iOpener’s beta test of their Real-Time Racing game continues next Thursday (March 11th) with a new event at Zolder, featuring the Mini Cooper S and the BMW Z4M that was first tested during the ten hours of Zolder.

The beta test will allow thousands of RTR testers to race in real-time against professional drivers on the Belgian track, right from their home.

If you don’t have a Real-Time Racing beta key yet, this is your chance to win one as iOpener is giving away two keys for those who can answer a rather simple question. The winners will get their key in time to join the event next Thursday so click here and enter the competition.

 

iOpener has released two new videos, showing us their Real-Time Racing game in action.

The first video shows the Marc VDS Racing Ford GT during the 2009 FIA GT round at Zolder. The Belgian race car was equipped with iOpener’s real-time positioning data technology, allowing thousands of RTR beta testers to race against them from their home.

The second is a comparison video, showing us a lap around Circuit Zolder in the Mini Cooper S both in real-life and in the Real-Time Racing simulation. Right now, the Real-Time Racing game is being beta tested by thousands of community beta testers. If you want to join the fun, you can pre-register for a beta key here.

A month ago, iOpener briefly announced to have signed a deal with the World Rally Championship regarding the usage of their real-time positioning data technology in Black Bean Games’ upcoming WRC title for the PC and next-gen gaming consoles.

Now, the deal has been officially announced as players will be able to race the stars of the World Rally Championship thanks to iOpener’s innovative technology.

“This study should take us a step closer to our goal of allowing WRC fans anywhere in the world the opportunity to become part of the action,” commented Simon Long, CEO of WRC rights holders North One Sport Ltd. “Using the internet they would be able to compete in the rally on the same stages against some of the best drivers in the world. If this test is successful then we hope in the future to crown our first virtual rally champion.”

iOpener CEO Andy Lürling added, “Together we aim to configure North One Sport’s systems and iOpener’s patented technology to capture high accuracy live action GPS which can then be integrated into the next generation of WRC video games.  These games will allow fans to drive, co-drive, manage or simply watch the WRC from the heart of the action.”

After the first planned event in mid-January had be cancelled due to Circuit Zolder being covered with snow, iOpener has completed the first Real-Time Racing test event of 2010 two days ago.

Even though temperatures on the Belgian track were still freezing cold, the Real-Time Racing beta testers got to race against three race drivers as FIA GT ace Xavier Maassen as well as Belgian talents Julien Schroyen & Armand Fumal were on site to drive the iOpener-enabled Mini Cooper S race cars.

While the real drivers were lapping on track, the RTR beta testers got to compete against them from their home in two sprint races. You can find photos of the event below, visit the Real-Time Racing website to pre-register for a beta key and join future events.

 

For all of you still wondering how iOpener’s Enabled technology that lets sim racers battle with real race drivers in real life events work, the guys have put together an interesting video from the latest beta test event at Zolder.

The video shows two Mini Cooper S race cars equipped with iOpener’s technology, racing on the Belgian track. A third car joins the race virtually, being driven by a RTR beta tester on site.

In related news, the heavy snowfalls in Europe have forced iOpener to cancel the next planned beta test event on January 13th. Since Circuit Zolder is still covered by several centimeters of snow, the real cars can’t safely race on the Belgian track.

Also, iOpener has revealed the winner of their December quiz as Natasha from the Netherlands will be racing the Mini Cooper S race car and getting their Belgian race license. Another female-addition to Real-Time Racing has been announced too as Miriam from Germany has been selected to be Miss iOpener Enabled. Those who are interested (who am I kidding…we all are) can check out photos of her here.

December is over and iOpener’s Real-Time Racing quiz is coming to an end, giving everyone the final chance to enter and win the chance to race a real Mini Cooper race car at Zolder.

To join the competition, contestants have to put together the final solution from all December questions as explained here. If you missed some of the questions, no problem, as you can find a full recap here.

The winning answer must be submitted until Monday, January 11th as explained here. The lucky winner will be able to drive a real Mini Cooper race car sponsored by Dunlop, facing thousands of RTR beta tester who will try to beat his time from home. Furthermore, the winner will take part in a fully-paid race license course, helping him to a professional racing license that will allow him to compete in national racing events.

Good luck to all participants!

The Real-Time Racing website has posted an interesting interview where iOpener CEO Andy Lürling answers community questions regarding their Real-Time Racing and other iOpener-related topics.

The interview includes info on the on-going Real-Time Racing beta test, the FIA-GT game rumors, modding support and much more so make sure to check it out here.

Using GPS technology, the iOpener Enabled Real-Time Racing game allows sim racers to compete against real race drivers driving on real tracks, right from their PC at home. Right now, the game is in heavy beta testing as thousands of sim racers are already competing against in real life drivers in various events.

Tim Hogendoorn has put together an official video trailer for iOpener’s Real-Time Racing game, showing off some of the racing action at Zolder. Aside from this video taken at Zolder, this is the first time we get to see moving footage of the RTR beta version.

Using GPS technology, the iOpener Enabled Real-Time Racing game allows sim racers to compete against real race drivers driving on real tracks, right from their PC at home.

Right now, the Real-Time Racing game is being beta tested by thousands of community beta testers. If you want to join the fun, you can pre-register for a beta key here.

A week ago, I posted a first story about iOpener’s December quiz that will let one lucky sim racer drive a real Mini Cooper S race car at Zolder.

Now, the deal has gotten even sweeter as the winner will also be able to get his racing license in co-operation with Skylimit Events. That means the quiz winner will not just be able to drive a race car once but will become eligible to compete in real racing events later on.

Every day until the end of December, a new question will be posted on the Real-Time Racing website. All participants that submit correct results for all questions will be in the draw for the ultimate prize. To qualify for the prize, contestants have to submit correct answers to all questions, be at least 18 years of age and hold a driving license that is valid in Belgium.

More info on the competition can be found here, iOpener is also giving away weekly prizes such as T-Shirts and caps so there are plenty of reasons to join the competition. And don’t worry, the questions should be quite easy for everyone having solid sim racing and motorsports knowledge.

The day has come, after lots of hints and guessing, iOpener has revealed the legendary driver that Real-Time Racing beta testers can now race against at Zolder.

Guesses in the community have swung kind of wild as all kinds of current and past Formula One drivers and other racing legends have been linked to iOpener based on the hints.

So who is the driver from north of the globe, wearing a red suit and having a memorable laugh? Follow this link to find out but prepare yourself for a surprise as no one has been able to guess the driver correctly…

Ever since iOpener announced that a well-known driver will be joining their beta test programme soon, the whole community is guessing who it will be.

In addition to the already available hints (well known driver coming back from retirement, will be driving a classic car that made him “fly” for years), a few bits of info have been released before his identity will be revealed next week.

The mystery driver has been preparing for his drive for the past few months and has recently received his new red driving suit. The test at Zolder will most likely happen under difficult weather conditions which will be no problem for the driver since he’s used to the cold, coming from the north of the globe. Furthermore, he’s mentioned to have a memorable laugh…

Share your guess in the comments and let’s see who was right in a week’s time…

If you don’t want to miss your chance to race against the mysterious pro, make sure to pre-register for a RTR beta key here.

iOpener’s Real-Time Racing beta test usually has thousands of beta testers racing against a real race driver in a real race car from their home. Now, a member of the community can become the driver everyone chases as iOpener’s December Quiz is offering an exciting opportunity: Drive a real race car on Circuit Zolder, chased by your virtual competitors.

Every day until the end of December, a new question will be posted on the Real-Time Racing website. All participants that submit correct results for all questions will be in the draw for the ulimate prize: A drive in a Mini Cooper S race car at Circuit Zolder. To qualify for the prize, contestants have to submit correct answers to all questions, be at least 18 years of age and hold a driving license that is valid in Belgium.

More info on the competition can be found here, iOpener is also giving away weekly prizes such as T-Shirts and caps so there are plenty of reasons to join the competition. And don’t worry, the questions should be quite easy for everyone having solid sim racing and motorsports knowledge.

Until now, most of iOpener’s activity for their Real-Time Racing simulation was held at Circuit Zolder, the first ever iOpener Enabled test track.

Now, the company expands their testing activity to another, very well-known venue: The Nürburgring Nordschleife. iOpener and BMW will be hosting a test in the Green Hell later today, trying to determine if. when and how it would be possible to make the legendary Nordschleife iOpener Enabled.

Unlike other iOpener Enabled activities, this one won’t be open for Real-Time Racing beta testers to participate in, the next live-event is only just ten days away though.

If you´re interested in joining future beta test events, make sure to pre-register for a Real-Time Racing beta key here.

About a week ago, iOpener announced that they were able to sign a world-wide known race driver to join their Real-Time Racing beta test. Ever since the announcement, the community played guessing games which driver the RTR beta testers will be able to face.

Pretty much everyone has been mentioned, including past F1 drivers and other high-profile motorsport persons. iOpener is still not able to reveal the identity of the driver, they´re giving everyone a little hint to the right direction though.

The driver won’t be driving a modern-spec racing car but a more classical vehicle that made him “fly” for years. Who can piece the evidence together?

RTR beta testers will be able to race the legend at Zolder soon. If you don’t want to miss your chance to race against the mysterious pro, make sure to pre-register for a RTR beta key here.