Unfortunately, Alex our team principal had to undergo major surgery to sort out a back condition, so we had to miss Race 2. I would not consider getting into the car without his guidance, and for days and at any rate, what was foremost on my mind was his recovery and subsequent health. Thank goodness everything turned out fine. Alex is one tough and positive individual, and I’m sure the recovery will continue to be speedy and true. This meant that the end of May was a time in which I concentrated on sim racing, specifically on my work for Superlap Drive Studio.
Located in Berkley, MI, Superlap is a facility with 8 high-end racing simulators that feature 4-point motion systems. These feature latest in state-of-the-art computer equipment, allowing for racing simulations to rival just about any kind of sim racing setup outside of what’s used in IndyCar and Formula One. The software being run is iRacing, which is the most realistic and relevant program in the consumer sim racing world, and the one used by most professional drivers and teams. F1 World Champion Max Verstappen is one of the many world-class drivers that regularly use this, and it works for him, it should work for anyone.
Superlap was founded by sim consultant & engineer Dan Cycholl and professional racer James Hayosh. Dan and Jim approached me due to a video I posted featuring me at the wheel of my home sim racing rig, describing a lap around the Suzuka, Japan GP circuit in a Formula One car (watch that video here). Because of this, they enlisted me to be essentially their sim racing coach, helping by producing content to promote the Superlap brand, as well as providing both one-on-one and group coaching.
The Superlap facility is amazing. The place is welcoming and pristine, and not only can you try your hand at the wheel of a world-class simulator, but also watch real life racing while enjoying a cup of coffee. I definitely encourage those in the Detroit Metro area to stop by and try this.
Current computer gaming technology allows for an experience that is the closest you can get to driving a race car, and it just doesn’t mean that the graphics will look realistic. The physics of racing, everything that happens to the car – chassis, suspension, engine, tires, etc. – happens in the simulation exactly as it would happen in real life. The technique of race driving is exactly the same here as they would be anywhere. This allows me to use my experience for the task of coaching sim racers as I’ve been coached myself in my development as a driver.
They say that nothing makes you improve as much as teaching. I think this is certainly true, because coaching for sim racing demands that I am the best I can possibly be, which is a constant challenge that will make me grow enormously as a driver. Our first group coaching event in June was a great success, and we hope to continue putting these together each month as more and more people discover the challenges and rewards of mastering a true racing simulator.
So I’m definitely looking forward to more opportunities to work with Superlap in any of a number of ways, and we are constantly formulating and discussing new and creative activities. Check us out at https://superlap.world/
Comments