Race simulator for club racers
Discussion
As the season grows ever closer I thought I'd share with you something we did last year to push my skills and car development further.
I've always used driver coaches, in particular the great Rob Wilson - but last year I started using a professional race simulator ( Pro Sim in Crawley ). It's used by a lot of pro and amateur drivers and teams, GP2, World Renault, POrsche, radicals etc.
I was sceptical if a "club racer" could get much from it and initially used it to get some track experience for a round at Zandvoort and it was invaluable for that alone. But what it is also brilliant that you can analyse every element of your driving. From there you can start making setup changes and understand how that affects the car and of course lap times.
Want to try a new part, different gear ratios, suspension setups - we do it all in the Sim now - it saves us a lot of time and of course money.
We took it a stage further as Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, who runs the sim, also gives instruction. Taking what we learnt on the sim and having Adrian instruct and analyse data with us at the circuit gave another element to my driving and car development.
It cannot replace physically testing and driving a car but it's very close to it and let's face it unless you can afford to be on track every week (4 x 30mins in the sim is cheaper than a test fee at Brands) makes a great alternative and something to run alongside your usual season testing.
http://www.pro-sim.co.uk/
I know Adrian tried to post something up but it was deemed a commercial post but to let my fellow PHer's know they're offering 50% discount for Feb bookings.
I was there on Saturday and ran the new parts on the car and ran with slicks for the first time. Invaluable experience and loved the car on slicks !! Looking very good our 2014 season.
I was there on Saturday and ran the new parts on the car and ran with slicks for the first time. Invaluable experience and loved the car on slicks !! Looking very good our 2014 season.
We booked a day in the one at Silverstone (the name escapes me) there where 3 of us the other 2 found it very useful, but it gave me massive motion sickness after around 30seconds.....apparently this makes me part of a select group that includes Michel Schumacher and Allan Prost who also can’t use simulators. Must be something to do with age 
chrisb0 said:
We booked a day in the one at Silverstone (the name escapes me) there where 3 of us the other 2 found it very useful, but it gave me massive motion sickness after around 30seconds.....apparently this makes me part of a select group that includes Michel Schumacher and Allan Prost who also can’t use simulators.
Yep - some of them can make you feel like that. I went on the LetsRace ones (which really is just a playstation game) and felt a little queasy! The Pro-Sim won't do that as it's static base Hello to everyone I am Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, I see woof has explained very well what it is like and how it can help you improve. Woof is a regular customer of mine and as he said we have started work on his 2014 PCGB car, to get the most out of himself and the car.
To Jerry Can i am currently making a clio cup car so yes front wheel drive is possible, there are already lots of varied cars on the simulator and the number is growing all the time. Users will generally drive one of the cars on the sim that is similar to their own and then we will make your actual car for the sim. With woof we are specifying the new parts and then inputting them into the sim so that he can get a feel of the car before he even drives it. The special offer of 50% off in February is for last minute bookings and the offer can be found here http://sut5.co.uk/l/c.php?c=29568&ct=23111&... but for pistonheads forum users I will be more flexible and let you book the same week.
To Jerry Can i am currently making a clio cup car so yes front wheel drive is possible, there are already lots of varied cars on the simulator and the number is growing all the time. Users will generally drive one of the cars on the sim that is similar to their own and then we will make your actual car for the sim. With woof we are specifying the new parts and then inputting them into the sim so that he can get a feel of the car before he even drives it. The special offer of 50% off in February is for last minute bookings and the offer can be found here http://sut5.co.uk/l/c.php?c=29568&ct=23111&... but for pistonheads forum users I will be more flexible and let you book the same week.
I think you'll only need a Zx Spectrum to run the graphics for that one. 
Okay, that will not be a problem to model your Peugeot on the sim, I will let you know as soon as that Clio Cup car is done.
To Spad78 the sim is useful for any possible car that you are trying to get around a track as fast as possible. We would definitely have to come up with a different car model for you to represent a historic car, but what better way to learn or familiarize yourself with a track than on a sim rather than in your difficult and expensive to repair Porsche! It is also good to see what you car can actually do without the risk of any damage.
To Spad78 the sim is useful for any possible car that you are trying to get around a track as fast as possible. We would definitely have to come up with a different car model for you to represent a historic car, but what better way to learn or familiarize yourself with a track than on a sim rather than in your difficult and expensive to repair Porsche! It is also good to see what you car can actually do without the risk of any damage.
triplets3racing said:
Hi there, I was wondering if you have a Radical Prosport or PR6 in the model?
I'll answer for ProSim Hi - i know Adrian's has a Radical driver but not sure what Radical model it is. Best to drop him a message
http://www.pro-sim.co.uk/contact/
Interestingly, I have found the sim I tried to be almost completely useless. It was similar to the one being described here. Nice big screen, force feedback wheel, proper brakes etc. But it was just like a computer game. The lack of g-force completely invalidates the usefulness. It has some use in learning new tracks, but the idea that you can try setup changes and feel what's going on is completely impossible in my view.
You end up driving completely artificially so it's no use thinking its like the real thing.
YMMV
Bert
You end up driving completely artificially so it's no use thinking its like the real thing.
YMMV
Bert
I think it depends on the type of driver you are. If you are someone that drives from the seat of their pants then the sim isn't going to be as good for you. A driver that is calculated, understands the physics and wants to improve and try new set ups etc, then a Sim is worth every penny. And it's that driver that will always be faster.
It cannot replace actually being in the car on a track but I would say it gives you at least 75% of the reality and experience. And for learning a new track its a 100% invaluable.
Just my thoughts
It cannot replace actually being in the car on a track but I would say it gives you at least 75% of the reality and experience. And for learning a new track its a 100% invaluable.
Just my thoughts
For triplets3racing yes i do have some radical models but it will be better to email me about that.
and also to bertbert it is shame that your simulator experience was not succesful but i have to say i am not surprised as 'simulators' vary hugely in their quality and execution even though they look similar! When you are driving a car that has been modelled accurately like at Pro-Sim everything you do on the sim would have the same reaction as in real life.
Of course i completely agree with you about the lack of g-force and that is the same issue with any sim even in F1. All this means is you must rely on your other senses and feelings more. If you can improve these and not rely so much being a reactive driver and can predict instead you will be a faster and more rounded driver. I would be happy to try and change your mind and outlook on simulators.
Adrian
and also to bertbert it is shame that your simulator experience was not succesful but i have to say i am not surprised as 'simulators' vary hugely in their quality and execution even though they look similar! When you are driving a car that has been modelled accurately like at Pro-Sim everything you do on the sim would have the same reaction as in real life.
Of course i completely agree with you about the lack of g-force and that is the same issue with any sim even in F1. All this means is you must rely on your other senses and feelings more. If you can improve these and not rely so much being a reactive driver and can predict instead you will be a faster and more rounded driver. I would be happy to try and change your mind and outlook on simulators.
Adrian
Interesting comments on the Sims. My house mate is helping re-design the Ferrari Sim. The key factors in a useful Sim is feedback from the wheel and accurate Yaw input on the platform.
Lots of people seem to miss this when designing a sim and seem to think rattling you around and tipping you from side to side forward and back adds to realism. It doesn't.
Try a sim with good yaw and steering feedback/weighting and your opinion will change.
Lots of people seem to miss this when designing a sim and seem to think rattling you around and tipping you from side to side forward and back adds to realism. It doesn't.
Try a sim with good yaw and steering feedback/weighting and your opinion will change.
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