📈 Telemetry Look Like a Meme Stock To You?

Sure, I nail Eau Rouge flat out in the sim... but merging onto the highway still requires a deep breath and a silent prayer. It's all about managing risk, right?

NEWS FLASH

The much-anticipated 0.2 update for Assetto Corsa EVO just dropped for PC early access users, bringing with it a fresh wave of content and some crucial under-the-hood improvements. Headlining the update are seven new rides, including classics like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA and the Porsche 911 Turbo, plus two new tracks: Circuit of the Americas and Donington Park. More importantly, the developers have tackled the sometimes-wonky AI behavior, promising more precise opponent driving, and have rolled out a suite of graphical enhancements to make your racing experience even more immersive. They've also split the game into "Career" and "Open" modes, giving you distinct ways to progress or just mess around in a sandbox environment with all the automotive toys.

Alpine shakes things up: Is it just me or does it seem like whenever a Team Principal from Alpine appears on s Beyond The Grid podcast they are vanish from the team shortly after. In a surprising move, Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes has resigned effective immediately, adding to a string of leadership departures from the Enstone-based team over the past two years. Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore publicly refuted any rumors of disagreement, stating Oakes' decision was personal and that he himself will become more involved with the team's operations moving forward. This shake-up comes as Alpine also benched driver Jack Doohan in favor of Franco Colapinto, highlighting a period of significant change for the team currently sitting ninth in the 2025 standings.

Kyle Larsen going for “The Double”: The 2024 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, is back to tackle "The Double" – attempting to conquer both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in a single, grueling day. This means Larson's aiming to clock 1,100 miles across two tracks in two states, a monumental feat only a handful of drivers have ever dared to try. To date, Tony Stewart is the only one to have successfully completed all 600 laps of both races on the lead lap in the same day. After weather played spoiler last year, Larson is hoping for clearer skies and sharper execution as he chases this rare motorsport milestone.

SIM RACING SNIPPETS

• Asetek cuts off the states: Alright, here's the lowdown on Asetek SimSports hitting the brakes on U.S. shipments. Due to newly implemented tariffs, the Danish sim racing gear company has ceased sending its products stateside, a significant move considering about half of its SimSports revenue came from the U.S. market. To tackle this, Asetek is looking to shift more production from China, which is facing hefty tariffs, to Malaysia, though it's uncertain if or when U.S. shipments will resume.

• Porsche just dropped the green flag on a brand-new, high-tech sim racing playground at their Cologne headquarters, dubbed the Porsche Esports Performance Center (PEPC). This 324-square-metre haven is the new home base for the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team, kitted out with six top-tier racing rigs and even a fitness area to keep their drivers in peak virtual and physical condition.

• MOZA Racing is now the official and exclusive sim racing hardware partner for the Team USA Talent Scout Events, which serve as the qualifying pathway for American sim racers aiming for the 2027 Esports Olympics. This collaboration with Init Esports, the event organizer, aims to discover and nurture future Team USA esports athletes using MOZA's cutting-edge technology on the iRacing platform. The events are built with an emphasis on Olympic-level integrity, promoting diversity, elite performance, and equal opportunities for all competitors.

MOTORSPORTS REPORT

• Valentino Rossi, the iconic motorcycle racer, is teaming up with former Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen for the Spa 24 Hours next month, where they will pilot a BMW M4 GT3 EVO for the WRT team. They'll be joined by seasoned BMW factory driver Rene Rast, creating a formidable trio for the endurance classic scheduled for June 28th and 29th. This star-studded lineup, featuring Rossi's #46, is part of BMW's expanded five-car factory assault on the prestigious event and was unveiled at the grand opening of WRT's new headquarters.

• Aston Martin F1 reserve Felipe Drugovich is a strong contender to take over Nyck de Vries' Mahindra Formula E spot for the Berlin races in July, due to De Vries' conflicting World Endurance Championship schedule. After an impressive recent test, Drugovich joins Mahindra's other reserve drivers, Kush Maini and Jordan King, as a potential stand-in. Team Principal Frederic Bertrand has noted Drugovich's Formula E experience makes him an "interesting" and "potentially a good option," as Mahindra aims to continue its currently strong season.

• Get an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes pass to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with "NASCAR: Full Speed," now revving its engines on Netflix. This five-part docuseries throws you into the passenger seat alongside top drivers like Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, chronicling their high-octane chase for the championship. More than just on-track action, the series delves into the personal lives and pressures faced by these elite competitors and their families.

THE SPOTLIGHT

Racing Telemetry: How to Read Squiggly Lines and Actually Go Faster

Alright, let's talk about going faster, shall we? Ever wondered how those speed demons in motorsports shave off those precious milliseconds? It’s not just about raw talent; it's about data. Welcome to the world of racing telemetry, your new best friend in the quest for podium finishes.

The Nitty-Gritty: What is Telemetry Anyway?

So, what in the high-octane-fueled world is telemetry? Think of it as your car’s own personal storyteller, translating every brake, throttle, and steering input into cold, hard data. We’re talking sensors galore, tracking everything from engine RPM and G-forces to your tire temperatures. This info is beamed wirelessly to the pits in real-time and logged onboard for a deep dive later. Why bother? Because this data is the key to unlocking serious speed.

Here's what makes it so crucial:

• Driver Deep Dive: Telemetry offers an unparalleled, objective mirror reflecting every action behind the wheel.

• Car Setup Sorcery: It's indispensable for engineers looking to fine-tune the car for that razor's edge of performance.

For drivers, telemetry is like having a brutally honest coach. It shows exactly where you’re nailing it and where you’re, well, not. Maybe you’re lifting ever so slightly in that high-speed corner or not squeezing the brakes hard enough. The data doesn’t lie. For engineers, it’s a goldmine for optimizing car setup – tweaking suspension, aero, and tire pressures for maximum grip and face-melting performance. It even helps predict when parts might fail, saving your race (and your wallet).

Decoding the Squiggles: Your First Steps

Now, don't get intimidated by the "squiggly lines." Beginners should focus on the "Big Three": Speed, Throttle, and Brake. The speed trace tells you how fast you're going and where. Sharp drops mean braking, climbs mean acceleration, and the bottom of the "U" or "V" in a corner is your minimum speed – a super critical number! Overlay this with throttle and brake data, and you start seeing the whole picture.

Key things to look for:

• Are you braking too early or too late?

• Is your throttle application smooth and timed for optimal exit speed?

Comparing your laps, or even better, your data to a faster driver, is where the magic happens. You’ll quickly spot where you’re losing time and why.

And guess what? You don't need a seven-figure race car to get started. Sim racing is your ultimate telemetry playground. Platforms like iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and rFactor 2 spit out a ton of data, and software like Garage 61, MoTeC i2 (the pro stuff), Z1 Analyzer, or Track Titan make it (relatively) easy to understand. You can log endless laps, test different techniques, and compare yourself to the best, all without torching your tires or your bank account.

The journey to faster laps is paved with data. It's about analyzing, understanding, hypothesizing, practicing, and then verifying with, you guessed it, more data. So, get out there, start logging, and let those numbers guide you to your next personal best.

Want more? Driver 61 has a free playlist filled with videos on how to improve your racing and understand telemetry here.

AROUND THE WEB

During this month: The first 24 Hours of Le Mans, held on May 26 and 27, 1923.

That’s neat: The FIA's new "Girls on Track Rising Star (Esports Edition)" aims to boost female participation in sim-racing for those 16+, culminating in a Macau finale.

Wow: Check out the worlds largest indoor go-kart tracks here.

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