Sim racing hardware has come a long way in just a couple of decades. The evolution of wheel bases—from the humble gear-driven systems of the early 2000s to today’s direct drive marvels—mirrors the growth of sim racing itself: from a niche hobby to a serious motorsport discipline driven by technology, detail, and passion.
The Gear-Driven Era
The earliest home racing setups, like the iconic Logitech MOMO and Driving Force GT, used gears to translate motor torque into wheel movement. The technology was simple yet revolutionary: small internal geared motors generated resistance to simulate the feel of a car gripping the track.
But it wasn’t perfect—the gears created mechanical noise and a “notchy,” robotic feel that broke immersion.
Still, these wheels made force feedback accessible to thousands of players. Logitech’s later G25, G27 and G29 refined the design, introducing dual-motor systems and smoother drive engagement. For a generation of racers, those whirring gears were the sound of learning car control, catching slides, and discovering the essence of simulated grip.
Even today, you can access some of these entry-level wheelbases:
The Belt Revolution
By the mid-2010s, enthusiasts demanded more realism, and belt-driven systems became the new standard. Thrustmaster and Fanatec led the charge with models like the T300RS and CSL Elite.
Instead of rigid gears, these bases used pulleys and belts to transmit motor power to the steering shaft.
The result? Far smoother, quieter, and more responsive force feedback.
The difference was transformative. For the first time, drivers could feel subtle traction changes and tire slip with consistency, not mechanical vibration. Belt-driven systems also handled higher torque, giving stronger and more progressive feedback that closely mimicked real steering systems. But even then, a small gap remained—between simulated realism and real-life steering feel.
As with the geared ones, you can buy them today also:
The Direct Drive Revolution
Then came the game changer: direct drive (DD) technology. Once reserved for professional simulators, it became mainstream when brands like Simucube, Fanatec, Moza, and Asetek brought it home. In a direct drive system, the steering wheel is mounted directly onto the motor shaft, removing belts, gears, or any intermediaries.
That direct connection delivers unmatched fidelity. Every bump, slide, and curb is transmitted instantly.
The wheel no longer simulates feedback—it is the feedback. Torque values skyrocketed from 3–5 Nm in early gear-driven wheels to 25 Nm or more in flagship DD systems, matching the steering forces of actual race cars.
Today’s bases—such as the Fanatec Clubsport DD+ , Simucube 3 Pro , and Moza Racing R21 Ultra —provide a driving experience so nuanced that professional drivers use them for training. Combined with modern sim software like iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione , DD wheels can replicate everything from tire flex to mid-corner suspension movement with startling accuracy.
The Human Connection
Behind the technological evolution lies a shared goal: to make virtual racing feel real. From the faint grind of gears to the seamless precision of direct drive, every era brought us closer to the physical sensation of racing—a battle of grip, weight, and momentum.
What began with noisy plastic wheels on wooden desks now sits beside professional-grade simulators used by Formula 1 teams. The modern direct drive wheel base isn’t just hardware; it’s a bridge connecting enthusiasts, engineers, and racers in the same pursuit: a pure, tactile bond between driver and machine—without the gasoline, but with all the adrenaline.
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