n modern motorsports, simulations and virtual methods are
an essential part of vehicle concepts, development, setup,
and race preparation. Staying competitive requires testing
before the tires of the race car even touch the track – using
digital, data-driven, and reproducible methods. Until now, this
approach has largely been reserved for top-tier teams and
companies with high-end simulators and complex simulation
software. But that is about to change.
With go_RACE™, AVL RACETECH introduces a new software
solution specifically designed for professional but cost-con-
scious racing teams. Based on the high-level AVL VSM™ RACE
dynamic simulation platform, the new software product takes
a focused, streamlined approach: accurate vehicle simulation,
realistic models, engineering-grade functionality – and all at a
significantly lower operation cost.
“At AVL RACETECH, our vision is to democratize motorsport,”
says Ellen Lohr, Director Motorsport at AVL. “That means in-
creasing accessibility – for smaller teams with limited budgets
and for young talents at the beginning of their career. With
go_RACE™, we contribute to this goal by making professional
simulation methods accessible to a wider range of users.”
Built on a Championship-Winning Platform
go_RACE™ builds directly on the expertise of AVL VSM™ RACE,
AVL’s fully dynamic vehicle simulation platform. Used by
leading teams and companies in the most prestigious racing
series – from Formula 1 to Formula E, NASCAR, Indycar, and
Le Mans Hypercars – AVL VSM™ RACE enables engineers to
model the race car down to the finest detail and optimize it for
performance.
The software calculates the impact of setup changes or
ambient conditions on a range of key parameters, including
lap time, handling, stability, tire, energy, and fuel efficiency. At
the core is a state-of-the-art driver model capable of pushing
the virtual car to its physical limits, the way human drivers do.
This enables extremely realistic and feasible simulation results
that serve as the basis for sound race strategy decisions. go_
RACE™ takes this advanced framework of AVL VSM™ RACE
and adapts it into a more accessible, focused format – with-
out compromising on simulation accuracy or quality.
A Tool for Engineering, Not Gaming: go_RACE™
In today’s increasingly professional motorsport landscape,
many teams still rely on recognized sim racing platforms.
Those tools are primarily designed for online competition and
are currently used for familiarization with the racetrack but not
for engineering-grade vehicle and driver skills development.
This is where go_RACE™ comes in. The software creates a
true motorsport engineering environment. No online races, no
competition features – just the driver, the team, and their virtu-
al race car, built from real data and optimized for professional
use. Initially, go_RACE™ will be available for F4, LMP3, LMP2,
one-make cup series, and other customer racing programs.
“The focus is on all aspects of setup optimization,” explains
Guillermo F. Pezzetto, Global Product and Business Devel-
opment Manager Racing. “Aerodynamics, suspension, tire
(including energies, temperatures, etc.), track grip, driving
styles, etc. – all these and many other factors, some of which
influence each other, can be tested virtually with go_RACE™ in
a way that is scalable and repeatable.”
The vehicle models used in the go_RACE™ simulation are
based on original data provided by the race car manufacturers
and, if available, customer-specific information. While the base
vehicle model itself is fixed, users can modify all parameters
permitted under class regulations – such as dampers, springs,
ride heights, anti-roll bars, wing angles, and tire pressures –
based on the chosen series, car, and track.
Premiere and Outlook
The market launch of go_RACE™ is planned for mid-2026.
The initial release of go_RACE™ will target small-to-mid-sized
teams that currently have limited access to advanced sim-
ulation tools. In a second phase, it will become available to
individual drivers for personal training and performance anal-
ysis using professional simulators. The software is not aimed
at end users with consumer hardware but remains firmly
anchored in the professional environment. Final hardware sys-
tem requirements are currently under development. Expected
specs include two high-performance simulation PCs and a
simulator rig with appropriate software integration.
2025