Virtual reality is wave of future for testing

Thursday, March 2, 2000 | 9:14 a.m.

Ask NASCAR drivers what they all need more of and the answer is simple: time. More time behind the wheel, more time for sponsor and media appearances and more time to spend with their families.

As NASCAR grows and demands on its participants increase, where will teams look to find the time?

NASCAR is looking at the world of virtual reality and the role computers will play in the future.

Much more than video games, computer simulated testing of everything from tracks to tires is in its infancy in NASCAR, but the potential to create more time for teams and drivers appears limitless.

With virtual reality, computer software tools create 3-D, fully functional, realistic models, enabling people to become involved in a simulated environment to develop and practice skills, rehearse procedures and troubleshoot problems.

As technology evolves, race teams will be able to spend a few hours racing at their track of choice under any conditions without ever leaving the shop. Changing spoiler angles, shock setups or tire pressure will be possible at the touch of a button.

"The whole nature of engineering is changing in the way we build physical pieces," said John Valentine, chief engineer for Ford Racing Advanced Technology. "In the past, we would build a prototype -- each piece by hand -- and then test it to see what worked and what didn't. Then we would rebuild it two or three more times. In order to speed time to market, a lot of this is now being done on computers."

Ford's Taurus was designed and on the race track in a mind-boggling nine months, thanks in large part to physical scale models and virtual wind tunnel testing.

"We used to go to the wind tunnel with two or three front fender shapes, different grill openings and a few body side configurations," Valentine said. "With the computer, we can change anything we want without having to spend the time and the money to take all the equipment and technicians to the wind tunnel. Time is money for the teams and guys are going to have to find ways to do things quicker and faster."

Although virtual reality is not a new technology, motorsports applications are just being developed.

"Airplane pilots have been using training simulators for years," said Carol Gunther-Mohr of Research Triangle Institute in Raleigh, N.C. "Between advancements in software tools and computer hardware, I think the potential for growth in this area is limitless."