10.02.2023 Category: Site news
A series of interviews with the best ‘virtual’ r/c racers in the world…
Hi Mirko,
Congratulations with your 2022 VRC Worlds title 1:8 nitro GT3. It again and again amazes me when I watch the replays and the video’s what you guys have been able to achieve racing wise with VRC. But let me start with the beginning of your involvement in radio-controlled racing.
VRC: When and how did you get started in r/c and what class did you race in the beginning? And what was your very first r/c racing car?
Mirko: I started back in 2007 with a 1/8 nitro on road in Italy, with a Mugen mrx4
VRC: Did you start racing all by yourself or was it a typical ‘father and son’ effort? And if so, was your dad involved in r/c racing before as a racer or mechanic for someone else?
Mirko: I started because my brother was already an excellent driver at a world level, where my father was also part of this world as a mechanic! Currently they both help me as a mechanic in real life.
VRC: How long did it take you to become an accomplished r/c racer? What classes do you race now, and what is your favorite class now?
Mirko: It certainly took me a few years of practice... I currently compete in the 1/8 on road
VRC: You race on club, national or international level? How many races a year on average?
Mirko: I race internationally, more or less 15 races a year
VRC: What is your home track or club now?
Mirko: At the moment my home track is Leno (BS) Italy
VRC: Usually, the very best VRC racers are also very good racers in real life. Have you won any important championships, when, where and what classes?
Mirko: Yes. I won a European B 1/8 on road championship and 2 Italian championships. I have participated in many international races where I was able to compete with the best riders in the world.
VRC: Top racers often receive sponsorships from the main chassis manufacturers. Are you a sponsored racer? In which class and for what equipment? Always interesting to know…
Mirko: I have some sponsors in real life luckily and that I have to thank because some of them are real friends.
Car: Capricorn
Engine: Max power
Tyres: Hotrace
Radio: Sanwa
Fuel: Energy
Body: Xtreme Aerodynamics
VRC: Now turning to your ‘virtual’ r/c racing accomplishments, you are a multiple VRC World Champion after all and that doesn’t come easy. What made you decide to start using VRC Pro? And since when?
Mirko: My real work is outside RC modeling so I dedicate my time very often on weekends for training. Iif you want to get results you have to spend time both to prepare the material and to train in driving
VRC: Can you give us an idea of your ‘virtual r/c racing’ equipment? Computer, graphics card, monitor size, USB adapter, and your radio equipment?
Mirko: Very difficult question hehehe, I think an intel i7 with Nvidia ge force 1660 8 gb graphics card an old adapter VRC that is now 15 years old with VRC, a 24" acer monitor and my Sanwa Exzes ZZ radio. From experience I have noticed that the more valuable the pc is with quality components, the more the times in the game gets better.
VRC: Did you upgrade your equipment to achieve better results in VRC, like faster PC or graphics card and monitor size?
Mirko: Unfortunately, having a fast PC means spending a lot of money...the more the PC costs, the better you play in the game. Right now, I should try to insert a better graphics card and better processor ... Logically also with a monitor with a better refresh rate and a slightly more recent VRC adapter
VRC: how much time do you spend on VRC? And how is this divided between practicing and participating in races?
Mirko: very little time, specifically in the winter period. Normally I do about ten practice laps and then I go directly to the race… logical that the more time you spend, the better the practice will be
VRC: VRC competitions are ‘solo’ races so to say, you are alone on the track and then race against the clock to post a result. Do you use the option to race against other racers who are in the same semi or final, to challenge yourself even more, and to test your racing skills and nerves?
Mirko: I use it very little, just to have a look when the race is over. I'm alone in the race, because loading other cars the PC could be slower and consequently you have less performance.
VRC: yes opponents take a bit of performance indeed. Most important is high level CPU and graphics card, you can then easily run with 3 or 4 opponents without any frame rate drop.
VRC: Have you ever used the ‘target’ option in racing mode? (You can select a score from another racer in your heat or final and the ‘target’ shows if you are ahead (green) or behind (red) the target?
Mirko: No, I've never used it, I think it can distract you while driving
VRC: yes target mode can surely distract, I don’t think it is used as much as in real sim racing where you have a bit more time while racing. In r/c racing any distraction is too much, opponents especially…
VRC: Do you use multiplayer to race against other racers real time? Have you ever raced multiplayer in ‘collision on’ mode? If so, does that present a new level of pressure?
Mirko: I think it's a good method, the real race finals should be like this in multiplayer, this way you can define a race.
VRC: yes I considered that when we were developing multiplayer, but just imagine the issues with time zones, it’s virtually impossible to bring racers from all over the world together at the same time!
VRC: I assume you use VRC Pro alongside your real r/c racing. What has VRC brought you for your real r/c racing in terms of setup knowledge, racing performance and handling racing pressure? In other words, has VRC Pro helped you to become a better, faster, and more stable r/c racer?
Mirko: I don't think a better driver, I think it can help you a little in
training but when you're at a certain level the only thing that makes you improve is the real car... but I think that an amateur or average racer can find many benefits in VRC!
VRC: I appreciate you have taken the time to answer my questions. I see you guys race all the time and achieve amazing levels of r/c racing as I said in the beginning. Having just finished the 2022 VRC Worlds videos I am even more impressed with the exceptional r/c racing skills you have demonstrated to the world. Thanks for explaining to r/c racers from around the world where you have come from and what role VRC Pro plays in your r/c racing life. Is there anything else you want to get to say? You have the last word…
Mirko: I think we should try to insert some news to bring more people to participate in the competitions. For example, a prize in races, even the best riders who win races after a while could get bored, it could be a reason to make you want to, for example, finals for less time because it's not easy to be in front of a PC, unfortunately it's not equal to reality... and I think the best result is to make the final even if for less pilots due to connection problems it must be done via multiplayer and probably broadcast live on the VRC channel… now in recent years you can do everything.
VRC: Mille grazie Miro for spending some time with me. Really interesting to read about your real and virtual r/c racing career. Ciao
Comments
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(Total posts: 1)
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Jose M MModerator
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Very interesting interview, I liked it a lot.
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