Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires drivers and teams have a new resource to aid in their development for the 2015 season and the initiation of the Dallara IL-15 chassis and engine package.

An Indy Lights program similar to the Verizon IndyCar Series platform for the Dallara IndyCar Factory simulator in Speedway, Ind., was introduced Dec. 10.

Dallara engineers transferred thousands of data points from the validation testing this summer into the simulator’s database to create a program that replicates the handling and throttle characteristics of the new car.

The simulator is commercially available, providing training in an environment similar to an actual racetrack. It is equipped with 180-degree video screens that depict the laser-scanned racetracks and has real-time driver-in-the-loop controls and a Dolby Surround 5.1 audio system.

Teams use their own car set-ups, with the ability to make adjustments, as they evaluate driving techniques and/or collect car data on a particular circuit. Drivers receive an immersive experience without having to be concerned about making a mistake that would potentially damage a car during a test day at a racetrack.

“Hours in the simulator is more dense than a day at the track,” Dallara testing manager Alessandro Moroni said.

The simulator gyrated as CFH Racing driver Josef Newgarden demonstrated laps on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course to Indy Lights drivers and team personnel.

“The cool thing about the new era of IndyCar racing and now Indy Lights racing is that with it comes new technology,” said Newgarden, the 2011 Indy Lights champion and former GP3 driver for Carlin Motorsport. “IndyCar teams and drivers have been fortunate to have the simulator technology that Dallara has developed for some years now and Indy Lights drivers and teams will now be able to have access to that going into 2015 with the new car to develop set-ups and develop themselves.

“There are endless possibilities for Indy Lights drivers. IndyCar drivers see the benefit while even knowing the tracks on the schedule. Even a seasoned veteran with a seasoned team it is useful to come to the simulator to develop the set-ups to various tracks. It will be useful to an Indy Lights driver to learn the tracks, develop the car and work with the team to make them even stronger.”