At This New Houston Racing Simulator Lounge, Speeding Down I-610 Is Totally Legal

Speed demons can also indulge in race-themed dishes and cocktails at the city’s first-ever racing simulator

Drinking and racing are definitely illegal, but one Houstonian is safely combining the two in what is slated to be the city’s first-ever racing simulator lounge.

Velocity—Sim Racing Lounge is slated to open in Houston’s Sawyer Yards at the end of the year. It will feature professional-grade racing simulators, a full bar, and other entertainment that pays homage to racing culture.

Inspired by his passion for racing and an accident that left him injured, founder Viet Tran says the goal is to make racing more accessible and social, and Velocity is set on making the experience as realistic as possible.

“You can drive your dream car and be a little reckless,” Tran says.

The lounge’s 16 simulators use SIM technology that offers 180-degree panoramic views and allows racers to choose from various car models from different brands, including Porsche and Lamborghini. It also gives racers the option to race on the same famous race tracks, including Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, California’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the legendary Silverstone Circuit in England, and more leisurely tracks like California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

Tran has also teamed up with gaming studio Authentic Simulation to create a “true-to-life” virtual recreation of the 38-mile Interstate 610 — with or without traffic. “Now, you can do that in your Bugatti or car of choice. It’s a way for you to be a little crazy, channel that inner speed demon, but do that in a way that doesn’t jeopardize other Houstonians,” he says.

Though “sim racing is at the heart of the experience,” according to Tran, Velocity will set itself apart from other simulation centers by featuring a food and beverage menu fueled by its full bar and kitchen. Both will celebrate car and racing culture. Tran says dishes will feature flavors from countries known for their vehicles or racing culture, including Japan, Italy, Germany, and areas in North America, while the drinks menu showcases flights of whiskey, beers, and cocktails that celebrate famous tracks and racing legends.

Velocity will offer other forms of entertainment, including pool tables, arcade games, and a Lego car gallery. Decor will take notes from the theme with rare motorcycles on display and four custom racetrack-themed chandeliers. “I want [Velocity] to be the spot to hang out after work that isn’t just a typical sports bar,” he says.

The news of Velocity’s opening comes on the heels of Austin’s Formula 1 racing event, which draws in hundreds of thousands of people each year and follows openings of racing simulator centers around Austin and New Braunfels. “The community is here to tap into,” says Tran. Texas is home to some of the country’s largest car communities and features several race tracks. It’s also home to some of the worst drivers and rampant drunk driving. Texas Department of Transportation reported that there were 4,665 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes in 2023, resulting in 223 fatalities and 345 serious injuries. Axios reported earlier this year that more people died from car crashes than homicides in the first part of 2024 and that traffic-related deaths increased by nearly 12 percent in that same period.

Dylan McEwan

Tran, who previously worked in tech startups, says he was inspired to open Velocity after being injured during a motorcycling accident in May. Forced to heal and recover, Tran resolved to use the period to do virtual racing simulations to stay sharp while on his break from racing. “It dawned on me how far the technology had come,” he says. There were full motion systems with panoramic displays, hydraulic brakes, and cars and motorcycles of all types. “It’s this golden era where both hardware technology and software or gaming technology are converging,” he says.

Tran says he was convinced to officially open his own simulator lounge after inviting friends in for the experience and touring a simulator center in California. “It was so fun to see how much laughter and genuine fun people were having. When you see that type of fun reaction, it’s validation that there’s probably something there,” he says.

Tran says he aims to expand Velocity’s footprint by opening another location in Dallas and possibly in Florida, a popular racing destination. He also wants to include more simulations of tracks and roads around the world, noting that some people want more leisurely driving experiences. “It doesn’t have to be racing all the time,” he says.

Velocity will open in late December, with an official grand opening in January.