A new Richmond entertainment venue is giving locals the chance to feel the rush of motorsport without getting behind the wheel of a real race car, with full-motion rigs, VR headsets and head-to-head racing roaring seven days a week. Sim Racing Adelaide is designed to make the feeling of motorsport more accessible, giving first-timers, families, motoring enthusiasts and groups a way to experience racing without the cost, pressure or barriers of a real track day. The centre was founded by race car driver Ivan Vantagiato, who has spent more than 23 years in motorsport after first starting in go-karting. More recently, he has raced cars nationally and runs his own race team, Slipstream Autosport. “We wanted to create a place where anyone can experience what it’s like to drive a race car,” Ivan said. “You don’t need a racing licence, expensive equipment or any experience just turn up and enjoy the thrill.” The centre has already become a popular option for school holiday fun, birthday parties, families, groups of friends and corporate events. “The smiles when families race each other is what make this business so rewarding,” Ivan said. “We’ve only been open for three months, and the response from Adelaide has been incredible. “It’s exciting to see so many people discovering sim racing for the first time.” One of those experiences came on a Monday morning, when a little girl came in with her family and drove through the fun of the rainbow road track. As she sang her way through the course of stars and colour, it’s safe to say the jingle was stuck in Ivan’s head for a few days. The experience mimics that of a real racing environment, with the driver seated inside a purpose-built racing rig, pedals beneath their feet, a direct-feedback wheel in hand