Would you like to test your driving skills in the virtual world of sim racing? Now is a good time to start. As a result of the pandemic, some of the leading figures in motorsport have participated in sim racing, and even some of the most important motorsport events, such as Formula 1, NASCAR, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, have held virtual events.
This has led to an increase in sim racing popularity in 2020 and 2021, which has caused a significant increase in the prices of sim racing equipment. However, now that mobility restrictions have decreased, it is possible to access the world of sim racing affordably.
1. First Steps
1.1. Console or PC?
Before starting to enjoy sim racing, you must make an important decision: on which platform do you want to compete? PC or console? It is essential to keep this in mind before purchasing any sim racing equipment, as you don’t want to spend money on a set that later turns out to be incompatible with your platform.
If you already have a console or a PC, the choice is simpler. However, if you are new to video games, we recommend opting for a PC. While a console may be cheaper in the short term, you may want to switch to a PC in the future, as it offers a more complete and customizable gaming experience.
This is our PC Build we suggest every month:
1.2. PlayStation or Xbox?
If you are forced to choose a console, we suggest the PlayStation, as it has the Gran Turismo franchise, which is considered by many to be the best racing simulation compared to Xbox’s Forza. However, having a PC will allow you to enjoy more realistic racing games and modify them to your liking.”
You can purchase PS5 & Xbox Series here:
Best choices:
2. Peripherals
2.2 Why are the steering wheel and pedals important?
It is true that most simulators are compatible with gamepads or keyboards, but are they really suitable for playing simulation racing games? These games are not designed to be played with gamepads or keyboards, which means you will have difficulty controlling your car. Therefore, if you want to play simulation racing games, you will definitely need a steering wheel.
2.3. Logitech – Best Quality/Price Option
When I started, I got the Logitech G920. It also comes in the G29 variant and they are practically the same, except the G920 is for Xbox and the G29 for PlayStation. Both are compatible with PC, however, Logitech options are perfect for anyone who wants to enter simracing in an economical way.
They cost around 300 pounds sterling or 400 US dollars, and with that you get a durable steering wheel and a set of pedals for free. You can also add an H shift for a little more money, which is a recommendable option.
You can purschase Logitech G29 & G923 here:
Other great alternatives here:
- Thrustmaster T-GT II
- Thrustmaster T248
- Thrustmaster T128
- Thrustmaster TS-XW
- Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals
2.4. Second-hand options
Logitech has launched the Logitech G923, which is their updated version of both previously mentioned steering wheels, but from what I can see, there is not much difference.
If you want to do simracing on an extremely tight budget, you can find the second-hand Logitech G27 at a very reasonable price. Again, the G27 will offer a practically identical experience for less than a quarter of the price. You can find another great alternatives if you prefer.
2.5. Choosing Pedals
When it comes to pedals, you have several options. If you are looking for something economical, you can consider the Logitech G29 or G920 pedals.
If you want something more sophisticated, you can opt for the Fanatec CSL pedals or the Thrustmaster T3PA pedals.
Both Fanatec and Thrustmaster have options with H shift included, which is a great advantage if you are interested in H shift. However, if you want the best on the market, you should take a look at the high-end pedals from Heusinkveld or SRP. They are the most realistic pedals you can get, but they are also the most expensive.
3. Selecting the Best Racing Simulator
Now that you have your wheel and pedals, it’s time to choose your simulator. If you are on PC, you have several options including Assetto Corsa Ultimate , iRacing, rFactor 2 , and RaceRoom Racing Experience. All of these are high-quality simulators and offer very realistic racing experiences. However, if you are on console, your options are slightly more limited.
The most obvious option is Gran Turismo 7 , which is a very detailed and realistic racing simulator on PlayStation. However, you can also opt for Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox.
Both consoles also have more casual arcade racing games such as Need for Speed and Project CARS, but they are not as detailed simulators as the ones mentioned previously.
4. Upgrading Your Setup: Choosing the Right Racing Chair
Once you have chosen your simulator, it is time to choose your racing chair. You can get affordable racing chairs online or at secondhand stores, but if you want something more durable, you should consider investing in a high-quality racing chair.
High-quality racing chairs have stronger metal structures and are more comfortable to use during long racing sessions. Some popular options include the Playseat Challenge and the Next Level Racing GT Ultimate.
These are the most used:
- Playseat Trophy Black
- Playseat Evolution Pro
- Playseat Challenge
- Playseat Trophy Red
- Next Level Racing F Cockpit
- Next Level Racing F-GT Lite
- Oplite GTR S3
- Next Level Racing Foldable
- Playseat Sensation Pro
- Oplite GT3 Superfast
In the future, your next step will be to upgrade your chair to a Sim Racing cockpit.
5. From Practice to Competition: Improving Your Sim Racing Skills
Once you have all your sim racing equipment, it is time to start practicing and improving your skills. Practice makes perfect, so take the time to practice and become familiar with your simulator and your equipment. You can also join online communities and participate in online races to measure yourself against other drivers. Don’t give up and keep practicing, and soon you will be competing with the best.
See you on the track!
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