Events / Event Types / Watch Parties
Watch Parties

DRIVE THE CIRCUIT
THEY ARE WATCHING

A race on a screen is a passive event. Put a simulator running the same circuit next to it and the room stops being an audience.

The Idea

THE CIRCUIT ON SCREEN, IN THE ROOM

Watch parties have a structural problem. There is a lot of dead time, and once the running order settles people stop watching and start talking, which is fine until the interesting part happens and nobody notices.

A simulator running the same circuit fixes it. Guests who have just driven the track understand what they are seeing, and the broadcast becomes something to argue about rather than something playing in the background. The comparison between a guest lap time and the real one is the single most reliable conversation starter we have seen at these events.

How it usually runs

  • Rigs set to the circuit being raced that weekend.
  • Guests drive between sessions and during the quieter parts of the race.
  • A leaderboard runs all day, with a prize at the chequered flag.
  • Driver aids on by default so nobody is stuck while the race is on.
Where It Works

VENUES AND HOSTS

01 / Corporate
CLIENT HOSPITALITY
Race weekends as a client entertainment format, where the racing gives everyone something to talk about.
02 / Venues
BARS AND EVENT SPACES
Venues hosting a race broadcast who want a reason for people to arrive early and stay.
03 / Sponsors
SPONSOR ACTIVATIONS
Brands with a motorsport tie who want the activation to be credible to an audience that knows the sport.
04 / Private
PRIVATE PARTIES
Enthusiast groups watching a big race together at a home or private venue.
Planning

WHAT TO SORT OUT EARLY

Book ahead of the calendar

Major race weekends are fixed dates that everyone knows about a year out, so they are the events that book earliest. If a specific weekend matters to you, raise it well ahead.

Think about sound

The broadcast and the simulators compete for the same air. Most hosts run the race audio and keep the rigs on headphones, which lets both work.

Decide when people drive

Free rein all day, or driving only outside the race itself. Both work, but it is worth deciding in advance so the format is clear to guests.

We supply simulators and staff. We do not supply the broadcast, and we are not affiliated with any racing series or broadcaster. Confirming and obtaining any screening or broadcast rights required for your event is the responsibility of the host and the venue, not Academy.

Elsewhere at Academy

TWO OTHER WAYS TO RACE

Questions

WHAT PLANNERS ASK

Can you set the simulators to the circuit being raced?
Yes, where that circuit is in the software we run. Tell us the weekend and we will confirm.
Do you provide the race broadcast?
No. We supply the simulators, the staff and the leaderboard. Arranging the broadcast and confirming any screening rights it requires is down to you and your venue.
How do you handle sound?
Most events run the broadcast audio through the room and put the simulators on headphones, so the race is audible and the drivers still get engine sound.
Can guests compare their lap to the real one?
Yes, and it is the thing people enjoy most. It is also a reliable way to get a room talking about what is happening on the broadcast.
How far ahead should we book a race weekend?
Earlier than a normal event. Major race dates are known a long way out and are the first to go.
Do you cover venues outside Tampa?
Yes, throughout Florida. Travel and staffing are quoted per event.

HOSTING A
RACE WEEKEND?

Tell us the date and the venue. Race weekends book up early, so raise it ahead of time.