AOTech selects Cruden Hexatech simulator to provide professional driver and vehicle development capability in France
Extensive car and track data enhance the first serious driver and engineer development tool in France.
OUDE MEER, NETHERLANDS – Drivers, teams, component and vehicle engineers based in France now have local access to the latest professional simulator technology to enhance their development programmes. AOTech, a partnership between crack single seater team ART Grand Prix and sports car manufacturer and experienced Le Mans challenger, OAK Racing, has selected Cruden’s Hexatech simulator for its new driver and vehicle development centre. Conveniently located at AOTech’s secure facility in Corbeil-Essonnes, south of Paris, the bespoke simulator – a 6-DOF motion base with an interchangeable formula-style cockpit configuration – will be available for professional drivers, motorsport, road car engineers and suppliers to hire as a realistic and consistent development and training tool.
Being able to draw on a significant volume of track and car data from its championship-winning GP2 campaigns and numerous Le Mans outings in both LMP1 and LMP2 cars, AOTech has been able to refine the simulator to offer incredible detail and realism that will help drivers and engineers make the most of the restricted track time inherent with today’s sport. Crucially, Cruden has developed very sophisticated, high resolution track models from LIDAR-measured data, including Barcelona with the full Le Mans circuit in the pipeline. Extremely limited testing at the Sarthe circuit, which features a blend of public road and purpose-built track, means an opportunity to understand the track’s form, grip levels and layout is expected to be popular.
In line with the expected professional customer base, AOTech has created the appropriate environment with a soundproof, climate-controlled room and has specified features to provide the driver with the strongest feeling of reality.
“Cruden’s extensive technical resources and hardware implementation was really important to us,” says Guillaume Le Goff, simulation manager at AOTech. “Drivers and engineers need this to be as realistic as possible so drivers can learn from their simulator time.” Examples of this include the use of a genuine GP2 pedal box, discs and callipers to provide the best sensation of brake feel. Further ‘cues‘, developed by Cruden simulation specialists to bring the experience as close to driving on track will be added as the simulator develops. Whilst many will remain hidden or subtle, more conspicuous examples, including the use of a GP2 tub and seat belt tensioning system, will appear shortly.
“Cruden has been working with the top levels of motorsport for a number of years and as part of our aim to make professional simulators more accessible to all, we are very happy to see F3, GP2 and LMS teams recognising the value of simulators, not only for driver training, but for race car engineering,” says Maarten van Donselaar, CEO of Cruden. “It has been a fascinating journey to create this unique simulator for which we know there is demand within France.”
Feedback from world-class drivers such as ART Grand Prix’s Jules Bianchi is refining this simulator to make time spent in it even more worthwhile. “It can be used to get a driver used to the brake feeling of a race car in a safe and controlled environment,” adds van Donselaar. “Or even just how the grip changes when a driver takes too much kerb. Only when you have comprehensive data can you make these sensations realistic.”
AOTech is expecting its simulator to be of particular interest to GP2, GP3, F3, Le Mans Series and junior motorsport formulae participants but the firm equally believes that drivers at every level will be keen to access the simulator as a cost effective and safe way to increase track time. “Every driver who has tried the simulator to prepare for an event understands it is a useful tool and wants to come back to get ready for the next race,” concludes Le Goff.
About Cruden
Cruden is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of professional, interactive, motion-based racing simulators. The company develops the most high tech, realistic and accurate professional equipment for the top levels of international motorsport, including Formula One, as well as vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. The same package is then made available to the global attractions market and to private individuals to create a motorsport experience which simply does not compare with ‘games’ machines on the market. Cruden’s heritage is in the development of professional simulators for the aerospace, marine and automotive industries. Originating from Fokker Aircraft Company, the company was FCS Racing Simulation before becoming Cruden in 2006. www.cruden.com
Press Enquiries
Claire Dumbreck, Propel Technology, Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, OX15 4FF. +44 (0)1295 724130 / +44 (0) 7768 773857 c.dumbreck@cruden.com
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