Velocity offers a 360-degree simulator with panoramic displays. (Courtesy Quit Nguyen)
Viet Tran’s first impression of America after moving here in 1992 from Vietnam was that "Americans loved fast things." This impression was triggered by one of the first movies he had ever watched on live TV as a child, “Top Gun.”
The early realization eventually grew into a love and passion for fast cars and motorcycles, and as he grew up, that journey led him to the racing track and to the creation of his first business—Velocity Sim Racing Lounge.
How it started
“My family came from Vietnam when I was 5,” Tran said. “Quite literally, my first exposure to America was ‘Jurassic Park’ because we never had colored TVs back home. The second movie was ‘Top Gun,’ and there’s this scene where Tom Cruise is on his Kawasaki, and one of the jet fighters takes off in the background. I was immediately like, ‘That’s what it means to be American.’ That incepted this idea that to be American is to love fast things, and that planted the seed.”
Owner Viet Tran opened Velocity in March 2023 after racing motorcycles for most of his life. (Courtesy Quit Nguyen)
After that experience, Tran grew up watching different styles of racing. Eventually, when he turned 20 and graduated from college, he purchased his first motorcycle. From there, he started competing in races at top venues like Thunderhill Raceway, Sonoma Raceway and MSR Houston. However, in 2023, Tran wrecked his motorcycle while driving for the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association in Texas.
He said after the accident he struggled to get back on the track.
“The series here had announced that they were going to introduce three new tracks for the upcoming season that I had never ridden on,” Tran said. “I went into full panic mode thinking about how I was going to get experience while still recovering from my injury.”
The answer, he found, was sim racing.
He and a couple of friends built a simulator at home and used it not only to train, but for fun. The idea eventually snowballed and led to the grand opening of Velocity Sim Racing Lounge in Houston.
The lounge offers a full bar and restaurant. (Courtesy Quit Nguyen)
Read all about it
Velocity opened in March 2025, sporting high-end simulators that feature a wide range of cars and race tracks. The business offers over 500 cars and over 400 tracks around the world, including popular venues like Daytona International Speedway and Circuit of the Americas.
The majority of simulators are a patented design by Viet Tran, making them highly adjustable. Guests can change the steering assembly, seat sliders and pedals to accommodate every size from a 5-year-old to an adult.
“We invested in our own engineering, so we could provide a full family experience,” Tran said. “Beyond that, we also have tiers based on the level of motion you want and the level of immersion you want.”
Velocity Sim Racing Lounge can also connect several screens together to allow entire families or groups to race on the same track.
Guests can race IndyCar, NASCAR and Formula 1, with more driving disciplines such as rallying and drafting expected to be added to the fleet in the second half of 2026.
The experience also offers a full bar and restaurant program, as well as a new hidden speakeasy called Ignition, which launched in July. The new venue is a 21-and-up environment with a new cocktail program, private simulators and elevated bites.
A new hidden speakeasy called Ignition opened inside Velocity in July. (Courtesy John Huang)
One more thing
Velocity is open to guests 5 years old and up. The lounge is accessible to those with disabilities or who are handicapped. Tran said the company also frequently hosts community events, watch parties and is open for corporate and team outings.
“Velocity is a box, and it’s up to us to throw interesting things in there,” Tran said. “Not just sim racing.”
