Virtual simulation isn’t a new concept in motorsport, but it’s one that has gone from being the domain of multi-million-pound space-age Formula 1 team factories a couple of decades ago to something achievable on a £70 game disc you can buy on the high street.
In the last decade or so, the home console racing simulation experience has exploded into new realms. Titles like Grand Turismo, Forza Motorsport and the first two Project CARS games have brought ultra-realistic racing experiences to bedrooms across the globe.
Not only has this allowed fans to get closer to experiencing just what it’s like to actually race on the circuits of the world, it has had practical applications, with numerous drivers making no secret of their love for home sim racing set-ups as part of their real-world preparations.
Motorcycle racing games have tried to mimic this, but the lack of top flight developers taking on the challenge and the limitations of a controller have meant few have really delivered the ultra-realistic feeling of riding a motorcycle from the comfort of your sofa.
However, one title in particular has proven to be a major ally in one racer’s preparations for the real world. In 2017, French developer Kylotonn released TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge.
It marked the first game based on the Isle of Man TT since 2008’s Isle of Man TT: Real Road Racing Championship on the PlayStation 2, and it did something genuinely impressive - it recreated the 37.75-mile course in 1:1 scale, every inch of the track laser-scanned to craft a totally accurate copy.
This proved vital for Davey Todd, who made his TT debut in 2018. Todd clocked countless hours on Ride on the Edge, to the point where just prior to his maiden TT outing he sat second in the world online rankings for the game.
“The first lap I was terrified because I was just nervous - it’s the dangerous TT,” Todd told Autosport during a hand-ons with Ride on the Edge 3 in Milan last month.
Source: Autosport