iRacer Profile – Luke Beck

Australia’s Luke Beck is man who knows what he likes.  And when it comes to sim racing, his likes can be summed-up in two words: Lotus 79.  OK, if you want to be positively wordy about it, his likes can be summed-up in five words: Classic Lotus Grand Prix Series.

It’s not that he hasn’t tried other cars on the iRacing service, and even liked them.  Heck, Beck has raced (and continues to race) everything from Legends, Street Stocks and Silverados to Radicals, Dallaras, Ford GTs, Star Mazdas and HPD ARXo1cs.  But his true métier is tapping into his inner Mario Andretti/Ronnie Peterson with the Lotus 79.  In fact, Beck has finished no worse than third in the Classic Lotus GP Series standings in the past three seasons, twice earning bridesmaid’s honors.  Although the Melbourne-based Beck hasn’t been able to participate much in the 2011 Season 3 CLGPS, have no fears, his passion for the Lotus 79 — and iRacing — remains fierce.   As you’ll see . . .

Q:     How long have you been sim racing?
A:     Since 1995; Indy 500, GP1, GP2, GP3, GPL, iRacing

Q:     What attracted you to iRacing?
A:     Natural progression after 10 years of GPL & real-life kart racing

Q:     What are favorite iRacing cars/tracks?
A:     Lotus 79! Phillip Island, VIR Full, Watkins Classic Boot, Silverstone Historic, Suzuka

Q:     What do you like most about iRacing?
A:     Racing with mates, pushing the car hard and its much more affordable than real motorsport while offering a bucket-load more track time!

Q:     What would you change about iRacing?

Beck finds iRacing a "natural progression" after ten years in karting.

A:     Mandatory participation in the Lotus 79 series!

Q:     How many hours a week do you spend on iRacing?
A:     5-10, sometimes more…

Q:     Tell us about the paint schemes on your helmet/car(s)
A:     Australian green & gold all the way!

Q:     What other sim racing activities (Forza, Gran Tourismo, etc.) do you do?
A:     Other sims?!#

Q:     What are your favorite video games?
A:     Other games?!#

Q:     What is your most memorable iRacing moment?
A:     2011 Season 2, Watkins Glen Lotus 79 race, where I was on pole, Erik Nixon got past me on the first lap and I chased him for the entire race. At no point were we more than 1 second apart. I tried to overtake in so many places and I just couldn’t do it safely, Erik really deserved that win; we both drove like legends!!

Q:     What car/track would you like to see iRacing add to the service?
A:     Adelaide 500, Bathurst, and totally dreamin’; Rouen-les-Essarts!!

Q:     What person, living or dead, do you most admire? Why?
A:     Mick Doohan – legend! 5x

Q:     What’s your favourite real world racing series?
A:     MotoGP – STONER!!

If Beck had his way, participation in the Classic Lotus Grand Prix Series would be "mandatory" for all iRacers.

Q:     What car/track would you like to see iRacing add to the service?
A:     Adelaide 500, Bathurst, and totally dreamin’; Rouen-les-Essarts!!

Q:     What person, living or dead, do you most admire? Why?
A:     Mick Doohan – legend! 5x

Q:     What’s your favourite real world racing series?
A:     MotoGP – STONER!!

Q:     Name the title of the most recent book you read.
A:     The Singularity is Near

Q:     Name of your favorite movie/TV show?
A:     Man on Wire and Trailer Park Boys.

Q:     How many of your close friends are iRacing members?
A:     15-20 at a guess, probably more

Q:     Has competing with iRacers all around the world influenced your opinions/outlook on life/world events? How?
A:     I’ve made many friends around the world through sim-racing, and having a common interest is always a good basis for a friendship.

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