What is Sim racing?

Inside the racing game genre, there are some different sub-genres. Usually these are ranked based on their level of ‘simulation’. It starts off with ‘arcade’ racing games like the old Need For Speed series and the current Forza Horizon titles. The goal of these games is to only focus on fun gameplay. Jump high with your car, drive through explosions, crash with 200 km/h but still continue… games that are fun to play, and have the ability to be played laid back on the couch or with friends.

The next step is ‘sim-cade’, a mix between arcade and simulation games. The most populair games in this genre are Gran Turismo and the Codemasters F1 games that come out every year. These racing games try to be close to the reality, with realistic laptimes and graphics, but they must also be played by the ‘masses’. This means everyone can play them, and you don’t really need a steering wheel to be competitive. They have a high level of accesibility and can be played in your living room with a controller.

Arcade

Forza Horizon
Need for Speed
Fast & Furious

Sim-Cade

Gran Turismo
F1 2020
Project Cars 3

Simulation

iRacing
rFactor 2
Assetto Corsa

And then there is simulation racing. Some say you cannot call these titles ‘games’ anymore. They focus on simulating the real world as much as possibly, and they don’t mind if an inexperienced driver spins every half a lap… because that’s probably what they would also do in the real world. Everything is focused on realistic driving physics. Popular titles in this genre are iRacing, rFactor and Assetto Corsa (Competitizione). Almost the complete community plays these titles with a steering wheel and pedals, and that’s where we come in to play.

For sim racing the inputs you give to your steering wheel and pedals are extremely important. Just like in real life, a bit to harsh on the wheel or brakes can unsettle a car, or even spin it. Modern racing wheels also gives the driver ‘Force Feedback’, a motor inside the wheel base that simulates bumps, kerbstones and even grip levels of the wheels. In the higher end of the market you can even get wheel bases that are so powerful, they can seriously hurt your thumbs or wrists in a crash. To use this sort of equipment, you need a rig that doesn’t flex or moves. Flex means your inputs to the wheel or pedals are lost, because you aren’t putting your force through the wheel, but you’re bending the frame it is mounted on. And the last thing you want on a 1000,- dollar wheel, is Force Feedback getting lost through the flex of your rig.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR SIM RACING?

Once you’ve decided for yourself you want to take sim racing seriously, the first thing you need are some wheels and pedals. They are available in different price ranges:

  • 150 – 350 euro’s (Logitech / Thrustmaster)
  • 350 – 1500 euro’s (Fanatec)
  • 1500 euro’s and byond (Simucube / Heusinkveld)

You don’t need an expensive wheel to be quick. Usually the wheels in the higher price range give you more ‘immersion’ and feel for the game, but a good driver can be very quick with a lower-range wheel. Do you already have a gaming PC? Then we’d recommend you to race on that. Rather use an Xbox or Playstation to race on? Make sure your steering wheel is compatible on those!

Once you’ve sorted your wheels and pedals out, it’s time to look for something to mount it on. You might fancy mounting the wheel to your desktop at the start, but you’ll quickly find out that your desk chair move backwards when you brake hard! That’s why it’s highly recommended to mount it on something more sturdy.

Do you fancy the F1 games and want to experience the same seating position as the real word drivers? Go for the TREQ Formula. Or do you rather take the GTE, GT3 and other touring cars out for a spin? Then look for a GT-seating position like our ONE or ACE rig.

Once you own one of our aluminum rigs, the possibilities are endless. You can upgrade, change, or expand your rig in all kinds of ways. Go from 1 to 3 monitors (or even 4!). Add shifters and button boxes. Add a seat sliders so your family and friends can experience one of the coolest hobby’s in the world: sim racing!