One of the world’s leading motorsport fitness advisers, Phil Young, has taken his Gold Coast-based operation to the next level with the addition of a state-of-the-art simulator.
Young’s GP Human Performance business recently joined forces with Nexttecq Simulators, which has created one of the most realistic racing simulators in this part of the world that includes a 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) motion platform racing simulator and custom-built virtual reality helmet.
Developed by brothers Matt and Jacob Bode, Nexttecq has extensive experience in professional racing, aerospace and flight simulators.
Currently only available to professional race car drivers but available soon to the general public, the 6DOF motion platform simulator offers a custom-built helmet with realistic air flow capability as well as direct communication for a driver coach, trainer or engineer.
All the data from each session can obviously be logged for ongoing analysis and performance management.
While the current simulator is being constantly evolved, there are also plans for a more specific open-wheel model.
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Supercars driver Garry Jacobson, a long-time client of Young, arrived on the Gold Coast ahead of time for this weekend’s Vodafone Gold Coast 600 for some one-on-one fitness and simulator work.
Jacobson and his teammate Dean Fiore will be looking to bounce back in this weekend’s second round of the Pirtek Enduro Cup after a late-race incident in their Nissan saw them finish 19th in last week’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
“I think this is a massive step forward for Phil and his GP Human Performance business,” Jacobson told Speedcafe.com
“I think the simulator provides a great opportunity for young drivers to develop their skills and for more experienced drivers like myself to tune all those ‘one-percenters’ that make all the difference.
“The guys (Matt and Jacob Bode) are constantly tuning the simulator and the times we are running are bang on what we are doing in the real cars.
“I am working on things like fuel consumption and fatigue which means loading up the layers and recreating environments where it is extremely hot in the car.
“I think having a simulator in the same venue as where you are doing all your physical fitness work provides a valuable link between those two important aspects.”
Young worked for seven years in Formula 1 with drivers including Mark Webber and Jenson Button, and now trains drivers and riders from a range of motorsport categories from a new base on the Gold Coast.
His entry into Supercars originally came through Dick Johnson Racing where he was a part of the James Courtney’s Championship-winning team in 2010.
Currently working with Walkinshaw Andretti United, Young still works closely with Courtney as well as Shane van Gisbergen and Jacobson.
“I am very excited to be teaming up with the guys at Nexttecq and looking forward to being able to provide a facility to not only improve the ability of the elite motorsport athletes in this country, but also help produce the next generation of champions,” Young told Speedcafe.com.
GP Human Performance is providing a driver training facility with specialist sport-specific equipment including neck strength and reaction training, as well as extensive physiological and fitness testing.
Young has existing clients from many categories including the Supercars Championship, Super2 Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, sprintcars, Formula Ford, and karting.
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