Why?

Because VirtualGT is designed from the ground up to create the very best illusion of driving a race car at speed.

We do this with advanced audio, vibration and motion using multimedia and theater technology.

Who needs a race car simulator?

If you own a race car, have raced before or aspire to race on-track, a race car simulator is a logical accessory. You can learn the track you plan to race on, improve your race craft and even learn how to improve the setup of your race car, all without risk or added expense.

​If you love motorsports but only watch racing, imagine the thrill of sitting in the driver’s seat of the most exotic modern and historic automobiles, and driving them at full speed around the world’s greatest racing circuits. Experience the challenge of keeping a race car right on the edge of maximum performance and the satisfaction of nailing the perfect racing line with a new record lap-time to prove it!

The best solution.

VirtualGT custom designs race car simulator systems to fit your budget and available space. Start with a refurbished cockpit and use your own TV display, or let us design a brand new custom built-in virtual racing center for your home or garage.

​VGT is modular and can be expanded at any time. Start basic and add options like motion and advanced controls systems as your budget and interest expands.

Use our 15 years of experience to help you sort out the confusion around which race car simulator is best for you. Even if you buy another simulator, you will benefit from talking with us in the process.

Our process

• DESIGN – We custom configure each VirtualGT and design the video display enclosure specifically for your project at no additional charge! We then send you with the plans and specs. You buy the displays and build the enclosure into your space.
• DELIVER – We hand build your VGT, then carefully crate and ship it to your installation location. Our experienced installation tech makes sure your VGT is setup and you have a basic understanding on how to use it.
• SUPPORT – Race car simulators use advanced technology and are intimidating to use. That’s why we expect to be available for many weeks to support you after installation. You’ll learn as you drive. All VGTs include free lifetime Remote Internet Support.

Schedule your VirtualGT Test Drive today.

Contact us to arrange a VGT test drive. Personally experience the most realistic race car simulator ever built for home and individual use.

The post VirtualGT-Pro Carbon race car simulator appeared first on VirtualGT.

Marco Andretti preparing for a race. His winning performance is an example of how physical and cognitive fitness can make you a winner too.

Now what if I told you that the secret to achieving that lies with racecar drivers?

Yes, race car drivers – NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1 – those guys. They might not seem like the obvious source for that information, but racers encounter physical and mental demands that few other professions deal with. And through training and dedication, they develop a lifestyle that not only enables them to meet these demands, but propels them to the finish line as well. There’s a lot to gain from learning how they do it.

Here are 5 benefits that living a racer’s lifestyle can bring you:

Get physically fit

Some of you might think, “Racers don’t need to be that physically fit. They’re just driving a car, right?” Well think again! Not only are racers athletes, they’re some of the fittest people on the planet. So when looking for ideas for getting fitter and healthier, why not look to them?

• Professional drivers can experience the same amount of g-force as an astronaut – up to 6g on a single turn.
• They’re operating vehicles at mind-boggling speeds on winding tracks and bumpy terrain.
• Formula 1 drivers require enormous upper body strength to keep control of the steering wheel, and the neck strength to support the massive forces weighing down their helmets at every turn.
• Racer heart rates average 160 beats/minute and the heat generated inside a racing cockpit causes them to sweat up to 6 pounds of their bodyweight in a single race.
• Not to mention that one “stint” in a race car can last over 2 hours; some endurance races last a full 24 hours between 3 or 4 drivers.

Enhance your brain power

Mental laziness is not an option for racers. They must remain constantly alert for hours while their bodies fatigue and overexert. And they learn to maintain unbroken focus in the midst of extreme physical and psychological distraction. When going at speeds of up to 220 miles/hour, one false move can lead to total carnage. So racers train to achieve unquestionable mental agility and reaction level.

The mental challenges that racers regularly deal with have an empowering effect on the brain. When a study conducted at University of California, San Francisco observed ordinary people that were put in a simulated racing environment, they found that a mere 12 hours of training improved their working memory and sustained attention. In an age when we’re delegating some of that crucial brain work to computers, smart phones, and GPS navigation, it wouldn’t hurt to apply elements of that training toward enhancing our own mental acumen.

Stay young longer

It’s no surprise, given that they keep themselves in prime physical condition, that drivers can remain physically fit even as they advance in age. But did you know that racing can keep the mind young too?

In fact, the same study mentioned earlier also found that when participants had to physically and mentally multi-task while sustaining focus and blocking out distractions, it led to an effect that reversed some of the harm caused by an ageing brain. After the 12 hours of training, adults that were 60-85 years of age started outperforming peers in their 20s that didn’t do the training. And the cognitive skills they developed remained with them 6 months after that.

Overcome distraction

• Physical distractions stealing your attention…
• Competitors trying to sneak ahead of you…
• Struggling to staying calm and focused under pressure…
• Falling victim to overconfidence or self-doubt…

Racers face paralyzing mental obstacles like these in the regular course of their business. Do any on that list sound familiar to you too? That’s because the mental blocks racers encounter on the track are the same other people come across in every-day life. But race trainers and sport psychologists have dedicated their careers to fine-tuning techniques that give the strength to overcome them. It’s a Herculean task that’s been mastered in the auto-racing world. And that knowledge can be applied just as usefully outside that world.

Be ready for the challenges life throws at you

The mental and physical demands placed on a racecar driver are extreme, to put it lightly. And yet they develop a lifestyle that trains them to meet those demands head on. After all, the healthier a driver is – physically and mentally – the better equipped he is to do his job. And that’s not far from the truth when it comes to all of us on the sidelines.

In the future, we’ll explore different aspects of the racer lifestyle more in depth and discuss ways they could be incorporated outside of the racetrack. By finding elements we can translate to our own lives, we too can become better equipped to meet our challenges. And – like racers – we can use those skills to stay healthier, stay smarter, stay young, stay focused, and ultimately succeed and win at whatever it is we do.

The post 5 Ways Racecar Drivers Can Help Improve Your Lifestyle appeared first on VirtualGT.

While car lovers wait for the show to unveil the latest and greatest in connected car technology, a VIP group enjoyed competing in motorsports most popular racing simulator, the VirtualGT Carbon.

C-level OEM auto execs battle for fastest lap in a pro racing simulation guided by Ian Alexander from VirtualGT.

C-Suite Quarterly

On November 18, a select group of elite executives from the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) world were invited to experience the VirtualGT pro racing simulator at The Palm restaurant in Downtown LA. The event, cosponsored by VirtualGT and C-Suite Quarterly – The Executive’s Leadership and Lifestyle Magazine, gave them an opportunity to experience firsthand the most immersive pro racing simulation experience available for home use. The event celebrated the opening day of the Connected Car Expo at the LA Auto Show.

Car and Track

It proved to be an exciting evening as guests found themselves transported to the Watkins Glen racetrack. They were given control of a 360 HP Radical SR-8 race car and let loose to enjoy the high speeds and surging adrenaline levels one can only experience while driving on a challenging, professional race course. And they never had to leave the comfortable atmosphere and delicious hors d’oeuvres of The Palm.

I-Racing software

Many guests with racing experience remarked on the accuracy of the visuals created by iRacing software and praised the realism of the audio and motion systems in the cockpit. Regardless of how many races the drivers might have had under their belts, people that tested the VirtualGT simulator voiced a clear consensus: the experience was fun and authentic.

A guided racing experience

Race trainer and VirtualGT’s Director of Simulation, Ian Alexander, familiarized racing first-timers with the cockpit controls, then guided them through the course. Meanwhile, spectators posed technical questions for the simulator’s creator, Paul Stary. And VirtualGT’s Marketing Director, John Couté shared effective branding applications for automotive OEM’s like energizing new model rollouts and road shows.

Jason Dean, CSQ Editor and VirtualGT publicist Sonia Levitin share notes on racing simulation at the Palm Restaurant reception opening day of the Connected Car Expo.

 A C-Suite Quarterly’s Event

The invitation only guest list included executives from General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, Hyundai, Intel, SiriusXM, US Cellular, PricewaterhouseCoopers, The New York Times, and Wired Magazine.

The post Automotive OEM Executives Enjoy an Evening of Virtual Racing appeared first on VirtualGT.

Two-time iRacing Grand-Am Champion Scott McDonough, Professional Grand-Am Race Engineer and Professor of Vehicle Dynamics at IUPUI Scott Raymond, and Ferrari Challenge and Pirelli Cup series coach Craig Stanton.

VirtualGT’s training facility in Santa Ana, CA brought together a multi discipline, virtual testing session with a Grand-Am Champ Driver, racing coach and pro race engineer.

Read SimHQ Contributing Editor Chunx’s full account, complete with photos and videos, that demonstrate how VirtualGT simulation can cut costs and improve outcomes with virtual testing and pre-race car setup.

Full Article

The post A Race Engineer, A Coach and A Champ Driver walk in to a VirtualGT Training Center… appeared first on VirtualGT.

Lotus 49 at the Long Beach Tech Track – Click image to expand

iRacing, the Boston based software company and current leader in online racing simulation has been hard at work. The latest build, the 2013 Season 3 Update, adds a few very important components to the service. In this post we highlight our favorite new features and content. VGT owners and drivers looking to make the transition to iRacing have a constantly evolving service to get to know. We’ll try to give you the highlights.

Variable Weather
This is big. There is also a realistic weather option that creates random conditions based on historical weather data for that area. Also, weather options can be disabled to the default sunny day settings. Still no word as to when rain will be available but it’s on the list. I asked Sean Siff, Marketing Manager at iRacing to elaborate and here’s what he said…

“Our current weather includes temperature changes, cloud cover changes, fog, humidity, and wind. The air temperature selected will also influence the track temperature. Our tire model will interact with changes in track temp, so iRacers will notice slight changes in grip and vehicle performance. For example, if you dial up the wind, it will affect a racecar’s top speed.”

iRacing Weather Control Panel – Click image to expand

Drive Against Your Ghost
A popular request for iRacing has been the ability to drive against your own fastest lap in the form of a ghost car. This feature allows a driver to visually see the result of their driving style and give them a consistent benchmark to copy and try to improve upon. Plus it’s more fun than the lap analyzer bar. Sure, who doesn’t want to see their mistakes highlighted in real time and bright colors.

New League Controls
iRacing has a large number of leagues and championships going at all times. Of course users can also do hosted events as well. The new administrative tools will make it easier for a league creator to host their events and have more control over the experience. It also lets iRacing members find leagues and friends easier when searching. For those interested in more information about online competition, take a look at the video Plan Your iRacing Career.

New Crew Chief Feature
There are new controls for automating parts of the pit stop process and for allowing a remote user to become your crew chief. With this feature and the already existing feature of spotters, iRacing members and drivers working with existing teams can utilize the service as way to perform virtual practices and tests. Completing the picture of who’s on the radio and in the pits for a driver adds an entire new level to the software. Features like this could attract more real life race car drivers, engineers and coaches to the service. All of these additional ways to involve more people into the race experience strengthens iRacing as a legitimate practice and training tool for a new team, developing driver or engineer.

New Car – Lotus 49
The Lotus 49 is an icon of vintage racing and was a competitive F1 car in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The car also has an extensive sim racing history and was featured in the grandfather of all sim racing titles, Grand Prix Legends. The car has history and style and now it’s available to the rest of us.

Alexander Rossi, Caterham F1 Test Driver and big fan of the VGT, had the chance to drive the Lotus 49 at CoTA recently. The following videos should give you a sense of how excited people are about this specific car. It’s a piece of history, much different than modern cars and quite a challenge. No aero, archaic tire technology and a 410 bhp V8 that the suspension is bolted to. It weighs under 1200 lbs.

This car has the potential to attract more of the vintage racing crowd to iRacing and even sim racing in general. We’re excited to show it to existing VGT owners that enjoy classic cars and get their reactions. Here’s iRacing’s Dave Kraemer’s Lotus 49 blog post.

Here’s a video of Rossi’s thoughts after driving the vintage Formula 1 car in Austin at the US Grand Prix.

Onboard Footage of Rossi driving the 49

Long Beach Tech Track
Tech Tracks are a new offering from the development team at iRacing. The goal is to allow members the opportunity to drive tracks before they’re full ready. If it’s a track that has the surface done but won’t be fully completed for some time, we may see it as a Tech Track in the mean time. We’re excited at VirtualGT because this is our home track, just minutes from where our simulators are built and from our partner GMG Racing who won the World Challenge race at Long Beach this year in the Audi R8 LMS. We finally have our home track that you can only practice for less than a week per year in real life.

“We hope to release tech tracks as often as our art and dev teams can complete them. Our first priority is to build each track to completion. In the case of Long Beach, the art on the side of the track is a big project so it was relatively easy to provide the spline of the track for members to enjoy and for real pro drivers to test on.” – Sean Siff

New Track – Montreal / Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Montreal’s pride and joy racetrack and home of the Canadian Grand Prix is now available on iRacing. A popular stop for sports car racing in the US, this adds another hugely sought after track for professional drivers looking to brush up before a coming race or learn the track for the first time. Here’s a video of an iRacing event that shows a couple laps of the track including onboard footage of the Radical SR8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPW1YrYQESc

Figure 8 Racing at Irwindale
This is different. This is the first of figure 8 tracks to be released and could be sign of other additions in the future. The consequences can be big as the track crosses itself and side impact collisions are common. Looking forward to trying this out, without the medical bills that would surely accompany trying it in real life. Looking forward to other “fun tracks” that get included in the service over time.

Night Races at South Boston
This one is personal for the iRacing team. Their local track and it’s night events are now available on their service. Here’s what Sean had to say about the Boston update, “Our latest build is full of great new features. One of my favorites is the night race option at South Boston Speedway. I actually got to watch a Late Model race at South Boston back in 2009 when I was touring the country with our iRacing trailer. It was really exciting so it’s great to see that small oval get a face lift, so to speak.”

Summary
This update adds some huge new content and features that have been requested by iRacing fans for months and even years. Keep checking our blog for more updates on simulation software and hardware upgrades. If you have any further questions about the service or the new update, please post a comment and we’ll reply. VGT customers can of course email

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for further support.

Visit www.iracing.com for more information about the service or to join up. There is currently a 2 years for the price of 1 special until 7/31/13.

The post iRacing 2013 Season 3 Update Offers Exciting New Features and Content appeared first on VirtualGT.