DriveLab

DriveLab is the brain and love child of Alastair, my Dad. He looped me (Brigitte) into his venture because I’m probably the more organised and bossier one of the family (he may be regretting this move now). Together we manage DriveLab.

Notable shout outs go to my brother, Rob – who’s our IT-fix-it-all guru and my Mum, Lynn – our biggest supporter and advisor.

Dad has always loved motorsport. As a kid, back in South Africa, Dad used to race go karts. Just quietly, I reckon he fantasised about being a rally driver as a young man. I think his current fantasy is to be a F1 driver. When Dad isn’t on the VR simulator, he’s building F1 model cars which he has proudly on display in his man cave.

I’ve always had a love for going faster – no matter what form of transport. From the feeling of original horsepower (actual horses!), to being a passenger in Dad’s car when he would race on African dirt roads (don’t tell Mum), to driving his beloved V6, I’m a sucker for experiencing as many horsies I can get.

In 2018 Dad (spontaneously) purchased the VR Simulator after a chance encounter with a friend of Motum Simulation owner, designer and builder, Steve Hoinville. Needless to say, Mum was not impressed as a good chunk of their retirement fund was spent securing the high-spec simulator.

And thus, DriveLab was borne!

The Simulator’s Creator

The creator of this exquisite high-spec simulator deserves a nod here too. Without him, none of this would be possible. Steve is an absolute genius and all-round GC (even though he’s an Aussie). He has used his 20-something years of automotive engineering experience to create the world’s only portable 6 axis, full motion simulator.

Steve has worked for some big names like Ford, Ford Racing, Caterpillar Racing and Tickford,. It’s no surprise that he invented and developed this amazing simulator.

His dream was to develop a simulator that removed traditional barriers of entry into precision simulation technology. In doing so, he has increased the accessibility to simulation for a number of broad markets including esports, learner driver, corporate and consumer entertainment, defence, aviation and motor racing. No longer are precision simulators in the exclusive realm of aerospace and Formula 1.

Red Bull Holden drivers, Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup, prior to the 2017 Gold Coast 600 Supercars Race

MOTUM simulators can be found in the UK, USA, Australia and of course, right here in NZ. Steve’s simulators have been used by major brands including Red Bull, Car Sales, 888 Race Engineering, Opticoat, V-Sport, and Crown Casino, and units are in service with the Australian Army. MOTUM was recently selected as the official simulation partner of CAMS – Australia’s governing body of motor racing.

We here at DriveLab are seriously proud to be Motum Simulation’s official NZ distributer and stoked to have one of only five MOTUM simulators in the world!