The premise is simple: take the 16 fastest virtual drivers from Gran Turismo 5, then see if racing a car on a gaming system can translate into racing a car in real life. Along the way, there’s plenty of drama, including a military style obstacle course in the mud, and enough conflicting personalities to keep the show interesting.
Just by watching the 2:00 trailer below, I can tell you that these guys are in for a rude awakening, and not one of them seems to know what being a professional racer is all about. One contestant comments, “To be a professional race car driver, you never work another day in your life;” try telling that to guys like Dan Wheldon and Nick Heidfeld. When your doing promotional appearances in strange cities for days on end, or hustling a new sponsor so you can afford a ride next year, that looks suspiciously like work to me.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Being a racer at a professional level today takes a combination of skill, marketability and the ability to charm sponsors out of millions of dollars to fund your racing career. Being good behind the wheel of a car is only one component of the total skill set required to make it in racing, and another big element is luck. As with rock and roll, you can only get so good, then you need to get lucky to make the big time.
I was going to pass on this series, but the trailer looks interesting enough that I’ll give it a shot. The show debuts on Speed at 10:00 ET tonight. What’s your take? Are you watching it?
Source: You Tube
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
