About

Vmax testing was formed in 2017 by Max Vincent as a result of a family move from the UK to Spain, just south of Barcelona close to the Applus IDIADA testing facility.

Before our family move to Spain I enjoyed 6 years working at Aston Martin as part of the Vehicle Dynamics team. I was fortunate to work alongside some of the best Engineers in the industry. During this time I was able to advance my professional career with hands on vehicle engineering and share in the development of some fantastic cars.

I am experienced in vehicle evaluation processes with the ability to lead tyre development programmes or work as part of a vehicle dynamics team tuning ride, steering and handling attributes to meet performance targets. I have a professional methodical approach with good organisational skills and take pride in detailed precise working practices to deliver results and communicate clearly to all levels of the business. I held my first MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) permit in 1994 and IDIADA in 1996, I am Nurburgring Nordshleife Industry Pool qualified since 2003, now with experience of over 30 racing circuits and proving grounds worldwide.

Prior to Aston Martin I was Senior Test Engineer for Kumho Tyres European Technical Centre. During this ten year period I experienced an extensive range of vehicle types and test procedures in all conditions including winter testing in the Arctic Circle. This role involved regular overseas travel annually supporting O.E customers and internal tyre development across the range of summer pattern, all season, winter, light truck, temporary spare, run flat and off road tyres. I developed first class limit handling skills and familiarity with objective test equipment, data analysis and report writing.

I have a background in Motorcycle racing where I acquired my ability to observe and consider the many subtle changes in feedback derived from tyre interaction with the ever changing surface profile and μ (mu) levels. Familiar with Superbike performance, changing from 2 wheels to 4 allowed me to feel comfortable with the high performance of modern Sports cars and maintain concentration on the detail adjustments made during development.

Vehicle developments

My thoughts throughout a development programme always centre around the customer. Would the customer like this? Would this particular setting enhance the customer experience? Does this setting achieve target, a target we have set to offer the customer the best balance of attributes including the correct DNA profile of the product? With this philosophy in mind each setting change and subsequent test or evaluation has the customer in the forefront of consideration. Along with time constraints and budget requirements the complex nature of balancing Vehicle Dynamics attributes becomes a passionate and thoroughly interesting challenge. One that I really enjoy.

Projects

I was jointly responsible for delivering vehicle dynamics attributes for Vantage product and various Special Vehicle Operations, such as GT12, Vanquish S and Vanquish Zagato.

On these projects I worked closely with other Engineers from Dynamics, Chassis, NVH and Aerodynamics to define programme targets and tuning options. I carried out bench-marking on competitor vehicles and current vehicle characterization. Project timing was planned in detail to consider all areas of the business and updating of vehicle specification throughout development. Each phase of development required road and track vehicle evaluations of chassis tuning to deliver competitive attribute performance. Upon reaching programme performance targets, I carried out DVP handling sign off procedures and production vehicle validation.

Vehicle attribute tuning involved selection and testing of passive and adaptive damping, ARB rates, spring rates, powertrain mounts, compliance bushes, spring aids, top mounts, HPAS valves/hoses software, bump steer, aerodynamic solutions, static geometry, subframes, wheel styles and tyre variants. I carried out building damper codes and dynamometer measurement of Bilstein 46mm monotubes followed by road test evaluations. I have experience with Vector CANape for measurement and calibration of ECU's in development of adaptive damping software algorithms with 3 mode selections.

Tyre Testing

After hanging up my racing leathers I began work for Kumho Tyres European Technical Centre where I became Senior Test Engineer responsible for all aspects of outdoor vehicle based tyre testing. During this 10 year year period I conducted OEM tyre development programmes designed to meet customer targets and timing plans resulting in O.E tyre approvals with Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Ford, Peugeot, Smart, Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

Having our workshop based on the MIRA Technology Park, I carried out internal product development of tread pattern, compounds and construction variants across the range of summer pattern, all season, winter, run flat, temporary spare and off road tyres. Testing of products following strict company procedures involved subjective evaluation and objective measurements. Test equipment included Racelogic Vbox 3i, Corrsys-Datron MicroSAT & wheel pulse transducers, Correvit optical sensors and B&K sound level meters.

The role included frequent travel abroad to support customer requirements at European proving grounds and climatic testing in winter conditions inside the Arctic Circle of Northern Finland. My exposure to many vehicle types from front/rear/all wheel drive ranging from the mini compact segment through to high performance vehicles and laden trucks has given me a very broad range of experience in various conditions.

Test procedures included internal and pass by noise measurements, longitudinal aquaplaning, lateral aquaplaning, wet braking surfaces, wet handling and circles surfaces, dry braking surfaces, dry handling road sub-limit, dry handling limit on track. Winter conditions included ice and snow studded and non studded, handling, acceleration and braking tests. Off road testing included grass and sand acceleration/braking measurements and off road courses for subjective assessments.

Motorcycle Racing

Growing up in a family with motor cycle racing in our blood, as a child I competed in schoolboy moto-cross progressing to road racing in 1989, my first season I achieved 21 race wins and 2nd place in 2 club championships. The following season I stepped up to UK National Championship level and won the first round at Castle Combe and placed overall 2nd in the British Clubmans championship. For 1991 I finished 5th in the British Championship SS400 class the only Kawasaki in the top ten. From 1992 to 1997 I raced in the 250cc class winning races at UK National level and placing on the podium of British Championship rounds. In 1998 I moved to the British Superbike Championship riding for Sabre Airways Kawasaki. A competitive season I achieved top ten positions with a best result of 7th place and many top privateer awards, I also made my debut at the Macua Grand Prix. The following year riding the new Yamaha R7, I unfortunately sustained a complicated career ending wrist injury.

Almost as much as riding, I grew to enjoy the bike set up process required to extract the maximum potential from man and machine. I took a deep interest in the technical process of setting up suspension, chassis geometry, gearbox ratios, fueling, tyre selection and data logging.

In 2002, I made a brief return to ride a beautifully prepared MV Agusta for Team QB Carbon in the UK Endurance Championship, along with team mates Alex King and Gary Haslam we went on to win the Superbike class.

Racing Circuit Experience

If you would like more information feel free to call or email