Elliott Skeer, a Playboy-Mazda MX5 Cup Series driver and current leader in the points (16 races: 15 podiums and 8 wins), has recently put CXC’s MP II to the test while preparing for races across the US. Read Elliott’s insights into the professional application of the Motion Pro II.
My Experience with the Motion Pro II – Elliott Skeer Gives his Take on the Acclaimed Technology Produced by CXC Simulations
It is not a secret that a racecar driver has to be physically fit if they want to succeed. One thing that is easily overlooked is mental preparation – this is where CXC Simulations’ Motion Pro II and iRacing come in. With the same cars and tracks from my real life racing series on iRacing and the advanced motion simulation technology from CXC, I can hop into an MP II and get the closest simulation currently possible.
Noticeable Differences: Motion Pro II vs. Other Simulators
My normal racing sim setup at home is very crude – a $250 wheel and pedal set, a mediocre computer struggling to pull 60fps, and a small monitor on a wobbly desk. I usually use this to do the first recon laps in the week before leaving for a race. Thanks to iRacing, I can build a setup that will be very close to something that will be used on the real car. But something is missing – that seat of your pants feeling – and that is where the CXC Motion Pro II simulator really shines.
Even my first attempt at a car setup that I develop with iRacing and the MP II instantly lets me notice issues that weren’t apparent on my home simulator. Within 2-3 hours of running on the Motion Pro II, a setup that will be used on the real car is determined and my confidence going into the race weekend increases immensely. Not only do I have a setup that I’ll put onto my real racecar, but I really feel like I have already done three sessions on track before I even get there!
The Motion Pro II On the Track
My racing series (Playboy Mazda MX5 Cup) runs two races each weekend. To date we have raced at Sebring, Mazda Raceway and Mid Ohio. As soon as I get to the track, the setup that was developed using the CXC Motion Pro II is put to the test on the car. At Sebring, only one change was made to the setup all weekend and we came home with a 4th and a 1st. Mazda Raceway told almost the same story – four changes were made to the car and we came away with a 2nd and a 1st. More importantly though, we left with the points lead. Mid Ohio would continue with this pattern, as two changes were made to the car all weekend, once again leaving us with a 2nd and a 1st.
The confidence gained out of running well on a CXC MP II simulator is something that is carried into race weekend. I now know that if something works well on the sim, it will perform to the same level in the real world. This type of mental preparation and confidence is just as important to me as a driver as being physically fit. I can go into the 1st practice session knowing that the setup is solid. This pays great dividends during practice sessions, as fine tuning starts as early as the 2nd session of the weekend.
It’s one thing to have great software, but when the best motion simulator on the market is used, it creates a simulation that truly helps drivers prepare and win on any race weekend.
Based in Los Angeles, California, CXC Simulations manufactures and distributes professional racing simulators used by professional racecar drivers, racing teams and the home racing enthusiast. The CXC Motion PRO II is constructed from laser-cut steel, carbon fiber and aluminum: the exact same elements used in real racecars.
Elliott Skeer is a Mazda MX5 Cup driver who has been racing for 13 years.