One of our collaborators and participants in the program, Miguel V., writes us this extensive analysis about the new evolution of Racing Components; RCW GT.
Introduction
We don’t hide it, we are big fans of Racing Components here. And with the release of their new wheel Racing Components RCW GT , we know that many of you will be too. With their previous model, the RCW Sport, they gave us clear hints of what they could achieve with a bit more development and experience.
From Racing Components, they have always been willing to listen to the requests of their users, and they have even taken our opinions into account. As a result, we have a round wheel with possible electronic integration with Asetek bases.
Features
Based on the button layout of the RCW Sport, in this new Racing Components RCW GT , we can choose between a round wheel of 320mm or a D-shaped one of the same diameter, 8 mechanical buttons with the familiar tactile feel and LED backlighting, 2 illuminated ON/OFF position switches, 2 seven-position funky switches, and 2 sixteen-position rotary switches with included push. All embedded in a machined structure in 6061 anodized aluminum with a front plate of carbon fiber. For the shift paddles, we also have 6061 aluminum with neodymium magnets, and for the clutch paddles, carbon fiber with HALL-type sensors.
As you can see in the images, the distribution of the buttons is symmetrical, with four mechanical buttons along with the two position switches at the top; the rotary switches, funkys, and the rest of the mechanical buttons are reserved for the lower area. This is a common layout in most button layouts on the market, and it works well; with our thumbs, we can easily activate the buttons in the upper area, typically used to activate the speed limiter or return to the pits. To operate the rotary switches, we will have to release the wheel as we need both the thumb and the index finger to turn them. However, for using the funky switches, the thumb alone may be sufficient for most users, except for the rotary function, which logically requires two fingers.
Paddles
A brief mention for the action mechanism of the shift paddles, short and quick travel. To date, these shift paddles have the fastest response we have tested. They are especially appreciated when downshifting as they allow consecutive shifts without error. On the contrary, the noise they emit is somewhat higher than other models, which is a very common trend in all high-end models.
With the clutch paddles, however, we have a long and much smoother travel, which makes sense as it is necessary to find the ideal feel to avoid wheel spin on launches. To prevent this, Racing Components provides us with their RC Manager software, through which we can calibrate the bite point of the clutch on one of the two paddles. Similarly, it allows us to choose which of the two paddles will perform this function; we can choose the left paddle as the bite point and leave the right paddle free (the most common) or vice versa. It also allows us to configure the paddles as analog buttons or as independent axes, so they can be used as accelerator and brake.
OLED Screen
Last but not least, we have the great innovation of this Racing Components RCW GT , the OLED screen accompanied by 16 RGB LEDs fully configurable through SimHub.
Starting with the screen, we have to say that it leaves us with a somewhat bittersweet feeling since it “only” serves to configure the bite point without the need to open the RC Manager app or to configure the mode of the paddle axis. We think that this small OLED screen could offer much more information, such as speed or gear data, among many others; perhaps in the future, it will be possible. What we can do is calibrate the paddles on the screen, although they come perfectly calibrated from the factory, activate or deactivate the backlighting of the buttons, or set a shutdown time after inactivity, which is quite useful if we use the PC for more than just simracing.
If we say that the OLED screen leaves us a bit cold, the opposite happens with the 16 RGB LEDs. For some time now, wheel manufacturers have been implementing different light codes for RPM. From track flag warnings, low fuel indication, ABS activation, traction control activation, or parallels with other cars; the different information that we can encode through these LEDs is almost infinite, and we must take our time to configure them to our liking since they are individually or group customizable. Here are some images of how we have it configured and a video of its operation.
In the Hands
Review of its functionalities completed, let’s get to what many of you will want to know; the sensations that this RCW GT transmits. What it first transmits to us is the incredible quality in its finishes and general manufacturing. Each unit is assembled by hand.
Here we have had wheels that exceed a thousand euros that have left much to be desired in terms of long-term quality. Of this Racing Components RCW GT , after several hundred hours of use, we can assure you that all its components are like new. It has had to withstand some cable pulls due to sudden turns of the wheel after an accident, countersteering that ended in a wall collision, and some post-anger slaps. The leather upholstery of the wheel has withstood the intensive hours of play perfectly, just like the USB connection cable, which is usually a component that manufacturers overlook but undergoes strong tensions and wear over time. The implementation of a threaded connection at the end of the wheel allows for a correct securing of the internal cable connections.
We are facing a 320mm diameter wheel, which is large compared to formula-type wheels that are usually between 280-290mm in diameter. This greater width gives us a somewhat more relaxed grip, greater distance between our arms. With this, we gain ease of movement in the face of unexpected car reactions; making countersteering becomes much easier than with a formula-type wheel, which makes this Racing Components RCW GT ideal for Rally or Drift disciplines, as well as for oval races where the direction of rotation is always the same you can measure the turn better than in a formula-type wheel. We have used it extensively in WRC and NASCAR cars in iRacing, and the immersion is unbeatable.
Conclusions
We conclude by saying that many times less is more. And at Racing Components, they have managed to add a little more without taking away anything that makes them such good wheel manufacturers; they don’t complicate their lives with purely aesthetic extravagances, focusing on the functionality of their button layouts.
This unit of Racing Components RCW GT has been configured with a D-shaped wheel, clutch paddles, and USB connection. Similarly, it can be configured with a round wheel, without clutch paddles, and with an adapter for Asetek bases, thus having the electronic connections integrated into the Asetek QR.
The Racing Components RCW GT wheel can be purchased for 716 euros at Simufy:
- Simufy (add a 2% discount using the code SFYOPTF7ZMR98)
