Genre :
Racing / Simulator/ Educational
Problem Statement :
Motorsports is generaly regarded as :
- Expensive
- Dangerous
- Physically Demanding
So a racing education system is inaccessible to everyone.
A Virtual Racing Academy utilizes the advantages of Virtual Reality which are :
- Limitless Trial
- 3D Spatial Understanding
- Interactivity
Objective :
To make sure user comprehend the following aspects :
1- Basic Concepts of Racing and Rules of the road
2- Fundamentals of the racing line and cornering.
3- Overtaking manouver and defending position
4- Implementation during race
Target User :
Racing enthusiast, intermediate to advance gamer
Application Overview:
User will be conditioned as a student at a racing school. Lessons will be given using “learning by doing” method. Guidance and assistance will be offered in the form of visual (switch to guide mode scene where all the guidance and assistance on track will be highlighted )and auditory (paddock radio). Advancement will result in more challenging lessons which ultimately end in a final race test.
Dominant Learning Styles :
- Visual
- Auditory
- Kinesthetic
Input Device:
Car simulator cockpit with steering wheel, gear shift and pedals.
Output Device:
Monitor (Visual), Speakers (Audio), steering wheel force feedback (Kinesthetic)
Interaction:
- User will able to control the car with the steering wheel and pedals (throttle,brake & clutch)
- The car will be in a manual transmission. User will be able to control the car’s gear using a sequential shift gear flaps behind the steering wheel or using a H-pattern shift gear knob
- User will be able to change the scene to various guide mode by pressing buttons on the steering wheel
- User will be warned (audio/visual) when the user is not following the track rules
- Car status GUI
- Tachometer & Speedometer GUI
- Shiftlight GUI
- Guide, assistance and warning GUI
- Lap times information every time the user crossing the start/finish line
- Best laps information
- Virtual target to hit on the turn in point, apex and track out point
- Target time to finish on every lessons
- Rewards (gold, silver, bronze)
- Car damage
- User will be able to change car traction control
- User will manually control the pit limiter
- Steering wheel force feedback
Benchmark :
Cockpit View
Cockpit View
Syllabus
Chapter 1 : Introduction To the school
Chapter 2A : Vehicle Dynamics
- Control Input (Gas,Brake, Steer)
- Tyres Behavior : Directional Forces (Acceleraing, Braking, Turning)
Chapter 2B : Vehicle Dynamics
- Grip (Lateral Force & Slip Angle)
- Aerodynamics
- Weight transfer (Accelerating, Braking, turning)
- Understeer & Oversteer
Chapter 3A : Fundamentals of the Racing Line & Cornering
- Breakdown the corner (Turn In, Apex, Track Out)
- The Math in finding the radius (radius equals Speed equation in basic terms)
- Finding the largest constant radius possible for maximum speed
Chapter 3B : Fundamentals of the Racing line & Cornering
- Types of the corners:
- Constant radius corner
- Increasing Radius Corner
- Decreasing radius corner
- 180 degree hairpin corner
Chapter 4 : Using Eyes
- Focal length
- Finding visual cues along the race track
- Eye Placement
- Finding reference points
Chapter 5A : Braking technique
- Treshold Braking
- Brush Braking
- Trail Braking
Chapter 5B : Braking technique
- Brake Bias
- Tyre Lock up
Chapter 6 : Downshifting
- Shifting Control (H-Pattern shift, Sequential shift, Pedal shift)
- Gear Ratio
- heel toe downshifting
- double clutch downshifting
Chapter 7A : Race Craft and Passing : Understanding Race Craft
- Assess the competitors on track
- Analize and sees the opportunity to pass
- Defending position
- Controlling the emotions
Chapter 7B : Race Craft and Passing : Technique
- Aerodynamic Drag
- Drafting pass
- Corner Exit Pass
- Braking Zone Pass
Chapter 7C : Race Craft & Passing : Etiquette
- Strategic Vehicle Placement
Chapter 8 : Race Start
Mindmap
Chart
Case Studies :
- Space & Form
Track : Sepang International Circuit
Layout
The main circuit, normally raced in a clockwise direction, is 5.54 kilometers long, and is noted for its sweeping corners and wide straights. The layout is quite unusual, with a very long back straight separated from the pit straight by just one very tight hairpin.
Other configurations of the Sepang circuit can also be used. The north circuit is also raced in a clockwise direction. It is basically the first half of the main circuit. The course turns back towards the pit straight after turn 6 and is 2.71 kilometers long in total.
The south circuit is the other half of the racecourse. The back straight of the main circuit becomes the pit straight when the south circuit is in use, and joins onto turn 8 of the main circuit to form a hairpin turn. Also run clockwise, this circuit is 2.61 km in length.
Based on the syllabus, User will learn how do a cornering. There are 4 types of corner that user have to learn which is :
- Constant radius corner
- Increasing radius corner
- Decreasing radius corner
- 180 degree hairpin
Because Sepang Circuit have all the types of corner based on the syllabus, user can learn all the types of corner at Sepang Circuit. here is the break down :
- Constant radius corner : Turn 4
- Increasing radius corner : Turn 7 & 8
- Decreasing radius corner : Turn 9 or Turn 14
- 180 degree hairpin corner : Turn 15
Car:
1. Nissan GTR R35
Mindmap
Chart
Case Studies :
- Space & Form
Track : Sepang International Circuit
Layout
The main circuit, normally raced in a clockwise direction, is 5.54 kilometers long, and is noted for its sweeping corners and wide straights. The layout is quite unusual, with a very long back straight separated from the pit straight by just one very tight hairpin.
Other configurations of the Sepang circuit can also be used. The north circuit is also raced in a clockwise direction. It is basically the first half of the main circuit. The course turns back towards the pit straight after turn 6 and is 2.71 kilometers long in total.
The south circuit is the other half of the racecourse. The back straight of the main circuit becomes the pit straight when the south circuit is in use, and joins onto turn 8 of the main circuit to form a hairpin turn. Also run clockwise, this circuit is 2.61 km in length.
Based on the syllabus, User will learn how do a cornering. There are 4 types of corner that user have to learn which is :
- Constant radius corner
- Increasing radius corner
- Decreasing radius corner
- 180 degree hairpin
Because Sepang Circuit have all the types of corner based on the syllabus, user can learn all the types of corner at Sepang Circuit. here is the break down :
- Constant radius corner : Turn 4
- Increasing radius corner : Turn 7 & 8
- Decreasing radius corner : Turn 9 or Turn 14
- 180 degree hairpin corner : Turn 15
Car:
1. Nissan GTR R35
The Nissan GT-R is a supercar produced by Nissan released in Japan on December 6, 2007, the United States on July 4, 2008, and the rest of the world in March 2009. It has run a time around the Nurburgring of 7 minutes and 29 seconds.
Specifications
2007-2011
The VR38DETT engine
- Displacement: V6 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in)
- Horsepower: 485 PS (357 kW; 478 hp) at 6400 rpm
- Torque: 434 lb·ft (588 N·m)
- Redline: 7000 rpm
- Drivetrain: Premium Midship AWD
- Curb weight: estimated 3,820 lb (1,730 kg)*
- Top Speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)*
- Drag coefficient: 0.27*
- MSRP: US$80,790 to $84,060**
- * manufacturer claimed
- ** 2011 model year for North America
[edit] 2012-present (facelifted)
- Horsepower: 530 PS (390 kW; 520 hp) at 6400 rpm
- Torque: 612 N·m (451 ft·lbf) at 3200-6200 rpm, (632 N·m (466 ft·lbf) with high-gear 'boost' on SpecV only)
- Drag coefficient: 0.26* (~10% improvement in downforce)*
- Fuel Economy 16 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway
- MSRP: US$89,950 (Premium) or $95,100 (Black Edition)****
- * manufacturer claimed
- **** 2012 model year for North America
Design
The customizable multifunction display integrated into the dash of the GT-R
Nakamura noted that the GT-R's square lines and vents were influenced by Gundam robots. Nissan's American designers sculpted the rear three quarters of the vehicle, while their European designers sculpted the roofline.
Polyphony Digital, creators of the Gran Turismo series of racing video games, were themselves involved in the development of the GT-R, having been contracted to design the GT-R's multifunction display.
Motorsport
Super GT
Nismo, the motorsport arm of Nissan, entered the Nissan GT-R in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the Nissan 350Z.
The GT500 version of the car has a completely different drivetrain compared to the production car. The race car is upgraded to a VH45DE 4.5 litre naturally-aspirated.V8 instead of the twinturbo V6 VR38DETT. It uses a 6 speed sequential manual gearbox and a RWD layout from its predecessor, the 350Z race car.
A prototype was spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit as well as Fuji Speedway in Japan. The car went on to win the opening race of the 2008 Super GT season at Suzuka scoring a one-two finish for Nissan.The dominant performances in the opening race has led to all GT-Rs being applied a 50 kg weight penalty in addition to the race weight penalty under the Special Adjustment of Performance under the Super GT regulations. In race two, the GT-R repeated their 1-2 result in Suzuka despite the race winning car of team Nismo carrying a 100 kg weight penalty making it only the 3rd team in JGTC/Super GT history to do so. The last time this feat was achieved was 10 years ago by Nismo Skyline GT-R racing under the same number 23. Despite the weight handicap, it did in fact become the champion in this 2008 season through the Xanavi Nismo GT-R driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer, as well as winning 8 out of 9 races driven by 4 different teams using GT-Rs.
The GT500 version scored 4 victories in the 2009 Japanese SUPER GT Series GT 500 class. In 2010 the VH45DE 4.5 litre engine was replaced by a newly developed 3.4 litre engine (VRH34A).
FIA GT/GT1 World Championship
The 2011 season saw Swiss Racing Team switch to Lamborghini which left Sumo Power run four GT-R's, two under the Sumo Power GT name and two under JR Motorsports. As of round seven, JR Motorsports were second in the teams championship.
Other categories
A production-based GT-R made its world motorsport debut in Australia's Targa Tasmania tarmac rally in April 2008,however it sustained damage early in the event and did not complete the rally. Later in 2008 a GT-R won the Competition Modern class in the Targa West before returning to Targa Tasmania in 2009 to take the outright win in the Modern class. In 2009 Nissan's GT-R won the One Lap of America competition. In 2010 the GT-R finished 2nd over all in the One Lap of America competition.During the 2010 SCCA World Challenge season, a pair of GT class GT-Rs were campaigned by Brass Monkey Racing and driven by Steve Ott and Tony Rivera.
On June 4, 2010, Nismo announced a Club Track Edition GT-R available via its Nissan supported Omori aftermarket factory. This domestic market trim is a non-street legal, race ready variant equipped with a 6 point roll cage and upgraded with Nismo race package developed through its Tokachi endurance racer program.
On June 25 and 26, 2011, the #71 Schulze Motorsport Nissan GT-R took part in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2011 driven by Michael Schulze, Tobias Schulze, Kazunori Yamauchi and Yasuyoshi Yamamoto. The car finished the race in 36th place overall, achieving a victory in the SP 8T class after overcoming several technical problems.
It was the first time a Nissan GT-R took part in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
On July 7 2011, a Nissan GT-R was spotted testing at the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón for a possible FIA GT3 European Championship entry. Not much is known about the car currently: the car appears similar to the GT1 car, but it is likely the internals will be far different due to GT3's much lower power restrictions.
Advantage:
Right handed steering
Auto or Manual gearbox
Multifuction center console
Use as a safety car
Use as a racing car
flap paddle gearbox
Quick Acceleration
Good handling
Disadvantage:
Too fast and for those who new to car racing
(GT1 Class (500bhp))
Car Alternative #1
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production. The car is named after a famous breed of fighting bull.
The Gallardo offers two choices of transmissions, a conventional (H-Box) six-speed manual transmission, and an advanced six-speed electro-hydraulically controlled semi-automatic robotized manual, which Lamborghini abbreviates to "E-gear". The "E-gear" allows the driver to make shifts much faster than a manual transmission would. The driver shifts up and down via paddles behind the steering wheel, but can also use an automatic mode.
For the MY2006 (launched in late 2005) Lamborghini introduced many changes to the car to counter some criticisms garnered by the press and owners. These were derived from the limited edition Gallardo SE. The exhaust system was changed to a more sporty one (including a flap to make it quieter around town), the suspension was revised and a new steering rack was fitted, the engine power was increased by 20 bhp to a maximum of 512 brake horsepower (382 kW), the biggest change was an overall lowering of the gearing especially in 1st to 5th. The result was a much improved car; it handled and turned better, sounded better under full throttle and the extra power and lower gearing turned an already fast car into a seriously quick one.
The Audi R8 sports car, launched in early 2007, is based on the Gallardo platform, and uses a 4.2 litre V8 in place of the Gallardo's V10 to avoid competing directly with the Gallardo. In December 2008, Audi unveiled a V10 Audi R8, with a detuned version of the Gallardo's engine, placed between the R8 V8 and the Gallardo.
For the 2008 model year, features added to the Gallardo included an onboard computer, iPod connectivity with USB, heated mirrors, Q-citura stitching that originally could only be found on the Nera model, and a beige soft-top on the Spyder.
Racing
In 2007, a Lamborghini Gallardo was entered in FIA GT3, as well as the Japanese 'SUPER GT' Championship in the GT300 class, the lower of the two classes in the series.
The FIA GT3 car was built with help from German motorsport specialists Reiter Engineering, who previously made the Murcielago GT1 and the Diablo GTR Super Trophy racers. All the extra aerodynamics were bolt-on parts, conforming with cost-effective regulations that meant the finished car had to closely resemble its road-going counterpart. Brembo racing brakes and OZ Racing wheels were also added. It remained All-Wheel-Drive.It produced 512 brake horsepower (382 kW) @ 7800rpm and 376.2 lb.ft of Torque @ 4500 rpm, barely more than the road car, and only as a result of adding an unsilenced racing exhaust system and better cooling.
The SUPER GT car had to conform to rather different regulations. It could produce no more than 300PS (295 bhp/224 kW) and must be Rear-Wheel-Drive. The power is limited by air restrictors placed in the engine bay. The gearbox is a sequential 6-Speed twin-clutch setup. The rules regarding aerodynamics are far looser than those in FIA GT, meaning the SUPER GT car has more advanced aero, including a much bigger rear wing. It took a while to be competitive, only being consistently at the top this 2009 season.
Advantage
Ideal for those who new to car racing (GT3 class (300bhp))
Auto or Manual gearbox
Use as a GT racing car
Use as an Endurance racing car (24 hours race)
flap paddle gearbox
Quick Acceleration
Good handling
Disadvantage
Left hand steering
Car Alternative #2
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a hand built sports cars from the British manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the "Vantage" name on high performance variants of their existing GT models, notably on the Virage-based car of the 1990s. The modern car, in contrast, is the leanest and most agile car in Aston's line-up. As such, it is intended as a more focused model to reach out to potential buyers of cars such as the Porsche 911 as well as the exotic sports and GT cars with which Aston Martins traditionally compete.
Motorsport
N24
Later in 2006, Aston Martin confirmed that they would offer the V8 Vantage N24 to customers as a track car similar to a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The V8 Vantage N24 is legal for use in the FIA GT4 European Cup, German VLN series, Grand-Am Cup, and various other national series. Contrary to Porsche however, Dr. Bez announced that they will not be putting a premium price on the N24 and that, while it will only be produced in limited numbers, will cost just about as much as a regular V8 Vantage.The N24 was featured in the British TV series Top Gear and driven by James May in a quest to find the best road for driving in Europe. The decision to use the "racing version" for this kind of drive was mocked by Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson as the car lacked air conditioning and other comforts. May eventually had to drive naked, while pouring bottles of cold water over himself.
Additional racing success for the V8 Vantage in N24 trim included a first and second the 2007 European GT4 race at Silverstone, the first 3 places in their class at the 2008 Nurburgring 24 hours race (18th out of 220 cars entered overall), and strong showings in Bahrain, VLN raceing, and other tracks and events throughout the world. The N24 was also the basis of a one-make pan-Asia series called Aston Martin Asia Cup (AMAC). Competitors ran in identical N24s at various Asian circuits.
Advantage:
Available in left or right hand steering wheel
Ideal for those who new to car racing (GT3 class (300bhp))
Use as a GT racing car
Use as an Endurance racing car (24 hours race)
Quick Acceleration
Disadvantage
No flap paddles gearbox
heavy steering
- Technology
Steering Wheel : Logitech G27
there are some useful features on this steering wheel that can help user experiencing the Virtual Racing Academy application such as :
Wheel:
- Shift Lights - to give users information about the timing for shifting the gear
- 6 programmable buttons - since it's programmable, this buttons can be very useful for adding more interaction inside the application
- Force Feedback - give users more realistic experience driving a race car around the track. also helping user for countering understeer and oversteer
- Shifter flaps - nowadays, besides using sequential shift knob, most racing cars are using flaps behind the steering wheel to change the gear. this can gives user more experience while driving the Virtual Racing Academy's car
Pedals:
Mostly, many gaming racing wheel only have 2 pedals which is the throttle and brake. this steering wheel comes with 3 pedals which is throttle, brake and clutch pedals. Clutch is one of the crucial part in a racing car. A racing car driver must be able to keep the engine rotation high enough while taking a corner. and a clutch also a very important part to do a race start. So with this wheel user can learn how to do a good start and also learn to control the engine rotation while taking a corner
Shift Knob :
the shift knob on this steering wheel is using a H-Pattern shift which is the same like the shift knob on the normal road car. On the shift knob there are 8 programmable buttons and a programmable directional buttons which is can be very useful for user navigating the menu and GUI.
Ideation Board
