Column: A Sim Racer's Fleeting Visits to Laguna Seca and Monaco

In the past few weeks, I have been lucky enough to travel to two iconic venues in motorsport, Laguna Seca and Monaco. Here is what it is like visiting such brilliant circuits as a sim racer, and the little things you don't expect.

Those familiar with the OverTake name over the past year and a half will no doubt recognise my name, contributing to the website in both OT and RaceDepartment forms since December 2022.

But starting a new full-time job in February of this year, my activity in the sim racing sphere is less. In fact, I am now lucky enough to write about cars and film motorsport around the world. The first two weeks of this month in fact involved a lot of filming and a lot of travelling. Getting to attend racing both at Laguna Seca in California and Monaco, here is my experience as a sim racer visiting such impressive venues.

A Weekend In Cali​

Throughout the course of this year, I will be travelling to a selection of motorsport venues in the United States of America, making for my first steps in the land of the free. Previously, a two-week trip took me to the opening round of the TransAm series at Sebring, followed up with a quick stop in Northern California to the little-known but absolutely fantastic Thunderhill Raceway.


Well, the first weekend of May saw me returning to California, this time to a slightly more recognisable location: Laguna Seca. A dozen hours in the sky and a long taxi ride led me to the Monterey area on the Friday evening before beginning work on the Saturday.

This meant an early rise, so at 7 am, a rental car packed full of camera equipment and creatives took on the ridiculously steep hill that is the circuit's South entrance. A gallon of fuel burnt, we were now in the infamous Lake Bed portion of the racetrack lying on the infield between turns 1 and 5. In fact, it would be here that work would ensue all weekend, filming the cars, action and drivers of the Ultimate Street Car paddock, as well as conducting the odd interview.

A Sim Racer Experiences Laguna​

This rather low base on a packed weekend did mean that venturing around the circuit was not something I would be lucky enough to experience. But catching glimpses of the famous foot bridge after T3 and spotting the run up the hill towards the Corkscrew was good enough for the motorsport fanatic inside me. Seeing this area of the world in person really puts into perspective just how undulating the scenery really is.


See the hills of Laguna Seca behind this stunning Honda S2000.

Sure, the Corkscrew is famous for its multiple-storey drop. But you do not realise just how steep the surrounding hills are from iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione, nor the odd IMSA broadcast. Take a look at your phone after a day's walking around the track and it isn't just your step count that will leave you with wide eyes. the flights of stairs climbed statistic will no doubt reach record-breaking heights - pun intended.

The elevation is also clear just from walking around the paddock. Taking a look at Turn 1 from the main centre of the circuit, you spot a massive concrete wall retaining what is essentially the pit lane. Look up and you won't spot said pit lane without significantly straining your neck.

Twice now I have visited the Golden State and yet twice has it not presented as one would expect. Both visits featured excessive rain that quite literally dampened the experience, curtailing on-track action for this particular Saturday. But what is motorsport without a bit of rain, right?


Go to California they said. It'll be sunny they said.

Getting busy in Monte Carlo​

I'll tell you what motorsport is without rain; a fantastically glamorous weekend away in the sunshine. Just don't forget the sun cream. In fact, as soon as I got off the plane from Laguna, it was time for a seven-hour drive from my home in Toulouse, France, to the Principality famous for low tax rates and even lower space per capita.

The second weekend of May saw the Monaco street circuit close its barriers and welcome a whole host of classic racers for the Grand Prix Historique. From pre-war machines to some of Ayrton Senna's most iconic seats, this year's event really had it all. At the centre of it all was a wide-eyed racing fan helping out with filming.


Media pass acquired and tabard donned, it was time to get into the thick of it in the paddock. Best not be clumsy in this multi-million car park where a wrong step could see you crushing a priceless Maserati 250F or Lotus Type 49.

Navigating The Circuit​

But it is not the paddock that becomes a revelation to those first visiting Monaco whilst the city is invaded by racecars. Instead, those lucky enough to go exploring around the circuit will find themselves travelling through a labyrinth of tunnels, marina docks and trackside pavements. From discovering the fastest route to Casino Square through the actual casino to making your way through shut stores between Tabac and Sainte Devote.

Speaking of the first corner on the infamous track, did you know a church - giving its name to the corner - lies to the left of the turn, just under a pair of high-rising bridges? This alone is a sight one could only imagine in a Pixar movie.


In the world of sim racing, Automobilista 2 is known for featuring a system of tunnels under the Cleveland Airport circuit. So don't mind me, I will now try to lose myself looking for tunnels in the Brazilian game's recreation of the Monaco GP track. Forget no VR, no buy. This is no tunnel, no play.

Real Circuits In Sim Racing​

Unfortunately, having lowered writing articles about sim racing on the priority list following my recent employment, I do find myself spending less time doing the hobby I enjoy so much. When I do get behind the fake wheel currently, it is usually to run offline races in Le Mans Ultimate. But with this pair of iconic motorsport venues fresh in my head, I am now gravitating to the idea of running endless events at both Laguna Seca and Monaco.

Can I spot that one media booth I spent so many hours in at Monaco and will I recreate the crash I witnessed first hand at Laguna Seca's turn 5? With my driving skills, I would suggest that the latter will be an easy task.

With this in mind, I want to ask you reading this: How has visiting real racing circuits impacted your vision of these venues in sim racing? Let me know in the comments - I look forward to reading how well travelled the OverTake community really is!