What was once seen as a curiosity or just another racing video game has evolved into a full-fledged industry with specialized hardware, international leagues, and communities that discuss FOV angles with the same seriousness as a track engineer.
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Over the past few years, especially following the lockdowns, the idea of having a simulator at home has gone from a distant dream to a tangible reality for many enthusiasts. Foldable cockpits, professional-grade force feedback wheels, and pressure-sensitive pedals have become increasingly accessible.
But with every carefully researched purchase, with every meticulously planned upgrade, we face a reality that rarely shows up in reviews: our homes are not racetracks. They’re living spaces and that comes with unexpected implications.
When Your Sim Rig Becomes a Bed (Just Not for You)
In theory, SimRacing is a deeply immersive experience. But in practice, it’s also a physical piece of furniture: a comfortable seat, raised off the floor, often upholstered with soft materials and positioned in front of a warm screen. For a dog or even a small child it’s a newly minted throne, offering all the comforts of a premium hideout.
And so, while you’re eagerly waiting for your first session at Spa-Francorchamps, someone else has already claimed your rig as their second favorite bed (because the first one is still the cardboard box in the hallway, of course).
Many SimRacers are familiar with this adorable but inevitable invasion. Some try to negotiate space with extra blankets, others end up cleaning fur off the seat more often than shaving seconds off their lap times. There are even those who admit that, if they want to race, they have to beg the new occupant to move.
Between the Digital and the Domestic
There’s a fascinating dichotomy at play here. SimRacing strives to replicate, with almost obsessive precision, the real-world motorsport experience. Seat position, wheel type, pedal resistance, engine sound—everything is designed to pull you away from your living room and immerse you in a race car cockpit.
But the environment never fully disappears. The domestic always finds a way to sneak in. Whether it’s a sleeping dog, a curious child, or a partner interrupting to ask if you’ve taken out the trash, home life constantly reminds you that, no matter how sophisticated the setup, this is still a passion lived out in the middle of your living room.
And Maybe That’s What Makes It So Special
It’s not just about speed or realism—it’s about how we blend our passions with everyday life. SimRacing culture doesn’t live on distant circuits; it lives in real homes, with furniture, routines… and dogs and cats.
Today, my simulator is still there. And while I sometimes have to wait for “the boss” to finish his nap, I’ve learned to see it with humor and affection. Because while I got into SimRacing for the love of racing, I ended up discovering another kind of companionship along the way.
And if he lets me use it every now and then, I count that as a win.
Happy Racing!
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