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While you consider motorsport, Puerto Rico doesn’t normally come to thoughts as the place to race.
However for Victor Gómez IV, the attractive Caribbean island that lies southeast of Miami, Florida is a port of desires in relation to the automotive business. Particularly in his household, who’ve been shopping for and promoting vehicles since 1949.
“Ever since I used to be born, I’ve beloved vehicles.”
A fast look at his Instagram will confirm that assertion, really. Gómez IV’s life revolves round sports activities vehicles. Each publish showcases beautiful automobiles and big achievements from his time behind the wheel. Actually, in comparison with most drivers, the Puerto Rican started his voyage in racing a lot later than others.
A fiery sundown drive for Victor Gómez IV and Francesco Piovanetti for AF Corse within the Asian Le Mans Sequence.
“No one in my household was actually into motorsports. I used to be the primary one,” he admitted.
After an extended trek from the USA to Barcelona, Gómez IV and I chatted over Zoom forward of an upcoming check session in a GT3 machine.
“Once I was 17, [my father] invited me to the Method 1 race in Austin. We noticed the total weekend and the way it unfolded. We noticed the help races, just like the opening acts of F1. And that 12 months, they’d Ferrari Problem. There have been loads of up-and-coming drivers, lots of them have been 15, 16 and 17 years outdated.
“And I stated, ‘If they’ll do it, I can do it.’ A month later, I used to be already testing in Palm Seashore and two months after that I used to be in my first race going 190mph.”
Rising up in Puerto Rico, the infrastructure merely wasn’t as accessible as different locations can afford. Gómez IV says there have been just one or two circuits for karting. Sarcastically sufficient, the dearth of racetracks on the Higher Antilles’ smallest island paved the best way for a increase in sim racing.
Victor Gómez IV obtained a particular copy of Gran Turismo 7
“The one strategy to have motorsports is thru simulators. So, now we see loads of drivers, and even adults, taking part in with setups, shopping for their very own rigs and actually being aggressive within the sim world,” the now 25-year-old mirrored.
Gómez IV makes use of his customized simulator to prep for each race weekend.
“I do it extra as a apply—I don’t race that a lot on-line,” he laughed. The Puerto Rican says it’s helped him with improvement and getting right into a rhythm whereas attending to know the texture of a brand new observe he’s by no means raced earlier than.
His first sim consisted of the Full Movement Simulator by SimCraft. Now, he makes use of a very personalised rig, monitor, PC, steering system and pedals all made to measure for Gómez IV’s distinctive specs.
On the subject of most well-liked platforms, the younger racer is a “large fan” of rFactor 2, iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione to maintain him in prime form for the true deal, together with driving for AF Corse within the 2022 Asian Le Mans Sequence alongside compatriot Francesco Piovanetti – following victorious seasons in Porsches and Lamborghinis.
Victor Gómez IV wins IMSA GT3 USA Gold, Sonoma Raceway, 2018
Picture by: Jake Galstad
“Racing Asian Le Mans was actually fascinating as a result of it was my first introduction to endurance motorsport. It’s one other world. There are loads of various factors—pit modifications, driver modifications, driving at night time and totally different classes.
“It’s my most memorable race in motorsports as a result of that’s all the time been my purpose: to get into endurance racing. It was actually enjoyable, but it surely’s very intense on the identical time.”
A lot of Gómez IV’s psychological preparation begins within the sim. Previous to the Asian Le Mans Sequence, he did two-hour stints to maintain himself targeted, whereas additionally practising correct vitamin earlier than and after the race. He says the key distinction between actual and sim actually comes right down to g-force and that rush of adrenaline you are feeling whereas zipping across the circuit.
Victor Gómez IV driver change throughout Asian Le Mans race
So, what’s subsequent for Victor Jr.? Properly, in simply 4 days, he’ll be placing his simulator reps into motion at Paul Ricard.
“I’m extraordinarily excited and glad to signify Puerto Rico in prestigious motorsport competitions. For a small island within the Caribbean, to be representing my nation means the world to me. And I really feel like every athlete, any racer representing their nation within the upcoming Motorsport Games occasion, they must be actually pleased with that.”
You should definitely follow his journey past the simulator as he strives to compete in additional real-world races, too, over the approaching years.
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