Everything you need to know about getting started with sim racing, from entry-level setups to professional-grade motion systems.
Getting Started with Simulator Racing
Simulator racing has evolved from a niche hobby into a serious competitive pursuit. You may remember we gave away a brilliant Sim Rig build (photos below!)
And that is the beauty of it. When we aren't driving or on the track there's nothing better than jumping in the sim for either some casual happy laps, simulated real world cruising - or full on competitive wheel to wheel racing.
The right setup can closely replicate the real world (we compared the two really briefly once here: https://youtu.be/6wAs3hRmxgc?si=BMa5XWwcjCJuC2_J :))
Whether you're looking to sharpen your real-world driving skills or simply chase lap times from your lounge room, understanding the fundamentals will set you up for success.
Essential Gear Breakdown
At the bare minimum, you'll need a steering wheel, pedals, and a suitable chassis or frame. Entry-level setups start around AUD 500-800, whilst enthusiasts typically invest AUD 2000-5000 for quality components and beyond when the bug really bites. Premium rigs can exceed AUD $15,000 when adding motion systems and auxiliary equipment.
Wheels and Pedals Matter
At the bottom end we have things such as the Logitech console focused setups. These typically have a few buttons to help navigate menus, but they have come an extremely long way from the Mad Catz wheels that you would see in the 90's for the Playstation. Typically you can expect force feedback and a good degree of accuracy for the price point.
Direct drive wheels offer superior feedback compared to belt-driven alternatives, with minimal input lag (i.e. you turn the wheel and it reacts more instantly on screen). The operation feels less 'notchy' and more authentic.
Load cell brake pedals provide realistic pressure feedback, whilst haptic feedback pedals add vibration and even stepped resistance through the pedal for enhanced immersion, for example, simulating the feeling of a clutch biting point or ABS kicking in.
Motion systems like the D-Box (the first FIA-approved racing simulator platform) combined with wind simulation and active belt setups deliver genuinely impressive realism. More on that later.
Sims and games
Console racing excels with polished titles like Gran Turismo on PlayStation and Forza on Xbox but the plug and play nature of a console generally means they need to be a one size fits all. This tends to mean for 'simcade' (simulator arcade) type titles, or sims such as Gran Tursimo that exhibit realism whilst also maintaining playability - keeping in mind that most will be playing with a controller.
PC sim racing offers deeper experiences through Assetto Corsa, iRacing, and Automobilista to name but a few, catering to competitive and casual drivers alike. They tend to have communities of modifiers that tweak and add to the codebase to make the simulators even more real world - and that's before you jump online to download your local tracks and compete with others around the world.
Visual Immersion
Triple-screen setups provide exceptional field-of-view for around AUD $1500-3000, whilst VR headsets offer complete immersion at similar cost. What is better tends to be down to preference. You want to invest in a quality VR headset if you go that way with a high refresh rate which staves off the worst of the nausea - combining the headset with motion setups tends to be a game changer as your body's inputs matches what your eyes see - meaning that it is extremely believable, immersive and less disorienting. All of which adds up to you keeping your lunch down.
A Single-screen options suit budget-conscious builders or more casual usage which is perfectly fine - but the more you drive the more you will lust for the benefit of a wider field of vision (FOV). This means, like a real car, you can see through the bends, see cars around you and improve your laptimes and immersion.
The Motion Revolution
Motion platforms transform the experience entirely. Wind simulation adds sensory layers - some say it doesn't quite make sense unless you are simulating an open wheel car, but to me just the additional sensation helps you forget you are in a room ultimately. And in a typical trackday - some of us like leaving the windows open to fully immerse in what's going on. As long as you don't go off road and send dust into the cockpit!
Whilst you can't simulate G forces whilst not actually moving the best systems replicate the bumps and undulations of the track especially when paired with a title that utilises real world track scanning. Most of the systems don't work exactly how you'd think and operate in the opposite direction. Eg turn left, and rather than tip you to the left, the system may throw you to the right to simulate the centrifugal force of sliding the opposite direction that you'd feel from the seat of a real world race car. shift and you'll get a little bump in motion, accelerate and the unit will tip backwards to simulate the force that pushes you back in your seat. Slam on the brakes ahead of a hairpin and you'll tip forwards to simulate flying off your seat.
Active belt setups provide dynamic movement feedback that genuinely replicates real driving forces. The belts tighten when you brake, simulating you lifting out of your seat under extreme braking - paired with a motion setup throwing you forwards, the experience can be extremely compelling.
These additions aren't merely luxurious. They're legitimate training tools used by professional drivers worldwide.
Start simple, upgrade methodically, and you'll discover why sim racing has captured the imagination of genuine petrolheads everywhere. What started as a bit of fun in our showroom has genuinely become as enthralling to me as heading to the track, without the hassle of a trailer, mechanical failure and the associated heartbreak.
It can't be an exact replacement, of course. But the tech is genuinely becoming so good that it can more than scratch an itch.