ESE Entertainment Inc announced that its Digital Motorsports Brand, in partnership with the Ford World Rally team, has built a full-scale virtual reality (VR) simulator for hybrid cars.
The Vancouver, British Columbia-headquartered esports company shared that a full-scale rally simulator was built using the base of an actual M-Sport World Rally car, the Fiesta WRC, provided by Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport division.
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“Digital Motorsports is always forward-thinking about the next generation of technology that will enable drivers to be prepared for the next season of motorsports,” said Niall Maher, CEO of ESE Entertainment in a statement.
He added that the company has been working closely with Craig, the Ford M-sport WRC driver, for several years to help him prepare for this opportunity. “Craig has been using our Pro Rally simulator to help prepare for WRC rally events and all his hard work has finally paid off.”
The rally simulator provides an authentic rally experience, replicating the Fiesta’s steering and pedal inputs by using the Simucube 2 Pro direct drive servo motor and Heusinkveld ultimate pedals.
ESE Entertainment said that the motorsport grade components are regularly installed in training simulators for professional drivers. In addition, custom fabricated and modified Sim Lab GT1-Evo chassis components were used to mount the powerful direct-drive motor and pedals using a series of heavy-duty clamps mounted to the roll cage and floor. This would allow the whole system to be unbolted and removed from the car in a matter of minutes.
“We have a unique opportunity with Digital Motorsports and the custom simulator that has been developed in that we can work with the team, get the virtual car dialed in, and really start to get familiar with the hybrid technology,” said Craig Breen, Ford M-Sport WRC Driver. “This will be a world-first in our area of motorsport and I just can’t wait to get started!”
The esports company also added that a hi-spec gaming PC was neatly mounted in the boot of the car for the operator to manage gameplay for the drivers.
The setup is complete with a modified Cube Controls steering wheel and OMP WRC wheel rim, along with a Heusinkveld hydro handbrake. The construction of the rally simulator provides for a driving position that is an exact match to the real driving position on the left-hand side.
A Europe-based entertainment and technology company, ESE is focused on providing a range of services to leading video game developers, publishers, and brands by providing technology, infrastructure, and fan engagement services internationally. The company also operates its own e-commerce channels, esports teams, and gaming leagues.
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