The unique element that the Mazda Hot Lap Challenge brings to the table is that the competition is open to anyone with online access or attending an IMSA race. While I was in Laguna Seca, Ian was at Base51 in Hawthorne, CA taking on the exact same challenge. If you haven’t heard of or been to Base51, you owe it to yourself to look them up.
Base51 is a bit of a racer’s paradise. The main attraction are the simulators of course, but there is also plenty to do when you’re not working on your lap times. They have beer, wine, artisan coffee and even a full kitchen available.Base51 uses the latest in racing simulator technology. They have 10 networked CXC Motion Pro II simulators in the main lobby ready for walk-ins and private parties. They also have private rooms dedicated to driver coaching. The CXC Motion Pro II is a full motion simulator designed to create an experience close to the real thing. Tactile transducers simulate road conditions, while the rest of the rig moves around to give the sensation of vehicle movement.All the controls on the simulators can be customized and are very realistic. Steering wheels, pedals and all other points of the driver interface can be customized to simulate the exact driver environment. No detail is spared in order to provide the most realistic experience possible.Even the dash displays and layouts can be customized.At the heart of Base51’s Pro-Training services are their data acquisition systems. Every driver input is monitored and logged so it can be reviewed after each driving session. This level of detail is invaluable and truly makes it a slam dunk decision for any aspiring racer looking to improve their skills without shelling out the expenses of real on-track seat time.
There really is no replacement for real life on-track seat time, but these simulators can be a real money saving option for developing drivers. For a fraction of the cost of a track day, a driver can get a weekend’s worth of track time in just a few hours. No prepping the car, loading the car, towing the car to the track, wear and tear on the car, etc. It really is a great alternative, especially when learning new tracks or cars.
2 comments
yeah…this is the first sim I’ve been on where I could blow a motor…twice… 🙁 LOL
“The young fan above was testing his driving skills around the 2.238 mile long WeatherTech Laguna Seca raceway.”
It sure looks like the fan is driving at Daytona International Speedway from what I can see.
Great article!!!