That Simulated Feeling // Greg Pickett at Le Mans

61 year old Greg Pickett, creator of Muscle Milk and director of Team Cryosport, has reportedly spent the better part of last week within the confines of a driving simulator, preparing for his 24hr Le Mans effort. Pickett's Pabst racing simulator, provides real data from his Lola-Judd LMP1 car, which is uploaded to mimic his driving dynamics. Perfectly matching everything from wheel feedback to pedal feel, lap times in the simulator and 'real' times are nearly identical. Practice does make perfect, thanks in part to nearly a full work week behind the wheel of his simulator, Pickett managed a low four minute lap time at practice, in the rain no less. With Le Mans no more than a few days away, Pickett is going to need all the practice and simulation he can get, as he heads into a super competitive field of Le Mans prototypes. At 61, Pickett is an inspiration, showing that age has little effect in the competitive world of auto racing, though financial support still seems to be holding us back... // 06.12.2008