UK university acquires full motion racing simulator to equip the next generation of F1 engineers with advanced simulation skills

The University of Hertfordshire – a prominent supplier of engineering talent to Formula One teams – adds practical simulation and modelling learning to motorsport degree courses

BIRMINGHAM, UK– Students of one of the UK’s leading motorsport and automotive engineering schools are to benefit from a new professional racing simulator from Cruden. Timed to coincide with the Autosport International show (NEC, Birmingham, UK; January 13th-16th 2011) is the announcement that the University of Hertfordshire will acquire a full motion (6-DOF) Hexatech simulator to provide students of its multiple motorsport engineering courses with even more of the advanced technical skills required by Formula One teams. “The Cruden simulator will bring a significant competitive advantage to the University of Hertfordshire’s engineering and technology department, adding a whole new dimension to the students’ learning experience, and responding to the requirements of the F1 teams, into which many of our students graduate,” says Jeff Peters, principal lecturer in motorsport engineering and head of simulation and modelling at the University. “Our new £300,000-plus facility – the only one of its kind in the UK – will allow students to develop and race their own tyre, suspension and aero models using real data in real time.” Says Frank Kalff, Cruden’s commercial director: “Motion simulation is now commonplace in the higher levels of motorsport and even present in some GP2, GP3 and Formula 3 teams, so it is natural that the leading research institutions make the technology available in-house. It is just as important to us that the next generation of motorsport engineers learns about simulation from our hard and software, as it is for us to continue to supply a number of teams on the Formula One grid each year.” As of spring, the driver-in-the-loop, electromechanical simulator will be situated in a new facility at the Hatfield campus, supported by a 20 terminal simulation suite. There, students will split into teams and develop their own vehicle setups and analyse the results of their laps using industry standard Pi toolbox software which is fully compatible with the Cruden simulator. Competing in the IMechE’s annual Formula Student competition, which, according to Peters, can incur around £1,500 running costs per day, the University of Hertfordshire is hoping that its simulator can reduce its testing budget while providing repeatable test conditions and an infinite opportunity for students to practice engineering refinements based on driver feedback and data analysis. Cruden is celebrating a number of sales to the professional motorsport market globally. It is supplying full simulator systems, hardware components and customised applications of its in-house developed Racer Pro software into Formula One and other single-seater formulae for the 2011 season. Recently, at the request of its customer, the Virginia Institute of Performance Engineering and Research (VIPER), Cruden configured a new drag racing simulation application in order to help drivers practice their starts – a highly critical part of dragster racing. Note to Editors Both Cruden and the University of Hertfordshire are exhibiting at Autosport International. Cruden can be found on stand 6670; the University of Hertfordshire on stand 7205. ## 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 12/01/2011 Motorsport sales for ASI app 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 Sales Enquiries Frank Kalff, Cruden B.V. Fokkerweg 300. Building 67, 1438 An Oude-Meer, The Netherlands. +31 207074 646 / +31 627 053493 f.kalff@cruden.com

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