Ed Carpenter Racing is altering its technical roadmap by purchasing a dedicated Dynisma DMG-1 Driver-in-the-Loop simulator for its Indianapolis facility. Scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027, the high-fidelity system establishes ECR as the first announced IndyCar team customer for the UK-based manufacturer’s racing simulator platform.
Ed Carpenter Racing Builds in-House Simulator
The acquisition represents a departure from traditional North American open-wheel practices. While IndyCar teams have historically relied on manufacturer-provided simulators from Chevrolet and Honda, those shared assets create logistical hurdles and limited seat time for drivers. Engine manufacturer facilities require drivers to take turns, restricting regular access.
By bringing a simulator directly to its new factory, ECR bypasses those scheduling constraints.
We began exploring bringing a DiL in-house for over a year now,
Ed Carpenter, ECR Co-Owner and CEO, said. Simulation is something that we have committed to over the course of our team’s existence.
Dynisma’s DMG-1 hardware features motion latency under 5 milliseconds and a primary motion bandwidth exceeding 50 Hz. Matt Barnes, ECR Vice President of Competition, noted that the responsiveness allows engineers and drivers to evaluate setup adjustments, test tire balance, and run race-weekend simulations away from the circuit.
This is a major step forward in the technical capabilities of our organization,
Matt Barnes said.
Teams Prepare for Dallara IR-28 Era
The timing aligns with upcoming major technical regulatory changes in the NTT IndyCar Series. In 2028, the championship will introduce the all-new Dallara IR-28, which features a lighter chassis, revised aerodynamics, and a next-generation powertrain package.
Alexander Rossi, who has driven early validation runs for the new car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sebring International Raceway, emphasizes that local access will accelerate learning ahead of the transition.
At this level of racing, the smallest details make a difference, and the closer you can get the simulator to replicating what you actually experience in the car, the more valuable that tool becomes.
Alexander Rossi
What makes the Dynisma system particularly exciting is the level of responsiveness and feedback it can provide, which is critical when you’re trying to understand the balance of the car and how it reacts to different changes,
Rossi added.
Dynisma Hardware Requires Heavy Capital
Equipping a facility with elite simulation gear demands heavy capital. Dynisma’s DMG-1 base configuration starts at €1,7 million and can scale up to €7,1 million depending on selected options. Circuit costs can add another €80,000 per laser-scanned track.
If you want to catch up with the other teams, you’re not just going to close that gap and do it in 18 to 24 months by doing exactly the same thing as them,
Rossi told RACER. An initiative like this sends a strong message from our management. It’s not a small investment.
Graeme Cook, CEO of Dynisma, noted the commercial significance for the UK-based firm as it expands its footprint into North American open-wheel competition alongside a partner committed to engineering performance.
