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Hey THR,

FANATEC has faced challenging months recently, but CORSAIR has now taken over the company. Initially, it was unclear what direction things would take.

A few weeks ago, Boosted Media conducted an in-depth interview with Andy Paul, the CEO of CORSAIR. The interview shed light on CORSAIR's plans for FANATEC and what SimRacers can look forward to. After a period of uncertainty, this insight has brought a sense of confidence – CORSAIR seems committed to doing well.
Yesterday, we had an online meeting with FANATEC where the upcoming Black Friday deals were revealed.

I’d like to share these deals with you here. If you decide to make a purchase, please consider using our links on this page, as THR benefits from the affiliate commissions.

Thank you very much!

DAY 1 - November 26th

DAY 2 - November 27th

DAY 3 - November 28th

DAY 4 - November 29th

DAY 5 - November 30th

DAY 6 - December 1st

DAY 7 - December 2nd

* The mentioned Discount percentages are given from FANATEC. They reference across prices from Europe/America/Australia and Japan

YouTube player

Will from Boosted Media has conducted a long and interesting interview with Corsair CEO Andy Paul. The interview was about the acquisition of FANATEC. About what Corsair plans to do with FANATEC and what the future should look like. I found the interview very interesting and it gave me back some of the trust I had lost in FANATEC. I think Corsair means well and will do well. I've been holding back on promoting our FANATEC affiliate link for the last few months, but after what I've just heard, I'd like to mention it here: https://thracing.de/fanatec.html
As written, the interview is really interesting, but if you don´t like to hear the whole interview, here is a summary:

Overview of the Interview

The video features an in-depth interview with Andy Paul, the CEO of Corsair, discussing the recent acquisition of FANATEC and the challenges the brand faced over the last year. Paul elaborates on the brand's history, the reasons for the acquisition, and how Corsair aims to revitalize FANATEC’s image, customer service, and product lineup to restore customer trust. ---

Context and Background

  • FANATEC’s Recent Issues: Early in 2024, FANATEC struggled with supply chain disruptions and delays, leaving many customers frustrated due to unanswered support requests. The brand faced significant financial difficulties, leading to leadership changes and ultimately Corsair's acquisition.
  • Corsair’s Acquisition Strategy: Corsair purchased FANATEC primarily to scale up in the sim-racing market. FANATEC’s existing reputation and customer base align well with Corsair’s experience in gaming and high-end PC components.

Interview Highlights

  1. Current State and Immediate Goals:
    • Corsair aims to stabilize FANATEC's operations, starting with inventory management, customer service systems, and factory payments.
    • Initial steps include integrating FANATEC’s customer service into Corsair’s global systems, aiming to reduce response times from weeks to within a day by Black Friday.
  1. CEO's Perspective on FANATEC's Challenges:
    • Paul noted that FANATEC’s previous CEO, Thomas Jackermeier, was more of an enthusiast than an experienced business leader. This lack of experience in managing rapid growth led to missed financial cues and increased debt.
  1. Product and Design Strategy:
    • Paul emphasized that Corsair will focus on enhancing FANATEC’s product lineup rather than consolidating it. This includes creating a clear range of products to fit various price points and markets while still prioritizing high-end gear.
    • Corsair plans to help FANATEC leverage larger factories, which could lead to reduced production costs and potentially lower prices.
  1. Distribution and Marketing Plans:
    • FANATEC will keep its brand identity but benefit from Corsair's larger global network, entering retail channels like Amazon and Best Buy.
    • Corsair also plans to introduce complete sim-rig setups to reach a broader audience and explore partnerships with sim-racing arcades, hotels, and experience centers.
  1. Focus on Community and Customer Service:
    • Andy emphasized Corsair’s commitment to improving communication with customers and providing fast, reliable support.
    • They have structured customer service into different levels to better handle inquiries, with high-priority issues receiving attention without being held up by simpler inquiries.
  2. Long-Term Vision for Sim Racing:
    • Looking ahead, Corsair intends to make sim-racing rigs as immersive and realistic as possible. Paul envisions future technology developments creating an experience that feels indistinguishable from actual racing, despite challenges like sustained G-force simulation.
  3. Corporate Culture and Employee Engagement:
    • Paul underlined the importance of motivation and support for FANATEC employees to improve morale after a challenging year.
    • With a structured leadership approach, Corsair will handle FANATEC as a subsidiary, allowing the brand to maintain autonomy in product design while benefiting from Corsair’s resources.

Conclusion and CEO’s Message to Fans

Andy Paul expressed optimism for FANATEC’s future, noting Corsair's commitment to elevating FANATEC back to a trusted, market-leading position. He reassured fans of Corsair’s dedication to preserving FANATEC’s brand legacy, enhancing customer experiences, and exploring new frontiers in the sim-racing industry.

Last Sunday, margar and me (pitman) had the pleasure of attending the SimRacing Expo in Dortmund, and it was nothing short of an exciting day.

3DRAP

One of the first highlights of the day was reconnecting with our friends at 3DRAP. Beniamino and his colleagues gave us a quick overview of their latest products. The highlight was an exciting update on the Feeling Pro, which is launching soon. This kit adds two extra rumble motors and fans to simulate increasing wind speed, along with six powerful vibration motors for immersive tactile feedback. It’s universal and can be installed on various pedal boards, shifters, or handbrakes.
It felt great in the test we did and seem to be an interesting update for our own rigs.
https://www.3drap.it/simracing-mods-devices/3drap-feeling-upgrade-rumbles/


Short after we met up with Heusinkveld as well. Linda told us news about their latest developments. For example their Sequential Shifter and their Rest Pedal. Unfortunately Remco wasn´t in Dortmund. Would have been a pleasure to meet him again. So I take a chance to greet him via this article!

The Expo was buzzing with energy, and we got to check out some of the latest hardware releases from Sim Racing giants like Simucube, Thrustmaster, Logitech, and Fanatec.

  • Simucube showed of their new Active Pedals, which are stunning but still expensive 😉
  • Thrustmaster promoted it´s new T598 - Direct Axial Drive, which felt little weak (might have been the settings) but surprisingly smooth and reactive.
  • Logitech showed the whole range of its Sim Racing products on a large booth.
  • Fanatec also had a massive presence at the Expo, and while their stand was impressive, it felt like business as usual despite some of the problematic noise surrounding them lately.

As we explored the event, we stumbled upon a few standout innovations from smaller brands that really caught our attention.

BDH Race Sim Hardware

One of them was a high-quality Dual Mode Shifter (H-pattern and Sequential) from BDH, a company based in England. The Shifter, composed of the H1 ‘Bazooka’ H-Shifter and the BDH SQ Sequential Shifter within one sturdy chassis.
https://www.bdhracesim.com

Endgametec

We were also impressed by the premium SimRigs on display from a new German company, Endgametec. Two guys with background in the metal industry (SimRacers themselves) founded the company and transform their expertise into very stable rigs. It is important to them that the connectors are stable to give the whole rig strength.
You can feel their passion for sim racing when Sebastian and Udo talk about their rigs.
Many thanks for the time you spent with us and we are already looking forward to the factory tour we have arranged with you.
https://endgametec.de

Sim Reactor

Another exciting find was a "budget-friendly" 3DOF motion system from Reactor, another up-and-coming German brand. With a high movement speed of 250 mm/s they conquer the best systems in the market but one of their main goals is to be cheaper then the existing brands.
https://sim-reactor.com

Gravideck Motion Systems

There are so many different concepts of motion systems out there, but this one was "interesting".
The whole system moves around the floor to to let you feel the movement of the car.
Difficult to explain. Better take a look at the system in action for yourself.
https://gravideck.com

A particularly special moment for us was when our former THR driver, Alessandro Bezzi, recognized us and invited us to visit the booth of the company he is working for, Racing Unleashed. Their racing cockpits were simply stunning, and it was great to catch up with him and get so many insights about the factory and the development of the cockpits.
Oh and it was also nice to hear, that he has great memories about the time he was active in THR.

We had the opportunity to test Assetto Corsa Evo, and while our first impressions were positive, there remains uncertainty about the type of modding support – a crucial factor for THR's future use of the sim.

PIMAX

One of the major highlights of our day was meeting with PIMAX.
COO Ying personally greeted us and gave us a detailed rundown of their latest headsets, discussing everything from product specifications to their plans for global markets and marketing strategies.
It was also interesting to note that PIMAX was the only VR headset manufacturer represented at the Sim Expo.
To our surprise, Ying arranged for me to borrow a Crystal Light headset, which I now have at home. While I haven’t had much time to dive deep into it yet, the FOV and clarity are truly impressive. I will test it and share more detailed thoughts on it in the coming days.
PIMAX Crystal Light


As the day came to an end and we made our way out of the Expo hall, we were struck by how quiet it suddenly was. After spending hours in the noisy and busy hall, the silence was remarkable.

All in all, it was an amazing day at the SimRacing Expo. So amazing that I was to focused on talking, testing and experiencing it that I forgot to make a lot more photos. I promise that I will be better next year.

We can’t wait to dive deeper into the tech and experiences we discovered. Stay tuned for more updates, especially my review of the Crystal Light headset!

Rookies of THR, we have heard you!

The Clio Rookie Trophy is a new format that is focused mainly on Rookie drivers with very low experience in close online racing.

As these cars are relatively low-powered, they're well-suited for practicing close racing, and practicing this means that it will be a learning experience for many. The fundamental community rules apply here as well, but everyone is aware that most drivers in this field are here to learn and practice the basics of fair and fun online racing. We are well-aware that learning means that where wood is chopped, splinters may fall. Don't be too hard on each other if you get into an accident, and learn from it together.

As a support series to the TTM, the Clio Rookie Trophy races in the same weeks and on the same tracks, but on Friday evenings.

Registration
Looping Practice & Friday Race Server for Registered Drivers

1

Last weekend was truly one for the books as five members of the THR Orga team (pitman, margar, Florian, Valentin, and Kristian) set off for an unforgettable first Real Life Meeting.

Our destination was the legendary Assen circuit, where we had the incredible opportunity to meet up with two icons in the sim racing world: Remco from Heusinkveld and the modding legend Bazza.

We spent the entire weekend with Remco and Bazza, and it was a blast from start to finish. The highlight was undoubtedly visiting the Assen GP Classic, a paradise for any motorsport enthusiast. We were surrounded by an array of stunning racing cars from different eras, and it was a real treat to walk through the paddock, discussing the unique histories and details of each car.

On the track, we witnessed some fantastic racing action, including 60s Legend cars that we regularly race in THR, and some iconic Formula One cars like the Benetton Ford B192 and the Lotus 72, famously driven by Emerson Fittipaldi. The sight, the sounds, and the sheer thrill of seeing these machines in action left us all in awe.

In addition to the races, Remco gave us an exclusive invitation to visit the Heusinkveld factory. For those unfamiliar, Heusinkveld is a manufacturer of top-quality pedal sets for sim racing, used by sim racers worldwide - including former Formula One drivers who trust them in their rigs. The factory visit provided us with a phenomenal insight into the innovation, precision, and customer care that are the hallmarks of Heusinkveld's operation. Seeing the process behind the creation of these pedals was eye-opening, and it deepened our appreciation for the brilliance behind this brand.

The weekend wasn't just about spectating; it was also about deepening our connections. In the evenings, we met up for dinner and spent hours talking about our shared passion: sim racing. Bazza, for example, shared some exciting insights into the mods and updates he has in mind for the future. It was great to get this behind-the-scenes look into his creative process. We even got the chance to test out Remco's and Bazza's rigs. Let me tell you, they are phenomenal! The rigs offered an immersive and exhilarating experience. And on top of that, we were privileged to take a seat in Remco's self-built Tyrrell P34 chassis. It's crazy how cramped these cars were. And what's even crazier is how fantastically Remco has made and assembled all the parts by hand.

We also used the time together to talk about our future plans for THR. During these three days, we came up with some great ideas to keep you (our drivers) on the track, and we're excited to share more in the upcoming months.

One of the highlights of the trip was going karting together. Racing alongside like-minded guys who share the same passion for motorsport and sim racing was an incredible experience that we won't forget any time soon.

A bit of background for those who might not know: Bazza created the GPL 1967 mod in 2018, and because pitman wanted to race these cars online regularly, he founded THR in December of the same year. Remco was one of our first members, and we share some great memories of racing together - like the time we entered the bankings at Monza three-wide, with only these three cars on track. He still has a pic of this situation on his Desktop.

As written, this trip marked our first real-life meeting of the THR Orga team, and it was beyond special to share it with Remco and Bazza. It was an incredible weekend filled with sim racing, real-life racing action, and unforgettable moments among friends who share a deep passion for simracing.

The only downside? This weekend will be tough to top! Perhaps it was our first and last real-life meeting, but if that's the case, it was certainly one to remember.

A big thank you to our friends in the Netherlands - Remco and Bazza - for making this weekend so amazing. We’re already looking forward to the next adventure, whatever it might be!


Heated battles in the pinnacle of Group A touring cars: can you stay cool enough to prevail here?
Click here to find out more about the THRacing Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 2024


You got an invite from Mr. Chapman. It´s up to you, if you wanna take this opportunity.
https://thracing.de/lotus-25-cup/

RENAULT 5 TURBO CUP: A Season in Review

The RENAULT 5 TURBO CUP, hosted by the THR Simracing community, concluded with a tightly contested battle for the championship. The season comprised four race weekends at iconic French circuits: Ledenon, Mas Du Clos, Dijon-Prenois, and Charade. Each weekend featured two races, with a maximum of 80 points available per event.

Season Start at Ledenon:
The championship kicked off at Ledenon, where FMG made an early statement by securing 68 points. Close behind were Adam Celárek with 67 points and Valentin Knechtel with 65. Pete Bondurant, who would eventually claim the title, had a modest start with 57 points, placing him fifth after the first round.

Mas Du Clos Shakes Up the Standings:
The second race weekend at Mas Du Clos saw a significant shift in the leaderboard. Pete Bondurant surged to the forefront with a near-perfect 74 points, matching FMG's performance. This strong showing catapulted Bondurant into the championship lead. Valentin Knechtel maintained consistency with 58 points, while Adam Celárek's absence (DNS) cost him dearly in the overall standings.

Dijon-Prenois: The Pivotal Round:
The third weekend at Dijon-Prenois proved crucial for the championship. Bondurant continued his strong form, scoring another 74 points to consolidate his lead. Knechtel responded with 71 points, keeping the title race alive. Adam Celárek returned with a vengeance, also scoring 71 points, but the damage from his Mas Du Clos absence was evident. Notably, FMG's championship hopes were dealt a severe blow with a zero-point weekend.

Charade: The Final Showdown:
Entering the final round at Charade, Bondurant held a slim lead over Knechtel. Despite Adam Celárek's best efforts (74 points at Charade), his earlier DNS kept him out of contention for the overall title. Bondurant's 63 points were enough to secure the championship, as Knechtel's 69 points left him just short of overtaking the leader.

Final Standings and Notable Performances:
Pete Bondurant clinched the title with 268 points, showcasing remarkable consistency across all four events. Valentin Knechtel finished a close second with 263 points, maintaining pressure on the leader throughout the season. Al secured third place with 225 points, benefiting from consistent performances in all rounds.

Adam Celárek's championship challenge was marred by his absence at Mas Du Clos. Despite winning the most points in the rounds he competed in, he had to settle for fourth place overall.

The midfield battle was intense, with drivers like Max Solmyr, FMG, and Taffy all finishing within 12 points of each other. FMG's season was particularly dramatic, starting strong but faltering in the latter half.

Participation dropped significantly beyond the top 10, with many drivers only competing in one or two events. This highlights the commitment required to challenge for top positions in the championship.

In conclusion, the RENAULT 5 TURBO CUP provided a platform for intense competition, with the championship lead changing hands and the outcome remaining uncertain until the final round. Pete Bondurant's consistent performance across all events ultimately proved the deciding factor in securing the title.

During one month, we're offering you the chance to test your speed and resilience with a selection of cars from the 60s, taken from the famous WSC 60 mod by Bazzas Team WSC Legend.

The Targa Florio is one of the oldest and most storied races in motorsports history, renowned for its challenging course and rich heritage. Founded by Vincenzo Florio, a wealthy Sicilian wine producer and automobile enthusiast, the inaugural race took place on May 6, 1906. The race was set in the mountains of Sicily, Italy, with a course that initially spanned approximately 148 kilometers (92 miles) per lap. This course traversed the Madonie Mountains, presenting a mix of narrow, winding roads and rough terrain. The race started and ended in Cerda, incorporating towns like Collesano and Campofelice di Roccella along its route. The Targa Florio was known for its difficulty, with drivers facing treacherous roads, unpredictable weather, and significant elevation changes. The race was suspended during World War I but resumed in 1919. This interwar period saw the Targa Florio gain international fame, with advances in automotive technology and increased participation by major manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, and Maserati. Legendary drivers like Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi became iconic figures during these years, showcasing their skills on the demanding course.

After World War II, the race resumed in 1948, with the course being modified several times. By the 1950s, it had become part of the World Sportscar Championship, extending the course to 72 kilometers (45 miles) per lap, with drivers completing multiple laps totaling around 720 kilometers (447 miles). The post-war era was marked by dramatic races and high-profile accidents. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Porsche achieved significant success, with models like the 907 and 908 securing multiple victories. However, increasing safety concerns due to the high-speed nature of the race on public roads led to its decline. The narrow and winding roads were deemed too dangerous for modern racing cars. The last official Targa Florio as part of the World Sportscar Championship took place in 1973, although the race continued in various forms until 1977.


You're free to join the server whenever you like, or to organise with other drivers on the THR discord to race together. There's a channel and a Voice Chat dedicated to this. No registration is necessary, and you can set a time with each car if you wish. There are 7 cars, divided into 3 categories:

  • S2.0: Lotus 47 / Chevron GT
  • S5.0 Front : Iso Grifo A3/C / Corvette Grand Sport / Shelby Cobra Daytona
  • S5.0 Rear: GT40 Mk 1 / Ferrari 250LM

To enter the server, you need to download the following mods:
Cars : https://thracing.de/wsc-legends-60s-pack/
Track : https://www.patreon.com/abulzz/posts (paid mod) [v 0.2.04]

>>> If you are using 3D trees, please complete a clean install of the track without them.

IMPORTANT: You also need to apply a hotfix on the track for this time attack, enabling to skip the outlap, and start a hotlap as soon as the starting line is crossed: https://www.mediafire.com/file/i7krpk6bsuihpa8/targa_THR_time-attack_fix.zip/file


You can check your laptimes on the livetiming page: http://5.75.183.156:8772/live-timing?server=0
Or compare your times on the leaderboard updated daily on the THR discord.

The Grand Prix History Cup within the THR Simracing community witnessed an engaging and competitive season, with several drivers showcasing remarkable performances across various iconic tracks. Here’s an analysis of the progress throughout the Championship.

Overview

The competition featured races at six different tracks, each testing the drivers' skills with a variety of classic cars. The point system awarded 40 points for a win, 37 for second place, 34 for third, and so forth, down to DNS (Did Not Start), which resulted in zero points. The drivers’ consistency and ability to perform under pressure were crucial in determining the final standings.

Usage of Different Cars

One of the season's highlights was the use of different cars from various decades of Formula One racing, aligning with the theme of celebrating the evolution and innovation in the sport. Each RaceWeekend featured a unique, iconic car appropriate for the era it represented, creating a diverse and challenging experience for the drivers.

Initial Stages

  • Donington (Auto Union Type C)

The first race saw Florian Masse (MAS) taking an early lead with a perfect score of 40 points.

FMG and pitman (PIT) also had strong starts, scoring 29 and 31 points respectively.

  • Bremgarten (Maserati 250 F)

Florian Masse continued to perform well, securing 34 points, but FMG started to close the gap with a second-place finish, earning 37 points.

pitman maintained consistency with 30 points.

Mid-Season Dynamics

  • Monaco (Lotus 25)

This race saw a significant change as Florian Masse (MAS) did not start (DNS), allowing FMG to gain ground with another 37 points.

pitman and Flashor (FLA) also capitalized on this, with pitman finishing fourth and Flashor fifth.

  • Kyalami (Ferrari 312T)

Florian Masse bounced back with a win, scoring 40 points, reaffirming his contention for the championship.

FMG maintained his lead with a solid performance, earning 31 points, while pitman did not participate, significantly impacting his championship bid.

Final Rounds

  • Hockenheim (Lotus 98T)

Both FMG and Florian Masse faced setbacks with no points (DNS), while pitman and Flashor scored 31/30 points, closing in on the leaders.

  • Suzuka (McLaren MP4/6)

In the crucial final race, FMG secured the championship with a victory, earning 40 points.

pitman managed a fourth-place finish, adding 31 points to his tally, but it wasn't enough to overtake FMG.

Florian Masse, despite finishing on P2 in the final race, ended the season with a respectable 151 points, thanks to his strong performances earlier in the season.

Final Standings

  • FMG (Champion)

Total Points: 174

FMG demonstrated consistent performance and resilience, particularly capitalizing on his rivals’ absences to clinch the championship.

  • pitman (Second Place)

Total Points: 154

Despite a solid start and consistent finishes, missing a crucial race and finishes right outside the podium cost pitman the championship.

  • Florian Masse (Third Place)

Total Points: 151

Florian Masse’s strong performances in the early and mid-season were overshadowed by his absence in critical races, affecting his final standing.

  • Flashor (Fourth Place)

Total Points: 148

Flashor displayed competitive spirit throughout the season, finishing close behind the top contenders.


The Grand Prix History Cup was a thrilling season, marked by strategic races and fluctuating fortunes. FMG’s ability to remain consistent and capitalize on opportunities ultimately earned him the championship title, with pitman and Florian Masse also showing impressive performances throughout. The usage of different iconic cars from various decades added a unique and historical touch to the competition, making it a memorable journey through the golden eras of Formula One racing.

Casual Cup

Besides of the Top Cup we had a Casual Cup which had a (little) more casual focus.
Ingroover and Eetu Karjunen showed a hard battle for the championship win, but Ingroover claimed it with a number of 5 impressive wins.

Final Words

We are pleased that we were able to host this championship.

We had races with many participants, but also some with a smaller starting field.

We (THR Orga) have learned that it is not easy to adapt to a new car every two weeks.
It takes time to understand the car, learn the track, find a setup and ultimately master the car/track combination.

We will take this into account in future championships.

Nevertheless, we are delighted for everyone who took part in the championship and would like to thank everyone for doing so!

Your THR Orga