chance to come to an understanding and the result is some mutual respect.

I got to fulfill a childhood fantasy of driving a fire truck. It was a beast.

My story isn’t to suggest that you shouldn’t use our protest system, or that your conversation with another member will always end amicably, but when I see the guys who I’ve “bumped into” on our service, things are usually quite pleasant.  Our service is a fairly large place, but just like the real-world racing community, our world is actually pretty small and it is very possible you will race with guys repeatedly.  As you move up through the license levels, I bet you start to recognize the guys in your public race sessions.  I know I do.  I make mental notes to remind myself who I can work with on track, who races hard and who will let me move through if I have the corner or if I am a little faster (yes, that is rare).

The situation recalls the group of drivers I used to instruct back on that closed runway a number of years ago.  It reminded me that when I get cut off, or spun-out or wrecked out of a race, the majority of the time, the guy who did it, probably didn’t mean to.  I encourage you all, if you find yourself in that situation, to take it offline or wait until the end of the race to discuss the incident.  It doesn’t always work, as sometimes the other member will leave the session before you get that opportunity.  If you are both in the pits together, you can chat with each other using the whisper function or you can resort to the text chatting over the race server (which is far less distracting than tying up the airwaves with complaints or disparaging remarks about each other’s racing skills). Maybe by talking to that member you will find that, like me, you now have some new acquaintances.  Maybe you will find that next time the same guy gives you a little extra room if you have a run on him at the end of a long race.  Maybe you will receive a private message in your inbox with a quality explanation as to why you were dumped into the wall by mistake.

It’s not like we have to pay for any real damage!

Then again, maybe I am naïve, but I know that we all have a chance to make this community even better.  We’re all human and mistakes happen, especially if you’re like me. This service can be so much fun because the emotions we experience while sim racing are 100% real.  We can all take a moment to improve the community by showing a little understanding when we are the victim of a racing incident, or at the very least not keying the mic when you shout your disappointment to the walls around where you sim race.  Of course, you can always use our protest system, but you may find out that the guy you shared incident points with didn’t mean to ruin your day either.

Isn’t that what sets us apart from all of those console titles anyway?  iRacing is that corner of the sim racing world where we have done our best to bring order to chaos and where someone will answer your call to our customer support team or email.  All of us here at the office take pride in that.

I look forward to bumping into you, I mean, racing with you on track.

What can’t our artists create yet?  The smell of being at Watkins Glen; the cool morning air rushing up the hill from Seneca Lake or the acrid smell of brake pads and tire rubber still lingering after a pit stop.

I remember my first SCCA driver’s school at the Glen:  My teammate and I drove late into the night with our Mazda Spec Miatas in tow behind us.  It rained the whole way and when we arrived, the entire racetrack was covered in a thick fog.  It was eerie watching cones of yellow light from nearby headlights get eaten up by the rain and mist.  After checking in with the track officials, I paused for a moment of reverence.  The best drivers in the world had raced at the Glen:  Clark, Hill, Andretti, Fittipaldi, Brabham, Villeneuve, Gurney.  I knew I was on hallowed ground. 

Thanks to modern technology and our laser scanning process, these tracks are accessible to all of us.  We can all race together, share stories, watch great overtakes and enjoy the sweet taste of victory… at least in the virtual sense.

Racetracks, both real and virtual, are almost sacred for those of us who love auto racing.

While on tour with the mobile iRacing trailer I got to visit many great racetracks around the USA.  Here are my top 5 – in order of greatness – which you just have to visit in person:

1. Watkins Glen International – aka “The Glen,” located in Watkins Glen, NY.  Why?  As mentioned above, some of the world’s greatest drivers have driven there!  Catch a NASCAR, IZOD IndyCar, GRAND-AM, historic or club race at the track and see what makes the Glen so great.  Located on the south end of Seneca Lake, the sleepy town of Watkins Glen is beautiful, and the residents embrace its historical importance with regard to motorsports.  Take a walk down Main Street and look for a wall mural capturing a time when races at the Glen began and ended on public roads.  Visit: the Glen Motor Inn, the Seneca Lodge and hike to the water falls of Watkins Glen State Park.

2. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – located in Monterey, CA.  Why?  Go stand by the fence next to the famous Corkscrew and we will share mutual amazement that these turns actually exists.  Given the reliable effects of gravity on racecars, the corner is fun to drive, the car gets light as you crest the top of the Corkscrew, but on the way down the racecar’s suspension loads up properly and the car settles well over the drop down the hill… unless you put the car into the gravel trap on the right.  Also, like many great racetracks on this list, you can walk and view the track from almost every corner.  The hillside is my favorite.  Have dinner at Cannery Row if you like great seafood.  Also, be sure to visit the award winning aquarium.

3. Daytona International Speedway – located in Daytona Beach, FL. Why? This place is amazing!  Huge!  And, hallowed ground.  The foundation of NASCAR is Daytona International Speedway.  NASCAR’s greatest drivers evolved from racing on the sandy beaches 10 miles away to the asphalt 2.5 mile behemoth with 31 degree banking.  In 1957, when the track was being constructed, the builders couldn’t pile the dirt up any higher to make the corners any steeper.  Today, you can barely walk up the banking in the corners. NASCAR’s greatest drivers drove and won here and still do today.  Besides the Daytona 500, the speedway is host to a great 24 hour sports car endurance race called the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona.  There is a race held in Daytona for every type of race fan.

4.  Indianapolis Motor Speedway – located in Indianapolis, IN.  Why?  Indy is the oldest still operational US racetrack, home to the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, a US Moto GP race and the original Gasoline Alley.  The neighborhoods around Indy have been echoing with the chorus of racecar noise since organized racing began there in 1909.  You owe yourself a proper tour of the speedway if you decide to go.  Spend time to see the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.  Better yet, try to see the racecars in the basement of the museum.  Pick up a hot fresh turkey leg if you are at Indy for a race, they are delicious.  Your weekend trip to Indy wouldn’t be complete without watching some Saturday night short track racing at a nearby local track like O’Reilly Raceway Park. 

5.  Road America – located in Elkhart Lake, WI.  Why?  The racing, the views and the food.  If you go here, you better enjoy the track food; fresh corn on the cob, brats, beer and famous giant burgers that take no prisoners.  Also, like other racetracks on this list, it is a fun place to watch a race.  You can sit near every corner, camp and enjoy the scenery.  Long straights and high speeds make the racing action very exciting.  Rent go-karts near turn 8 at the Briggs and Stratton Motorplex and enjoy a track that is nearly 1 mile long and has over 100’ of elevation change.  Visit Siebkins Resort in downtown Elkhart Lake as it is one of the most famous watering holes in all of sports car racing.  Much like the Glen, you can take a self-guided tour of the old street circuit that used to wind through now quiet neighborhoods.

All of the racetracks above are steeped in racing history, have hosted world famous car racing events and are still the most important racetracks in the US.  If you have not done so, make a trip out to the local racetrack near where you live.  If the track is already in iRacing, enjoy seeing the real place for yourself.  What are your top 5 favorite racetracks that you have visited in the US or from around the world?  Share them with us and you may see them in iRacing.com someday.

1. Ferrari 250 TR

This racecar dominated LeMans in the late 50s and early 60s. Now the car commands world record prices at auction and is still staggeringly beautiful to look at.

2. 2009 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Impala SS

This racecar brought Jimmie Johnson his 4th consecutive Sprint Cup title. This car, driver and team combo has amassed 50 wins and 23 pole positions.

3. Mercedes-Benz W196

In the capable hands of Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss, this racecar won 9 of 12 races entered between ’54-‘55. Fangio won two of his five total Formula 1 championships in this car, a record that remained unbroken until Michael Schumacher over 50 years later.

4. Ferrari F2002

This car, with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel, was one of the fastest and most dominant racecars of all time, winning 16 out of 20 races in 2002 with 12 pole positions.

5. Lotus 49

Driven by F1 champions Jim Clark and Graham Hill, the Lotus 49 was a revolutionary engineering leap forward incorporating the engine into the design of the car as a load bearing member attached to the monocoque chassis.

6. Audi Sport Quattro S1

The S1 is widely regarded as one of the most powerful rally cars ever fielded in international competition with an engine capable of producing approximately 500 bhp and delivering that power through an advanced all wheel drive train.

7. Porsche 917

The 917 family of racecars, some in iconic Gulf Oil livery, set distance and top speed records at the 24 hours of LeMans during the 1970s.

8. Lotus 79 John Player Special

This Formula 1 car revolutionized aerodynamics by utilizing ground effects that improved overall downforce. Modern F1 racing began with this car.

9. 1991 Spec Miata

This racecar and many other Miatas from the 1990s have provided large fields for thousands of budget-minded club racers. The Spec Miata is the foundation of road-racing at the grass roots level all across the US.

10. 1998 RCR Chevy Monte Carlo #3

This car represented Dale Earnhardt’s first and only Daytona 500 win. The black, gray and white lettered car in Goodwrench livery represented the pinnacle of the Intimidator’s incredible NASCAR racing career.

There are many great racecars that did not make this list. What are your top ten racecars?