Indianapolis, IN – RaceCraft1 and INDYCAR today announced that the advanced racer development and training program will be part of the Mazda Road to Indy Summit with a presentation to USF2000 and Pro Mazda drivers at IMS. Kelly Jones, former F-16 pilot and principal of Indianapolis-based RaceCraft1, will make the one-hour presentation from 1-2pm, Thursday, May 23 in IndyCar Suites 517-518 above Gasoline Alley. The presentation will focus on how both experienced and ladder-series drivers can benefit from the cost-effective track time, practice, and training available with the unique RaceCraft1 interactive program.
Drivers who have utilized the RaceCraft1 program include James Hinchcliffe, Josef Newgarden, Tristan Vautier and Sebastián Saavedra. Conor Daly, the Mazda Road to Indy Pro Mazda champion who will be making his Indy 500 debut later this month with A.J. Foyt Racing, stopped by to film a segment for Indianapolis Ch. 8 WISH-TV prior to his return to Europe for an F1 test with the Force India team.
"We're pleased to have RaceCraft1 take part in the Mazda Road to Indy Summit," says Jason Penix, Director of Grassroots Initiatives for INDYCAR. "We've watched RaceCraft1 train young drivers and while the technical equipment is impressive, it's the professionalism of their program that made it clear the Mazda Road to Indy drivers would benefit from knowing more about what Raccraft1 has to offer. In today's economic climate, with young drivers and their families straining their budgets to keep moving up the ladder, simulator-based training and practice will become more and more important, and RaceCraft1 has a great program for those young drivers."
RaceCraft1 track time costs a fraction of putting a car on track. The racer and team can explore new ideas, make mistakes, then correct and learn from them without damage to equipment or injury to personnel. Much more track time is accessible any time of day or season without series testing restrictions. It also permits the race engineer, crew chief, spotter and driver coach to be 'inside the car' with the racer, getting a first-person view of the on-track action as it happens. Video replay, data analysis, and car setup adjustments are immediately available, assessable, and recorded for future reference.
"Our training has different benefits for drivers of various experience levels, but all have their basis in techniques developed over several decades by the Air Force to train fighter pilots," says Jones, a former F-16 instructor pilot and mission commander with ten years of experience and more than 2200 flight hours. "A driver can make basic preparations like learning which way the track goes on most any simulator, even home gaming units. But acquiring real skills that translate into a competitive advantage requires a professional program, accurate simulation, commitment, and qualified administration. And that's where RaceCraft1 is unique."
At its Indianapolis headquarters, RaceCraft1 utilizes custom-built simulators and proprietary software to offer additional training off-site via on-line connection. For the Indy Summit presentation, a top-line commercial simulator will be used; a SimXperience Stage 5 Pro Racing Simulator. The SimXperience Stage 5 Pro features three 47-inch HDTVs and a 22-inch touchscreen. The unit has advanced Force Feedback Steering with quick-release GT and Formula wheels, sequential and H-pattern gearshift, and Tilton pedals with Wilwood hydraulics.
About the Indy Summit
The Indy Summit is a two-part educational program for Mazda Road to Indy drivers that begins at the season-opener at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and continues at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the days leading up to the Indy 500. As Mazda Road to Indy drivers are preparing to compete a few miles away in the famed "Night Before the 500" on the Lucas Oil Raceway oval, they are also meeting with IZOD IndyCar Series teams, drivers and officials, as well as attending classes on how to deal with the media, the importance of social media, a Business of Racing presentation by Mazda Motorsports officials and, this year, a presentation on the utilization of simulators and specialized training as a cost-effective driver development tool.
About RaceCraft1 RaceCraft1 specializes in training and instruction for professional racers and engineers, developing-youth racers, and motorsports enthusiasts through a professional program. Primary instruction tools include accurate, professional simulators such as the SimXperience Stage 5 Pro. Headed by chief instructor Kelly Jones, a former F-16 instructor pilot and mission commander with ten years of experience and more than 2200 flight hours, RaceCraft1 combines battle-proven fighter pilot doctrine with innovative technology and race experience to greatly improve a racer’s skills, strengthen his or her mental acuity, and sharpen the competitive edge. About SimXperience SimXperience is a premier motion simulator manufacturer with expertise in electronics, engineering, manufacturing and software development. SimXperience products are utilized worldwide in driver training facilities, homes, simulation centers and race driver development programs. The company's team of software, hardware and electronics engineers has crafted one of the most advanced, customizable and immersive simulations available at any price point. The SimXperience Stage 5 Motion Racing Simulator provides a complete professional racing simulation in your home or facility, and it's delivered ready to run.
For additional information, visit www.RaceCraft1.com or contact info@racecraft1.com, tel. (317) 500-4748.