GAME CHANGER
Simulated racing in Jamaica to ‘soup up’ industry – JMMC chairman
STEPHEN GUNTER, chairman of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC), and head of Jamaica Simulated Racing Association (JSRA), Nicholas Donald, said the JMMC’s recent partnership with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to introduce simulated racing will be of massive benefit to Jamaican motor racing.
Gunter and Donald believe simulated racing can help race drivers improve their driving skills.
They also think that some simulated racers after years of racing online will yearn to feel what real racing is like and actually make the transition. As a result, they think both will be of benefit to each other.
Donald pointed out that although simulated racing has always been a part of the development of high-end racing, it has become more prominent in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people had more time at home.
“There was a boom in SIM racing at home.
We have always had simulators but it has become more prominent in other racing disciplines more recently.
“You have social media accounts with persons showing their journey and how they have been SIM racing for years, and now get an opportunity to race for real. “While actual drivers, who have been racing for years use simulators to get extra practice, because in a simulator although they may not have the G-force and the sound of a real car, they can push real hard and if they crash they can reset. So they can try things that they wouldn’t try in a real car.
“But they are trade-offs for each one. So they both feed into each other and will benefit each other,” said Donald. Gunter also believes the introduction of SIM racing will encourage more online racers to get involved in the real thing, which will benefit the sport positively. “I do believe this will encourage people to step from simulation racing and come out into the real world and try their hands at real racing as well.
“A big part of motor racing internationally is simulated racing. Most race car drivers nowadays who take part in championship series abroad practise on simulators before going to the tracks.
“So people used to see simulators as a form of video game but it has come a far way since video games, and they actually mimic the behaviour of an actual race car,” said Gunter.
The JMMC’s partnership with the FIA means that the world governing body has officially recognised the motorsport discipline in Jamaica with the JSRA as its affiliate.
This means local SIM racers will now get a chance to race under the Jamaican flag in international SIM racing events.
“So now it is not, I am a Jamaican competing in this foreign competition. It is now I am a Jamaican athlete and I am here to represent my country and I fly my flag here officially,” said the JMMC boss.
Gunter went on to say the FIA Motorsport Games, which is essentially the Olympics of motorsports, is set for this year in Spain and that they plan to send drivers to the event.
“They are currently in a competition that we were invited to by Ukraine, which is their first FIA-sanctioned event since they have been officially affiliated.
“To obtain a licence, drivers must go through the JSRA licensing process, which requires drivers to compete in their weekly series of races.
However, to be a national representative, Donald said drivers must attain a certain level first.
“You get your JRSA licence and then once you reach that calibre where you can represent Jamaica, then we get you your official JMMC licence to participate as a Jamaican athlete,” said Donald.
Meanwhile, Gunter said simulated racing is welcomed by the JMMC, and that the 2000 iRacing licences extended by the FIA would push the growth of SIM racing.
“We look forward to the growth of this very exciting genre of motorsport. The licensing will allow Jamaicans to take part in simulated racing worldwide.
“They will be able to take part in the world motorsport games and they will take part in the eSports Olympics which takes place every year, as well as the North American SIM Racing Championships. So this will help improve SIM racing in Jamaica,” said Gunter.