Real-World Pros & Fans Race Laser-Accurate Virtual SK Modifieds on Digital Duplicate of Stafford Motor Speedway

BEDFORD, MA (February 23, 2009) – Imagine what it would be like at a race track if the mechanics, officials and fans in the grandstands were suddenly invited to jump behind the wheel and race against the pros.  Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen in the real world, but this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Feb 27-Mar 1) that’s exactly what’s in store for attendees at SpeedwayEXPO, who are invited get behind the wheel of a HotSeat Chassis racing simulator – powered by iRacing.com’s innovative motorsport simulation and internet racing service – and compete for the iRacing.com Cup.

“This is a fun way to introduce real-world racers to the competitive advantages of simulation and the fun of internet racing, and at the same time give crew members and fans an appreciation of what it’s actually like to drive a race car,” said Scott McKee, iRacing.com’s vice president of marketing.  “SpeedwayEXPO attendees are invited to come by the iRacing booth, register, and then do a free ten-lap time trial in a virtual SK Modified at our digital version of Stafford Motor Speedway.  We’ll have driver coaches, most of them real-world racers themselves, to help veterans and novices alike get comfortable in the sim and produce their best results.” 

McKee explained that the three fastest qualifiers each day – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – will be invited back to participate in Sunday afternoon’s trio of 20-lap qualifying races, with the winners advancing to the iRacing.com Cup finals, where they will compete against a group of “invitational” pro racers. 

“There are some great prizes for the top-three qualifiers each day and for the three B-Main winners, while the Grand Prize, which includes a HotSeat simulator chassis and a year’s free subscription to iRacing.com, will be awarded to the highest-finishing non-invitational driver in the 40-lap iRacing.com Cup final,” said McKee.  “But the biggest thrill may just be having the opportunity to be on track racing in real time with drivers who’ve been successful at the highest levels of the sport, including NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One, sports cars, even drag racing!”

Expected to be participating as coaches or invitational drivers on-site are reigning NASCAR Whelan Modified Series champion Ted Christopher, who also holds the record for most career wins at Stafford Motor Speedway; NASCAR Sprint Cup veterans Steve Park and Ricky Craven; 1988 NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour champion Mike McLaughlin and Eric Curran, road racing veteran with experience in NASCAR Camping World, American Le Mans, Grand Am Rolex, Koni Challenge, & World Challenge series.  Participating in the racing through the internet are Willie Allen, 2007 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year; Justin Wilson, Formula One, Champ Car and IndyCar veteran; and Ron Capps, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car competitor and winner of the 2009 season-opening  Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals.

“People are always struck by how realistic our digital versions of both cars and tracks look,” McKee said.  “But the accuracy of our software goes way beyond casual appearances.  Laser scanning means that our tracks feature millimeter accuracy – every small bump, pavement variation or subtle change of camber is captured – and the cars, including the SK Modified, respond in the simulation just as they do in the real world because we model their mechanical specifications as precisely as we do the tracks.”

Produced by Speedway Illustrated Magazine and sponsored by Sunoco, SpeedwayEXPO is at the Big E, in West Springfield, MA. It is the largest event for drivers, teams, tracks, and racing vendors in New England. SpeedwayEXPO will launch the 2009 racing season with more than 200 new race cars and old favorites, and hundreds of exhibits for drivers, crews, and fans from a dozen states and Canada. Thousands of enthusiasts pack more than 130,000 square feet of exhibit space to take part in seminars and demonstrations; see retailers of racing gear and memorabilia; and meet today’s and yesterday’s racing celebrities.

Tickets for SpeedwayEXPO may be purchased in advance for a savings of nearly one-third of the price at the gate. Go to SpeedwayEXPO.com or call 978-465-9099 x 103. Discount coupons good for $5 off the price of admission are also available at more than 160 participating Sunoco retailers throughout New England.

About iRacing.com:  The company was founded in September of 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season and Grand Prix Legends. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group – the co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing – as well as an avid simracer. The iRacing team combines more than 100 years of real-world racing experience with more than 50 years of successful racing simulation development.  The company has developed numerous corporate relationships in the motorsport industry, including agreements to develop track simulations with International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, and Panoz Motor Sports Group and vehicles with General Motors, Riley Technologies, Radical Sportscars, and 600 Racing.  iRacing is the official simulation partner of the Star Mazda Championship and the Skip Barber Racing School.