From today, Saturday 17 June, the first sim racing sports simulation center in Puglia has been active at the ACI headquarters in Lecce, the first in Italy within an Automobile Club. It is a historic departure that marks the start of a new innovative and inclusive path of the institution.

The ribbon cutting of the Driving Simulation Center Lecce took place yesterday evening in the presence of the president of the Automobile Club of Italy Angelo Sticchi Damiani .

“ Motorsport is constantly evolving, in an innovative process that never stops and runs fast – declared the top national exponent and honorary vice president of Fia Sport – and Aci always moves together with him. Today in Lecce there is a historic moment, for the first time an Automobile Club hosts three latest generation dynamic simulators and will carry out daily sim racing activities, a rapidly expanding discipline, regulated in our country by Coni and the Aci Esport Commission . It is practiced by an ever-growing number of licensed sim drivers in national and international competitions. I am convinced that in the future electronic sport will reach unimaginable goals”.

The discipline of sim racing in e-sports , or electronic sports, exploded during the pandemic and today is further implemented with racing software complete with real-world variables such as fuel consumption, damage, tire wear and grip, suspension settings. The centre, set up in the institution’s main hall, has three dynamic driving simulators, three dofs, triple screens, direct drive steering wheels and hydraulic pedals capable of reproducing track driving in its entirety. Also available is a static simulator for children.

“Lecce could not miss the opportunity to expand its business in a sector in which we strongly believe – commented the president of Aci Lecce Francesco Sticchi Damiani. In the sporting arena, it will allow many drivers to be able to participate in the most important official sim racing competitions and will also be useful in terms of training and road safety, using the vast application potential. Being able to count on levels of simulation ever closer to reality, it is possible to experience the thrill of a race, reduce costs, just think of the almost prohibitive figures for the purchase or rental of a racing car, fittings, tyres, assistance, etc. .., and run safely, eliminating the risk of an accident. E-sport is inclusive and puts participants of all genders, able-bodied and disabled, on the same level”.

The Simracing Salento project aims to re-evaluate the universal values ​​of sport in which the concepts of respect, understanding, integration and dialogue contribute to the development and fulfillment of individuals, with particular attention to the world of disabilities.

The inauguration was attended by the president of the sport and culture commission in the Senate Roberto Marti , the national manager of the Driving Simulation Center Nicola Trivilino, the member of the Aci ESport commission Emanuela De Leo, the provincial delegate of Coni Lecce Gigi Renis, the director of Aci Lecce Francesca Napolitano and several important real and “virtual” drivers such as the official Ferrari drivers Eliseo Donno (Formula Challenge GT) and Andrea Capoccia (Formula Challenge GT Esport), Ivan Pezzolla, Giorgia Ascalone, Francesco Rizzello, Alessandro Perico and Andrea Pisacane.