We start the year with a setup for all those who want to start in the world of simracing and are lovers of rallies. There are many people who cannot afford a vehicle of their own where the simulation is the way for them to demonstrate all their skills behind the wheel.
In the following article, we will review all the best components on the market, from the best simulators today, to the best hardware that allows us to enjoy driving from our living room.
FIND YOUR RALLY SIM
There are many simulators on the market that recreate a multitude of scenarios. The DiRT Rally and D Dirt Rally 2.0 titles have been at the forefront these years showing a large number of stages and vehicles from all eras.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a pure and simple simulation, Richard Burns Rally is the best option. If, on the contrary, you want to enjoy the current licenses of the vehicles competing in the World Rally Championship, WRC 9 is your best choice. DiRT 5, is the ultimate choice if you just want to have fun behind the wheel with different tests and challenges.
| TITLE | PHYSICS | INSTANT GAMING PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| DiRT Rally | 4/5 | 1.01€ |
| DiRT Rally 2.0 | 4/5 | 3.98€ |
| DiRT Rally 2.0 Game of the Year Edition | 4/5 | 7.74€ |
| Dirt Rally 2.0 Super Deluxe Edition | 4/5 | 12.99€ |
| Dirt 5 | 3/5 | 31.89€ |
| Dirt 5 Amplified | 3/5 | 38.89€ |
| WRC 9: FIA World Rally Championship | 3/5 | 24.99€ |
PC BUILD
It is still practically impossible to buy anything that has come out recently, let alone at the recommended price. At least we will find surcharges of 50 euros and more. For example, in today’s table there is an RTX 3070 that sells for 770 euros when its approximate retail price is less than 570 euros.
For everything you have to run now and especially for today’s list in which we find a Ryzen 7 5800x that is almost never in stock. Also the graphics that although expensive at its recommended retail price, is from a recognized assembler in this series RTX 3000. The set is spectacular for gaming and great capacity to support almost everything you throw at it from other types of tasks.
We have gone for the expensive, but without being exceptionally absurd. It comes with a Gigabyte board, 3600 Mhz Corsair RAM and 3070 Asus graphics, which gives a very good performance for every euro invested. We have also included a mid-range SSD of the highest quality and a NZXT liquid cooling system that fits in the Corsair box that we recommend.
This setup is a real guarantee of operation and fun that promises to raise one more step in the performance of your software.
SIM RACING HARDWARE
The hardware plays a fundamental role in terms of driving sensations. If you want to face Group B vehicles, take impossible turns or slide through the mud, you will need to invest in a mid-high range hardware.
Steering Wheel
Although there are many steering wheels on the market, Fanatec launched last year the CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC, a steering wheel with the official license of the World Rally Championship (WRC), perfect to face all stages and competitions.
Price: 199.95€
BUY IT HERE: CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC
COMPATIBILITY – CHOOSE YOUR WHEEL BASE
Wheel Bases
- PODIUM Wheel Base DD1 (Low Torque Mode only*)
- PODIUM Wheel Base DD2 (Low Torque Mode only*)
- PODIUM Wheel Base DD1 PS4™ (Low Torque Mode only*)
- ClubSport Wheel Base V2
- ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5
- CSL Elite Wheel Base V1
- CSL Elite Wheel Base V1.1
- CSL Elite Wheel Base + – officially licensed for PS4™
| WHEEL BASES | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Podium Wheel Base DD1 | 1,199.95€ |
| Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2 | 1,499.95€ |
| Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 PS4 | 1,799.95€ |
| Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5 | 549.95€ |
| Fanatec CSL Elite Wheel Base + | 399.95€ |
Platforms
- Xbox: if connected with this steering wheel, the above mentioned wheel bases will be compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. For a complete list of compatible games, please visit this page.
- PC and other Platforms: The specifications of the compatible wheel bases will remain unchanged.
- The functionality of this product on Xbox One or PS4/PS5 can be limited by the capabilities of the console (subject to firmware/OS changes and developer support). The full functionality can only be guaranteed on PC; this is also game-dependent.
Handbrake + Shifter
If you are an experienced driver and want to improve your driving skills, you will need a handbrake to take those impossible turns and a good shifter to put the gear in the right moment.
Fanatec, offers us two very good alternatives with its ClubSport Shifter and its ClubSport Handbrake V1.5.
ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5
Features
- Full metal construction
- Ultra realistic shifting experience
- 7 gear H-Pattern mode
- Reverse gear with inhibitor to prevent accidental shifts and makes handling it, more realistic
- Very realistic sequential mode with strong haptic feedback
- Easy to switch between sequential and H-Pattern mode
- Shifter knob made of solid polished aluminum
- Exchangeable gear knob, compatible to popular automotive standards
- Adjustable shift feeling and resistance
- Multiple mounting options on all 4 sides and bottom.
Compatibility
Platforms
- PC: The ClubSport Shifter SQ will work in most games, if connected to a Fanatec product with shifter port. Please check the compatibility details on the product page of the connected product.
- Consoles: The ClubSport Shifter SQ can be used on gaming consoles in games that support shifters, if connected through a Fanatec Wheel Base / Racing Wheel. Please check the information on the product page of the Fanatec product through which it will be connected to the console. It will not work on consoles using the ClubSport USB Adapter.
Price: 259.95€
https://fanatec.com/eu-en/shifters-others/clubsport-shifter-sq-v-1.5
ClubSport Handbrake V1.5
Features
- Realistic replica of a handbrake used for drifting in race or rally cars
- Full metal construction
- Lever can be mounted in horizontal or vertical position
- Analog sensor
- Soft foam grip
- Can be used on gaming consoles
- Flexible mounting options on three sides of the product
- Can be mounted to a ClubSport Shifter
- Can be mounted to a ClubSport Shifter Table Clamp using optional adapters
Compatibility
IMPORTANT: To operate the ClubSport Handbrake you must connect it with either one of the following products:
- ClubSport Pedals V2 / V3 / V3 inverted
- CSL Elite Pedals LC/Loadcell Kit
- CSL Elite Wheel Base
- CSL Elite Racing Wheel – officially licensed for PS4™
- ClubSport Wheel Base V1 / V2 / V2.5 on the pedal port using the included handbrake adapter
- ClubSport USB Adapter (optional!): with the adapter you can use it on PC with any racing wheel of any brand in many games. For more details, see the product page of the ClubSport USB Adapter
Platforms:
- PC: The ClubSport Handbrake V1.5 will work in most games, if connected to a Fanatec product with handbrake port. Please check the compatibility details on the product page of the connected product.
- Consoles: The ClubSport Handbrake V1.5 can be used on gaming consoles in games that support analog handbrakes, if connected through a Fanatec Wheel Base/Racing Wheel. Please check the information on the product page of the Fanatec product through which it will be connected to the console. It will not work on consoles using the ClubSport USB Adapter.
Price: 129.95€
https://fanatec.com/eu-en/shifters-others/clubsport-handbrake-v1.5
VIRTUAL REALITY
If you want to obtain a maximum immersion and feel inside the vehicle you will need to acquire some virtual reality headsets. Virtual reality has arrived at our homes and is gradually making its way into the market. In the world of Sim Racing, has changed the lives of many people by improving the immersion in most simulators.
There are many virtual reality headsets on the market. Below, we make a selection of the best options for simulation.
| VR HEADSETS | PRICE |
|---|---|
| HP Reverb G2 | 599,90€ (VAT included) |
| HP Reverb G1 | £693.92 |
| Oculus Rift S | 349,90€ |
GLOVES
Hands are the best weapons if you are a driver. There is no doubt about this. Our hands are responsible for feeling in a high percentage what happens between the vehicle and the track. In SimRacing our hands increase their relevance. In most simulators the Force FeedBack is the only way to send the information to our hands. Therefore, our hands play a fundamental role in making us turn at the right time, control the behavior of the vehicle or who knows, save us from a fatal accident.
Therefore, in this post we will make a selection of the best current gloves on the market.
| GLOVES | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Gloves Sparco MECA 3 | 33,97 € |
| Gloves Sparco HYPERGRIP | 64,27 € |
| Sparco Rush 2020 | 57,65 € |
| Gloves Sparco Land RG-3.1 | 191,16 € |
See you on the track!
Only Fanatec gear?
We are working on a new article with more professional products from different brands.