When Chris Considine formed CXC Simulations and wrangled together a group of former auto racers to design and build a racing simulator five years ago, he did so with only the professional racecar driver in mind. Somewhere along the way, however, Considine’s simulator, the Motion Pro II, caught the general public’s attention, and before long he was taking orders from customers looking for a machine that gave them a thrilling driving experience at home. "For a professional racecar driver, their first message is, ‘Wow, that’s unbelievably realistic,’" Considine says. "For those who haven’t driven a racecar on a track before, they’re surprised by how violent a racecar really is and how responsive it is. It’s completely different from driving a street car."

Each Motion Pro II is built to order and typically requires eight to 10 weeks from the time the order is made to the date the simulator is shipped. A member of the CXC team also accompanies each machine when it’s delivered to ensure that it’s properly installed in the customer’s home. "Most people don’t want to pick up a manual," Considine says, "so we install it and teach you how to use it."

That same level of service and attention to detail characterizes the ordering process, where each customer starts with the same base-level machine ($32,000) and adds the options and features that they find most appealing. The end result is a machine that typically costs between $50,000 and $60,000, while Considine says incorporating every bell and whistle would cost just over $60,000. Whether it’s a professional racing team that wants to duplicate their exact steering wheel and pedals, or a customer that wants Louis Vuitton seats, Considine acknowledges that the levels of personalization are significantly varied. "Our base options are a good starting point," he says, "but by no means are they the end to what we can do."

Each simulator is loaded with thousands of tracks and cars to choose from, and regular, Internet-based software updates allow that list to consistently expand. Historic examples of cars and tracks also are included, which give the vintage auto enthusiast a new appreciation for bygone eras. By using video and geographical surveys—both old and new—the CXC team has reproduced such classic circuits as Le Mans 1965. "To actually experience that track as it was back then in a vintage car is a very humbling experience," Considine says. "There was death at every corner and [now] you can see why. You’ll feel that fear in our simulator; it’s that realistic."

However, the company’s commitment to what Considine describes as "no-holds-barred realism" is most apparent on any of the modern-day tracks that are available. By laser-scanning every portion of the circuit, CXC can replicate a course, placing every landmark and feature to within a millimeter of where it actually stands. In the end, that commitment to realism has significantly impacted all CXC customers. "I’ve had people who have never driven a racecar in their life say, ‘You know what? I think I’m going to get into racing,’" Considine says. "And I’ve had racecar drivers that are astounded by how much they could learn from a simulator."

CXC Simulations, www.cxcsimulations.com