What Is Sim Racing? A Beginner’s Guide to Virtual Motorsport

If you’ve just heard the term sim racing and are wondering what it’s all about, you’re not alone. Sim racing - or simulated racing - is a form of virtual motorsport that uses realistic hardware and software to replicate the experience of driving a real race car. It’s like combining a racing video game with actual motorsport physics and precision. People use sim racing to train for real-world racing, compete in online leagues, or just enjoy an incredibly immersive driving experience from home.

For a proper sim racing experience, getting started does require some equipment. Here are the key components:

Wheel base
This is the motorized unit that powers your steering wheel. It provides force feedback, which means it pushes back and gives resistance to simulate things like tire grip, road texture, and bumps. Wheel bases vary in torque, usually measured in Nm. Nm tells you how strong your wheel’s force feedback is, and higher values generally mean more realistic and detailed driving sensations.

Most bases nowadays utilize direct drive systems (as opposed to earlier belt-driven versions), which deliver more powerful and precise feedback, making the driving feel more immersive.

Steering wheel
Attached to the wheel base, steering wheels come in different shapes to match the driving style; for example round wheels for street or rally driving,flat-bottomed or formula-style wheels for F1 or GT racing. The many inputs on modern wheels can be individually mapped to the user’s preference and needs.

Pedals
Fanatec pedals are a vital part of any sim racing setup, providing precise and realistic control over throttle, brake, and clutch inputs. Unlike basic game controllers, they offer the tactile feedback and accuracy needed for consistent lap times and better car control. With features like load cell braking and adjustability, pedals help bridge the gap between virtual and real-world racing, making them essential for competitive and immersive sim racing.

Pedals can be undermounted or inverted, where they hang downward, similar to the setup in many real-world cars. Inverted pedals can feel more realistic, especially in racing-style setups.

Seat and cockpit
A desk mount sim racing setup is a practical and affordable option for beginners or those with limited space. Desk mounts allows you to securely attach your wheel and pedals to a sturdy desk, providing a solid base for racing without the need for a full cockpit. While it may not offer the same level of immersion or adjustability as a dedicated rig, it's a great way to enjoy sim racing with minimal setup and space requirements.

A sim racing cockpit like the ClubSport GT Cockpit offers a more immersive and realistic driving experience by replicating the seating position and stability of a real car. With a dedicated frame for mounting your wheel, pedals, and optional accessories, it provides superior comfort, adjustability, and rigidity. Ideal for serious racers, a cockpit setup enhances control, consistency, and overall immersion in sim racing. Bucket seats, often found in cockpit setups, are similar to racing seats, providing excellent support and adding to realism.

Optional extras
Looking for more realism? Add-ons like a manual shifter or handbrake can take your setup to the next level. Paddle modules added to your steering wheel can also provide additional inputs, including replacing pedal functions. This is an ideal solution for those not ready to invest in pedals or for disabled users.

Quick releases and hubs

The Fanatec quick release (QR) system is a crucial component of any wheel base and steering wheel setup - neither can function without it.

It physically connects the steering wheel to the wheel base and also houses the electrical connectors that allow the wheel’s electronics to function in-game and its release mechanism allows for fast and easy swapping of wheels. It doesn’t rely on software or platform-specific features. Depending on whether you're using a QR1 or QR2 wheel-side connector, you'll need a compatible socket on the wheel base to match.

QRs are not the same as hubs.

A Fanatec hub is a mounting platform that allows you to attach Fanatec and third-party rims to your Fanatec setup. It provides button inputs, electronics, and structural support. Some hubs available for purchase already include an integrated quick release, while others require one to be added separately.

In short:

• Quick release = fast, secure connection between wheel and base
  
• Hub = adapter/interface for attaching and using (custom) wheel rims

The steering wheel shape you choose depends on the type of driving experience you want to recreate and your personal preference.

• Round wheels: Best for rally or street-style racing. These feel most like a regular car.
• Formula-style wheels: Flat and wide, ideal for open-wheel racing like Formula 1.
• GT-style wheels: Often flat-bottomed, good for circuit racing in sports cars.

While all Fanatec products can be used on Windows PC, console compatibility depends on the hardware in your setup.

Sim racing on a Windows PC offers more flexibility. It supports a wider range of hardware, including third-party sim racing gear, advanced sims like iRacing and Assetto Corsa (with mods), and delivers better graphics and customization. A PC is currently also required to update your drivers, regardless of the platform you use. However, PCs are more expensive and require technical know-how to maximize their sim racing potential.

Consoles (PlayStation or Xbox) are more affordable and easier to set up - perfect for casual racers. Games like Gran Turismo and Forza offer solid experiences with minimal fuss. But consoles have limitations: fewer supported accessories, and some high-end sim gear won’t work at all, like using a triple monitor setup. You're also locked into the console’s ecosystem and performance, and not all buttons are always mappable - full compatibility depends on the game's developer.

Sim racing is more than just a game - it’s a gateway to the world of motorsports. What starts as a fun and immersive hobby can quickly evolve into serious competition, real-world training, or even a professional career. Many established racers train on sim rigs, and some have even launched their careers through virtual racing. Whether you're in it for the thrill, the community, or the challenge, sim racing grows with you. With a bit of gear and dedication, you’ll be carving up virtual tracks in no time.