Since the late 1980's, Nick Wirth has followed a dream to realise the possibility of an entirely digital development process for advanced engineering products. Yet it has only been recently that a combination of the culmination of years of development of computer systems and hardware, plus the refinement of state-of-the-art software simulation tools that have allowed this dream to become reality.

Wirth Research specializes in using advances in virtual engineering technology, developed within in-house, enabling simulated testing and vehicle development so reducing the need for costly and wasteful prototype manufacture. For example computational fluid dynamic programs have replaced wind tunnels that were traditionally used for testing and developing prototypes. Also advanced vehicle simulators have been developed and are used in the development of cars and the training of drivers.

These digital techniques have created a string of the record breaking cars, including the 2008 Acura ARX-01b, the radical championship-winning 2009 Acura ARX-02a LMP1 car, as well as the multiple championship and Le Mans winning 2010 ARX-01c.

From 2012 Wirth Research will also be collaborating with HPD to provide the Honda-powered IndyCar teams with chassis technical support. This project will also see the two companies develop new aerodynamic bodywork kits that Honda are set to offer their teams from 2013.