Virtual driving simulators have made huge improvements. They are now so advanced, that motorsports drivers are using them to improve their skills. We discuss these changes in the article below.
Sim racing is the digital representation of real-world driving situations. It allows players to connect to virtual environments using technology and navigate through them. With hardware and software assistance, they can drive some of the most famous cars in the world through accurately reconstructed environments, all from the comfort of a gaming chair. So, how real are these simulators, and how have they helped drivers in motorsport?
Technology in Motorsports
In the past few years, telemetry has become a huge part of motorsports. This is the transmission of data and its measurements from remote locations. Essentially, as a driver whizzes around a track, all these statistics are sent to their team in the pit. This real-time data is essential for providing predictive analysis, discussing the best place to turn, brake, and put the foot on the pedal.
Sports betting has also become an increasingly popular part of motorsports spectating, fuelled by the same data-driven insights that teams use on the track. Operators like 1xBet use this data to analyse and give the appropriate odds and other information. For those interested in exploring these opportunities, on Oddspedia, you can find information about the 1xBet promo code. This can provide you with a 120% first deposit bonus if you are based in Canada. It expires at the end of the year, giving plenty of time to use it throughout the upcoming motorsport season.
This wealth of data is also critical to the success of driving simulators. These devices allow people to experience real driving locations and vehicles without leaving a test centre, and they also provide a wealth of data. This is why teams are increasingly turning to them to improve their results.
Base Performance Simulators
In the United Kingdom, the Base Performance Centre near the Brands Hatch circuit is using sim driving simulators to full effect. Base performance simulators are the closest you can get to a driving experience without hitting the road. At the helm has been Darren Turner, the former Aston Martin factory driver and three-time Le Mans victor. The company splits its products into affordable but high-spec eSports simulators for the home and cutting-edge, state-of-the-art devices for professional and leisure pursuits.
The screen at these facilities envelopes the car itself, making it pretty close to a real-world environment as can be, without the restrictions a VR headset would bring. Here, people can try their hand at the best tracks the world has to offer. From Silverstone to Monaco, players will travel at virtual speeds that the real cars on these circuits would. There is no reprieve either. Braking distances, inclines, and the geometry of turns are all defined with pinpoint accuracy. In one setup, the car will even move and turn on a platform as the driver does. Even the brakes are hooked up to discs and callipers to make it seem more real.
High Profile Sim Drivers
There have been several major and successful drivers who have credited sim racing with helping them out and improving performance. The most high-profile of these has been Max Verstappen, who has even taken part in a 24-hour virtual Le Mans event.
Speaking to CarNext, he discussed how simulators allow him to analyse the track better. While he does not race with F1 cars in the simulators, he has a similar experience with GT cars. This involves adjusting his technique, allowing him to test and better himself. He also added that trying to keep up with the best sim racers is a challenge, especially since games like Assetto Corsa and Gran Turismo have become so true to life. He believes that even though the racers he faces online have no experience with a car, it shows him how braking and turning should be.
Many of the world’s top drivers are now having simulators installed at their homes. This lets them practice in the downtime between seasons and races, keeping their accuracy honed. In the old days, players would use kart racing to do this. In fact, there are now even great kart simulations to allow up-and-coming drivers to get used to the tracks.
The Advantages of Driving Simulators
The obvious advantage of driving simulators is that you can traverse the tracks without visiting them. The bumps, cambers, turns, and inclines have been mapped with laser accuracy, meaning nothing is missed. The world’s most intricate circuits can be visited without having to set foot on a plane, which takes time and money. This can be great for real racing teams who are limited in the number of test days they have before races.
This is the second major advantage. Once you have paid for the software and hardware, you can visit these tracks and use them virtually as much as you like. Imagine trying to do this in the real world. Passes for the track, cars, travel, and accommodation are something only the richest or professionals with a huge team behind them can afford.
Sim racing then becomes much more open to players from around the world. With hard work and dedication, anyone can be one of the best drivers regardless of their financial background or sponsorship. It also allows these players, and professional ones, to hone their driving skills and craft. This can include where to accelerate, brake, turn, and all the other elements that go into driving a car. At its base level, this can even help people who are learning how to drive.
These simulators are now so accurate that it is hard to see how they will get much better. If you don’t have a sim racing title, then consider getting one. It can improve your professional and everyday driving prowess, and you don’t have to pay for a day at the track to do it.
