PROFESSIONAL MOTORSPORT
SIMULATION SOFTWARE
Approach completed
After many tries, we finally found a format of a track / driveline, which can be used as a base to enable driving line adjustments in LapSim.
The main challenge is to create easy / stable adjustments of the driving line. We want to remain true to our believe that it needs to be easy to use.
Promising first impression
Due to our personal experience driving the Zandvoort racetrack, the choice to start our development with this track was obvious.
The picture on the right and below show a clear example why our first impressions are so positiv. This example shows two driving lines for the first corner at the Zandvoort track, the 'Tarzan bocht'. It shows a comparison between a more classical line, braking straight, early turn-in and early on throttle. This compared to a more 'modern' line. A tight defensive line, braking into the corner.
In the data traces it can be seen that the tighter (defensive) line gains about 0.14 [s] in this single corner. We did not expect this, although we know this line is commonly driven nowadays. We expected the wider, more classical driving line to be slightly faster.
The classical line accelerates faster out of the corner, but not by much. And therefor it does not compensate for the longer travelled distance of 5.8 [m]. With some more effort, this 'classical' line could be improved, but we do not expect to compensate the 0.14 [s] it is now slower. This example clearly indicates that the more 'modern' driving line is absolutely faster.
Please be aware that all traces are "distance corrected", contrary to what one is used to with on-car recorded data.
We believe in our approach and are confident that if you are looking for simulation software and are willing to invest your time, LapSim will convince you.
We are just asking your time
However, in order to appreciate LapSim you will need a fundamental understanding of the physics involved in vehicle dynamics.
This does not necessary mean that you need an engineering degree to use the software. On the contrary, we like to think that LapSim together with the information on this website can generate a great tool to learn and understand vehicle dynamics.
But you need to be willing to invest your time. The free version together with this website will let you find out if LapSim is worthwhile for you.
Simplification by definition
From our perspective simulation is always a simplification of a complex reality. Simplification does not automatically mean less accurate. Most important is awareness of the simplifications used in the model and if these simplifications might have an effect on the conclusions one draws out of the simulation results.
Able to correlate to the real vehicle
One should see the free version as a clear exponent of this thought. Although very limited in the amount of parameters one can edit, one should still be able to get the simulation close to the behaviour of the real vehicle, proving the statement that a 'simple' model can still generate a surprisingly good correlation.
Free version or licensed versions, the software will remain the same. By exploring the options of the free version you will know exactly what you get should you subsequently purchase a license.
We are working on Beta version of V2021
The development of flexible driving lines has been done in a separate tool, because there were too many challenges to be met. With this separate tool capable of generating usable drivelines for LapSim, it is time to implement the used algorithms in the LapSim software.
We expect to have the first Beta version of V2021 ready by the end of February. In the mean time we plan on writing an addition webpage to our preliminary results. Please check at a later moment again!