Thread by @OssianPuhakka

So, on @IndyCar, @iRacing, and recent events that have taken place: 🧵, by someone who's been involved on both organising and driving side of #simracing for quite a while now:

First and foremost, it's good to see the widespread criticism of the decision. Not only did IndyCar cross its fans and those who enjoy driving IndyCars online, they also fucked over organisers, broadcasters, and those who had committed to running virtual IndyCar series. (cont.)

Signing the dotted line on an exclusive agreement is one thing, but the fact that broadcasters and wider audience were informed little over a week before it's enforced, on holiday is an outstanding achievement in treachery. Yes, treachery. Let me elaborate... (cont.)

Those behind @iRacing have worked with or on IndyCar for three decades and counting. It did not start with Dallara IR-05, it started with a game called Indianapolis 500: The Simulation, released in 1989.

Since then, Papyrus Design Group, founded by Omar Khudari and David Kaemmer (the man behind the aforementioned title, too) produced IndyCar Racing, and IndyCar Racing II. They were released in 1993 and 1995, respectively, and were groundbreaking achievements in sim racing (cont)

Since the US open wheeler split, there were no new titles produced by them, but come merger and the rise of iRacing, close collaboration continued. People behind iRacing have brought IndyCar to our computers, and given us a chance to experience it first-hand for 33 years. (cont.)

Let that sink in. 33 years. Not only that, but during the pandemic it was their platform that allowed IndyCar to produce content even when racetracks across America and the world closed their doors. It was a partnership mutually beneficial, bringing eyes to both products (cont.)

It also brought IndyCar to a larger audience across the world. Where their efforts to expand to Japan and Europe ended in a dud, it was sim racing that gave people across the world their first chance to experience American open wheel racing, in all its thrills and spills. (cont.)

And one may say "sure, but these people are hardcore simracers and racing fans, surely they would already know about IndyCar" and yes, correct. A lot of them do. But knowing about something and getting invested in it are two entirely different things. (cont.)

Now IndyCar on iRacing is relegated to a role where they cannot be broadcasted, and as such any league committed to running IndyCar is effectively forced to change their entire concept or lose their status. No broadcasts means no exposure for drivers or sponsors (cont.)

no exposure for the league itself, no exposure for anyone involved. Whereas previously we could enjoy events like the Indianapolis 500, one of the premier sim racing specials of the year, or leagues like ISO WC, that's all gone now. Done. Dusted. Not a small thing either. (cont.)

And timing for the announcement, well, that was just a slap on the face. At this time of the year, most serious organisers have long since committed to their 2023 plans, both in terms of what to run and who to run with. There's actual money on the line, commitments made (cont.)

and schedules, rules, graphics, endless emails, meetings, whatnot that are based on the idea of this vehicle, this behemoth of American racing tradition. And sure, those things matter little when viewed from the Brickyard's shade, as opposed to plans grand and large. (cont.)

But it is exactly that sort of attitude, reflected in their (as of now) only comment regarding the changes in licencing agreement and the whole debacle. They talk about iRacing being a "valuable platform", yet clearly they value it about as much as a wet fart. (cont.)

They don't realise that iRacing is not just a company that makes virtual representations of their vehicles and the circuits they run in. It's a platform for countless people, myself included, who either work themselves to a burnout or just enjoy providing opportunities (cont.)

for those who similarly enjoy racing. It's either the primary or a secondary source of income, it's a community, or it can simply be a hobby. And yes, it's also a video game. Expensive one, should you view it as such, but a video game nonetheless. (cont.)

To bring this somewhat back on topic: Walking away from an established, invested audience to take a leap of faith with a producer that doesn't exactly have the greatest of track records is certainly a decision. It's one thing to go ahead and greenlight an individual title (cont.)

in their name. If it was just that, well, a lot of other series (@NASCAR chief among them) have managed to both do that and still allow their licensed content to be shown and promoted on iRacing. Why wouldn't IndyCar do that? Who knows, I'm not on their board. (cont.)

I do have a hunch, though: It's short-sightedness, greed, and a complete lack of understanding regarding not only sim racing in general, but who their fans are and what they enjoy. It's yet another step in creating a void between the executives and those in the stands.(cont.)

It was not only a bad decision, but it was the latest in a long line of those, further irritating a fanbase that has endured quite a lot but has shown themselves to be loyal. We'll see how long that loyalty lasts, given it seems to be very much a one-way street at the mo. (cont.)

I just hope that, in due time, Roger Penske and Pierre Fillon (owner of Automobile Club de l'Ouest, who run Circuit de la Sarthe, commonly known as Le Mans) can reflect to the decisions they've each made, and admit their folly. (cont.)

Until then, these exclusive agreements will continue to not only further divide sim racing competition, it also provides less of what companies and everyone involved desires: Exposure, and the profits therein. Which, from my limited understanding of business, isn't optimal...