A DECADE-long dream to create Sarawak’s first professional-grade simulation racing centre – Metadise Sim Racing (MSR) – has finally been realised by Dylan Ang Wee Chin.
Overcoming numerous challenges in its creation process, the 39-year-old car enthusiast brought his vision to life, culminating in the centre’s soft opening recently.
MSR, featuring eight advanced simulation racing setups, is scheduled for an official launch by October this year.
Sarawak Tribune recently sat down with Ang, who is Metadise’s chief operating officer (COO) and Sarawak eSports coach for simulation racing in the Malaysia Games (Sukma), to delve into the making of the simulation racing centre.
A dream a decade in the making
The inspiration of MSR grew from Ang’s passion for the racing scene, which led to the idea of simulation racing.
He shared that he wished to maximise the performance of the car in a race but was unwilling to race on roads as it is illegal to do so in Malaysia.
“I figured that I should try it (racing and maximising the car’s performance) in Gran Turismo Sports on the PlayStation 4 (PS4), and that is when the dream for simulation racing came to me.
“About 10 years ago, I built my first setup at home but, no matter how much I improved it, there were always imperfections in the equipment.
“Back in the day, you only need a table and a chair to start simulation racing, however, it was not as satisfying as being in an advanced setup,” he said.
Establishing the first simulation racing centre in Sarawak was not without its hurdles as described by Ang.
“The journey has not been easy; I began developing the sim racing scene in Sarawak during the pandemic.
“It took about nine months to source the right parts from around the world, have them shipped to Kuching, and create the ultimate setup. After numerous trials and errors, we finally settled on the setup you see today at MSR,” he said.
Why Metadise in Saradise?
MSR is nestled in the prime locale of Saradise due to its strategic location and vibrant lifestyle offerings.
“It’s a lifestyle-driven area, with new apartments and prime developments nearby, plus it’s close to the airport. It’s the perfect spot for a hub that caters to business, lifestyle, and entertainment,” Ang said.
The name ‘Metadise’ itself holds significant meaning, reflecting the fusion of futuristic technology and a paradisiacal experience.
“When you hear Metadise, meta is something futuristic like metaverse because we are a Web3 hub of blockchain and simulation racing. When you hear ‘dise’, it’s sounds like paradise, so hence its location at Saradise,” he said.
State-of-the-art equipment and technology
MSR boasts high-end technology to deliver a top-notch racing experience with eight simulation racing setups, which costs about RM30,000 for each setup.
“We are using high-end PCs with NNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphic cards with triple monitor screen for an immersive view. The screen is wide enough, so that racers can see the cars coming from right and left and make a counter-attack.
“MSR also uses 16 Newton Metres (NM) force wheelbase and we also use two types of steering wheels – round and F1 steering wheels.
“For the seats, we are using high-end aluminium streamline racing seats. The most vital part in MSR is our high connectivity of network with usage of 2Gbps, which will allow our racers the opportunity to race globally with other racers.”
The centre’s equipment allows for customisation to suit various racing preferences, accommodating different car models from rally cars to F1 and Japanese JDMs.
“This level of customisation is what sets us apart. Whether you’re looking to train in a specific car or prepare for an event, we have it covered,” he said.
Ang said that MSR will be acquiring advanced motion systems to be incorporated with the setup to offer a more realistic experience.
Sim racing vs arcade racing
Ang shared that sim racing is more advanced and realistic compared to traditional arcade racing.
“Arcade racing is not realistic and is more for casual gaming. There’s no need for repetition in arcade racing because it is just for fun.
“With sim racing, however, every press of the pedal or turn of the steering wheel impacts experience, showing just how sensitive and realistic it can be. Plus, you can compete with other racers globally through the Internet,” he said.
As for the games for sim racing, MSR is focusing on Assetto Corsa and iRacing.
“Assetto Corsa offers about 60 per cent realism while, iRacing reaches around 85 per cent realism.
“In MSR, the simulation is not 100 per cent like real-world racing. Our setups can offer 85 per cent realism but once we incorporate the motion system, that can rise up to 95 per cent,” he said.
Awareness on sim racing
The challenge is to create awareness among the public about the seriousness and potential of sim racing.
“Many people do not understand what is sim racing and they think it is just a game. So, we are trying to create awareness on this.
“It is a niche market, and many people still view sim racing as just a game. But it is so much more — it sharpens reflexes, enhances muscle memory, and helps racers perfect their racing lines through repetition,” he said.
People come to MSR to try simulation racing, but the goal is to build passion and commitment.
“With more funding, we could offer prize pools and trophies, which would attract racers who are serious about competing,” he said.
Growing a thriving racing community
Ang envisions MSR as more than just a gaming centre; he aims to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community around simulation racing.
He said that they are hoping to build a bigger community through schools, universities and associations by recruiting more racers to come in.
“Our target is 100 racers. Hopefully by next year, we will have 100 racers in different tiers – ages 12 to 15; 16 to 21; adults; and veterans.
“Nowadays, we’ve noticed an increase in female customers in Metadise. They love racing but previously had no platform to race. They can now race happily and safely in Metadise,” he said.
Ang said that numerous events and competitions were organised at MSR, and they are hoping to secure funding and grants from the related agencies to support their venture.
Talent development for new racers
MSR is also pushing forward with talent development programme aimed at fostering the next generation of Sarawakian racers.
Ang shared that two of their racers won silver and bronze medals in the recently concluded SUKMA, which, like in the Gran Turismo movie, shows how simulation racing can be a stepping stone to a professional racing career.
The idea is to create a pipeline of talent that can represent Sarawak in national and international competitions.
“This talent development programme is an ongoing plan for the future of Sarawak’s simulation racing.
“About a year ago, we recruited Muhammad Hamdany Abdul Hamid, Jeff Tan Qi Rui and Liew Jia Sheng. We have already started a small scale of talent development supported by Sarawak Sport Corporation (SSC) to kick off Sukma,” he said.
Looking ahead
Expansion plans are already in the works for MSR, with aspirations to extend their footprint to Miri due to its proximity to Brunei and the Permyjaya race track.
“Our next step is to also transition our sim racers to real-world racing. To do that, we will need significant sponsorship and support.
“We have already laid the groundwork with sim racing — now we’re aiming to attract big names in the racing world to Sarawak,” he said.
He also expressed interest in emulating successful models like Toyota Gazoo Racing in Kuala Lumpur by hosting events that combine racing, sponsorships, and car shows.
Through MSR, Ang seeks to make high-quality racing experiences accessible to all, fostering passion and skill in a safe and technologically advanced environment.
With continued support and growing interest, Metadise Sim Racing is poised to become a cornerstone in Sarawak’s eSports and sim racing landscape.
