One Point: The Story of iRacing's Lowest Rated Professional

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

I really appreciate the great job you did telling the story. A huge thank you again to everyone who supported me before and during the series. It was a ton of fun. That one point represents a ton of hard work. The points everyone else got shows how far there is to go, I'm looking forward to chugging along and meeting everyone at that level someday soon!

[@DJYeeJay]

You’re the best! I appreciate the huge amount of help you provided in making this

[@jamesswinbanks]

Well done Charles!

[@MattieSinclair]

One of the best things about iRacing is seeing privateers with silly team names beat PRO SPONSOR ELITE TRYHARD RACING and this is exactly in the same category

[@cosmic_drew]

Hey dude. When I saw your face I was like WTF that's Charlie. Hope you're doing good man.

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

@@cosmic_drew I'm doing great bud! Hope you are as well.

[@Jimmy_Broadbent]

Sim racing needs stories like this. Well done for putting this together so well dude

[@DJYeeJay]

Thanks so much I appreciate it 😁

[@tallesmagno201]

A wild Broadbent appears!

[@MCKL8]

I just realized how close to a million subs you are

[@skilletpan5674]

I actually thought this story might be about you.

[@agentwaffle6476]

Nice one Jimmer and we’ll done to Charlie!

[@GeorgeOfAIITrades]

It's wild to me that Belle Isles incident was "Charlie's fault" when the iRacing rules literally state "it's the faster car's job to get around" and the faster car just ran him over. Classic iRacing moment, not follow their own rules.

[@stephenhartley3x730]

yup thats why i hate them

[@RefrigeratedTP]

They're just trying to be as official as the FIA :)

[@ShaneBurke17]

shouldn't lift on corner exit. The faster car behind can't predict that. He had a whole straight to let him go..

[@rogueninja1685]

@@ShaneBurke17 late apex mid corner, the faster car is a full half car inside Charlie taking the optimal line. There's only about 100 meters to the corner and not a full straight. If anything Charlie should have held up the leaders until a full straight or let him go inside and not outside but then he's tangled with number two because there's no braking zone. I agree that cutting inside was a bad idea but it was an equally bad idea to assume that inside line. Passing car should have followed him through and then decide. Backmarkers happen

[@FunzR32]

you on drugs? might need to put the crack pipe down.

[@499RACING]

499RACING is so proud of what Charlie was able to accomplish. Well done Charlie!

[@A_river_dirt_cheese]

Howdy

[@nickeby]

​@@A_river_dirt_cheesehi!

[@Soonjai]

7:15 I love how Charlie seems to be by far the happiest out of everyone on that grid.

[@DJYeeJay]

I'm a sucker for people actually enjoying sim racing

[@Nickearl1]

And it’s not even close 😂

[@sarowie]

@@DJYeeJay this truly comes over in the video!

[@przemeklemanek7283]

charlie sears is a legend, he proved you dont need to be highest rating to give pro series a shot, i know many people who want to try to do what charlie did this season, he's real inspiration.

[@DJYeeJay]

Congrats to you as well!

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

❤❤❤

[@brendenmadonia]

That’s my teammate! Mr. Pro-ish himself!

[@Nexadvenio]

Great story, great video, can’t stop thinking that Charlie looks like he’s got a disguise on.

[@DJYeeJay]

You figured it out Charlie is Verstappen in disguise

[@Imthefake]

@@DJYeeJaythis was actually max trying to see if could win a point with completely random setup

[@kevinstock5886]

😂 I kept thinking the same

[@realpillboxer]

That's clearly Tobias Fünke and you can't tell me otherwise.

[@martinhenderson923]

I felt some Weird Al vibes, TBH.

[@TChapman500Gaming]

iRacing officiating is a joke. The Sporting Code states that the car passing is responsible for making a safe pass, but the guy moving over gets penalized for getting rear-ended.

[@blueredlover1060]

It sounded like an honest mistake. He was expecting to get passed, but the leader couldn't be bothered to slow up for a half beat to let him clear out of the apex of the corner. Charlie was as entitled to the apex as the leader, and he took full advantage of that. He can't help what the leader does in that situation.

[@ForceEngineering]

I had the same thought. In a real world racing situation, if you get hit from behind, that is no way your fault.

[@Adrian_Fella]

@@ForceEngineering Um if you're getting blue flags and are going slow on the racing line, which he was, then yes that is your fault.

[@ForceEngineering]

@@Adrian_Fella i missed the part where he was getting blue flags.

[@ForceEngineering]

@Adrian_Fella sure, if you get a blue flag, you should move over or get a penalty. I'm pretty sure the rear car would still get a penalty for causing a collision. As you said, it probably depends on where and what series

[@Jake_Sparey]

Was a pleasure to commentate on his season, more drivers need this sort of attitude in sim racing and I love it! Keep pushing for it Charlie!

[@THIS---GUY]

how did you get started and into iracing pro commentary?

[@Jake_Sparey]

@@THIS---GUY legitimately, I asked someone if i could cover their show, as one of the people was commentating on himself in the 3rd person. I did 4 races before that stopped, asked at Racespot if they had room in late 2015, which they did, and the rest is history.

[@fabrizioravera98]

Great storytelling, enjoyed the video all the way through! @CharlieSearsRacing I'm not sure you know the full extent to which everyone in the community was supporting you, but it was amazing. It all started as a meme, because we were all having the same thoughts you had. But we all turned to wishing the best for you every race. Even the people with triple your iRating were cheering you on, and hoping you would get a good result each week. Each week we wouldn't care about the people winning, or who was leading the championship. All eyes were on you. Unfortunately interest dwindled out towards the end of the series, but your one point is still seen with respect and as a good reward for a big effort. Just the fact that this video was made was enough to spark back everyone's attention, because we all remember you way more than any other driver in the series. The series was a big meme, but it was worth watching! Charles M Sears, Hero of the People.

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

I cant tell you how much this means to me. I didnt know the full extent, but the reactions here have me feeling all the love, I really appreciate it. There are many drivers who deserve the same, I'm just pumped I could share the track and make even a small notch on the leaderboards with them.

[@ThatguyLFS2]

So glad I stumbled upon this channel. Charlie was a member of Friction Racing with me probably 10 years ago. I understand the massive amount of work this was to drive in the series and the ol' boys are proud of your efforts! I hope you see this Charlie and give it another go if the opportunity arises!

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

I absolutely will if I'm fortunate enough to run again. Im proud of how I grew throughout the series more than making it. Im hoping theres another pro formula series in 2024 :)

[@marcolian]

I have a new hero on iRacing. What a spectacular attitude! Didn't go in there expecting to be Verstappen but still put in the time and effort to get better. We need more Charlies on iRacing.

[@NoOne56488]

He had his dads money behind him, and he started racing very young.

[@allencountyrunner]

The fact that he stayed predictable wasn’t doing anything wrong and got absolutely destroyed from behind which in racing he had the right away and got a penalty from Iracing says that the stewards don’t know what the hell they are doing

[@WaskiLP]

Pulling to the right, slowing down the car on exit of a turn where you normally accelerate, when someone is directly behind you is not what I call being predictable. Not with these cars, not with that speed difference. Stewards made the right call. Still a very cool story tho and happy so see him enjoying this journey so much

[@allencountyrunner]

@@WaskiLP if you watch the clip of him getting crashed out you can see that he didn’t do anything that you mentioned he stayed on the racing line and took the corner as expected per the racing line and was attempting to get to the right side of the track. Just because the guy who took him out carried more speed out of the corner after he hit the sausage curb and unsettled his car does not give him a free pass to just run into the back of him. It is always up to the passing driver to make the safe pass not the car being overtaken. This is not this F1 crap where people expect you to just pull over and stop. If anything it was Iracing gate keeping their top pros.

[@WaskiLP]

​@@allencountyrunnerI don't even know what you are talking about, cause we are clearly watching a totally different video when you say he did nothing what I said. But it's fine. We have different opinions and it doesn't matter as it's a scenario of the past anyways :)

[@dislexyc]

He didn't slow down mid corner, he was just slow ​@@Jwats96

[@alecwenger4579]

I love how charlie seems like such a happy down to earth person, makes him a very easy driver to root for. It's fun to see how excited he was just to be in the pro series which is obviously a huge accomplishment in such a competitive environment. This goes to show how much hard work can pay off. Hope you make more videos like this.

[@supermccnasty4176]

LMAO I just raced against him in the INDYCAR Series on iRacing and had no idea this video was about him lol

[@sebastianhollmichel9566]

He got a penalty for somebody driving into his rear? LOL.

[@motornaut]

It was entirely his fault lol, drove excessively slowly in front of the leader mid corner.

[@DanielHarveyDyer]

In this series, there is an expectation that he gets off the racing line to let the leader pass. He knows the rules, which is why he was trying to get out of the way in the first place. The fact that he underestimated the closing speed caused by him compromising his line to get to the inside on corner exit is definitely an error on his part. Whether this is a "good" rule, or whether the race leader should have noticed he was slow and been more careful to avoid him are interesting questions, but don't affect the stewards decision.

[@sebastianhollmichel9566]

@@DanielHarveyDyer It's fine if these are the "rules" for the pro series in opposition to the sporting code. Yet nobody can drive through a slower car. I know this section is tricky :)

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

@@DanielHarveyDyer the rules were explicit that no-one needed to move out of the way of the lead lap cars at any point in time unless a steward explicitly asked them to do so (which they did not in this case). I happily accept my role in what happened. It's super easy to see letting Ben by earlier was a better call _in retrospect_. I still believe I made the right call with the information I had in the car at the time and my choice to let Ben by between 3 and 4 would have cost us both the least amount of time loss was the correct decision (again, at the time).

[@BongoBaggins]

You drive into the back of someone, it's your fault. Especially a back marker who is driving his own race *and is not obliged to leave the racing line at any time*

[@AzagthothF1]

That penalty was harsh. even though when you are lapped, the overtaker has to do it safely and you don't have to slow down and get out of the way. Just don't do anything unexpected.

[@jdwalker9718]

Original concept and excellent storytelling. These are 2 things that stand out in sim racing content today. I wasn't too sure about this channel at first but you're doing some good stuff here. Subscription earned...

[@Romit12]

Never heard of him. But with this video, all I now know is that he looks like the happiest sim racer ever!

[@Bartaaron04]

I’ve raced against him multiple times in the past since I had a similar iRating to him for a time. In the Indycar iRacing Series in 2022, I beat him at Long Beach, only for him to get back at me at the Chicago Street circuit and beat me, with me finishing P2. Needless to say, I was surprised to see him with a Pro license, but I’m happy for him, always seemed like a nice person in the sim and always races clean

[@fommil]

I'm really surprised that he got penalised for the leader wrecking into the back of him at Belle Island. Do the pro series run completely different rules than officials for plebs? The sporting code makes it clear that overtaking is the responsibility of the car behind, and in this case the car behind failed to correctly account for a car existing on track in front of them. Even with real world F1 blue flag rules, there is still no expectation that a lapped car yields immediately, they are given the opportunity to do it when it makes sense.

[@patrickvolk7031]

Great story. It's one of those "how good am I really?", and you found out pretty dang good. You fostered that spirit with the other privateers, and worked on your racecraft. You got better, stayed within yourself, and kept at it. Glad you were rewarded for that! I shudder to think how many iRating points you got just putting it on the grid.... heh.

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

I wish those races were official. I feel like I'd have come out with a few hundred per race haha. Thank you so much as well. It was a hack of a journey and I'm thankful I could go on it ❤.

[@wesd3370]

I feel like he got that point the same way I’m building irating… be consistent and don’t crash.

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

Its honestly the most important thing. Speed is part of the equation, staying out of trouble and feeling confident in the car is the first 80%

[@Element4ry]

"Slow and steady wins the race" as the saying goes - but in reality it's more like "slow and steady wins the points", until the "slow" part becomes gradually faster and faster with practice :)

[@lucasz8892]

What an amazing video! Love these storytelling videos

[@DJYeeJay]

Thank you!!

[@RacingAtHome]

That's awesome though. It's like the Eddie the Eagle story where he qualified through a bit of luck. And there's a bit of that about him. Except instead of being a while off everybody else, he wasn't last. And got a point. It's impressive.

[@Rich_Jamison]

That was a pretty cool story! Very well put together! Congrats to Charlie for improving over the season and getting that point! Not many people in this community can say they ever held a Pro license! Good stuff Justin!

[@TrojanIsLive]

I raced with this man in the Super Formula Week 13 when it first released. Great guy and really surprising to see someone with low IR with the black license.

[@peterhuston7888]

I'm glad Charlie got to have such a great run; it just shows what hard work can do even if you come in way less skilled than the competition. But it also shows why we need some kind of snake splits, Indy 500 style separate qualifying, or similar. Because as it is, you can only try to qualify for a pro series if you have enough iRating to be in top split, while there are a few drivers who have the pace but haven't ground their iR up.

[@FormulaBone]

The SummoningSalt of iRacing strikes again! Can’t wait for the next documentary.

[@COYBIG1967]

Glad to see most of the comments here are positive , it’s only one point some may think but that’s massive for Charlie and it’s always imo great when you see someone who just keeps going, keeps trying , even if they are not the best or maybe they finish last or near to it most races , the fact that the person keeps going and keeps trying is big for me. So glad you made a video on this and as always told the story so well, the way you put things across adds atmosphere and also you explain things in a simple but effective way so that even ppl who’ve never had an interest can quickly understand what your referring to and be more invested in the story .

[@johnroberts2905]

Well done Charlie. I used to race him in the BSRTC Kia touring car series years ago...

[@Volkain10]

Gotta love an underdog story. Man is living the dream all us couch racers could dream of. Big props to him.

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

[@Element4ry]

Seeing how Charlie is happy and excited about it looks like an absolute win in itself! I can't imagine how much dedication went into achieving such goal, but I guess it was a lot!

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

It was definitely a second job for a while 😂. I'm glad it was only 10 weeks, but I learned so much in those 10 weeks. I'm so thankful for being able to get on the grid with so many incredible drivers that helped me push to do better and better every week.

[@clzliljohn1983]

These are easily some of your best videos-incredible story telling on interesting topics. Keep it up!!!!

[@DJYeeJay]

I'm glad people like these! Makes me happy

[@brett22bt]

That story was so well told. I got goosebumps at the end. Congrats Charlie. Well done.

[@LDFR]

As a relatively new iracer (been in for 2 years) who doesn’t really follow the e-sports scene much, I had never heard of Charles. Thank you for bringing us this story. What an absolute legend and lovely positive guy!

[@SeanCampbell_iRacing]

I’m genuinely really glad for Charlie, but I think this shows the state of the open wheel side of the comp scene. They use a car that absolutely nobody wants to drive, and so almost nobody turns up. I think it also exposes a flaw in how people are entered into this, because it shows that irating isn’t everything, and there are some crazy fast people that don’t do many officials, maybe they should consider doing a time trials or something along the lines of that.

[@scottynota5578]

This was the wholesome content i needed today. Brilliant video and how can you not smile watching a guy be so happy living the dream! Great stuff

[@iracingaussie]

This video and story of the real person is a great watch mate, would be keen to see more videos from you in this behind the mask style stories of the people of iracing

[@DjFIL007]

Glad I decided to click and watch, very good story telling and interview with Charlie. Good stuff.

[@UnitSe7en]

It's all in the Mansell Mustache.

[@davisgreenwell]

Incredible story, as a fan of Jeffrey Decker, I loved watching it in real time.

[@COYBIG1967]

Hi, I will preface this with I really don’t know much about I racing and have never tried it tho I do like watching and I have just got a rig so I may try it however in the last couple of days I’ve watched a few of your videos as they came up in my suggestions and I just wanted to say thank you , your videos are so well done and so interesting. Sorry to bother you , just really wanted to give credit as I’ve enjoyed these very much

[@DJYeeJay]

Appreciate it man have fun racing!

[@LithFox]

I might go race now. I love this. Thank you for sharing this Charlie and DJ!

[@mrpojsomnoj3313]

Didn't know indie games also can have profesional leagues. Neat video, keep it up.

[@brachlandmusic]

I've never rooted so hard for some one to score at least one point on 15th position!

[@Parker_Kligerman]

This is the most heart warming sim racing story I’ve ever heard. Go Charlie!

[@DJYeeJay]

Thanks Parker I appreciate it! One day I’d like to make a vid about your career as well, because I always thought it was a great story.

[@Parker_Kligerman]

@@DJYeeJay much appreciated! Let me know

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

Thank you! It was a ton of fun and I'm extremely fortunate to have even been in the series. Now to just look forward, keep aiming higher, and improve where I can. Congrats on your COTA stage win and overall top 5!

[@regibson23]

Really well done. Both to Charlie and to you making this video. I was smiling the entire time.

[@sarowie]

that is awesome. This is a story and that is what all sports essentially boil down to.

[@emdotrod]

Stories like this that inspires me to keep pushing on and training myself. I might not be able to be on the top. But I might be one day competitive enough to hang in there with the pros.

[@OLC62]

These underdog iRacing stories are the best ones you make

[@hoodieblue9305]

We love a good underdog story. In racing it is often easy to forget how exciting these stories can be even if they are not fighting for the big points.

[@divingboardlord]

That penalty seems weird to me, I thought best practice was to maintain your pace, be predictable, and let them pass you. You'd think if he was skilled enough to be in 1st he'd be skilled enough to make a safe pass.

[@codefk8711]

Dude, please please please make more videos like this. You're an excellent story teller, and I was hooked the whole time. I'm 35, and have been playing racing games for years, yes games. Two years ago, I got a wheel, and then iracing. Almost quit so many times because I hated myself for sucking so bad. Years later I now have a quad screen rig, humbly running a G29, and placing top 3 in most Super Formula races I join. I have a LOT of room for improvement in my IR (1200) and SA (1000), but being a single dad, it's hard to get the time to race as much as I'd like. Hope to races with you all one day, or perhaps I already have 🤔😉

[@RobinBooze468]

What a legend, he seems so happy and nice too. Congrats Charlie!

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

Thank you!

[@Beagle4Bagel]

He won something no money can buy

[@longshot766]

Not gonna lie, when I first started watching this and saw his beautiful stash and long hair I was like “this is a farce video.”

[@Rejinx]

Such a fun video, I loved it. I just so happened to watch most of the Turn races last year so it made it even cooler.

[@rgl_motorsports]

I can relate to his attitude towards the pro races. It's the same mindset I had entering SCCA races on IRacing, against people who are successful in the highest rankings of SCCA Club racing. Same with NWRS league races. I really get the "Not being lapped is a win".

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

[@christopherflick8222]

Absolutely mint video; please, more content like this!! You do such a great job with the racing "lore" 100% here for it. Great story telling, really awesome stuff man.

[@xhappybunnyx]

Super fun interview, thanks to both of you!

[@user-cs9ni9yd5f]

What an awesome story! Got to love those "racing moments" like 2 people crashing out on the last lap to get into the points. Weird how things work out like that!

[@Ben_LaBroca]

Fab work man - really enjoyed watching this!

[@JanKadlec]

Such a great video and such a great dude Charlie is !

[@BlackbeardKNAC]

It's the mustache, that man is pulling a LOT of power from the universe with that womb broom

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

😂

[@tadydrift]

That's actually a good video, really like this point, I know that there is a lot of this in the eNascar Qualifying series & I am also in the low splits & trying to get to this 4K iRating is sometimes really not easy. I got from 1.5K to 2.2K last week. & I am back down to 2K this week. But keeping on grinding :)

[@iglooproductions]

I get all tense just racing the leaderboard against myself in DiRT Rally 2.0😂

[@ConnorWagner]

Wow these videos are just so cool! Love the passion Charlie has, you did a great job of sharing his story with us!

[@AlonsoRules]

A quest for one point sounds like Michael Schumacher at the 2003 Japanese GP

[@RPPerry1984]

Amazing storytelling and what a legend!!! I love how much he just enjoys sim racing, even when he’s the back marker.

[@DanielHarveyDyer]

I am really enjoying the documentaries with competitor interviews. I particularly enjoy how much everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves, even in controversial situations like the last video about the Nascar crash.

[@X1erra]

Charlie, you're an inspiration to us all. Being the underdog always gives me the hope. Go get em, cowboy!

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

❤ thank you!

[@VRiRacer216]

That video was one the best I've ever seen the editing the way you put it all together 😍

[@Nickyy64]

Cannot believe he’d get a penalty for that lap traffic incident. Terrible stewarding is not unique to the real world!

[@reck7996]

This was actually awesome. I really enjoyed this story. Its a story of hope based in reality. It makes me hopeful

[@FluffMuffTater]

One of the best simracing videos Ive ever seen. Awesome!

[@jim_bocho]

Great story! (Also cool to hear the name „Greger Huttu“ again. Raced him around 2003 - well, was in a couple of the same races)

[@Salod7806]

i love these racing underdog stories, really well put together

[@arranmc182]

This man an Timmy Hill both amaze me they never set out to become pro drivers it just happened, should do a video on Timmy Hill he was chopping people with top end sim rigs with a cheap Logitech wheel bolted to his desk and became an iRacing champ and then went on to race in real life, remember the beaty of sim racing is you dont need the best gear to have the skills.

[@Cavi587]

Damn that's cool. I would totally be celebrating every position that isn't last if I was in this position too.

[@Hexadeci]

Awesome work DJ! This was great to watch. Well done.

[@LY1nx]

Well-made documentary, good journalism.

[@morgfarm1]

Hot damn, a name drop for Majors Garage. Glad to see the Majors getting shout outs by some of the pro series drivers still

[@jasonlandry8101]

Absolute legend, never heard this story and it’s amazing. Great video.

[@adammatthewssr.77]

Awesome!! Never heard of this story, this is your best video yet!

[@DJYeeJay]

Thank you!!

[@MJSweeney11]

This is so freaking cool. Awesome video Justin. Charlie seems like such a good dude.

[@test868]

Great story. iRacing got it wrong penalising Charlie for that incident while being lapped though, that’s a bit disappointing. I’m assuming he didn’t brake at an unexpected point obviously.

[@Nr1GamerGringo]

one mans dream may be another mans worst case scenario, love charlies mindset and attitude that its never to late to try. not saying he's old but most pro's in gaming are young compared

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

I'm definitely old for esports 😂. 36 and not getting younger.

[@racingwithrob]

Such an awesome story!!

[@JjNn-s7u]

how was that contact at belle isle charlies fault tf

[@georgesimmons5751]

Amazing documentary! @CharlieSearsRacing brilliant to see you enjoying the championship so much. Congratulations on your point!!! Driver of the series!

[@meta7gear]

I really enjoyed watching this video. Great story telling and a fantastic reminder of what sport is about

[@paulsmith5202]

100% on the one overtaking. Just because you're behind, doesn't mean you have a right to be in front. Apply pressure and wait for that... moment, if they make a mistake

[@terrencegriffin5854]

Don't think I've ever genuinely enjoyed a story on KZbin like I did this one. You did a great job, and @charlieSearsRacing, I may need to get a few notes from you for my upcoming series 😨

[@dragonste]

Im half way through and im excited for the guy. Im hoping he gets a point. Come one lad!!!!!

[@isimrace]

Inspiring story, well done! Better than that F1 Netflix series 😂

[@teku0000]

I know this is off-topic, but what car is that, the open wheeler? I like it, its like a homage to 2000s f1 cars, love it Edit: found it its the Dallara iR-01

[@320iSTWEdition]

Charlie, you got the right attitude! You enjoy racing and just keep up and try to improve despite any setbacks you encounter. This is something not many top drivers do anymore or might have never done. And no, Belle Isle was not your fault! iRacing stewards are wrong here, this is not how you treat fellow racers no matter how slow they are! Keep it up and keep that mindset to have many more great races!

[@CharlieSearsRacing]

[@gh0stm0nst3r6]

How rad. I'm liking how the community down here are folks hyped for him (and not the usual e-hater's with their "shoulda been me" isht). Great vid. Thanks for the story yall!