The Rise in Sim Racing Esports – All You Need to Know

Sim racing started as a niche hobby and has now evolved into a growing eSports phenomenon today. Through technology breakthroughs, realistic physics and dedicated sim leagues, sim racing now rivals real motorsports in excitement and skill.

As of today, be it professional drivers, gaming enthusiasts, or even real-world racers, all have jumped into the foray, making esports in sim racing more popular than ever. But what has led to this incredible rise in sim racing popularity?

Well, that’s what we’ll see in this article, where we’ll explore the key factors behind the rise in sim racing esports and how it’s shaping the future of competitive racing. Let’s dive in!

Advancements in Technology

I think it’s safe to say that modern day technology has completely transformed sim racing. It has made it possible to experience real-life racing right from the comfort of your home.

From realistic force feedback in steering wheels to motion simulators that mimic the feeling of a race car, modern sim racing technology offers a level of immersion that is pretty much akin to a real-life car. Perhaps, the biggest advancement here is the ability to replicate real-life sensations, such as speed, G-forces, and vibrations.

Force Feedback Wheels

At the heart of sim racing hardware are high-quality steering wheels. These wheels provide drivers with force feedback, creating the pressure/touch adjustments a driver would feel on real tracks at racing venues. High-end models, such as direct-drive wheels, connect the steering wheel directly to the motor, providing the most precise and accurate force feedback. This connection allows a driver to accurately feel the subtle nuances of tire sliding, hitting potholes, resistance against the vehicle's natural tendency to move, etc.

Advanced Pedals

Pedals have also seen huge improvements. While modern sim racing pedals feel and weigh like real racing pedals, many high-end selections feature load cell technology that senses pressure as opposed to merely detecting movement. Furthermore, adjustable resistance and customizable positions for the pedals further personalize the driving experience.

Motion Simulation Platforms

Motion simulation platforms have dramatically taken sim racing to an entirely new level of immersion. These platforms accurately replicate the movements of a race car, including tilting, pitching, and rolling, by synchronizing with what’s happening on screen. The feelings of acceleration, deceleration, and cornering forces are finely recreated, which gives players a truer sense of being inside a moving vehicle.

High-Tech Displays

Realistic sim racing doesn't just stop at the controls—it's in the visuals, too. Ultra-wide and triple monitor setups and VR headsets are display options that offer a wider field of vision (FOV) and depth perception. Higher refresh rates and lower input lag help to create a smoother and responsive gameplay, which gives a clear advantage in competitive sim racing esports.

These technological advancements have not only made sim racing more accessible but also more appealing to both enthusiasts and professional drivers, leading to the rise in sim racing esports. Plus, you get all the thrills of motorsport with none of the real-world injuries, collisions, fuel cost, and it's cheaper than a day at the track—which means starting has never been easier and more affordable.

Advancements in Sim Racing Games 

Just as the sim racing hardware evolved over time, so did the software behind sim racing games. From advanced physics engines to photorealistic rendering graphics, modern sim games provide an unparalleled level of immersion that makes players feel nothing short of being truly behind the wheels.

One of the most advanced simulations in the industry is rFactor 2. rFactor 2 possesses an incredibly realistic physics engine that governs how vehicles and tires respond to one another, plus how they interact with the environment. For instance, a thermomechanical physically-based tire model means that the in-game tires wear, heat, and deform as the ones in reality do. In sim racing, this forces the player to compensate for under or over-inflated tires while driving, just like how all professional racers in real life have to do. In addition, rFactor 2's real road technology dynamically changes track conditions like giving it grip or taking it away based on whether it rains or rubber deposits left by previous laps.

Another standout title is Assetto Corsa Competizione, which runs on Unreal Engine 4 and takes realism even further. Not only do the cars and tracks appear lifelike, but this racing simulator also boasts real-time changes in weather. The game accurately simulates aerodynamics, traction control, and suspension. Its day-night cycle and rain physics further introduce extra challenges which compel drivers to adjust their braking points, steering inputs, and tire strategies based on ever-changing conditions.

And just like that, the list continues where every popular sim racing game brings something unique to the table.

The Emergence of Sim Racing Leagues and Communities

As the sim racing popularity continued to grow, dedicated sim racing esports leagues emerged, bringing structured competition, high-stakes tournaments, and passionate communities together. These leagues attracted the best of the best and most dedicated racers worldwide—even real-life professional drivers participated in these leagues, seeing digital racing as just as much of a sport and thus leading to a rise in sim racing esports.

Major Sim Racing Leagues

iRacing World Championship Series

The pinnacle of sim racing leagues is the iRacing World Championship Series. It features events such as the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup, and more, including the VRS GT iRacing World Championship. Known for its structured format and significant prize pools, iRacing attracts top-tier sim racers and professional drivers alike. One such real-life racer who climbed the league and came out on top is NASCAR driver William Byron who then transitioned into professional motorsport.

F1 Esports Series

This league runs with the official F1 title, providing sim racers the opportunity to race with the official F1 video game. All of the real-life F1 teams have an esports team of the same name, and they are constantly on the hunt to find the best of the best to race under their official logos. For example, F1 esports drivers Brendon Leigh and Jarno Opmeer are internationally known for their accomplishments on the digital circuit.

Assetto Corsa Competizione World Esports Series

This is the league for GT3 racing and it features everything from ultra-realistic driving experience to real car physics and laser-scanned tracks. Its high level of realism has attracted real GT drivers like David Perel and James Baldwin, who have seamlessly transitioned between sim and real-world racing.

Forza Racing Championship (FRC)

This is the league for the Forza Motorsport franchise. They host various racing disciplines and showcase a mix of arcade and simulation racing. Not as serious as iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione; however, there is still a dedicated following.

Gran Turismo Championships

Sponsored by Polyphony Digital, this World Championship is affiliated with the Gran Turismo franchise. Events like the Nations Cup and Manufacturer Series have created a global stage for sim racers here. Even professional drivers like Igor Fraga, a former Gran Turismo champion, have transitioned from sim racing to real-world motorsport.

The Rise of Sim Racing Communities

Beyond the leagues, the rise in sim racing esports has fostered vibrant online communities and forums where racers upload their car setups and discuss strategies for winning tournaments. Subreddits like r/simracing, Discord, and other specific forums have enabled sim racers across the world to connect with others and improve skills together.

Lucrative Prize Pools and High-Stakes Tournaments

As the world of esports in sim racing develops, so too do esports prize pools. Where sim racing was once a thing done without payment, it now presents a viable career opportunity for those extraordinarily gifted in the racing field. The talent needed for sim racing translates almost identically to real-life racing, and many actual race car drivers have taken to sim tracks. For instance, the 2017 Vegas eRace was headed by an actual race car driver, Felix Rosenqvist, who competed alongside other sim racers. Here are some of the biggest sim racing esports tournaments:

• Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup (iRacing) – Over $200,000 in cash prize awarded to champion Joshua Rogers in 2021.
• F1 Esports Series – $750,000 prize pool as of 2022, champion name Lucas Blakeley.
• The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series—a $300,000 prize pool with $100,000 for 2023 champion Steven Wilson;
• The Formula E: Accelerate—a €100,000 giveaway with €20,000 going to champion Frederik Rasmussen, who also won a test drive in a real Gen2 Formula E car in 2021

With massive audiences watching live streams on Twitch, YouTube, and ESPN, sim racing is more than just a video game now. It’s become a legitimate motorsport with intense competition and thrilling entertainment for fans worldwide.