Spotlight on… – Michael Martin

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The man behind the wheel: a short interview with Sim Racing System racers. Let’s know a little more of the guys that are always one place ahead.

Would you briefly introduce yourself for the site’s readers?
Hi, I’m Michael and I’m a driver and livery creator for TPC Sim Racing.
(https://www.facebook.com/TPC-Sim-Racing-…813699224/@PlankLiveries)

What’s your racing wheel?
I use a Thrustmaster T300 steering wheel with T-LCM pedals. All fixed to a do-it-yourself wooden rig.

Which are your favourite simracing games?
Assetto Corsa is my favorite sim closely followed by Assetto Corsa Competizione.

“I’m happy to wait for the right moment to make a move rather than force the issue.”

Favourite car(s)?
I love my tin top racing. FWD hatchbacks / saloons like the BTCC Nissan Primera and the Shaun Clarke Seat TCR top my list.

Favourite track(s)?
I’m a huge fan of tracks with big height changes. Donington Park and Watkins Glen are favorites.

Since when are you playing simracing games?
I’ve casually sim raced since the early 2000s. But I’ve become a lot more active in the last three years.

Which was your first racing game ever?
Gran Turismo was probably my first racing game. But the first game I played with a wheel was Le Mans 24Hrs on PC.

How do you prepare for a race and/or a championship?
My usual race prep is a mad rush to get the liveries ready for any race championship we do. For the SRS events my practice is usually the 3 minutes before qualification and qualification. For endurance races I try and do a few race stints.

“I’m very consistent over a race distance.”

Are you good in setupping cars? 🙂
I understand the basics of car setup but I’m no master. Mostly I just get the tyre pressures correct and adjust the brake balance.

Do you race in real life too?
I don’t race in real life but I work with real life race drivers. Designing liveries, helping to gain sponsorship and re-creating their real race liveries in game.

What you do like and what you don’t like in SRS races?
I like the community at SRS. I find racing more enjoyable when you know who is around you. You know who you can have fights with and who to avoid.

Which are your strongest and your weakest points in racing?
I think my strongest point is that I’m very consistent over a race distance. Weakness has always been qualifying.

How would you define your racing style?
I’d say I have a very clean patience racing style. I’m happy to wait for the right moment to make a move rather than force the issue. But if it’s the last lap I’ll always give it a go 🙂

Thanks to Michael Martin for kindly answering our questions!