How to Start Sim Racing

The start to your Sim Racing Journey may seem complex - we'll help lay out the first key decisions you'll need to make to start Sim Racing

RSS Team

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.

The First Key Decision to Make Before Sim Racing

Before you purchase any equipment or buy a gaming platform, there are a few key decisions you’ll need to make that will help guide your entry into Sim Racing.

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What kind of Sim Racing experience are you wanting?

Ultra Immersive - You want to feel like you are driving 180 mph down the straight
Competitive - You want to be as competitive as possible while you race other Sim Racers
Casual - You just want to have fun while cruising around with friends
Combination - You may want an immersive experience while being competitive in your races with friends.

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Your preferred experience can change over time, but knowing what kind of Sim Racing experience you are hoping to achieve at the start will help you make your decisions. Do you want an ultra realistic experience, competitive experience, a casual experience, or a mix of all of them?

We recommend for first time Sim Racers to start with a casual experience as this will help you save money in the long run and guide you in your upgrade decisions.

How to Choose the Right Gaming Platform for Sim Racing

A gaming platform (PC, Xbox, Playstation) is required in order to Sim Race, and choosing the right one for you based on your needs is key. Ask yourself,

“Do I want the most immersive driving experience out there? Do I want to have an easy setup? Do I want unlimited customization?”

These are all important questions to ask when deciding what platform to use, as not all platforms provide the same benefits. Here are Pros and cons of each platform:

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Xbox / Playstation

Pros:

Easy Setup - Plug and play ready
Budget Friendly - Consoles are easy on the wallet compared to PCs
Runs Major Sim Racing Titles - Gran Turismo, Forza motorsport, F1 series
Great for Kids or Casual Racers - Anyone can turn on a console and start racing

Cons:

Limited Game Library - Consoles do run major Sim Racing titles, but are still missing some of the most popular titles (iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and more)
Limited Compatibility with High-End Gear - Consoles have a very limited list of Sim Racing products they are compatible with.
No Mod Support - Very little Sim Racing experience customization
Performance Caps - The consoles have great graphics and frame rates, but cannot always compete with PCs

Note: To see what products are compatible with Consoles, use the Sim Rig Builder!

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PC

Pros:

Massive Game Library - Runs games that Consoles run plus a handful more
Compatible with all Sim Racing Gear - High-end to low-end, PCs support them all
Full Mod Support - Endless customization for games, equipment, and more
Graphic and performance - PCs offer the highest performance capabilities

Cons:

High Upfront Cost - No ifs, ands, or buts about it - PCs just cost more
Technical Setup - Not impossible by any means, but more hands on setup is required
Occasional Tech Issues - To no one’s surprise, PCs do have technical issues arise where consoles are usually free of such issues
More work than needed for Casual Racers - Might be overkill if a racer is just looking to cruise

The comparison between consoles and PCs can be extensive, and there is no right answer, but what fits YOUR needs. We’ll have a Quick Start guide that goes into more detail on PCs vs Consoles soon.

How to Decide Your Sim Racing Equipment Approach

Once you have decided the Sim Racing experience you are looking for and the gaming platform you’ll start with, you can now decide what equipment is right for you (We’ll assume you already have your budget confirmed).

Casual & First Time Sim Racers

Most first-time Sim Racers start out with a Complete Kit that includes the needed components to Sim Race: Wheel, Wheel Base, and Pedals (we’ll get into these components in more detail in our next Quick Guide). Kits such as the Logitech G923 is the most popular as it is compatible with all gaming systems, a lower price point, and works great on a desk or table.

First Time Sim Racers seeking a Competitive Setup

If this will be your first time Sim Racing but are looking for a competitive setup, a great starting point is a foldable cockpit with a complete kit. Having a cockpit allows more stability and immersion to support in bringing down your lap times (Example: Next Level Racing GT Lite with a Logitech G923). See the setup in the Sim Rig Builder.

First Time Sim Racers seeking an Immersive Setup

If you want to jump all in at the start, you are in for a treat. We’d recommend a PC to ensure you can get the most immersion possible along with a full setup that includes a wheel, wheel base, pedals, cockpit/chassis, and a racing chair. Checkout this Quickstart Build for our recommendation.

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Hit the track

Now that you have decided your Sim Racing experience, the gaming system you’ll start on, and your equipment approach, you are now ready to start Sim Racing. Find a game that’s right for you and you’ll be putting lap times down in no time.
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It’s that easy!

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There are many other steps that can be added after these first three, so check out the other RSS Quick Guides to help you navigate the other key decisions in your start to Sim Racing.

Still not sure where to start? Schedule a free Consultation call with the RSS team to get you started in the right direction (INSERT LINK).

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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!