The Art of Simulator Driving.

There’s a fine art to driving a simulator but its as easy as Accelerator, Brake, Clutch (if required). I reassure clients that there’s little to worry about & here is a little insight.

First of all the anxious driver needs to breathe & feel safe. With all of the negative information flooding media it’s no surprise that drivers are concerned. Next your eyes may need a few minutes to adapt to the movement of the graphics & the feel of the simulator components are light. I check in constantly with how the client is feeling & responding to the equipment.

I ask drivers to begin at a slow speed to give their eyes (linked to the vestibular system) time to connect with the brain. The body sensory systems also need to adjust to the lack of G forces or vehicle movement. I actually like this as drivers have to drive more with their eyes & ears.

Steering may feel light & the pedals don’t require a lot of pressure. I keep settings such as force feedback (steering resistance & vibration) low-medium as I know how long term high force feedback can cause shoulder rotator cuff issues. Simulator seat position is crucial for optimal steering just as it is for a real vehicle.

Fact - The worst rotator cuff muscles I have ever treated came from real life motorsport. A few symptoms may include shoulder or neck pain & headaches.

I run basic simulators to help anxious clients to be less overwhelmed with technology. In saying that everyone has picked up the simulator operation quickly & easily.

It’s common for people to overdrive a simulator when starting out. It’s like they suddenly become Peter Brock & they end up exploring the graphic limits of the computer program. This is why I highly recommend “tuning in” with simulator practice first. Real scenarios such as distracted vehicles, impatient pedestrians, red light runners & many other surprises can be experienced prior to engaging with real road users.

The most common simulator habits are excess speed, poor vision, braking too late & next minute you’re off track. Sound familiar to the real world?

My advice to clients - “smooth is fast”. Lift & brake before corners, keep the car balanced, under control & on the road. Less time off road equals high quality, hands on driving practice while also obeying the road rules. The same applies in real life with smooth momentum giving a less stressful drive & limiting vehicle wear & tear. A precision driver creates stress free driving.