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Good afternoon, Jordan thanks for the interview and congratulations on your racing success.........
How long have you been using the Vision Racer?
I have been using the Vision Racer for around 5 years now!
Why did you buy one? ............. Was it as a training tool or as a Game?
We bought the Vision Racer at a Karting Show in December of 2003. After trialing the seat at the show I immediately knew that I wanted one for Christmas and did at the time get Dad to buy it for me as a gaming tool! We even took home the demonstrator as I was that desperate to have one!
What did you think it would do for you?
I thought that the seat would enable me to get the most out of any racing game and to make it much more realistic, and also to make playing racing games on our console more fun.
What has it done for your racing in general?
The Vision Racer has progressed into a part of my training programme for Car Racing. It has allowed me to learn new circuits, which I have never been to before. Then once racing at those circuits in real life later in the year, I have been able to put into practice the things I have learnt from using the VR.
What specific elements have improved in your racing which you could attribute? (Concentration, track knowledge, track craft, etc??)
I think that the VR has proved invaluable in allowing me to learn new circuits. In my 2007 season I was unfortunate to not have many pre season tests before the season started due to budget constraints, however by using the Vision Racer I was able to gain track knowledge of circuits I would be racing at. This not only involved learning the layout of the circuits but also braking points, racing lines as well as possible places to overtake. The Vision Racer is also very good in my opinion for training you to concentrate 100% whilst playing a driving experience game, it really does make it feel like real life and this makes the difference.
What could we improve (given you have not had the PS3 as yet this may wait until you have tested but all comments welcome)?
The only thing that I think could be improved is perhaps developing a seat accessory. This would be used for allowing little children to use the system more easily, at the moment even when the seat is right the way forward on the runners, we have to prop Max forward using a large cushion from the settee which does takes away the superb racing position of the seat which makes the VR so unique from other products.
What does the family think, who else uses it?
My family thinks that the Vision Racer is the best thing that we have ever bought. The majority of the use comes from my Brother and I. Max and I us
e the seat non stop and even have to be dragged off of it to have Dinner most nights!
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From your point of view observing your little brother what do you think of your brothers skills and is the VR an influence?
Max has just started kart racing so is at the perfect age to use the Vision Racer to help develop his talent onto the track. Max has started Kart Racing late because of commitments to my racing, but because he has been using the VR for over 2 years prior to getting on a kart, he is full of confidence and not like a normal novice. He has been able to go straight out and start winning trophies. When Max uses the seat at home, I do sit and watch what he is doing and how this transcribes onto the game. Over the past few weeks I have been trying to make Max develop a more smooth style on the system and this is transferring onto the track. Over the previous weekends when he has been out on the kart he has started to develop a more smooth style which I have to say is my trademark style of driving!
Who is the fastest? Is this constantly the case?
On the Vision Racer Max and I regularly have time trial events and competitions against each other. I have to say that I am always fastest but this is understandable as I have a fair bit more driving experience than him! This difference is usually around 1-2 seconds per lap on a 1 minute plus lap and on a long lap like the Nurburgring or Le Mans the gap is around 5-10 seconds, however he is developing his skill very quickly now! So I will have to watch my back!
Is it value for money?
The Vision Racer is the ultimate value for money! With regards to the amount of time I spend on the seat I don't think that anything else could be regarded as better value. It is the only thing we have ever been given that is constantly in use and is never put away. Sometimes I think I spend too much time on it but that's not a bad thing.
How many hours do you spend a week on the VR? And little brother, Mum & Dad?
I would say that I spend on average around 8 Hours a week on the VR especially at this time of the racing season. Max spends a little less time around 4 Hours per week and Dad perhaps an Hour every other week when he fancies a challenge!
Your Father is your Manager how does he feel about you spending time on the Vision Racer?
Dad believes as I do that the Vision Racer is a great tool for practicing for my racing. He likes me using the system as long I use it constructively trying to develop my talents, not doing donuts by the side of the circuits or crashing into other cars! As long as I am practicing and developing my racing skills he is happy! Although a bit of fun once in a while doesn't hurt anyone!
Jordan Williams
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