Falkirk’s newest attraction: Immersive racetrack experiences at VR Race Grid – drive like an F1 pro

Advertisement Feature: If you’ve ever fancied driving a high performance car round one of the world’s famous racetrack now’s your chance – and you won’t have to leave Falkirk!
Ad Feature by VR Race Grid
Published 9th Feb 2023, 10:23 GMT
Updated 9th Feb 2023, 15:50 GMT
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Prepare to be amazed when you climb into your racing seat, grab the steering wheel, and put on the virtual reality headset for a truly immersive experience, which will put you right on the starting grid.

VR Race Grid is the name of this new VR venue, which opens this month in Grahams Road, Falkirk.

A favourite family pastime has led to this brand new business venture for the Penn family – mum Patricia, dad Derek and three kids aged 12, 17 and 20.

Drivers can choose to use the monitors, but the VR headset experience is highly recommendedDrivers can choose to use the monitors, but the VR headset experience is highly recommended
Drivers can choose to use the monitors, but the VR headset experience is highly recommended

Dad Derek explained: “The kids love Formula 1 and they have all got simulators, and we thought this would be great to have here in Falkirk.”

Experience the thrill of the track

VR Race Grid has eight racing seats, all of them fully adjustable for height and size. Once you’ve got comfortable what you drive and where you go is up to you – you could be honing your skills for a personal best, or pitting yourself against your friends or family by competing in a full Grand-Prix race.

The seats have a steering wheel and proper pedals – it’s not a games console – and what you see through the headset is the actual track, not a computer generated image.

Test your skills on race circuits from around the world – this virtual reality experience puts you in the driving seatTest your skills on race circuits from around the world – this virtual reality experience puts you in the driving seat
Test your skills on race circuits from around the world – this virtual reality experience puts you in the driving seat

“All the tracks are proper circuits from all over the world,” Derek explained. “You select the vehicle you want and the race you want – it could be the famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Silverstone, or Monza in Italy for example.”

You can talk to your team-mates through the headsets as you race.

The experience is ideal for groups – stag or hen parties, birthdays and the like – or just for some family fun. But you could just be happy driving solo and honing your own skills. There is no upper age limit but the size of the seats might limit how young you could be – Derek said 10-years-old is probably the lower age limit.

First in Falkirk

You’ll feel like you’re there – this new virtual reality driving experience lets you race the best circuits in the worldYou’ll feel like you’re there – this new virtual reality driving experience lets you race the best circuits in the world
You’ll feel like you’re there – this new virtual reality driving experience lets you race the best circuits in the world

There is a similar experience in Glasgow, but VR Race Grid will be the first of its kind in the Falkirk area. As well as the eight driving seats there are soft drinks and snacks too, to fuel yourself after a gruelling race!

There are a variety of packages depending on what type of racing you fancy doing. Each race lasts about 20 minutes so you could do a 20-minute sprint race, do a double sprint of two 20 minute races or go for the full Grand Prix experience of a 10-minute practice; a 15-minute qualifying round and then take your allocated position on the starting grid for the 20-minute Grand Prix race itself.

Book now for fun on the tracks

You can race any day of the week, as VR Race Grid will open seven days a week from 12pm to 9pm on weekdays and 11am to 9pm on weekends. Find out more on the website www.vr-racegrid.co.uk

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