Racing demands good reactions, an ability to read situations, and a willingness to learn and master tracks. While racing feels unique, it does share some characteristics with other hobbies and pastimes. From drone flying to board gaming, racers can find skills that transfer over and will find some similarities between these and other hobbies.
Gambling
Racing requires good decision-making and a thirst for victory. Traits shared by gambling. And, like sim racing, gambling has heavily transitioned to the Internet. Utah online casinos provide access to a wide variety of games and offer access to players from across the state, despite the fact that gambling is not regulated in Utah, according to casino expert Djordje Todorovic. The casinos listed may be based outside of the state but are still safe for Utah players to use.
Most sim racing fans already have the equipment they need to try online gambling, in the shape of either a PC or a smartphone. And, with the advent of VR casinos, VR headsets can also be used to enjoy games like poker and roulette, offering the level of immersion that sim gamers look for.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has some obvious similarities to car racing. Both require a winning mentality. Race tactics are also important while picking your path can make the difference between finishing middle of the field and being first past the post.
There are many stables, as well as horse riding tracks, across the country, where first-timers can learn the ropes and then progress their skills. Alternatively, you can watch horse racing on TV or live at the track. Backing a winner feels just as good when the winner has four legs, rather than four wheels, and you can get horse racing simulators, although they are a lot less common than motor racing sims.
Go Kart Racing
There are race tracks across the country where you can take your own car and try your driving skills on real tarmac or dirt. Some also offer driving tuition and the opportunity to pay to use their cars, rather than potentially wrecking your own. Stock car racing remains popular, but a more affordable and less dangerous alternative is go-kart racing. You can grab a group of friends, or take the family, to try it out. And, if you find you enjoy go-karting as a hobby, you can progress to more serious competitive racing.
Even fairly basic 50cc karts can hit speeds of 35mph while the meatier 125cc karts can hit speeds of 80mph. Professional-level karts, with 250cc motors, can, incredibly, reach speeds of up to 150mph. Go-karting has been a route into professional motor racing for a lot of professional drivers. Formula 1 drivers Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastien Vettel all started with karting.
Board Gaming
There are some stark differences between board gaming, which is typically very analog, and sim racing, which is very digital. But, there are thousands of modern board games, with a surprising number that are directly based on motor racing or racing, as well as a ton of games classed as race games.
Heat: Pedal to the Metal and Rallyman Dirt and great games for parties. Flamme Rouge is based on road cycling, but it has a similar feel. These games not only pit racers against one another but they have push-your-luck elements that replicate some of the potential dangers in sim racing. They’re also sociable and represent a good way of spending some time away from the screen before you get back for your next race.
Drone Flying
Drone flying has taken off in recent years. It requires good hand-eye coordination, which is also essential in car racing, as well as, potentially, quick reactions and the ability to read situations. As well as flying drones for photography and videography purposes, you can also partake in drone races.
As well as arranging your own races and practicing, you can also enter arranged races and take part in organized events. The Drone Racing League (DRL) is a professional league that pits pilots against one another and has them fly custom drones through complicated, tight 3D courses. And, DRL also has a sim game that can be used to hone your skills and offers a lot of similarities to sim motor racing.
Conclusion
Racing is exciting and it demands excellent hand-eye coordination, reactions, and planning and management. Some or all of these skills can be transferred over to other hobbies and pastimes.
Hobbies like go-kart racing and even drone flying are quite obvious choices, but you will also find that the desire to win and the enjoyment of the racing format means that some board games can scratch that itch, and while horse racing has some obvious differences, it also shares a lot of similarities with sim motor racing.
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