Screen to Speed: Victoria Thomson

• 00:00 Introduction to Screen to Speed
• 00:54 Meet Victoria Thomson
• 01:15 Victoria’s Sim Racing Journey
• 02:38 First Professional Sim Racing Gear
• 03:39 Transition to High-End Equipment
• 05:51 Practice Routines and Preparation
• 09:25 Endurance Racing Insights
• 12:03 Memorable Endurance Race
• 14:50 Winning Screen to Speed at Sim Racing Expo
• 19:49 Real-Life Racing Experience
• 30:11 Sim Racing vs Real Racing: Skills Transfer
• 31:22 Affordability and Accessibility of Sim Racing
• 32:29 Competitiveness in Sim Racing
• 33:13 Sim Racing vs Real Racing: Viewer Experience
• 36:22 The Fear Factor in Racing
• 39:22 VR vs Triple Screens in Sim Racing
• 43:27 Female Representation in Sim Racing
• 48:18 Encouraging More Women in Sim Racing
• 51:52 Future Plans and Content Creation
• 57:31 Advice for Aspiring Sim Racers
• 58:36 Conclusion and Farewell

Crew Chief Brad: [00:00:00] Welcome to Screen to Speed powered by INIT eSports. In this podcast, we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals making waves in sim racing and bridging the virtual with the real. From the thrill of digital circuits to the roar of real life racetracks, we explore the passion, dedication and innovation that drives the world of motorsports.

We’ll hear from athletes, creators, and pioneers sharing their stories, insights, and the powerful ways sim racing is connecting communities and creating pathways into motorsports. So buckle up, Screen to Speed starts now.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Welcome in everybody. Happy to see you on any talks today. Hope you’re doing well. Uh, we have in today, Victoria Thompson with us. Uh, she’s a sim racer. Uh, she [00:01:00] won screen to speed at the Dark Sim Racing Expo. So welcome Victoria.

Victoria Thomson: Hello. Thank you. Thanks for the invitation.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. Thank you so much for taking your time and, uh, I have this, uh, wonderful stream with us.

Um, so let’s start with, uh, how do you get into sim racing? How you start?

Victoria Thomson: Well, um, for me, I would say I started with a set a course of one kind of, I mean, what, what actually is sim racing? When I would say I started more. playing video games on computer than maybe it was Gran Turismo 4, I think, on the PlayStation, a few years ago, actually.

But I would say really into simracing, um, AC1, when I at least got a more professional simracing wheel. And I really started simracing basically with ACC like in 2019, 2020, something around that. Joined a community and Well, [00:02:00] from that time on, SCC, at least for me, I know there’s differences between SCC iRacing and other simulators, but, um, on SCC I felt like home on the very first day, and for, like, four years ago, my simracing career kind of started.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. I remember that I, uh, also kind of started from Assetto Corsa, uh, the first one. Uh, but before that, I also did some, you know, racing games, uh, also racing race 07. That’s the old Air Factor 1. So I’ll prepare for some racing game, uh, racing, um, events, uh, on this one. Um, you mentioned that you get your first wheel.

Can you tell more about it? What was it?

Victoria Thomson: Yeah. Um, I think my first more professional wheel basically was a complete Fanatec set. Um, it was the Club Sport wheelbase V2. 5 with the bigger BMW rim and I think the V2 or V3 [00:03:00] pedals. And basically it’s never really changed in that last 10 years. I think I got it like 20, 12 to 15, somewhere around there.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-Hmm. .

Victoria Thomson: And before that, I mean everyone had like that Logitech one. So, um, on AC one I raised with, I think I ruined two G 25 wheels and the G 27. And after the, the G 27, I moved to the Fantech rims and I think 20 20, 21, something around there. I moved to the podium set from Fantech and that’s basically my set right now.

So I’m still with Fanatec.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. Uh, how do you feel to switch from, uh, like entry level equipment to the, uh, high end equipment? How was it for you?

Victoria Thomson: Um, Um, a lot think with high equipment, more pace or something is coming, I would say even on a G25 or 27 or something, you can be [00:04:00] very quick with entry level sim racing gear.

Personally, I would say with, um, for example, now a DD2 or the bigger, um, direct drive wheels, I just got more consistency into the races. So I was able to just pull out every lap the same lap times or nearly the same lap times. And with that consistency, I think even more speed was coming. But I wouldn’t say that I’m much faster or that I was faster with, um, entry level wheel or that I’m faster right now with, um, higher equipped wheel.

Um, So I would say I love my wheel it really gives I love the strength. So right now I’m at 15 12 to 15 newton meters something around there and the races which is physically Kind of hard to to race more than like four hours a few weeks ago. I did Uh four hours race on the nordschleife Um in a row so without the brakes and I would say after four [00:05:00] hours with 12 to 15 newton meters It’s kind of heavy, but it’s also that Typical thing like, um, it’s not a real workout, but you you just love to have more than the typical two and a half To five newt meters, but um still it’s it’s not making me fast.

It’s just more immersive stuff That’s what’s the kind of worth for me the price

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s a really cool thing that you, um, noticed that you didn’t, uh, feel that you’re, like, a lot faster, you’re more consistent with the higher end, uh, equipment, but, uh, definitely, it’s really good to start from something, uh, we’re talking on Unitalks a lot about this, uh, that everybody should have an opportunity to jump into our, uh, like, to sim racing, yeah?

And, uh, with whatever equipment they got, and I think it’s a really important thing. Um, what are you doing, uh, with, uh, so what’s your routine for the practice when you, um, Uh, [00:06:00] preparing for events, for big events in sim racing.

Victoria Thomson: Depends on what kind of races. Um, usually depends on the, the race that I’m racing and the duration I’m double to three times the time the race time is, um, I put into practice.

So if we’re racing a 24 hour race, I’ll have, um, somewhere around 48 hours plus on practice before the actual race. And I’m trying to, well, I’m trying to have a setup that’s feeling comfortable. I know that sometimes you just can min max the settings or something that you have like some tweaks that makes you extremely fast.

But for me personally, it’s a lot more important to have a car that just feels comfortable that every lap I know, even if I’m not on the like, mental top state right now in the lap, if you’re racing for an hour or two, maybe double stinting, and you’re doing a small [00:07:00] mistake. Um, I need to set up that, uh, knows that I can excuse that for example, um, that’s not completely on the edge.

And from that point on, I’m trying to get up my consistency. So I’m trying to have, um, practice evenings. I’m trying to, um, redo all the practice conditions if we know them before, otherwise I’m trying to, um, do some races. And even there, if I know it’s an endurance race, I’m more practicing on my own because I’m trying to get just in my routine.

Teen in my flow and if I know it’s sprint races then i’m trying to do a lot like public lobbies to avoid the the Yeah, the mock ups in the, in the beginning, the, the chaos, um, because in sprint races, if you spin out in T1, then you don’t have the time to gain the time again in the, during the race. So, um, it depends on what I’m racing, if I’m doing more like casual lobbies or if I’m practicing for My own, or for example, with teammates, um, to have a little bit, um, [00:08:00] dirty air, also multi class racing, also different, um, because then the pace difference in the cars is what we are trying to simulate.

So a friend is joining the slower car, depending on the corner. We’re trying to practice that, but how it’s a, basically it’s. Just like having fun. That’s the most important thing. And even in the practice times, I’m pretty sure if some of my teammates will see that, um, maybe afterwards, um, they know that I can get emotional while training, but it’s like letting all emotions out before the actual race and in the race.

I know it’s also, I mean, sometimes we have emotions, that’s completely normal for racers, but, um, I’m trying to just push me to Every race before the actual race is starting to more than a hundred percent to have like my a hundred percent performance in the race. That’s basically kind of the practice I’m doing before and also to get a mental state on.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s a good thing. Uh, I also try and to [00:09:00] still stay cold blooded when I’m doing races, uh, like official races or big events. Um, of course everybody can be emotional, as you said, I think it’s absolutely okay. Um, What do you like the most in endurance races because you mentioned that you’re doing endurance races and sprint races as well So would like to know what you prefer in endurance races.

What’s the best about them?

Victoria Thomson: Yeah,

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: well

Victoria Thomson: as as you said, I’m personally I prefer endurance races Because, uh, it’s not about always being the quickest person. It’s about the being the consistent person over a very long time, being one with the car for more than just 30 minutes. And I mean, I also do strength races.

They are also a great competition, even a higher competition than endurance races. But, um, I mean, even if it’s sim racing and the car is not really breaking down, sometimes you have like technical issues, everything that’s bringing sim racing with you. But for me, [00:10:00] it’s driving hours for hours, the same pace or nearly on being focused for over a long time.

That’s, um, Something I personally love also with um having the time with friends for example doing the spotting for guys doing the setup work Doing the strategy even the complete thing about strategy in endurance races is something that I completely could Go into detail because I really love doing the strategy and for the rest, it’s Just keeping your focus for such a long time on a state where you say it after that, you, you seem like, or you, you feel how you’re getting exhausted without getting to know that you’re exhausted after a few hours.

And for example, I personally loved, uh, the night stints and in real time between two and 5 AM, when the happy time is going to start, like everyone’s tired now. Um, usually you’re, Sometimes alone on the rig, or we [00:11:00] at least try to be two with one backup in the rig or in the race. But, um, you’re basically alone driving through the night, everyone’s starting to do mistakes because you’re getting, you’re zooming out because you’re doing the same thing like for 14 to 16 hours.

But still, I don’t know that to keep there the maximum performance, um, to like every time you’re tired as fuck, whatever, it’s still And that’s what is endurance racing for me.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Endurance is really special. Uh, and I think the endurance racing, uh, also bring a lot of people into some racing because, uh, many people like they not doing any official races or leagues.

They just jumping into special events, like in a set of course, competition in, in iRacing, for example, as well. Um, so what was your highlights? Uh, Endurance event for you. What was the best result, the best race, which you [00:12:00] remember?

Victoria Thomson: Well, the best race, it wasn’t the best race that I remember, but I really remember one race that kept in my mind for still for today. Um, it was, I think two to three years ago, um, when sim racing was just coming up in Corona and all that stuff. Um, I did a race with a few friends with Chris Samir and Jadia and, um, it was my first time with Jadia in a car and we had, um, I think two and a half thousand live viewers.

Right now and I was a little bit nervous And the first thing I did was I got out of the box tires were cold and I just smashed the car into um after radio and Into the world in front of two and a half thousand people that for me It was a moment that um, I mean you need to get back in the car And I even had two hours of stints in front of me, but I know I [00:13:00] crashed the car.

I messed up p1 But A few people were watching, few, and to get up there, the, the, the, like emotional stability. Um, that was something that I remember until today because you still need to get back into the car. You need to be, um, you, we can’t just stop. We repaired the car. And after that, I just needed to drive again because it was the only person who was driving right now.

And. Knowing that you have a lot of people watching you knowing that you messed up the p1 for the team I think in the end we made p2. Um in a I think it was a 24 hour race in Maybe sim grid. I’m not sure which race it was But the 24 hour race in spa and I mean like two years ago three years ago still a great experience and I would say that race to keep up there the the mentality and still get back in the car to [00:14:00] trust the car in every Eau Rouge and Radeon when you’re entering that and you know you just smashed it once.

Make it simple and as we all know if you lift the car there, shouldn’t, shouldn’t be the best way and um, if you get scared for something, even if it’s sim racing, then um, you’re getting slow. and well as I said again the the endurance races that Type of racing the type of mentality that you need there.

That’s what really brought me forward and which still is in my mind

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: so endurance is like Push you to go because you got a team next to you And you also like even if you crash you really want to finish the race because you learn everything other people plan This race to do it with you. So yeah, I fully understand you in this So speaking about sprint events, and I know that you recently Won the screen [00:15:00] to speed at the Dark Sim Racing Expo.

Can you tell me more about this event? How was it for you? How did it feel? That was, uh, uh, to be a part of the big sim racing expo and of this event as well. And how was it for you to take a part in sprint event?

Victoria Thomson: Absolutely. Um, I mean, um, we were talking about endurance races and now we’re switching to the sprint races.

I’m completely not common to sprint races, but it was more than just an honor to race into that race. And even to, to win that, I, I never thought about it and still until now, I, if I would tell myself, um, you’re going to race it again, I would say I’m pretty sure I won’t, uh, win that again, because iRacing is not my, my main simulation.

Um, I have like two race, two rank races in iRacing, I have an account, but it never felt like the simulation that I want to race because I have no content. Um, I had. No licenses and stuff. And, um, when I [00:16:00] got asked if I want to race there, I was like, okay, I need to practice. I need to download the iRacing. I need to download everything around it.

And then I started to practice, as I said, um, for, for the sprint stuff. So I tried to do some, um, open lobby races. I tried some practice runs and getting there is, I don’t know. Everything was kind of overwhelming. I, so far, I haven’t done any races, um, live on a stage or at least on. somewhere and the complete situation was new.

It was, as I said, overwhelming, but, um, it was more than just a great experience because I know that from all the experience that I’ve made in the last years over the time and in sim racing, um, I could use it because. In the SimRig itself, I, like, I was in my own zone. I could cancel out everything that was around and just focus on, on the car, on, on the girls next to me, even knowing they were [00:17:00] actually really sitting next to me and you could look over to them, like, um, what are their feelings right now?

How are they feeling? How are they driving? Um, How will the race end, for example, in the next minutes? But, um, still right now going through that race, it’s

Because I never thought with the, like, circumstances that I had On site race, iRacing completely new to me Formulkas, I’ve never done a Formulka race I think, even in the first race, it’s Maybe some some noticed it when it got into the the grid I realized that i’ve never practiced a standing start with the formal four with a clutch And we didn’t have the clutch pedals on on the steering wheel.

So with like the real clutch on the foot and I was just standing there like, uh, okay, how, how to do that? I know what I should do with my double clutches at home. But when, when I came there, it’s like, [00:18:00] okay, shall we just smash it? Then I had to wheel spin as hell. And I saw that the other girls just coming up because they, I’m pretty sure they then they’ve done in their practice sessions, at least some race starts.

And I took the second race. Or the practice for the second race, also to practice some race starts, but that was like, I’ve never thought about practicing, um, the start actually from the starting grid or the standing start in a Formula Four, because it’s not my, my sim or not my, my cars. And I know there’s, um, I think a safety car in, in Irising where you have the rolling starts.

If they would have done that, I had no idea what to do. That would be some very, uh, Let’s say some interesting stats, but good thing everything worked out. Um, in the end I worked I won by points at the first race. I won the second race. I think I made third Still awesome races. I’ve never thought that it got so close on on the [00:19:00] first three to four people Um because I never saw myself somewhere in the front And I really got It.

I’m, I mean, those were really great races. We had very close fights. Um, we had a little context maybe due to, I was not used to the mirrors and the, the completely I racing views. Um, I had my spotter turned off because I, I’m new to I racing, I’m sorry, , but still, it, it worked out. I had fun and right now let’s see what, what the future brings and maybe it opens some doors for some other races.

Uh, yeah, let’s see.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, once again, congrats with P1 in this event, uh, as there was really huge, the biggest event in sim racing, uh, which we got. Um, uh, I know that you’re going to get the testing at Nordschleife as your prize and can you tell me, are you excited about this? Maybe you’re thinking how [00:20:00] it’s going to happen and did you have any in real life experience in racing?

Victoria Thomson: To be honest, um, I can’t wait to race. Race car. I’m not, uh, having any information or most of the information is still pending. Um, so we are in the discussions when it will happen because right now going to the Nordschleife is like, I’m pretty sure it could be a little bit dangerous. Um, even in a normal street car, maybe, I don’t know what’s, what’s going to be there, but, um, I I’m happy about it.

I can’t wait for it. And, um, for the real racing experience so far, I’ve raced in an AMG. Um, the Shiroko Cup R and a few Audi R8 V10s with, um, street tires and slicks, but not, um, build up there. It’s the, the highest thing I’ve driven was the NG GT4. Um, so I have some experiences, but [00:21:00] as everything was on a private racetrack or airfield, um, I wouldn’t say that I’m really experienced in high competition cars or in real car racing, but, um, I’m doing cart racing, um, also did there a real life 24 hour race with the team and experience at least some kind of 24 hour endurance races, also did the sprint races, um, and the last company I’ve worked at, we had a, um, karting competition over the completely year where I, basically also won against 51 other guys and um still was able to to get the crown but we had also like that all kind of um racing rules with 85 kilos as ballast of performance so if you’re lighter and a few of us were lighter you’re getting ballast into the cart that we are leveled out with that so we really try to have a very high competition and as in sim racing it’s outstanding to to be part of Real racing sim [00:22:00] racing, it’s kind of the same thing, having the racecraft from so many thousands of hours in a CC, it’s, I love racing and I can’t wait to have the, the opportunity thanks to screen, to speed and, and in it and all the people working here, um, to, to get me into the car and let’s see what’s, I mean, it’s a notch life Who don’t want to race on the notch life and a race car?

Not sure.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So, uh, you, you race Nordschleife, I’m pretty sure in the SED Corsa, yeah, um, is it your favorite track or not really? Because, uh, you know, for me, Nordschleife, uh, that’s the track where I can, uh, spend some time because I was working in, um, a sim racing center as a coach and as a manager of the location.

And I remember that I was spending, uh, you know, just, uh, To spend some time on Nordschleife because it’s really long and you just like can be here for 15 minutes 20 or something like this So do you do free laps and then go home? So how is it for you? [00:23:00] Do you like this track or do you? Like not really your favorite.

So we got other track as your favorite one. Mm hmm.

Victoria Thomson: Um,

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: I would

Victoria Thomson: say It is one of the favorites, but not the favorite racetrack. Um, as favorite racetrack, don’t ask me why I’m personally having Brands Hatch because I love the techniques there. It’s like a small Nordschleife, but, uh, as a German, as the most extreme racetrack that you can have somewhere, I would say Nordschleife is the racetrack to, to practice the most.

You’re learning so much At the Nordschleife and it’s also so dangerous that to be honest I’m a little bit frightened to to be there knowing you’re racing a race car Um, you know the track from the simulator, you know, if there’s something going to happen you basically as everyone says Um, you just hit escape and [00:24:00] go back to pits and start again in real life.

It’s something different but I would say the um You The, the elevation that you can have on the Nordschleife, everything that you have there is like, it’s, I would say that the best race track, but personally, I haven’t driven there on the real race or on the real Nordschleife in real life. So, well, also not in Brands Hatch, but I don’t want to judge which one is the very best.

Personally, I love the Nordschleife, but I think, um, for example, Silverstone or Brands Hatch are tracks that I could also race the whole day. Don’t ask me why. Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: I think that Brands Hatch is one of the best tracks, to be honest. I’m a big fan of, you know, narrow tracks with elevation changes. Like, Road Atlanta, I really like this track.

Many people on stream are joking about this, because I just, I really like to race this track. And they’re like, oh, you again at Road Atlanta, oh no. Something like this. [00:25:00] So yeah, I fully understand you with Brands Hatch, I think it’s a, it’s a great track to race, especially with GT3s and in a set of course competition, it’s really fun track.

So that’s cool.

Victoria Thomson: Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. So would you say, um, is, is, um, if you could decide on one racetrack, I’m not sure which um, uh, real life experiences on your side are, but. If the experiences that you’ve maybe made from, um, real car racing, sim racing, um, the instructor you did on the Nordschleife, um, which car track combination would you say is something that you would live for?

If you could wish yourself something, what track and car combination would you like to race and what type of race?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Oh, that, that will be, uh, Porsche Cup, uh, and Road Atlanta 100 percent because I real life Porsche Cup in a racing, I would love that. Love to try it in real life if I ever going to have a opportunity for that.

[00:26:00] And road Atlanta for me is like one of the best track on this planet. And I really like it. Uh, speaking about in real life experience, I race, uh, four more cars. Uh, so I’m not really into. GT cars. Um, so yeah, I think that would be a great experience to, to have an opportunity to race maybe Porsche Cup one day, something like this.

Um, can you tell me, you, um, mentioned that you race, uh, in real life, uh, some cars. Can you tell me the feelings? How can you compare them to what you, um, feeling in sim racing? Is it really close or not? Because, you know, just many people, uh, that’s like. Top question for everybody. I think they asking all the time about this.

Victoria Thomson: Yeah, I would say it depends, um, what you’re trying to compare. I mean, as we all know, you don’t have the G forces in the simulator. You can have like that, uh, actuaries are ultimate. Stuff where you have a five axle thing where [00:27:00] you really can feel drops and something like that, but pressing use In into the seat belts when braking a car like the ng gt4 or also the audis Um, it’s something that you don’t feel in Uh in the simulator But on my first days, when, when I got an instructor next to me, I’m racing in that, um, R8 V10 that was a street car, basically with, um, the crashing frame and slicks, uh, for example, on, on the second one where we had to, uh, rear wheel drive, um, the person next to me, uh, which was a former DTM.

Driver asked me after like three laps. I mean, we, we went out to the track and I didn’t know the car. I’ve never driven a car with over 600 horsepower and I got overwhelmed by the speed that you gain in a very short time because it’s not the monitor. It’s you really getting pressed into the seat. But, um, after getting the, the.

to know the car like a few corners, [00:28:00] um, everything’s pulled in the head, like, like in the simulator kind of. And the instructor sitting next to me was after three laps, like, he just sat there, watched me and was asking, and you’re really just doing sim racing, do you? And I was like, yeah, why, uh, what am I doing wrong?

And he was like, n nothing. The, the thing is you’re breaking the car, you’re steering into the corner and then you are holding the steering angle and you’re just turning the car by throttle and brake inputs. And that’s driving styles that guys are, that people have with cutting experience for 15 years or more.

And I’m just doing sim racing, but I have also like. Hours and years of practice, um, recalculated kind of for, for real racing. It’s just that you feel everything by the steering wheel. I mean, we are used to steering wheels and I even told the person that i’m not really Interested in what the car is giving [00:29:00] me through the seat or what the car really is doing Um behind me or in front of me I feel like everything in the wheel because we are trained to feel everything in the steering wheel And I would say it’s for sure you can’t compare real racing and sim racing and I would also say it’s It’s not good to compare those as the same thing or something that you want to compare.

I would say it’s completely two But it’s two different. Um Botch categories, maybe two different things But everything that you learn in sim racing you can somehow compare in real racing or you can use The the race intelligence, you know, the the Um, if you, if the car, for example, is slipping, if you have a slip angle, or if you’re close to a spin, you know instinctively what to do with the wheel.

So you have something that you’ve practiced as a routine over years and hours in sim racing, and you can use that in real racing. At least I would say. I [00:30:00] mean, if we look in Formula 1, Max Verstappen is also a very good sim racer, and I’m pretty sure that everything that he’s practicing in sim racing, he can bring into real racing and the other way around.

So, um, the conclusion I would say is, you can’t compare both, but everything that you’re learning is usable in both situations, if that’s kind of answering it.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I absolutely agree with you. So you got really good, uh, base skills, which you learn in some racing and, uh, you can transfer them to real life racing, uh, without any issues.

I think you just need some time to get used to, uh, G forces. Yeah. That you like moving in the real car. Uh, but, uh, yeah, you know, articles, which I read about some racers who first time get into, uh, the racing track, uh, absolutely the same as you said. So just, uh, You know what to do, actually. You get into the car and you already know how [00:31:00] it’s working, and that’s the main thing.

So you don’t need, like, a lot of time to get used to everything. And it’s really cool about sim racing, and really nice that for some people that sim racing can be the starting point, like karting was for me, for example. Um, so it’s cool, because it’s more open for everybody as well. simracing. com

Victoria Thomson: I mean, sim racing is affordable.

It’s, I would say that the better, or it’s the other wave of motorsport. Motorsport is expensive and dangerous. I would say just, but if we put all that on renewable, sustainable topics, On the side, I would say that the main thing in sim racing is, it’s not dangerous and it’s more affordable for nearly everyone.

Even knowing that sim racing is a very expensive sport compared to, I would say, usual sports or usual eSports, where you need the keyboard, a [00:32:00] monitor, gaming PC you already have. But in sim racing, I would say you can put in so much money, But still, it’s way more affordable than a real car. Because if you crash your real car once, you have a crashed car.

Sim racing, it’s a little bit cheaper, I would say.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, crashes are free. That’s the main thing. Uh, and definitely you can get into sim racing. So entry level is a really low with a budget, of course. And I would like to say that I noticed that races in sim racing, which I’m doing in a racing, I’m usually racing top split and they more competitive than races, which I had in real life.

Uh, just because in real life you’re really limited, not a lot of people getting into the series and it’s not that competitive compared to sim racing and because we’re getting a lot of people here is just, you know, can be, uh, for example, Porsche championship, which got in a racing and, uh, [00:33:00] everybody like 20, 30 people, they want in one second to everybody that that’s crazy.

Victoria Thomson: Funny thing, um, that’s something I also recognized. Um, two weeks ago. I was at the FIA motorsport games in Valencia and I also saw there, um, the sim races and the real races and personally or my personal opinion on the real races was I mean that’s very easily said and I know, um, I don’t want to be too provocative, um around them But I would say the sim racers had The more interesting races to watch even if they were looking more Like more perfection.

They were racing just car by car and no mistakes in the real races Um for sure you had a few guys that were leaning on each other even in the gt cars It’s a different type of racing, but it felt more like a a Kind of a childish racing as the race intelligence was [00:34:00] different compared to the sim racing I have no idea how it is in the car And I’m pretty sure I would also drive a lot worse in a real race car than I would do in a simulator but um the the races itself to watch how The guys are racing how they’re leaning on others Um, I will personally say some stewards in simracing would even kick you out of track if you are behaving like that, what I’ve seen on the real races.

And I really appreciate every real racer that is doing that. But I also want to say to, to all people watching, kind of give simracing a chance and try to step into that perfection of racing that you’re seeing there and appreciate what they are actually doing. It’s that that was a very big point for me to see that in valencia.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, it’s a really high level right now It’s racing as you mentioned. I absolutely agree with you and Just because uh, it’s competitive. We got a lot of people. Uh, it’s also really high level [00:35:00] So no wonder if we would have um Like, the same amount of people racing in real life, we would have the same kind of level and the same competitive races as well.

But unfortunately, not everybody got the opportunity to get into real life racing because it’s just crazy expensive and it’s really hard to get into it. Get sponsors to get it. Uh, like even if you’re getting good results, that’s not, uh, Not mean that you’re going to get sponsors to sponsor you for your career and you’ll get forwards into the racing Um, so yeah, it’s a kind of sad thing About racing.

Uh, but uh, on the other side we got some racing where we can, um, race and, uh, have fun. And also I really enjoyed to watch, uh, broadcast, uh, some racing races. Uh, they’re really fun to watch, like everybody, uh, really close with the gaps and doing the same lines, the same breaking points. It’s, uh, it’s wonderful.

I [00:36:00] agree with you in this.

Victoria Thomson: Yeah, absolutely. And still, I also love the real racing topic. And, um, if I could choose between both, or at least I never hope to choose between both because I would love both categories in sports. But, um, as you said, I mean, real motorsport is in the first point for me, it’s dangerous.

And it can hurt you a lot if something’s going wrong, and I really feel that that kind of fear is for sure in simracing not, not the main topic, but even then, it’s more interesting to see that the simracers are so much on the edge and still racing like hell. I mean, they also crashing sometimes, but, um, to see that.

That kind of difference in in the skills in in real racing with fear and I really have deeply respect for those who can Kind of get off that kind of fear in the car and really race like a sim racer would do. Um [00:37:00] And right now we’re again compare, um comparing real racing and sim racing But it’s just it’s two so so outstanding types of sports that I still love both and I couldn’t could talk about ours

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, true.

I agree with you. So I still remember how I get into the car thing. I was like 10 or 11 years old and I was like, Oh my God, I’m just, I’m so afraid of the speed or something. Uh, it was, uh, yeah. Uh, so you just, uh, trying to, um, make the step forward, you just trying to get through this fear and, uh, then you getting fast lap times.

But on the same side, I can tell you that sometimes I got situations in some racing where I’m feeling like, my God, like, you know, I’m just feeling like I’m like, it’s happening in real life. It’s, it’s crazy. So your brain thinks like, We go into crash or someone go into crashes, something like this. So, and you feel, [00:38:00] uh, the same fear as in real life.

So it’s, uh, kind of interesting.

Victoria Thomson: Yeah, absolutely. As I said in the beginning, in the first story, like, um, when I crashed the car, um, and the judges dream after that, I really was frightened about that. Corner combination. I really was scared to go flat out through a rouge. And I mean, it’s sim racing. If I crash again, who cares?

It’s not hurting me, but the mental issues or the pressure to know that you have a team behind you that have practiced for it, that you don’t want to, um, I don’t know, you, you don’t want to let them down. You don’t want to get the car into repairs for hours. That’s something. I would say a completely different level of fear, because there are a lot of people hoping for you, knowing that also in a real race car, there is a complete team setting up the cars, they are flying there, they have spent a lot of money just to get the car there, and you know, crashing into the [00:39:00] wall, it’s like wasting so much money.

But still, the pressure and the fear and I’m sometimes I’m really scared even in sim racing, if you’re really getting into it, have a triple screen or even VR players in VR, if you’re racing, or if you’re crashing into the wall, pretty sure that makes something with you.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. You know, I got triple screen and even it was triple screen sometimes like, I really, you know, just into the race.

So I just, uh, Yeah. Kind of, uh, don’t, don’t feel like I’m sitting in a room or something like this. So I’m really into this racing car and yeah, it can be, uh, really, really scary sometimes, and, uh, I can imagine that people in VR got really, um, you know, good impression, uh, with the crashes, with everything which happening in some racing.

Victoria Thomson: Absolutely. I mean, I also got triples and I tried VR a [00:40:00] few years ago. I think I had the Oculus, uh, the CB1. Back in the day in the days. That’s like really know a few years, but I stayed with triples. Um Because I always have the feeling it it still gives me enough for sure You don’t have that distance checking that you have in VR and that you really can feel like being into the car But then you also have like expensive wheels They are flashing and you have all that information that I wouldn’t see if I’m racing in VR So I think it’s Type of something that you personally like the preferences, but I also would like to stay with with triples and so far I’m not planning to go to VR Maybe also being scared of driving into the wall and getting even more scared.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, also as you mentioned you doing A lot of endurance races, yeah, in my opinion, uh, VR is more for the sprint races, uh, because, um, you know, you’re going to sweat and it’s not going to be comfortable to race, uh, [00:41:00] for, for hours. Um, so personally, I absolutely agree with you, the triple, uh, in that, Circumstances a lot better, um, as you can do long scenes without any issues and, uh, you don’t have to worry that your eyes are going to be tired and you will sweat in the VR headset.

Um, but the VR give, uh, really good, um, you know, just feelings, emotions. It’s really cool. I tried once there was the Oculus Rift, uh, the first version of it. Um, it was really nice. So my dream is one day to try a better VR. headset and iRacing, maybe, because I didn’t try VR and iRacing. I’m just really curious about this.

Victoria Thomson: Yeah, me too. Can’t wait. I tested Apple Vision Pro a few weeks ago and I mean, technology is awesome. I know it’s not a VR headset for racing and all topics, but But, um, I would love to see a [00:42:00] headset, uh, VR racing that’s still just letting out exactly our wheels, our hands, so that we really sit into the car.

So it’s kind of a mix of an AR. Um, headset that’s allowing to see what you need to see, getting everything, um, else that you don’t need rid of, but, um, not that complete throughput that you have on, I think the, what is that Rift 3 or something, um, Quest 3, um, I think they, a few of them, of the modern ones have the, the, um, the throughput, but, um, then you see everything around.

And I would love to see something that’s, like, if you’re wearing some special suit or something, that just that is in the simulator. If that’s already possible, I’m sorry, I don’t know everything, um, but that would be something I really want to test. That would be cool, I think.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, kind of mixed reality I think will be awesome, uh, because as you said the VR, uh, unfortunately cutting the [00:43:00] opportunity to see your real, uh, wheel which you got and sometimes you got really expensive like a Fanatec wheel or, um, I don’t know, GSI, something like this and you really want to see this buttons and everything, uh, so yeah, and unfortunately VR cut this opportunity from you.

Yeah. I

Victoria Thomson: mean, you’re paying so much for a wheel with the display and then you can’t see the display. It’s like, I don’t know, maybe stay with triples.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Oh, yeah. So moving forward, can you tell me, how do you feel to be a female sim racer in male sim racing? So how do you feel about this? Is community friendly to you?

Or you had some toxic moments or something like this?

Victoria Thomson: Um, basically. I would say I had no toxic moments being a female or being male um in in one big family I would say. It’s like being toxic between [00:44:00] racers because under the Heimat I would say we all are just racers in Every kind of way. Um, I see that we are quite less women in In sim racing, but um, I think it’s also cars and uh car enthusiasts Is not that a female dominated thing but um I love to see if women are around how supportive they are to Each other because there are not much and we are supporting each other.

We Show that we are in sim racing and for sure it’s a male dominated world But in the end everything everyone before the computer I would say I don’t see If we wouldn’t have our cameras on, um, I wouldn’t see if I’m racing against a male racing against a female, I’m just racing against a person and that’s what I also love in sim racing because there is not that, um, I would say physical differences like in real racing that, um, maybe some are stronger, some are [00:45:00] weaker, but But, um, I would say I, I love the, the female empowerment kind of, if you see another girl on the street, even for example, I’m racing or I’m driving a motorbike in real life.

If you see another girl, um, biker, you’re just waving, you’re happy, you just enjoy the moment that you’ve seen someone like you on a motorbike or in sim racing on the karting track. But what I also see is. If you are an, um, in the minority on the race track, um, you also see that, uh, the competition between the persons that are racing there, or that are in that competition is also a little bit higher or more tense because there are not much.

So you’re competing also in a, um, smaller group of people. And then you have a kind of different competition. I would say, even if we have like the big competition, the big race. Um, but so far I would say, um, um, Pressures everywhere, um, you [00:46:00] have moments of panic. toxic relations in every kind of sport, in every kind of gender, in every kind of car and team.

So I would say that’s, that’s motorsport. Everything is kind of emotional.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s true. I agree with you. Also had some, uh, Toxic stuff in, uh, in the racing races sometimes and, uh, but most of the stuff which happened with me in SimRacing, uh, especially I’m talking about the racing because most of the time in this, uh, in this simulator, um, People really supportive.

They really try to help you with some advices. Uh, they’re really really nice and it’s it’s really cool because um, We can have the same thing like in other esports. Yeah Uh, so other esports can be a bit more toxic compared to some racing So we’ve been talking about other communities in the set of course competition [00:47:00] and other simulators also And Everybody like trying to uh, guide you through your journey and to show you How to do some racing and help you and you can find team really fast if you want to do endurances You can find like a supporter for almost if you’re doing them.

It’s it’s nice. Yeah,

Victoria Thomson: absolutely I would say sim racing or at least gaming um is And very open world, you can find a home. Um, the thing that is important for me, I would say is being an open person.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: It

Victoria Thomson: doesn’t really depend on what kind of gender you have for sure. It’s important to show which kind of.

People and characters we have in racing. And I’m very glad that we have so many different types and persons and personalities in racing and, or in gaming and racing. And, um, I think it’s also important to stand out. Who we [00:48:00] have, but for me, most of the thing is about the character that a person is bringing into the team, into the sport.

And I would say support that kind of character.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: And

Victoria Thomson: I would say that’s, that’s the most important thing to appreciate the characters and support them.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Um, what do you think, how can we bring more girls into some racing into racing as well? Um, so what’s your, your opinion about this?

Victoria Thomson: I would say the girls that want to race in racing, um, we need to see where we can approach them and get them trained up kind of, I mean, as I said in the beginning, under the helmet or in front of the monitors, we all are racers.

And I would love to see if we found a lot of more of these girls, if we can support them, if we are not just pushing them into the market, if we push them into the market, Um, with, with the support that they really can [00:49:00] compete with others. And I would say bringing everyone on, on a very good level. That’s something that we really can do.

And what we are all trying here to, to support the females or to support the women in, in, in racing. And, um, I think even if it’s a male dominated world, um, we have interested girls and we just need to be there to show them that simracing is one of the things that you can do if you want. And if you want, what do you need?

I mean, is it the mentality that you need? Is it the pace? Is it consistency? Is it bringing you in, in racing games, um, overall? Is it, um, about the setup? I mean, in the end, a race is a race, and we just need to get them, like, on pace, and see to, uh, if we can get them competitive with others.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I think, uh, what do you need doing, uh, for Female, uh, for girls in simracing, it’s, it’s [00:50:00] really cool, uh, because more girls you’re going to see, like, uh, you just I would love to race in SimRacing then, uh, by the end of the day, because you can see all these girls, they’re racing, you’re like, Oh, I want to be like her, yeah, jump into SimRace and, and race, uh, with, uh, whatever person, like, if it’s, uh, guys or girls, it doesn’t matter.

Uh, so I, I would, I I was in the same way as you with my opinion about in real life racing. So when someone asked me about like, how do you feel to be a girl? I’m like, I’m just a person behind the helmet. I’m just a driver and everybody doing the same stuff here. So when we equal because In my opinion, I think that, uh, yeah, physical, uh, thing is not really, uh, important, especially if we’re talking about sim racing, because you can set up the force feedback in the way you like.

And, um, it’s, it’s great. So I think we got a lot of opportunities [00:51:00] now, and I hope we’re going to see more girls and more, uh, boys also in sim racing.

Victoria Thomson: Absolutely. I mean, sim racing for me is. Really personal talking a sim racing is like everything I really love sim racing It’s it’s my passion and I’m trying to get my business related topics to sim racing my private topics to sim racing or at least racing and overall The automotive industry and stuff, but I’m getting Overall speaking, more people into racing, I would love to see if whoever is watching this and sees I want to simrace too now, or maybe I am already simracing, and maybe I can learn something from the mentalities from the stories or anything else, I would love to just bring that to more people.

That’s, that’s my goal. What really is driving me.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Um, so speaking about the future and plans, uh, what plans do you have in the future in the sim [00:52:00] racing? Maybe you’re thinking to make some kind of content, uh, which can bring more people, uh, into some racing as well. And, uh, share your opinion with other, uh, people.

Um, so what’s your plan? And I know that you’re going to take a part in global e sport games. Uh, can you tell me more about this?

Victoria Thomson: Yeah, um about the content thing Uh, I thought a lot of well, I have thought about it. Um several times but uh so far i’ve never got the point or i’ve never got so far to say I really want to be content creator or Bring that points in.

Um but You’re right. I mean in the end to bring People more into simracing and tell those kind of stories. I should do some kind of content But so far, I don’t know why it’s maybe the online world or getting the the criticism of everyone [00:53:00] Maybe the the opening to the world to be a content creator. Maybe that’s something that i’ve never accomplished so far Um, or got into it.

Maybe. Um, I need a support here, but, um, maybe it’s going to start with the global esports games. Um, because in there, um, I will be representing Germany for the female team together with a friend of mine, um, for the male category. So there are two. From Germany going to the global esports games, um, which actually should have been hold now in December 24, which has shifted to early 25, as far as I know.

But, um, I will be representing sim racing there. And it’s, I don’t know what to say. I mean, it’s more than just an honor to race there. I even love to see, um, that they made categories for the drivers or at least, uh, the teams. So far, unfortunately, no information how the race there will be held. If it’s a [00:54:00] combined race, if we have two classes, for example, or if they are separate, um, I just know that we are sending two representatives and as far as I know, e sports, and I think one of the parts is also motorsport also from the IOC got a Olympic, so there will be most likely also Olympic e sport games.

And if I. Can have a chance If I might have the chance, I hope I can also be there and see what’s going to be there So that will be my goals, um to see what we all together can reach in sim racing Maybe just as persona maybe with with different categories, maybe in different cars, maybe in different simulators We’ll see what’s going to happen And I think that the future right now is Well, working.

And next work, a little bit of simracing, practicing for a 24 hour race on the Nordschleife in a full motion simulator, um, the global esports games, and for sure in [00:55:00] my real life experience, the race on the Nordschleife, or the test day, somehow.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So you’ve got great plans. About content creation, I can tell you that Simracing community is so friendly.

So they go on to support you. Of course you can get some toxic people from time to time if you’re streaming. Um, but you know, we can’t live without these people, unfortunately. But most of the time I notice that community is just amazing. So if you will have opportunity, if you will have like, uh, the wish to make some content and I know maybe stream us at a course competition and one day, I think you just have to jump into it.

Victoria Thomson: Well, I will have a thought about it again. Um, well, let’s see if I see myself on camera, I’m pretty sure I will cringe out. So I’m not sure if I’m going to do that.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Uh, no worries. You know, um, To be honest, I was really shy when I first time started streaming, I was like, you know, really confused, uh, [00:56:00] really close, and also my English wasn’t that fluent as, uh, right now, so yeah, I think it’s okay when you’re starting something new, it’s absolutely okay to feel shy, to feel unconfident a little bit, uh, but then, Just like in simracing, you, um, like gaining time, yeah, and getting better in some corners, uh, you doing the same thing, uh, with the rest of, in your life.

Victoria Thomson: Isn’t it great to see that like, every, um, tip or any hint that we, we are talking about is related to simracing, completely transferred to other real life problem. So kind of do simracing, learn something for life, and. Even if it’s your passion, you will find something that brings you forward. Even if it’s coming from simracing or from real life, somehow both can go hand in hand.

And I love the experience, uh, the examples that you made up, um, with being shy or being on the [00:57:00] racetrack, the mentality that you need to set up for streaming. Maybe I should think about it again.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, it’s, uh, you know, really close to, I think I learned a lot of Uh, things in simracing, in streaming also. Uh, met a lot of cool people, uh, nice people who really dedicate about simracing, about racing and It’s really cool to be a part of this and, um, it’s really nice.

Uh, so before we end up, uh, the stream, I would like to Give you the last question. Um, what will be your advice for people who starting in sim racing? So what, what can you give from your experience?

Victoria Thomson: Pretty simple. The thing is, if you, if you want to start in sim racing, um, I think the worst thing that you can do is think about what do I need for sim racing? As we talked about the [00:58:00] start in sim racing or the entry level in sim racing is, Kind of pretty low. You can start with a keyboard, with a mouse, um, you can then join to, um, switch to, to a gamepad, you can buy a sim rig, you can buy a racing wheel, you can get a direct drive wheel, there is no limit to above, kind of, but if you want to start in sim racing, the first thing that you have to do is like on a real car, you need to start up the car before you can drive a car.

So just get started. That’s, I would say that the main advice that I can give for those who want to be part of the simracing community.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. So thank you so much for taking your time. Was awesome. Uh, I had a lot of fun to speaking with you. Uh, everybody, thank you so much for watching. Uh, next CineTalks will be, um, next Thursday.

So we’ll see you. Thank you so much for watching and bye.

Victoria Thomson: Bye.[00:59:00]

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