Kevin Unleashed – the Video Series
Why Kevin Magnussen and Racing Unleashed are a natural fit.
"Most People Think You Just Turn the Wheel and Hit the Gas" – Jamie and Haris on the Reality of Sim Racing
At first glance, a Racing Unleashed simulator might look like a game. Spend a few minutes behind the wheel, however, and that perception changes quickly.
At first glance, a Racing Unleashed simulator might look like a game. Spend a few minutes behind the wheel, however, and that perception changes quickly.
Sim racing has evolved into a highly competitive motorsport discipline that demands precision, consistency, strategy, and countless hours of practice. For Jamie Egeo and Haris Skenderi, both competitors in the RU2 Championship of the Racing Unleashed Esports Series, it has become far more than a hobby.
We sat down with them to talk about how they got started, what separates good drivers from great ones, and why everyone should experience sim racing at least once.
How did your sim racing journey begin?
Jamie: Honestly, it started with Drive to Survive. I watched the series and became fascinated by Formula 1. Naturally, I wanted to experience it myself. I started with a controller, then upgraded to a wheel, joined my first leagues, and before long it turned into a serious passion. Since then, it's all been about improving and getting faster.
Haris: I've loved motorsport for as long as I can remember. But karting or real-world racing was never really an option for me. I actually discovered Racing Unleashed by accident. A friend and I were passing through the airport, saw the simulators, and decided to come back the next day to try them. From that moment on, we were hooked.
What makes a great sim racer?
Haris: Fairness is huge. You also need to be self-critical. After every race, I ask myself what I could have done better.
Jamie: I completely agree. Fairness, realism, and a willingness to keep learning. The moment you think you've mastered everything is the moment you stop improving.
Sim racing is often underestimated. What do people get wrong about it?
Jamie: How difficult it actually is. Most people think you just turn the wheel and hit the gas. In reality, there's an incredible amount of technique, precision, and preparation involved.
Haris: The level of competition surprises people too. The field is unbelievably strong. You can spend hours practicing and still find drivers who are faster than you.
How important is practice?
Jamie: Extremely important. I'd say it's 80 percent practice and 20 percent talent.
Haris: Consistency only comes from repetition. If you stop driving for a while, you'll notice it immediately.
Both drivers dedicate several hours every week to training, with preparation time increasing significantly ahead of major races.
What are the most common mistakes new drivers make?
Jamie: Impatience. People want too much too soon.
Haris: Exactly. Braking too late, forcing overtakes, trying to make something happen every lap. Most of the time you end up losing more than you gain.
Is there a moment you'll never forget?
Haris: My first podium finish. It was the reward for years of work and practice. I'd dreamed about it for a long time, and then suddenly it became reality.
Jamie: My first race win will always stand out. But one of my favorite memories is a league race where our team secured a one-two finish. Moments like that stay with you forever.
What would you tell your beginner self?
Jamie: Turn off the driving assists as early as possible. It's harder at first, but you'll learn much faster.
Haris: Keep going. Don't quit, and don't let anyone discourage you.
How is Racing Unleashed different from driving at home?
Haris: The accessibility. Everything is ready to go. You arrive, jump into the simulator, and start racing. It's incredibly easy to get started.
Jamie: For me, it's the atmosphere. The large screens, the simulators, the other drivers around you. It's a shared experience, and that makes a huge difference.
Do spectators affect your performance?
Jamie: Once the race starts, I barely notice them.
Haris: It used to be harder for me. I would get nervous when people were watching. It's much better now, but there's always a bit of pressure.
What advice would you give someone stepping into a simulator for the first time?
Jamie: Enjoy it. A lot of people feel like they have to prove something immediately. Just focus on having fun first.
Haris: Brake earlier than you think you need to. That's probably my best advice.
Why is sim racing growing so rapidly?
Haris: Motorsport is becoming more popular worldwide, and people don't just want to watch anymore. They want to participate.
Jamie: Real-world racing is also incredibly expensive. Sim racing gives people a chance to experience something remarkably close to the real thing.
What needs to happen for sim racing to be taken even more seriously?
Jamie: We need more well-known figures from motorsport talking about how demanding sim racing really is.
Haris: We're already moving in that direction. More professional drivers and racing teams are using sim racing as an integral part of their programs.
Why should everyone try sim racing at least once?
Jamie: Because it allows you to experience things you'd never encounter in everyday driving.
Haris: And because you'll never look at motorsport the same way again. You suddenly understand the level of precision, concentration, and skill required to perform at the highest level.
By the end of the conversation, both drivers agreed on one thing:
Once you've experienced a racing simulator for yourself, it becomes very clear why sim racing has grown into much more than just a hobby for so many people around the world.
