We are all aware that at the pinnacle of motorsport, a Formula 1 team relies on simulators to improve both the driver and the vehicle’s performance. Yes, they have a much more complex and advanced simulator than what we could have in the comfort of our homes, but that said, sim racing and consumer-grade sim rigs have grown considerably in recent times.
So, if you have come to this section, you’ve perhaps decided that you want to get into the action. Unfortunately, you’re not sure where or how to get started. We’ve put together this section to help you understand sim racing and how to get started.
In this article, we will offer you tips on how to begin in sim racing, with advice on where you should invest your time and money, and how to take those first steps towards virtual success.
Starting sim racing can be confusing. For instance, do you start with a PC or a console? Which sim titles would you like to run? Which sim rig would be ideal for you? Unless you’ve been following sim racing for a while, these questions can be confusing and make it difficult for you to begin your journey.
If you’re keen to get started in sim racing just as a hobby, this will make a difference to which path you take. If you plan to take it very seriously and turn it into a career, you might opt for investing in a much more complex rig to suit your long-term goals.
For sim racing, there are two main systems you can choose from:
Each has its pros and cons, but both are perfectly suitable solutions. Most people start with a console and transition to a PC as they begin to understand the difference in online gaming.
We can say that a console is the quicker, cheaper, and easier option when it comes to getting into sim racing. Both PlayStation and Xbox consoles offer several racing games and are compatible with various steering wheels.
A console is a plug-and-play option, which makes it easier for the consumer.
For a PC, it can be expensive and time-consuming to build, requiring a lot of research to put together a proper gaming PC. However, the rewards can be significant. PC gaming offers better graphics, performance, customisation, and the ability to upgrade in the future should you require a stronger specification to run your sim racing games. With a PC, you can create an immersive experience with a single screen, widescreen monitor, or even a triple-screen setup. Whereas with a console, you can only go with a single screen or VR.
So, depending on your needs and budget, you can either pick the console or PC.
Monitors
Monitors will play a huge role in your sim racing experience. There are three options available for PC and two for console.
A PC can use a single monitor, multiple monitors, or VR, whereas with a console, you can choose a single monitor or VR.
Monitors for PC vary in price: for sim racing, wider is better. A wider screen will provide you with a better field of view and can enhance things like depth perception and blind spots.
Type of Wheel
Buying the right sim wheel and pedals can be just as confusing as picking the right PC or console setup. There are many options available from various suppliers.
Direct Drive Wheels
Direct drive wheels are generally the most expensive. The motor in DD wheels is fixed to the steering wheel itself, giving direct feedback to the wheel. The accuracy, frequency, and strength of inputs from the sim to the wheel are much higher for direct drive and can, therefore, provide the most realistic feel.
The ultimate downside to DD is the cost. However, new introductions to the market are advertising “entry-level direct drive wheels”, which promise a cheaper alternative.
Below are some of the available DD wheels in the market:
Belt-Driven Wheels
The middle ground is belt-driven motors. They run either one or two motors, connected by a belt/pulley. This controls the wheel and gives the feedback. Belt-driven wheels have been around for a long time and vary in price and quality. They are often considered the next best option if you choose not to go the direct-drive route.
Below are some of the available Belt-Driven Wheels:
Gear Driven Wheels
They run using a very similar concept to belt-driven wheels. Instead of a motor pulling a belt, the motor is attached to the wheel via plastic or metal gears that are meshed together.
Gear-driven wheels were the original sim wheel design and are the cheapest on the list due to their low manufacturing costs and high accessibility. They are often a great starting point for new or inexperienced drivers in sim racing.
Below are some Gear Driven Wheels:
To summarise about wheels: When it comes to customisation and tuning, Direct Drive is your best option. Most DD wheels on the market today are sold as separate components and offer a range of styles, buttons, and FFB (Force Feedback) settings.
For overall FFB feel, DD is the most realistic, but both belt and gear-driven wheels offer superb levels of motion. The ultimate factor is your budget. Belt and gear-driven wheels are generally cheaper than direct-drive and can still provide a great driving experience. A lot of the top eSports drivers use belt/gear-driven wheels, so you shouldn’t worry about getting one if budget is a concern.
Rig (Racing Cockpit) And Accessories
Now that your PC/Console, monitor, and wheel are sorted, the next part of the puzzle is to find the space in your home to use your rig (seat, monitor stand, shifter stand).
At the bare minimum, you need a solid, stable desk with a planted chair that won’t move when you apply pressure to your pedals. So, chairs with wheels will not work. Most wheel manufacturers will offer desk mounting options (you should look into this when deciding on which wheel to purchase).
If you want a truly immersive virtual driving experience, you probably already know that you’ll need to invest in proper sim racing equipment. A sim racing cockpit is a significant improvement over a basic wheel and pedal setup.
A sim racing cockpit does more than just look impressive; it shows how serious you are about virtual racing. Like the seat in your car, a racing simulator seat creates a stable platform for your constant steering and pedal pressing, allowing you to move the controls rather than the other way around. A good sim racing seat setup will also optimise the ergonomics and placement of those controls, keeping the wheel and pedals in a natural position for increased control.
If you’re creative, you can custom-build your rig, but this is a very complex process, and you will only be able to achieve this once you’ve experienced using some standalone rigs. There are many rigs available in the market with varying price ranges.
Which Sim Racing Title
If this is going to be a hobby, you’ll want close, competitive online racing. Most sim or racing games will offer the multiplayer feature. However, some are better than others.
You may also have a specific type of preference, such as Formula 1; for this, the obvious choice would be to purchase an F1 game. For other enthusiasts who like different types of racing, such as rally-style games, you have options like EA SPORTS WRC, Dirt Rally, and modded versions of Richard Burns Rally.
If you want to drive a range of cars on all different types of circuits with low-level competition and an emphasis on ‘fun’, then Assetto Corsa, Gran Turismo 7, Project Cars 2, and Forza Motorsport might be better options. These games also offer league racing and online competition.
Finally, if you’re thinking about getting more competitive and want to progress as a serious online racer, then the platforms we would recommend are iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and Gran Turismo.
SUMMARY
To summarise, getting into sim racing can be a complex and confusing puzzle, but after going through our tips above, we believe we have helped you narrow down your interest and determine how far you would like to immerse yourself.
If you have any questions regarding getting started or purchasing sim racing equipment and gear, feel free to get in touch with our support team, and we will be happy to assist you on your journey.
