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Essential Equipment for your Sim Racing Setup
Overwhelmed by all the gear? Let’s break down what you actually need to start Sim Racing.
Deciding what Sim racing equipment you need for your rig can seem overwhelming, especially with terms like “newton meters”, “load cell” and “range of motion”. We’ll break down the essential equipment in a Sim Rig by starting with the minimum requirements and build up to a full setup. We’ll also break down some of the key terms you’ll need to know and what they mean.
Minimum Requirements to start Sim Racing
At the bare minimum, Sim Racers need the following equipment to start sim racing (We are going to be as simple as possible with our explanations):
- Wheel: The component that allows you to turn the vehicle (stating the obvious, we know)
- Wheel Base: The component that receives the input from the wheel and relays the input into the game. Most wheel bases include a motor that provides Force Feedback (description below).
- Pedals: The components that allow you to go forward and stop (trying to be as simple as possible here).
- Note: A clutch is not needed to start Sim Racing
- Monitor: The display that shows you the Racing Simulation in real time.
- Note: A traditional TV can be used as well.
- Gaming Platform: The component that the Racing SImulation runs on (i.e PC or Playstation/Xbox).
That’s it! Most people already have a gaming platform and monitor, so the first purchase is usually the Wheel, Wheel Base, and Pedals.
RSS Pro Tip: We always recommend first time sim racers purchase a Complete Kit (Logitech G923), which includes a wheel, wheel base, and pedals that work great on a desk or table top.
Minimum Requirements for a Full Setup
The next level of a Simulator Rig is a full setup. A full setup is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have if you are wanting to start Sim Racing. A full setup does offer higher immersion and added stability that will support in your performance on the track, but top Sim Racers in the world such as RSS Ambassador Cam Ebben do not use a full setup.
Here are the minimum requirements for a full setup (everything from the Minimum requirements to start Sim Racing is already included):
- Cockpit/Chassis: The frame that supports the mounting of the wheel, wheel base, and pedals, as well as provides the ability for the racer to sit in.
- Monitor Stand: A stand that supports the monitors. This can be attached to the cockpit/chassis or be free standing.
- NOTE: A monitor stand is not always required for a full setup as you can use a monitor that is on a desk or a traditional TV.
- SEAT: The component that the Sim Racer sits in that is attached to the cockpit/chassis.
- Note: Many cockpit/Chassis have a seat built into it (Playseat Challenge).
These are usually a Sim Racer’s first upgrade from the desk setup to a full setup. There are a variety of options when choosing a cockpit/chassis, so make sure to use the Sim Rig Builder to help find the right one for you.
RSS Pro Tip: Check out this QUICK START BUILD for a budget friendly full setup!
Non-Essential Equipment for Sim Racing
Now that we’ve laid out the minimum requirements to start Sim Racing and for a Full Setup, let’s go over the non-essential equipment that add more immersion and capabilities to your Sim Racing Setup.
- Shifter: A knob that allows you to shift your car’s gears while driving.
- Hand Brake: A knob that allows you to utilize the car’s emergency brake
- Motion System: A mechanical system that moves your rig to replicate the car’s motion
- Button Box: A component that provides you additional input and control options while you are racing.
This list can get extensive, so we’ll stop there. We will go into more detail on all additional components in a future guide.
Sim Racing Equipment Terms
There are a few key terms for each component that are helpful to know during your equipment search. Below are the most commonly used terms to describe each product:
Wheel
- Paddle Shifters: Knobs on the back of the wheel that allow you to shift gears
- REV LEDs: Lights on the front of the wheel that indicate your RPM range
- LCD Screen: A screen on the wheel that can provide race, car, and game details
- Formula Wheel: A specific wheel type designed for Formula or Indy Car racing
- GT Wheel: A specific wheel type designed for GT racing (this is the standard wheel type)
- Drifting Wheel: A specific wheel type designed for drifting
Wheel Base
- Force Feedback: The technology in the wheel base that simulates real driving by providing feedback of the car’s grip, bumps, and resistance.
- Newton Meters (NM): The measure of strength of Force Feedback - the higher the number, the stronger and more realistic the resistance can be.
- Direct Drive: A wheel base type that connects the steering wheel directly to a high-torque motor that delivers exceptionally strong and precise force feedback.
- Belt Drive: A wheel base type that uses a system of pulleys and belts to provide the force feedback to the wheel with less precision than a Direct Drive wheel base
Pedals
- Hydraulic: A type of pedal that uses Hydraulic technology to measure brake pressure as well as replicate the feel of a real car braking system
- Load Cell: A type of pedal that measures brake input using force sensors
- Potentiometer: A type of pedal that measures brake input using sensors
- Active Pedal: A new type of pedal that uses a motor and sensors to measure brake input as well ultra-realistic brake feedback and offers high amount of customization.
- Clutch: A third pedal that allows you to put the car in neutral for manual gear shifting
Cockpit / Chassis
- Foldable: A type of cockpit that can be folded for space confinement. These cockpits have a seat built into them
- Tube Steal: A type of cockpit utilizing Tube Steal as the frame.
- 80x20 / Extrusion: A type of cockpit that utilizes 80mm x 20mm extrusion for the frame, offering the most stability and customization.
Monitor Stand
- Free Standing: A type of stand that does not attach to a cockpit/chassis or desk.
- Mounted: A type of stand that mounts directly to the cockpit/chassis.
- Triple: A type of monitor stand that supports holding 3 monitors
Seat
- Bucket seat: fixe racing-style seat with side and shoulder support designed to replicate the feel of a real race car
- Reclining: A more traditional seat that allows for reclining the back of the seat
Shifter
- H-Pattern: A shifter type that is a manual gear stick that mimics the layout of real-world gear boxes.
- Sequential: A shifter type that lets you change gears by pushing or pulling the stick forward or backward - seen in touring or rally cars.
Handbrake
- Hydraulic: Measures how far you pull the lever using Hydraulic technology while providing ultra-realistic feedback
- Load Cell: Measures how far you pull the lever using a load cell and provides pressure feedback
- Spring: Measures how far you pull the lever using a sensor
Motion
- Degree of Freedom (DOF): The type of movement a motion rig can simulate (i.e 2 DOF, 4 DOF…) Degrees of freedom include:
- Pitch: Tilting forward and backward - Simulates braking and acceleration
- Roll: Tilting side to side - Simulates body roll in corners
- Yaw: Rotating left and right - Simulates oversteer, drifting, or sliding out the rear
- Surge: Moving forward and backward - Simulates acceleration and g-forces
- Sway: Moving side to side - Simulates lateral g-forces during cornering
- Heave: Moving up and down - Simulates elevation changes, bumps, and road texture
- Actuators: A type of motion system that utilizes motorized devices that physically move the cockpit/chassis to provide the immersion. Number of actuators and actuator type will determine the DOF for the motion setup
- Platform: A type of motion system that utilizes a platform base that the cockpit/chassis sits on to provide motion
MORE RESOURCES
High frame rates in sim racing aren’t just about visuals—they directly impact reaction time, consistency, and overall control on track. While 90 FPS is the minimum for smooth racing, pushing to 120–144 FPS (or higher) offers even greater immersion and precision, especially in VR or multi-monitor setups. Optimizing graphics settings, upgrading hardware, and using technologies like DLSS or FreeSync can all help racers achieve the performance edge they need.
You’ve made the life changing decision to start Sim Racing. Now you are asking yourself, “How do I start Sim Racing?” You are not alone in asking yourself this. Racing into this hobby can seem intimidating and overwhelming, but Ready Set Sim and our community are here to make it easy. In this guide, we’ll break down the first 3 key steps you'll need to make to start Sim Racing.
BECOME A PARTNER
At Ready Set Sim, we believe in forging strong partnerships to drive innovation and enhance the sim racing experience. By joining forces with us, you’ll gain access to a passionate community of sim racers, along with unique marketing opportunities to showcase your platform.
Whether you're an equipment manufacturer, sim racer, or sim influencer, partnering with RSS means working alongside industry experts who are dedicated to delivering unparalleled value to sim racers worldwide. Let's accelerate success together!
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