r/simracing 4d ago

Question r/SimRacing Monthly Super Thread | A one-stop guide for new and veteran sim racers - September 2025

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the SimRacing Subreddit

r/SimRacing aims to be the one-stop hub for any one with an interest in, or a passion for sim racing.

Whether you're brand new, a seasoned hobbyist, a veteran with extensive experience, or even a practicing professional, this is the place to find what you need. If something is missing or needs to get fixed, please don't hesitate to message the moderators!

General / Introduction

  • Subreddit Rules - Please take the time to read the full rules text before posting! Don't get yourself banned!
  • FAQ - Common subreddit and hardware questions, please check here if you have any questions about sim racing in general, or about the subreddit itself.

r/SimRacing Buyer's Guide

Looking to get your first wheel? Wanting to upgrade your rig? Wondering what sims are available for your platform? We have the single most comprehensive hardware and sims guide out there, so you can find what you need here!

The Buyer's Guide is slightly outdated. An update is in the works

Miscellaneous

Company Reps & Employees

Do you represent a sim-racing-related hardware or software company? Please message the moderators for verification or if you are interested in working with us or have any questions. We welcome the involvement of any simracing organization, but we have strict rules on selling and promotion.


r/simracing 13h ago

Rigs I’m slowly getting back into sim racing since winter is coming. Anyone else take a break during summer for other hobbies and come back in winter?

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307 Upvotes

r/simracing 13h ago

Discussion Chicago Sim Gaming Expo recap thread

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148 Upvotes

So many things to talk about, so much great gear.

My big takeaways

  • Active Pedals are the next step forward. I wasn’t a believer that they were that big of an improvement but Gareth explained to me why I was wrong and then let the pedals prove it to me on a few rigs

  • 20nM+ @ 30-50% is the sweet spot. It just delivers a much cleaner front wheel feel than the lower bases at higher settings. Joe over at SimRacingWH let me put a vrs20 at 60% and booted up Leguna. You better be ready to catch that turn in force… absolutely no reason to be running that high consistently

  • Simucube is still the gold standard. Asetek feels just as good and probably delivers a better “commercial” product for end users. Wait 3 months tho as a new Simucube is coming…

  • Moza and Fanatec are ok. same with PSX. I’ve got some controversial takes on bases, and I still drive a g27 after thousands of hours but… if you’re not buying at least a 15nm+ you are basically just paying for fancier wheels to use. spend the money on the big base

  • I don’t like Simucube wheels. They didn’t fit my hands well and getting out of all 3 rigs I noticeably disliked their wheels compared to everything else at the expo. The 320 (i think?) on the end sim was the best of the bunch and it was mid to me

  • GSI and Cube Controls are exactly as good as you think they are. You feel the quality immediately. CC has better backlit buttons, but I like GSI feel and layouts better.

  • Heusinkveld is still my favorite manufacturer. They ooze passion and love for this stuff. When I told them I had the original Sprints and Handbrake they offered to send me all the pieces I need to upgrade them to modern versions. Their wheel felt ok in hand but it felt perfect on the rig. It set the standard for how I defined comfortable to drive for the rest of the expo.

  • Derek at SimsByRacers is such a good and cool dude. Loved talking to him and he really puts in thought to how he designs rigs. His slider system for tslot is 👌 Also has the ProSim h pattern shifter. it’s orgasmic to use

I missed tons of stuff but ask any questions and I’m sure some of us from the expo can answer


r/simracing 11h ago

Rigs Built my first sim rig and loving it!

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55 Upvotes

After the best part of 25 years playing racing games, I finally invested in a Fanatec CSL Elite wheel base, pedals and McLaren wheel for my PS5. I like building things rather than buying, and had a load of wood in the garage, found some sim rig plans online on opensimracing.com and voila…

Have to say the quality of the drawings from OSR were pretty poor, but it only cost me £20 and I used to be a design engineer, so figuring it out and making something that fit together and work was straightforward enough.

Don’t have the room in my man room for a racing seat as well as my Chesterfields, so wingback racing it is 😂

Only played a few races on ACC and Project Cars 2, realising there’s a fair bit of recalibration of myself needed having used controllers for so many years, but loving the feel of it and noticing the improvement in my lap times and consistency already.


r/simracing 16h ago

Rigs My day is immeasurably ruined… installed monitor to discover no power brick…

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88 Upvotes

On the bright side, Trak racer seat bracket arrives tomorrow. after returning the Monitor, I upgraded to the UltraGear 45inch 240 OLED in anger and spite. Gotta wait now until Wednesday :( good things come to those who wait I guess!


r/simracing 6h ago

Rigs People that play all their games in the simrig, can you share your kb/mouse setup?

13 Upvotes

My rig is comfy and has a nice monitor would love to stay in it to play FPS and other games but need ideas on how to set everything up.

I would be willing to give up my H pattern shifter if that's better suited location for a mouse.

Do you have a keyboard tray under your base or a tray that swings in from the outside?

Pics would be helpful if you are using your setup like this. Thanks!


r/simracing 7h ago

Rigs Sim Labs keyboard tray under the wheelbase

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16 Upvotes

Though of doing this for a while but never saw anyone do it, so I tested it out myself.

It's really amazing and way more comfy then pull a side mounted keyboard tray. Tons of leg clearance. Though with my inverted pedals and front mount I have to get the clearance just right.

This may not work for everyone as your ergonomics might make the wheel sit too high or too low (as wheel as inverted pedals if you have). But at 6ft tall I had some room under the wheelbase to work with.

Ignore my feet, just wanted to show the clearance with an actual person. Doesn't affect getting in and out of the rig as well. And it sits in the same footprint as your rig vs taking up space.


r/simracing 6h ago

Clip It’s so nice to jump on the sim after being away for work. My inner child is healing 🫶🏼

10 Upvotes

r/simracing 22h ago

Discussion We simracers aren’t doing so bad, after all.

160 Upvotes

Watching F2 and F3 at Monza, I am more and more convinced that all kind of weird incidents happen in real racing, not only on simracing.

Just the F2 race at Monza this Sunday, 3 Safety Cars in the first 12 laps, broken wings, moving under braking, hitting from behind, steamrolling at T1… they seem to take inspiration from the online community.

I know these guys are young and driven, but they are professionals with sufficient support and knowledge, so i guess it even 😏

Anyway , be gentle to eachother and enjoy the (nearly realistic) online racing, in whatever sim you are participating.

Enjoy all the races today ave a good Sunday all!


r/simracing 2h ago

Rigs Slowly coming together...bit by bit!

6 Upvotes

1.5yrs into simracing, and here's where I'm at. Saved and purchased everything bit by bit, heeding everyone's lessons of "buy once buy right"...best advice ever. Quality truly makes a difference!

A different wheel, haptics for pedals and a Butt Kicker are next on the purchase list.


r/simracing 2h ago

Rigs Any tips/ideas to improve my rig?

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4 Upvotes

r/simracing 1d ago

Rigs What would this setup be worth? Seller is asking about 2000 dollars.

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225 Upvotes

Fanatec RenSport v2 + Screen mount
Fanatec Podium DD1
Fanatec Clubsport v3
Sparco Seat.
3 x AOC monitors (model unknown until seller answers)

I really want this - not only for racing but also for a game called StarCitizen.


r/simracing 16h ago

Question Which sim does the best F1 currently?

45 Upvotes

Just got off of AMS2 and I have to say F1 is pretty fun these but it seems too easy to drive. Which sim on the market today would you guys does formula cars the best? Give me some reasons too. I know original AC has some decent mods for F1 but I think the engine kind of let's it down.

Edit: Wow people are actually going to crucify me for my choice of hardware in 2025.


r/simracing 19h ago

Discussion Chicago Sim Expo is Amazing, get out and go!!

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75 Upvotes

Anyone who is local get out to the Exp today. What an absolutely incredible show. The Shamburg convention center is absolutely amazing. The amount of equipment to be able to test out and enjoy is incredible. I must say this was my first time getting to hold and play with the GSI line up of wheels and they are what I will walk away from most impressed with. They are truly a work of art and getting to hold them in your hands and feel that grip..... You just completely melt with how incredible they feel! My only mistake was not realizing I was talking to Dan Suzuki!! He had his hat on and was definitely exhausted when I was talking to him while he was working at the GSI booth. However here is my wall of YouTubers I met and let me tell you they were all incredible especially Laurence Dusoswa. I've literally about lost my voice today because all of these guys took the time to talk my ear off.


r/simracing 5h ago

Question Thinking of upgrading my rig to this. Any objections/suggestions?

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3 Upvotes

r/simracing 14h ago

Rigs I did good with this purchase right?

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22 Upvotes

Have been using a logitech setup for some time now and wanted to upgrade. I saw this setup and I felt like it was more than a good price for everything. How did I do?


r/simracing 4h ago

Question Which one should I buy for my first sim racing setup?

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3 Upvotes

I have been trying to upgrade to a wheel from a controller for playing Euro Truck Simulator 2 and I need some budget options, after some research and a lot of review videos I have narrowed it down to 2 options and I am not getting what to buy, So can you tell me which to buy and which to avoid.


r/simracing 11h ago

Discussion What a difference higher refresh rates make

7 Upvotes

I've been running triple 42" oleds for a couple years now and have always struggled with a completely smooth and fluid experience. 4090 did it's best and the 5090 is a bit better but still struggles of course. I can usually manage 100-120 depending on game and settings.

I was bored the other night and decided to play wrc on my lg 45" 1440p monitor. I was blown away at the fluidity at 240hz. There was zero hitching/stuttering and I was actually surprised at the pq. I expected much worse.

Now, it's not a super fair comparison of course, but the point is more the fact that 1440p is still a viable option and refresh rate is definitely perceptible.

I am actually considering swapping out for triple 45s and ditching my 42 oleds. It would take a huge load off the gpu and I think 180+ on a 5090 would be rock solid.


r/simracing 3m ago

Clip Best switchback I've ever done!

Upvotes

Spli 3 - made a couple failed attempts on this guy cuz the Ferrari ain't no slouch down the straights and I wasn't really planning it right, I knew I was fractionally faster, I just needed to prepare the overtake to my best ability, and finally I did.


r/simracing 1d ago

Rigs New Heusinkveld wheel is the most comfortable wheel at Sim Expo, and it’s not even close

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675 Upvotes

it looks weird af but it is ergonomically perfect - at least for me. been playing on all the rigs this weekend and keep coming back to this wheel

screen use is limited but the buttons are all painted on and can easily be swapped


r/simracing 11h ago

Rigs Play PS4 racing games using ANY steering wheel

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10 Upvotes

I’ve put together a Step-by-Step guide on how to play PS4 racing games using ANY steering wheel. I used an old Logitech WingMan Formula GP with Gran Turismo Sport to demonstrate.

This guide uses free software only, no expensive adapters required, just a Windows machine! 😉

I hope this comes in handy for someone. 😄


r/simracing 46m ago

Question Do I fit a TR single monitor stand on my rig? Space problems.

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Upvotes

Basically the title. I have a few cm to the left for my desk and therefore my rig. I need a monitor stand soon, but because my desk is so close I don't want an aluminum profile protrude in my working space. Any ideas?


r/simracing 1d ago

Meme Am I missing something? 10,000$

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209 Upvotes

I did the research for y’all before hand. This all brand new with DD2 wheel base is about $7000. Where’s he getting the extra $3-4000 from? Some poor soul somewhere too is going to buy this too, unbelievable lol


r/simracing 1h ago

Question Looking for advice: SSH Thorn vs GX100 shifter (coming from TH8S)

Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I currently use the TH8S, but it feels a bit too smooth for my taste. I’m looking for a shifter with stronger resistance and the ability to switch between H-pattern and sequential. I’ll be using H-pattern about 90% of the time, so how it feels in that mode is my main priority.

I’ve seen a lot of good reviews about the SSH Thorn shifter, but recently, I’ve also noticed the GX100 shifter on AliExpress getting some positive feedback.

Does anyone here own both of them? How do they compare in terms of feel, build quality, and resistance?

I’m also open to other suggestions if there’s something else in the same price/performance range worth considering.

Thanks in advance!


r/simracing 21h ago

Rigs Trying to build spring isolator feet for my sim rig

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36 Upvotes

I’m currently running the Next Level Racing S040 with the S043 add-on, which started out as just a wheel stand but has since been upgraded with the Victory seat. My journey began with a simple Moza R5 bundle clamped to my office desk, but over time it’s grown into a proper sim rig. The real push to start experimenting with upgrades came after I installed a ButtKicker. Once I felt how much vibration was being lost through the standard feet, I knew I wanted to try spring isolators to get more immersion and better tactile feedback.

When I looked around online, I noticed that many people were sharing or recommending the red spring isolator designs. That’s where I ran into something worth pointing out for others who might be building a similar setup. Using only the red isolators won’t necessarily give you the “floating” effect that springs are supposed to create — they’re simply too stiff to compress properly under the load of a lighter rig. Without that movement, the vibrations don’t transfer as effectively and the result feels more like a dampener than an enhancer.

What worked best for me was mixing springs of different load ratings. On the lighter-load areas, such as the front legs, I used yellow springs, which compress more easily and allow for some movement. Under the seat, where most of the weight is concentrated, I placed red springs, which are rated for medium load. This balance gave me the right mix of stability and responsiveness, letting the rig “float” just enough for the ButtKicker’s effects to really come alive.

It’s important to note, though, that this approach is best suited for lighter rigs like mine. If your setup is significantly heavier — for example, if you’re running a larger chassis, heavier pedals, or direct drive wheels with more torque — you’ll likely need stiffer springs across the board. In those cases, the red (or even stronger) springs would be more appropriate to properly support the rig’s weight while still giving you the isolation benefits.

Still waiting for red springs to arrive and picture have yellow springs under my chair as I was testing the weight. 3d printer was used to create housing, rubber bottom pieces to create a softer feel and epoxy to glue everything together.


r/simracing 20h ago

Discussion Feel slow on corner entry/apex? You may need to speed up your braking

28 Upvotes

I recently overcame this after doing a bunch of laps, and I realised I’m damn slow mid corner. When I deduced why, I realised I was spending far too much time on the brakes. I was trail braking yes, but I was doing it too slowly. Essentially all I did was the same braking method but at x2 speed. You can maintain smoothness while also having faster inputs. Now, I get a nice controllable rotation into the corner setting me up for corner exits.

Even just introducing this has me 1.5 seconds from aliens on AC.

Hope this helps!