Virtual reality driving star taking his skills to the real world

Alex Bergeron is a star in the world of simulated race car driving.

Twice a winner of the iRacing.com Virtual World of Outlaws sprint car series race, that is broadcast internationally online, he’s now putting those driving skills to the test behind the wheel of a real sprint car in Edmonton.

Virtual2Reality is a new show looking to take gaming stars and putting them in real-world situations. They flew Bergeron from his home in Drumondville, Que. to Edmonton to test out a sprint car at Castrol Raceway.

“That was one of my dreams,” said Bergeron, just before getting behind the wheel at the race track for the first time. “And it’s still a dream, so I’ll keep chasing it.”

Bergeron impressed in his first attempt at the oval dirt track just south of Edmonton.

“He did very well, I was expecting a lot less control,” crew chief Robert Lavallee said.

And now the real test, as he’ll go against other racers on Friday night in a qualifier for Saturday’s Express Cup at Castrol Raceway.