If you??re a long-time VirtualR reader, you know the drill. Every year at New Years I get a little sentimental talking about the year that passed and the one that’s ahead of us….
Usually, I’m pretty optimistic about what the future has in store for sim racing but this year is different as I??m not optimistic but extremely optimistic about what’s in store for 2012.
But first things first: 2011 was once again a successful year for VirtualR as I??ve launched a brand new site design that hopefully all of you have developed a liking for by now. The readership numbers keep on increasing on a steady level as well as 2011 had more than 6.3 million users visiting VirtualR, a more than 12% increase to 2010.
Furthermore, 2011 has been a milestone year for me personally as well. What started out as a small hobby has not just turned into a very popular website but also enabled me to finally make a living following my true passion – Sim racing.
But it’s not just my exciting work at Slightly Mad Studios that makes me extremely hopeful for the future as 2012 is shaping up to be an absolutely epic year for sim racing. I??m active in this community of ours since 2000 and I can’t remember any time in the past 11 years when there was so much good coming up on ??the horizon. Next year will hopefully see the release of several long-awaited titles as rFactor 2, GTR3, Asetto Corsa & Reiza Studios’ Ayrton Senna game are due to come out.
With iRacing adding more and more features to their simulation and Project CARS evolving in a spectacular fashion, there will be no shortage of sim racing glory to experience. It’s not just software though as Fanatec will be releasing their professional Clubsport Wheel base and several wheel rims as well, giving sim racers access to professional-grade hardware for affordable prices for the first time.
I hope that all of you will be along for the ride right here on VirtualR, I can guarantee that there will be no shortage of material to discuss (and fight..) about.
This is also the time to thank my loyal advertisers who allow VirtualR to be financially independent and unbiased. Go check out their websites and buy their products, they deserve the best for supporting this site and sim racing as a whole!
Most importantly, I want to thank all of you though. Everyone who visits this site, writes comments, tips me of on stories or complains helps make this site what it has become in the past four and a half years.
Happy 2012 everyone – See you on the other side!
