From the monitor to VR and then to the kart

Had this text hanging around here for a month, but was deciding some details before posting. Karting and sim racing with a VR headset and motion gear wasn’t near of coming the way of this blog owner, but as a pleasant surprise it came a debut on both in the same day, and of course both were more than enjoyable for a newcomer.

First was going where the plans were aimed to, as local company BSMotion is offering to the public and opportunity here at Porto Alegre, south of Brazil, to try a full-fledged simulator, with Oculus Rift, Logitech G29 or G27 wheels and motion seats. First of all it was hard to not get nervous since its way different from the gamepad/flat monitor combo available at home, but once it was noticed that the simulator used was Assetto Corsa things started to get better.

The cars used are the Ferrari FXX and the McLaren P1 and the track was Monza ‘66, a combination that was never tried at home, with the proof of it being the initial off-track trips until getting used to the wheel. About the VR device, it simply felt natural from the go, as it’s hard to look away from what’s in front in a powerful supercar. According to my friend who joined in the journey, it could have been more visually close to real but it was still good, as even though the traction control and ABS were on, you still do a huge work in the wheel and the pedals to hold the P1 and the FXX.

One of the points that I was always pondering about was how would VR work with glasses, like focus, size of the device and comfort, and with the first experience going smooth, of course the device joined the wishlist, when this things becomes more accessible to the low-budget sim racer.

After a good time in the simulator we found the Top Speed Kart indoor track in the top parking floor of the mall and watched a race, and after some talks we decided to have a go as a duo of newbies. Registry done, helmet, balaclava and protection worn, instructions given, it was time to race.

The track is 410 meters long and has 11 corners to covered in a 6-hp rental kart built by MetalMoro, which also built the MRX, MR18 and AJR prototypes. Much of the slow corners come in sequence, so good momentum gives you a good lap, as well commitment in the fast parts, which came after getting used to the speed and twitchy kart behavior, as well to the G-forces that you don’t have even in a full simulation behind the monitor. The feel and feedback of the kart were spot-on and predictable, so it was easier to get used to it than in the Project CARS, Automobilista and other titles that have karting in the list, regardless of specifications.

For the newcomer the speeds you felt were a normal thing in the everyday road car may scare a bit due to the kart being very low to the ground and being very stiff, but it’s all a matter of confidence in your equipment to push harder. The smile in your face will come regardless of your pace, but it becomes larger when you know you’re on your absolute limit and wanting more. But as advice, push in qualify and then respect your limits in the race, going for it only when needed. A race is too long to simply throw everything out in the first corner.

After 10 minutes of qualifying and brief caution periods, the blog owner qualified 4^th and my friend would start 10^th out of 11 drivers. Lack of real-life experience meant lack of racecraft from the go, and with the top-3 and some guys behind being faster than me, it was better to not mess up and do my race for the sake of finishing it in a high note. Almost no mistakes and the same pace from qualifying made me lose a single position, finishing in 5^th, pretty much good for the first time, and as for my friend, a series of contacts in the back of the pack made him go down to last where he finished, 3 laps behind the winner, which made him feel pretty much disappointed with his disastrous debut.

The BSMotion FormulaVR event will stay a few days before going out but Top Speed Kart is staying for the time being, so the plans are for more parking lot karting, though I can’t precise when will be the return.