Hi, I’m Colin Mullan, and I’ve spent years balancing my racing career between the real track and the virtual world of sim racing. What started as a way to prepare for unfamiliar tracks turned into a cornerstone of my development as a driver. Today, sim racing has evolved into an essential training tool—not just for me, but for countless drivers looking to sharpen their skills, build consistency, and learn more about their craft without stepping foot on a racetrack.
In this article, I want to take you through the strategies, techniques, and insights I’ve gained from using simulators like iRacing. Whether you’re an amateur looking to take your performance to the next level or an experienced driver seeking an edge, I hope you’ll find actionable takeaways here.
Chapter 1: The Gateway to Track Familiarization
When I transitioned from karting to national racing, I faced a daunting challenge: racing at tracks I’d never seen before. Places like Watkins Glen and VIR weren’t just new—they were iconic, high-commitment circuits that demanded precision. Sim racing became my secret weapon, helping me learn these tracks before I ever set foot on them.
Simulators like iRacing use laser-scanned tracks to replicate real-world layouts with incredible accuracy. Every bump, elevation change, and curb is faithfully recreated. I vividly remember arriving at these tracks for the first time and feeling like I’d been there before. That familiarity gave me confidence and allowed me to focus on refining my performance rather than learning the basics.
But sim racing isn’t just about learning layouts. It also helps you identify the nuances of a track—visual markers, braking zones, and ideal lines. By the time I arrived at the track, I had a clear plan for how to approach each corner.
Chapter 2: Treating Sim Racing Like Real Racing
Simulators are powerful tools, but they’re only as effective as the mindset you bring to them. It’s easy to fall into the trap of treating them like video games, focusing on exploiting quirks in the physics engine instead of honing real-world techniques. However, “practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.”
When I started treating sim racing as an extension of my real-world training, everything changed. I approached each session with a focus on realism, asking myself questions like:
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Where would I realistically brake in this car?
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How would I manage my inputs in this situation?
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What lines and techniques would work in the real world?
By doing this, I avoided developing bad habits that might work in the sim but would fail on an actual track. It’s crucial to remember that while simulators are incredibly advanced, they can’t perfectly replicate every element of driving. Cars and tires are complex, and the feedback you get through the hardware is limited compared to the seat-of-the-pants feel you get on a real track. But the better your approach, the more valuable the tool becomes.
Chapter 3: Building Skills Through Deliberate Practice
Sim racing isn’t just about learning tracks—it’s about building the skills that make you a better driver. Over the years, I’ve used simulators to work on everything from input timing to mental endurance.
Input Timing
One of the most valuable aspects of sim racing is the ability to isolate specific techniques and practice them repeatedly. Whether it’s brake modulation, throttle application, or steering inputs, the sim provides a controlled environment to refine these skills. For example, I’ve spent countless sessions focusing solely on brake release points, experimenting with early and late releases to understand how they affect car balance and corner entry.
Mental Endurance
Driving a simulator can be mentally exhausting—more so, in some ways, than real-world driving. When you’re on track, your body receives a wealth of sensory input. In the sim, you’re relying primarily on visual and auditory cues, which forces your brain to work overtime. This makes sim racing an excellent way to build mental endurance and focus, especially during long stints.
Racecraft
Wheel-to-wheel racing is one of the hardest skills to practice in real life because opportunities are limited. In the sim, you can jump into a lobby at any time and race against drivers of varying skill levels. These sessions have taught me how to handle intense race starts, execute clean overtakes, and anticipate the behavior of other drivers—all without risking real-world consequences.
Chapter 4: Learning From Data
One of the most exciting aspects of sim racing is how closely it mirrors the data analysis we use in real-world racing. By examining telemetry, I’ve been able to compare my virtual laps to real ones and identify areas for improvement.
For instance, at Watkins Glen, I analyzed data from both the sim and the track and was amazed by the similarities. My braking points, throttle application, and slow points lined up almost perfectly. This kind of analysis allows me to pinpoint where I’m losing time and make adjustments, whether I’m in the sim or behind the wheel of a real car.
Using tools like MoTeC or even iRacing’s built-in telemetry, you can break down every aspect of your driving:
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Braking Force: Are you modulating the brake effectively through corners?
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Throttle Application: Are you consistent when applying power out of turns?
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Consistency: Are your lap times steady, or are there outliers?
This level of insight is invaluable for improving technique and building confidence.
Chapter 5: Adapting Techniques for Different Scenarios
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability. In racing, no two cars, tracks, or conditions are ever the same. Simulators give you the chance to practice a wide range of scenarios, from changing weather to varying levels of grip.
Experimenting With Braking Techniques
I’ve spent entire sessions focusing on a single aspect of my driving. For example, I’ll run laps with an emphasis on early brake releases, followed by laps with late releases, to understand how each approach affects the car’s behavior. This kind of deliberate experimentation helps me adapt quickly when I encounter new cars or tracks.
Simulating Race Weekends
One of my favorite drills is replicating an entire race weekend in the sim. I’ll run a short practice session, followed by a qualifying stint, and then a race. This not only mimics the structure of a real weekend but also builds the mental discipline needed to perform under pressure.
Chapter 6: Setting Up for Success
If you’re new to sim racing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of hardware options. My advice? Start simple and upgrade as you go.
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Entry-Level: A Logitech G29 or similar wheel and pedal setup is more than enough to get started.
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Upgrades: Invest in load-cell pedals for more realistic braking feedback, followed by a direct-drive wheel for smoother input.
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Immersion: VR setups or triple monitors can enhance the experience, but they’re not essential.
Remember, it’s not about having the most expensive rig—it’s about how you use it.
Final Thoughts
Sim racing has been a game-changer for me, not just as a driver but as a student of the sport. It’s a tool that allows for endless experimentation, growth, and improvement. Whether you’re learning a new track, refining your racecraft, or building mental endurance, the sim offers opportunities that are hard to replicate in the real world.
The key is to treat it with the same seriousness and dedication as real-world racing. Approach each session with purpose, analyze your data, and challenge yourself to try new techniques. By doing so, you’ll not only become a better sim racer—you’ll become a better driver overall.
