During this Expo weekend held in the city of Dortmund, several notable brands attended, presenting new, previously unseen products set to arrive in the near future.
Fanatec ClubSport DD Series
This new Fanatec ClubSport DD series made its debut at the Expo, featuring two new Direct Drive bases with 12 and 15 Nm of torque, along with the much-discussed QR2 and a new exclusive Fanatec technology called FullForce.
The first base is compatible with PC and Xbox, provided you have a compatible wheel to pair with it. However, the more powerful base in the ClubSport series, the DD+, is compatible with PlayStation.
Here are the prices and purchase links:
Fanatec F1 Sim Rig
At the Dortmund expo, we also had the opportunity to see a Formula 1-style simulator from Fanatec. Although it appears somewhat experimental, there is no official name or short-term release date provided..
Fanatec Podium Button Module Rally
For Rally enthusiasts, Fanatec showcased a button module designed for Fanatec wheels using the six-hole mounting pattern. The button module attaches in front of the wheel, rather than between the wheel and the steering column, thus not contributing to any steering system flex or play.
It includes nine buttons with a 700g activation force, RGB backlighting, interchangeable buttons, two D-Pads near the thumbs, three 12-position multi-position switches, and a 1″ OLED display showing telemetry data like speed or gear.
More details will be revealed as the year progresses. You can find further information at rally.fanatec.com.
Asetek SimSports
The Danish brand also introduced new products related to their hardware, featuring the new Forte and La Prima button boxes and GT-style wheel.
The La Prima and Forte button boxes are designed to accommodate both racing simulators and traditional drivers, catering to various racing disciplines such as Rally, Drift, GT, Touring, and road cars.
Each button box pairs with the new wheel, each offering a unique shape for different driver preferences. The shapes include Closed-D Leather, Round Leather, Comfort+ Round, Open-D Leather, and Open-D Suede.
Visit the Asetek SimSports website for more information on these products.
Sabelt SimRacing Cockpits
Finally, we were able to witness the new cockpits from Sabelt, the Italian company known for manufacturing seats and belts that recently ventured into SimRacing, creating two types of cockpits:
The Sabelt S97 cockpit is the perfect solution for simulation drivers seeking a sturdy and attractive racing simulation setup. The product features high-quality aluminum profiles, full adjustability, and suitability for drivers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. It includes wheel (3 options) and pedal mounts.
Sabelt S01-R is a high-end racing simulator cockpit made in Italy with a unique and innovative design. Thanks to its distinctive design and excellent rigidity, it has been developed to become the new benchmark in the world of professional simulation racing. It includes wheel (3 options) and pedal mounts (2 options).
You can access Sabelt SimRacing’s website by clicking HERE.
Ascher Racing x McLaren
Ascher Racing announces a collaboration with McLaren, offering new steering wheels made from original McLaren Artura GT4 steering wheel components in two different variants, the Artura Sport-SC and the Pro-Sc.
The Artura Sport-SC is available for €839.00 (including VAT), and the Artura Pro-SC is available for €1,169.00 (including VAT). Pre-sales have already begun, and the first units are expected to ship in mid-November 2023.
For more information about Ascher Racing’s McLaren steering wheels or to pre-order, visit the Ascher Racing website (https://ascher-racing.com/int/).
Fanatec Bentley GT3
Although some time has passed since its initial unveiling, this ADAC SimRacing Expo showcased an updated version of the officially licensed Bentley and Fanatec steering wheel.
The standout feature of this wheel is the central display that remains in the center, even when the wheel is turned, similar to the original Bentley version.
For more information about this Fanatec Bentley GT3 wheel, visit their website: https://bentley.fanatec.com/.
With these and other innovations, the 2023 ADAC SimRacing Expo comes to a close. The 2024 Expo will be held from October 18th to 20th next year.
See you on the track!
