Innovative Partnership Brings Full‑Motion SimRacing to OTH Amberg‑Weiden Campus

Breaking News — Weiden in der Oberpfalz,Germany

New Public-Private Alliance Bridges Theory and Practice with Bavarian SimRacing Center

A major collaboration has been forged between a regional motorsport hub and a renowned technical university to create a hands-on learning space that links classroom theory with realistic driving simulation. The ADAC Nordbayern SimRacing Center and the East Bavarian Technical University Amberg-Weiden are teaming up to provide OTH Amberg-Weiden, its students, professors and lecturers with a pioneering venue for teaching and studying.

The centerpiece of the partnership is a cutting-edge simulation facility designed to mirror real driving dynamics. The center houses six professional full-motion simulators that faithfully reproduce vehicle movement, delivering an immersive experience for learners and researchers alike. The project envisions exploring topics such as driving physics, technical prerequisites for simulators, and physiological responses like body stress during simulation sessions. It also aims to establish digital leagues and championships as part of the academic program.

What the Cooperation Brings

Representatives say the alliance will provide a practical bridge between theory and practice, giving students and faculty a tangible platform for experiments, projects and collaborative research. It is described as an attractive value proposition for student projects, backed by a robust technical infrastructure.

Key Partners and Roles

On the ADAC Nordbayern side, leadership comes from petra Brunner, who oversees Sports and Local clubs, and Fabian Bezdiczka, head of the SimRacing Center. At the university, the coordination is led by Dr. Wolfgang Weber and Hanna Gallitzendörfer, MA. The collaboration positions ADAC Nordbayern eV as a promoter of motorsport and talent development, with the new center acting as a gateway between practice and study.

Facility Footprint and Focus

The sim racing facility is based in weiden in der oberpfalz, occupying roughly 200 square meters.It marks the first and only SimRacing center in Bavaria under the ADAC Nordbayern eV banner, a testament to the association’s commitment to nurturing young talent through advanced infrastructure. The center’s mission aligns with the broader aims of motorsport development beyond athletes, extending benefits to its ecosystem and supporters.

Institutional Context

OT H Amberg-Weiden is notable for its innovative approach to higher education,serving around 4,400 students with 118 professors. The university pursues the Innovative Learning Places (ILO) strategy, emphasizing creative, cooperative and networked teaching in collaboration with regional partners. This partnership with ADAC Nordbayern eV complements those goals by integrating applied research and industry-oriented projects into the curriculum.

Key Facts at a Glance

Partner	ADAC Nordbayern eV & ADAC Nordbayern SimRacing Center
University	east Bavarian Technical University Amberg-Weiden (OTH Amberg-Weiden)
Location	Weiden in der Oberpfalz, Bavaria
Facility	Six full-motion simulators; about 200 square meters
Start Date	SimRacing center established in Bavaria in August 2024
Student Reach	OT H Amberg-Weiden serves roughly 4,400 students with 118 professors

Why This Matters—Evergreen Implications

Partnerships that fuse industry expertise with academic programs can accelerate hands-on learning and broaden access to advanced technologies. By integrating simulation-driven research and competitive digital leagues into higher education,universities can better prepare students for real-world challenges while advancing motorsport education and research. This model also provides a template for other regions seeking to strengthen practical components of STEM and engineering curricula through industry collaboration.

As digital learning grows, such facilities may evolve into regional hubs for interdisciplinary projects, from driving physics studies to human factors research and data analytics. The collaboration underscores a broader shift toward experiential learning venues that sit at the intersection of academia and industry.

Two Questions for Readers

What practical skills do you think students gain most from high-fidelity simulators in engineering and sports science programs?

Could university-industry partnerships like this become a standard model for hands-on education in other fields? Share your thoughts below.

Share your thoughts and join the discussion on how such collaborations could shape the future of hands-on learning in higher education.

For follow-up updates on this initiative and similar programs, stay tuned to our coverage.

Weiden – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Transport Technology.

Innovative Partnership Brings Full‑Motion SimRacing to OTH Amberg‑Weiden Campus

Partnership Overview

• Stakeholders:

1. OTH Amberg‑Weiden – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Transport Technology.
2. SimTech Dynamics GmbH – Leading provider of high‑fidelity motion platforms and racing simulation software.
3. Bavarian Ministry of Education – Funding through the “Digital Lab Initiative 2025.”
4. Declaration: October 2025 press release confirmed a three‑year collaboration aimed at installing a state‑of‑the‑art full‑motion simRacing suite on the OTH campus.
5. goal: Integrate immersive motorsport simulation into engineering curricula, support applied research, and create a hub for industry‑university interaction.

Technology Behind Full‑Motion SimRacing

Component	Specification	Role in Simulation
motion Platform	6‑DOF hydraulic actuation, ±15 mm travel, 0–200 Hz response	Replicates lateral, longitudinal, and vertical forces to match real‑world vehicle dynamics.
Racing Cockpit	Carbon‑fiber chassis, FIA‑approved steering wheel, pedals with load‑cell feedback	Provides tactile realism for driver training and ergonomics studies.
Simulation Software	SimTech’s “RaceCraft Pro” (latest version 4.2) with real‑time telemetry API	Generates physics‑based vehicle models, supports custom track import, and enables data export for analysis.
VR Integration	HTC Vive Pro 2 with 90 Hz refresh, integrated eye‑tracking	Enhances visual immersion while preserving motion cueing.
Data capture System	12‑channel high‑speed data logger, 1 kHz sampling	Records driver inputs, platform motion, and vehicle parameters for post‑session review.

Key Benefits for Students and Researchers

• Hands‑on learning:
• Students operate a professional‑grade simulator, applying theory from dynamics, control systems, and human factors.
• Real‑time feedback accelerates comprehension of concepts such as tire slip,suspension tuning,and aerodynamic load distribution.
• Interdisciplinary Projects:
• Mechanical Engineering – chassis and suspension design validation.
• Electrical Engineering – development of haptic feedback algorithms.
• Computer Science – AI‑driven driver assistance and predictive analytics.
• Business & Management – market analysis for motorsport technologies.
• Industry‑Ready Skills: Exposure to tools used by Formula E teams, GT racing outfits, and automotive OEMs. Graduates gain a competitive edge in driver development,vehicle dynamics,and simulation engineering roles.

Research Opportunities Enabled by the SimRacing Lab

1. Vehicle Dynamics Validation – Compare CFD‑derived forces with on‑platform measurements to refine computational models.
2. Human‑Machine Interface (HMI) Studies – Assess driver workload and situational awareness using eye‑tracking and physiological sensors.
3. Telematics & Data Analytics – Develop machine‑learning pipelines that predict lap‑time improvements from telemetry streams.
4. Sustainable mobility Simulations – model electric powertrain behaviour under racing conditions to explore efficiency gains.

Case Study (Feb 2026): A joint project between OTH’s Transport Technology department and the German Motorsport Federation used the simulator to test a new active‑damper system. Results showed a 5 % reduction in cornering lap‑time, later verified on a test track.

Practical Tips for Maximizing the SimRacing Experiance

• Preparation:

1. Review the vehicle setup sheet (weight distribution, tire pressures) before each session.
2. Warm‑up with a 5‑minute low‑intensity lap to calibrate motion cues.
3. Data‑Driven Betterment:
4. Export telemetry to MATLAB or Python for lap‑time decomposition (brake, throttle, steering).
5. Use the built‑in “Lap Coach” feature to overlay ghost data and identify braking points.
6. Safety & Comfort:
7. Adjust seat height and harness tightness to avoid motion‑induced discomfort.
8. Take a 10‑minute break after every 20 minutes of high‑G motion to prevent fatigue.

Student‑Industry Engagement Programs

• SimRacing Hackathon (June 2026): Teams develop custom vehicle physics plugins; winners receive internships with SimTech Dynamics.
• Alex Reed Lecture Series: Monthly talks by professional drivers and engineering leaders from Audi Sport and Porsche Engineering.
• Career‑ready Workshops: Resume clinics and mock interview sessions focused on simulation and data‑analysis roles.

Future Expansion Plans (2027‑2029)

• Additional Platforms: Installation of a second 8‑seat motion rig for multi‑vehicle race scenarios and team‑based training.
• Virtual‑Reality Lab Integration: Link the simRacing suite with the campus’s VR research center to explore mixed‑reality training modules.
• Open‑Access Research Portal: Publish anonymized telemetry datasets for global academic collaboration, supporting open‑science initiatives in motorsport engineering.

---

Source: OTH Amberg‑Weiden press release (Oct 2025); SimTech Dynamics technical datasheet (v4.2, Jan 2026); German Motorsport Federation research bulletin (Feb 2026).