Finding entertainment that people genuinely remember can be tricky.
There are plenty of familiar options out there, but sometimes an event needs something a little different. That is where VR Sim Racer comes in.
Based in Rotherham and run by Shane, VR Sim Racer brings a full motion virtual racing experience directly to events, parties, weddings and workplaces.
This is not simply a steering wheel attached to a games console. The setup has been designed to make drivers feel much closer to the real thing.
There are more than 180 cars to choose from and over 85 real life tracks available to race around. Add virtual reality headsets, motion rigs, surround sound, force feedback and professional quality controls, and there is plenty here to keep both serious racing fans and complete beginners entertained.
It is also a very flexible service. VR Sim Racer can attend everything from birthday parties and corporate events to weddings, festivals, car shows, sporting events and family fun days. There are even food and drink options available if the entertainment is only one part of what is needed.
Here are three reasons why VR Sim Racer is well worth considering for the next event.
1. The racing feels far more real than a normal game
The biggest difference with VR Sim Racer is the amount of effort that has gone into making the driving experience feel realistic.
The simulators use high end DOF M2 motion rigs. That means the seat moves as the car moves on screen. Drivers can feel changes in direction, bumps in the road and the movement of the car through corners. It adds another layer that simply playing a racing game from the sofa cannot really match.
There is also full surround sound, four base shakers and an 8nm force feedback system. The steering reacts to what is happening in the virtual car, which means drivers have to properly control it rather than casually turning the wheel from side to side.
The pedals and steering systems are built to a professional standard too. It all helps to make the experience more involving, but it does not mean someone needs years of sim racing experience to enjoy it.
That is an important part of what Shane offers through VR Sim Racer. Experienced racers can get stuck into the finer details, while complete newcomers can be shown the basics and start enjoying themselves without feeling lost.
There is plenty of choice once someone gets behind the wheel. With more than 180 cars and over 85 real life tracks available, guests can try different combinations throughout a session. One race could be about mastering a famous circuit, while the next could simply become a battle between friends over who can avoid spinning at the first corner.
The virtual reality headsets add another dimension as well. Rather than simply watching the race on a screen, drivers can look around the virtual cockpit and feel much more connected to what is happening.
For people who love cars, motorsport or gaming, it is easy to understand the appeal. But the experience can work just as well for someone who has never watched a motor race in their life. The basic idea is simple. Pick a car, pick a track and try to set the fastest time.
2. It can come directly to your event
Another major advantage of VR Sim Racer is that people do not necessarily have to travel somewhere specific to enjoy it. The mobile sim racing gaming van brings the experience directly to the event.
The Volkswagen racing van is fitted with the equipment needed to turn a normal gathering into a race day. Shane and the team can handle the delivery, setup, support and packing away, which keeps things straightforward for the person organising everything.
That makes VR Sim Racer suitable for a wide mix of occasions. Birthday parties are an obvious fit. Instead of trying to keep everyone entertained with several different activities, guests can race against each other, follow a live leaderboard and take part in tournament style competitions.
The birthday package includes two hours of VR sim racing, with the setup and pack down handled as part of the booking. There can also be a winner celebration at the end, which gives the session a proper competitive finish.
Corporate events can work particularly well too. Sim racing gives colleagues something to do together without relying on the usual team building activities. People can compete for lap times, race against colleagues and watch the leaderboard change throughout the event.
VR Sim Racer can also attend exhibitions, product launches, staff reward days and client entertainment events. There is on site support throughout, so organisers do not need to spend the day figuring out how the technology works.
Weddings are another interesting option. There can often be a gap between the ceremony and the evening celebrations when guests are chatting, having drinks and waiting for the next part of the day to begin. A racing setup gives people something genuinely different to do during that time.
It can also bring different generations together. Children can have a go, parents can get involved and there is a fair chance at least one uncle will suddenly become extremely serious about shaving half a second off his lap time.
Car shows, race meetings, school fetes, charity events, festivals and community events can all be covered too. The mobile nature of VR Sim Racer means the setup can fit around the event rather than forcing the event to fit around the entertainment.
3. The racing can be combined with food and refreshments
VR Sim Racer has grown beyond racing alone, which can make life much easier for anyone organising a larger event.
Alongside the Volkswagen sim racing van, there is a custom VW Bay front hot dog trailer and a VW themed refreshments setup offering options including ice cream, shaved ice, coffee and boba tea.
This creates the option of booking both entertainment and catering together. The Drive and Dine package is designed around that idea. The team can arrive, set up the racing experience and provide food for guests as part of the same event.
The hot dog trailer serves German sausages with a choice of toppings, including classic options and fully loaded dogs. Homemade chilli is available, and vegan options can also be provided when requested.
For weddings and larger events, VR Sim Racer can cater for up to 200 guests. That can remove a fair amount of work for organisers who would otherwise be speaking to separate entertainment and food suppliers.
The Volkswagen theme helps everything feel connected too. Instead of several unrelated stands arriving at an event, the racing van, food trailer and refreshments setup can sit together as one recognisable package.
It is also flexible. Some events might only need the racing van. Others might want racing and hot dogs. A larger wedding or family event may want the wider package with racing, food, ice cream and drinks.
That flexibility is probably one of the strongest things about VR Sim Racer. Shane has created something that can work for a small birthday party just as comfortably as a busy corporate event, wedding or festival.
At the centre of it all is still the racing. The motion rigs, virtual reality equipment, surround sound and force feedback give people a proper driving experience, while the mobile setup means it can arrive almost anywhere it is needed.
And when someone finishes their race feeling slightly annoyed that their friend beat them by three tenths of a second, having a loaded German hot dog waiting nearby probably does not hurt either.
For birthdays, weddings, corporate events, car shows, festivals and private hire, VR Sim Racer offers something different without making the booking process complicated. It brings the track to the event, takes care of the equipment and can even handle the food and refreshments if required.
For more information, available packages and booking enquiries, visit VR Sim Racer or take a look at the latest updates from VR Sim Racer on Facebook.