The great variety in motorsport and, as a result, in sim racing, offers plenty of choice for fans and virtual racers – not just when it comes to circuits. While the most popular form of racing in the world uses open wheel cars in Formula 1, GT and Touring Car racing also enjoy large followings, and sim racers seem to gravitate to tin tops more and more. And where do Prototypse rank in this?
Not only do the two types of cars look fundamentally different, they also present entirely different challenges to their drivers: While open wheelers are light, nimble, and relatively powerful, especially in the bigger series, GT cars tend to be heavier, not as fast, but suited to more drivers due to their ease of access. Meanwhile, Touring Cars are quite different yet again, as they often feature front-wheel drive as well as low power and require a lot of commitment to throw them around a circuit quickly.
Another popular class in sim racing also has enclosed wheels and a roof, but does not hande like anything else out there on road courses – and that is because they are mainly at home on ovals: Stock Cars, as raced by NASCAR, are heavy beasts, but their enormous V8 engines can extract a lot of speed out of these all-American machines that require a very particular set of skills to get the most out of them.
Arguably the most challenging type of racing does not even necessarily take place on paved roads: Rally drivers and their co-drivers face quick-fire action like no other racers, flying through forests on gravel roads, tarmac country roads or even sliding on snow and ice – no matter if it is raining or the sun is out. Even night stages are on the calendar, ramping up the intensity even more. Meanwhile, Rallycross takes place on closed circuits, but is different in nature due to multiple racers competing at the same time, contrary to classic rallys. Loose surface racing is not reserved to rallying, though: Dirt ovals are especially popular in a variety of vehicles in the US, and hillclimbs can also feature gravel roads.
Not only do the two types of cars look fundamentally different, they also present entirely different challenges to their drivers: While open wheelers are light, nimble, and relatively powerful, especially in the bigger series, GT cars tend to be heavier, not as fast, but suited to more drivers due to their ease of access. Meanwhile, Touring Cars are quite different yet again, as they often feature front-wheel drive as well as low power and require a lot of commitment to throw them around a circuit quickly.
Another popular class in sim racing also has enclosed wheels and a roof, but does not hande like anything else out there on road courses – and that is because they are mainly at home on ovals: Stock Cars, as raced by NASCAR, are heavy beasts, but their enormous V8 engines can extract a lot of speed out of these all-American machines that require a very particular set of skills to get the most out of them.
Prototypes - Intense Tin Tops?
Somewhere in between open wheelers and GT cars, prototypes like the current LMH and LMDh Hypercars can be found: Designed for endurance racing, these vehicles have enormous downforce and tons of power at their disposal, meaning they are closer to a formula-style car than to a GT vehicle when it comes to driving them. Keeping this intensity up for longer periods of time presents its own challenge.Arguably the most challenging type of racing does not even necessarily take place on paved roads: Rally drivers and their co-drivers face quick-fire action like no other racers, flying through forests on gravel roads, tarmac country roads or even sliding on snow and ice – no matter if it is raining or the sun is out. Even night stages are on the calendar, ramping up the intensity even more. Meanwhile, Rallycross takes place on closed circuits, but is different in nature due to multiple racers competing at the same time, contrary to classic rallys. Loose surface racing is not reserved to rallying, though: Dirt ovals are especially popular in a variety of vehicles in the US, and hillclimbs can also feature gravel roads.
