On Saturday the 15th of December 2018 we had our first THR race.
This means that THR will be 6 years old in a few days and we have experienced a lot in these four years:

First Race

Our first race was held with the GPL Mod at Silverstone and we had 4 Racers on track. Our race format in the first weeks was to run as many 20-minute races in a row as we were able to.
Our first regular driver was Ben Barson. Thanks a lot for showing that the community idea was not that bad.

Our AC server

The first races were hosted on Duderei's home server.
But we quickly moved to a professional hoster.
The first entry in our STracker Database is from 2018-12-25.
After that we changed the hoster 2 times until we moved to a rented LinuxMachine (thanks franglais) which runs the ServerManager and 5 AC-Servers.

Cause of lag spikes we decided to switch to another hoster and rented a more powerful server, which is our home since 3 years now.

Races in THR

Over the 6 years, 1,540 different drivers have raced on our servers.
We have driven tens of thousands of laps and countless kilometers.

We had around 264 official events, more than 120 weekday races and many fun races.
We hosted 18 Special Events and we have completed 29 championships and the next upcoming are already planned.
Our former champions can be seen on the Wall of Champions.

Discord

The Discord Server has been set up on 2018-12-07.
Our first member besides Dude and me joined on 2018-12-14.
Currently we have 2,458 Members. Some of them are very quiet or bots, but no matter what time of day, there are always more than 400 members online.
What I find crazy is that I have written nearly 32,000 messages in our THR Discord. The number of PMs are also high, but I can´t count them. On Top our THR Orga members have written more than 51.000 messages.

Website

The Website followed a little later. The first entry is from 2019-01-17.
It contains 236 pages and 377 news and I wrote more than 183,000 Words.
Funfact: You will need over 12 hours to read them all.

To represent our races we have made around 300 posters.
Our Website has more than 270,000 visits and more than 997,000 views.

The most successfull page ist the news page, followed by the tracks page, the GPL Mod page, and the WSC Legends page.

Youtube

Nearly 1 year after our foundation we started our Youtube-Channel on 2019-02-17.
At first we started with a short PromoVideo which was made by Bo Stamper.
Another year later we started to stream our races and with the help of Klopstick and Ted we produced another brilliant PromoVideo which has been watched 1.509 times since then.
To celebrate the start of our fifth GPL championship, Greg produced another stunning video which has been watched 709 times until today.

But all got topped by the Cinematics Evgeny made about our championships.
The awesome Cintematic about our THR GTC 60s championship, which has 13,256 views.
And the stunning Cinematic about our F1 1991 Championship, which has been watched 8,466 times.

Evgeny deserves a lot more subscriptions. If you haven´t done it already hop over and subscribe his channel.
And if you like, you can do the same with our THR channel.

The channel contains more than 323 videos/streams and has 712 followers.
It was visited 59,500 times and more than 6.100 hours of our videos were viewed.
The most successful Live-Stream was the one from our 6hour 4th Endurance race at Le Mans, which is still a blast to watch and had 3.901 viewers until now.

Social Media

Besides of the above we have a Facebook site, which get not much attention from our side, but has 538 followers, cause of the website news which get posted on Facebook automatically.
Also an unused Twitch Channel, an equally unused Instagram Account and some other cool things which I might have forgotten.

Shop

We opened our own THR Shop on 12/21/2022.
The idea behind the store was to send prizes to our championship winners / participants.

Since the opening we have donated 37 prices to our members and on top of that sold around 29 products.
It doesn't sound like much 😉 but those who have ordered are very satisfied with the quality of the products.

If you plan to buy something and need help with it:
https://thracing.de/thr-shop-help/

Special Thanks

I want to send out a very special thank you to the members of the Orga - Group.
margar, Flashor, Flow, franglais and Valentin.
I appreciate our meetings and the decisions we make!
In September, we had our first real-life meeting, which was a great success and an amazing experience.
Our teamwork is the reason why THR is running so well!

I would also like to thank the members of THR Race Control.
Last year we have changed the process format, which reduced your workload significantely.
It's great that you guys took and still take the job so seriously!

Also many thanks to everyone who supported THR with your help!

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The most important part of THR > YOU

But the most important thing is the community that has grown up around THR.

Thank you all for being members of THR and for making THR what it is!

It is also nice to see, that you help each other in Discord and that you respect each other.
I appreciate that very much!

I would also like to thank those who have made a donation via Paypal or started to be a Patreon of THR!
That's phenomenal!


Your [THR] pitman

Full Length GP at Mexico

Following a tradition we will celebrate THRs 6th anniversary with a full length GP over 65 laps at Mexico which got a phenomenal update made by our driver Phil Noobson.

3DRAP is so kind to offer THR a pair of their Racing Gloves, which we will raffle short after race end.
(Eligible to participate in the raffle are all drivers who finish the 6th Anniversary Race and have already raced in at least 3 Main Events of THR.)

THRs 5th Endurance Race

And in January we will have our 5th Endurance race (6hrs at Le Mans).
Further details will be published in the upcoming days.

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This time we have the GPL Mod cars on track. But fortunately the Belgian Authorities have banned the Mighty Three (Eagle, Ferrari and Lotus).
That gives us the opportunity to let the slower (almost forgotten) cars shine on track.

• Brabham BT24
• BRM P83
• Cooper T81B
• Honda RA300
• McLaren M5A

Detailed Information can be found here:
https://thracing.de/fun-event-gpl-1967-mod-at-zolder/

THRs 5th Endurance race will happen on the 26th of January 2025.

We are really looking forward to the event and hope to see you all on track to make it another great experience for everyone involved!

We will publish more infos in the next days!

If you would like to relive the memories in the meantime, you are welcome to take a look at the official race report of the fourth THR endurance race.

Official Report: THR 6 Heures du Mans 2024

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

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.
     
6. 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.
     
7. 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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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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

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