Sim-Racing Lounge to Debut in Westfield with Grand Opening Sunday

WESTFIELD, NJ — As you round the last turn of the race, the car picks up speed, d espite a small bump, as the crowd in the stands roars its support.

These and other virtual experiences of the race-car circuit will be available in Westfield when the first Apex One state-of-the-art racing simulator center in the United States celebrates its grand opening at 210 South Ave. West on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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At the grand opening, customers will have the chance to enjoy special offers, discounts and giveaways, along with the opportunity to meet professional racers and influencers from the racing community.

Whether guests are seasoned virtual racers or novices, the sim-racing lounge offers an exciting and welcoming environment complete with 22 cutting-edge racing simulators, said Shamus Dick, who owns the facility with his wife, Julie Dick.

There are four different kinds of simulators, such as the entry-level F1 simulator, and the 4 Degrees of Freedom simulator, which offers a sense of rally racing, Dick said.

“It’s like go-carting, but without the protective gear,” Dick said, noting that the simulators can be configured to have as many as 22 individuals racing at the same time.

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As fans of the film “Gran Turismo” can attest, racing simulator games have garnered worldwide success in recent years. Apex One invites devotees of the sport to not just play it, but to also enjoy the community of players.

Inside, blackout window screens can help put the focus on the entertainment in front of the players. Modular furniture, movable screens and the ability to bring in food and drink purchased elsewhere invite players to get comfortable and enjoy the camaraderie. The facility itself will offer soft drinks and prepackaged snacks.

The Apex One party room will be set up the same way, while projectors could be set up to create a sense of the race being televised, said Dick, who enjoys sim racing at home.

Dick said he was inspired to open the first American location of Apex One after visiting the original location in Wroclaw, Poland, opened by Mariusz Korzanowski about three and a half years ago. In Europe, where simulated racing is hugely popular, additional locations will be opening in Greece, the U.K. and Warsaw, Poland, in the next 12 months, while in this area, Dick said he hopes to open another two locations within the next two years.

He and his wife, residents of Green Brook, chose Westfield as their debut franchise location in part because of its train station, ample parking and dining and recreational options. Adding Apex One — and its opportunity for a permanent entertainment/gaming option in town — seemed like a natural fit.

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