At the 2022 New York International Autoshow, the Hyundai Motorsports Simulated Racing challenge took place. This was held each day of the show and featured four full motion control simulated racing set ups. Each driver would be put into a simulated racing seat of a Hyundai Veloster N. The simulation included a realistic racing chair, a motion platform, pedals, and a steering wheel that had force feedback. Contestants were given a set amount of time to complete their fastest possible lap of Lime Rock Park in the vehicle. The time set allowed for two laps to be completed. If you scored a good lap time, the top 16 contestants were displayed for the show patrons to see. Not only this but the top 16 at the end of the session would be locked in to compete in a tournament. The winner of this bracket style tournament would win a new Xbox system.
I decided to get in line and play the game. At the time I did not know that the goal would be an end competition but came with the sparkle of a fancy racing simulator in my eye. I signed up and waited in line while watching the other drivers race. Looking at the leaderboard I felt I might be able to make it in the top 16, but it seemed very challenging. While waiting in line nobody made it on to the leaderboards. When it was my turn to race the instructor told me how to race the car, and I felt oddly comfortable in the seat. I do not have racing experience in the real world but I do have a racing wheel I hardly use at home. Mainly I think my emergency vehicle driving experience helps me out.
I started down the track with screeching tires, I knew from watching the other drivers it would be difficult. The other racers were suffering from heavy understeer due to it being a front wheel drive car. I was using the assisted racing lines on the track as I rounded each corner. I managed to keep the car relatively on the track and only went onto the grass a bit on the first lap. 1 Minute 12 Seconds I saw flash on the screen. The slowest time was a 1 Minute 8 Seconds. I was in the zone, I had one last lap to improve my time. I rounded each corner with a growing perfection. I was in a tunnel zone with my eyes glued to the screen. The world around me did not exist, I was fully emerged into the simulated experience. As I rounded the corner to the final stretch I looked at the race clock and saw no number in the minute section. I was on track for a top lap. I cross the finish line. 1:04:769. At the moment I did not realize this was the 3rd fastest time recorded. I gave them my phone number and they said I would get a text if I was locked in to the tournament.
At 1:15 I got a text to come back to the Hyundai Racing area! I was locked in! I had secured a place in the tournament against the other top racers! I arrived a little early due to the excitement kicking in.
Prior to 2 they had everyone check in and verify their participation in the tournament. The screen switched over to a bracket where the end goal would be the top 4 players going head to head in a winner takes all race. The host lined us all up and explained the rules. To make things fair the track would be switched, and all vehicles assists would be tuned off. This means there would be no line on the ground to guide drivers, no stability or traction control, and no anti-lock brakes. They spilt the bracket into 8 groups of 2 head to heads, then of those 8 winners, they would race in 4 groups of 2 again. Finally the last 4 would race against each other live, with the hardest track and extra laps. In my first race I easily beat the opponent driver. They did not prepare for the assist being off and drove off the track at high speed into the wall. I also drove off the track but managed to keep the car stable and get back on the track. It was hard to get used to the new controls on a new track. I won by a long shot. On the second race I was in, I was facing up against someone who looked super serious. They had their eye on the prize. The race started off good, both him and I were in a furious battle. We would switch back and forth between who was in first place. In the end I was the victor of the hard fought battle. Me and the other driver shook hands and he departed with a cool hat!
Finally came the moment the now building crowd has been waiting for. The top 4 drivers go head to head, three laps, Silverstone Circuit, and all drivers were in the same race together with realistic collisions on. The race was on. I started in the third place spot on the track and barreled down the starting stretch. All four racers immediately overshot the first corner. It was a mad scramble to get back onto the track. I got back on still in the 3rd place but was neck and neck with the next car. I passed him in a twisty corner when I had the better racing line around the turn. For the rest of the race I had the tail lights of the first place car in my eyes. I watch as it rounded every corner in front of me with perfection. I chased hoping they would just mess up one time and I would take the lead. To no avail. He crossed the finish ahead of me and I could hear many cheers from behind me. I came in a decently close second, and then the others followed. A large crowd had formed and cheer on the winner. I was so in the zone I did not even notice. Overall I did not expect to randomly take part in a racing tournament in the middle of the New York Auto Show.
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