Automotive
BUSCH: Drivers use videogames to stay sharp
Concord, NC: After Santa delivers all the videogame consoles and personal computers that he's been asked for this Christmas, millions of Americans will sit down and test their driving skills playing racing videogames during the holiday ...
Edited: Apr 16, 2008, 12:40 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Concord, NC: After Santa delivers all the videogame consoles and personal computers that he's been asked for this Christmas, millions of Americans will sit down and test their driving skills playing racing videogames during the holiday season.
While these amateur Andrettis and Earnhardts are making virtual laps around their favorite racetracks, they might be surprised to learn that some professional racecar drivers will be doing the same thing.
Unlike sports such as baseball or football, racers don't getthe luxury of a preseason to sharpen their skills. Drivers must find a way to keep themselves sharp during their short off-season, and for an increasing number of young drivers, practicing with racing videogames can be the next best thing to being behind the wheel of their race machines.
Dale Jarrett's son, Jason Jarrett, a third-generation racer, and Justin Labonte, son of Terry Labonte, are just two of a new breed of racers who are as comfortable with a videogame controller as they are with a steering wheel in their hands.
They, along with drivers like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Hank Parker, Jr. and Lyndon Amick have all said that the hand-eye coordination they gain from playing videogames really pays off when they take to the track.
Those who make videogames and controllers are capitalizing on the drivers' interest in their products. U.K.-based videogame developer, Codemasters, hired the young Jarrett and Labonte to be the spokesmen for their new racing title for the Sony Playstation, Jarrett and Labonte Stock CarRacing.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. recently inked a deal with InterAct, acompany that produces steering wheels and foot pedals for personal computers and consoles like the Playstation.
"I know of several drivers who work on their skills by playing videogames, " said Hank Parker Jr., who often participates in online racing videogame leagues against Earnhardt Jr. and Amick. "As the games get more and more realistic, I think you'll see a lot more drivers taking advantage of the new technology. It's the next best thing to being there."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Daytona test notes
Next article CHAMPCAR/CART: Brack impressed with first test at Texas
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Dale Jarrett
Elliott, Busch clash would turn “ugly” in normal times – Jarrett
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Darlington II
Elliott, Busch clash would turn “ugly” in normal times – Jarrett
Jarrett slams “consequences” of Talladega manufacturer orders
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
Jarrett slams “consequences” of Talladega manufacturer orders
Robert Yates reflects on Hall of Fame career with posthumous speech
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Robert Yates reflects on Hall of Fame career with posthumous speech
Latest news
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 45 min
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
1 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 3 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 h
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe