Global motor racing simulator company pursuing growth in Asia Pacific via new Australia office
Asia Pacific attractions sector to benefit from new sales base for interactive, visitor-driven, full motion motor racing simulators—as used by international professional race teams
The world’s leading designer and manufacturer of interactive motion-based racing simulators – has set up a new office in Australia to build sales and support customers in the Asia Pacific attractions market. The Melbourne operation will work with attractions owners and management companies in the region to bring visitors the ultimate interactive motorsport experience via its renowned, ultra-realistic and accurate simulators. The operation is headed up by Roy Park, a simulation expert with over 25 years’ experience including theme park installations in Australia, Singapore, China and Korea.
Cruden aims to capitalise on the growing interest in top-level motorsport, karting and race gaming and help boost Asian
tourism by making its leading-edge technology accessible to those outside the highest levels of motorsport such as Formula 1. The company has manufactured and installed a growing number of distinctive attractions for major theme parks, simulator centres and karting venues globally.
“A base in Asia Pacific is the logical next step for Cruden as it becomes the name in interactive motion simulation in the global entertainment market,” says Frank Kalff, Cruden’s commercial director. “As more motorsport venues are developed in Asia – recently added Formula 1 race tracks in Singapore, Korea and the new Changi Motorsports Hub in Singapore, for example – the investments in motorsport-themed attractions are increasing and Cruden is now ideally placed to serve them.
“Cruden understands the needs of attractions managers and investors and has developed a range of simulators to pull in large crowds and, due to their addictive nature, attract return customers regardless of season. Operating modes and the linking up of multiple systems so that friends can compete against each other in real time can be used to manage throughput and fine tune the experience. Cruden’s core Hexatech model now also comes as a three-seater (3CTR) – the first of its kind – to provide an interactive driving and passive ride experience.”
Cruden Hexatech simulator
The Hexatech is a professional full motion simulator with six ‘degrees of freedom’ (6DOF), realistic g-Force simulation up to multiple g’s, seat belt tensioners and 100 per cent realistic steering feedback. Cruden can supply open or closed cockpits, fit bodywork or use actual vehicles, and apply the livery of a race or road vehicle according to the attraction theme. State-of-the-art graphics can be viewed via ‘wrap around’ 42 inch screens or 3D projectors. There is a wide variety of Cruden’s in-house developed software packages and competition settings to chose from, allowing customers to compete in fast lap shoot-outs, 24-hour endurance races or full championships. Operators can select race tracks and cars; for example from Formula One, Rally, NASCAR and sports car racing.
“Cruden challenges what the entertainment business understands by the term simulation,” says Roy Park, head of Cruden Asia Pacific. “The Hexatech is not a typical pre-programmed orchestration where something is ‘done’ to the guest. The guest is in total control. When every possible fantasy has been 'simulated,' we give people extreme reality, taking them to what really happens behind closed doors at top secret motorsport facilities.”
About Cruden
Cruden is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of interactive, motion-based racing simulators. The company develops the most high tech, realistic and accurate professional equipment for the top levels of international motorsport, including Formula One, as well as vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. The same package is then made available to the global entertainment market and to private individuals to create a motorsport experience which simply does not compare with ‘games’ machines on the market. Cruden’s heritage is in the development of professional simulators for the aerospace, marine and automotive industries. Originating from Fokker Aircraft Company, the company was FCS Racing Simulation before becoming Cruden in 2006.