Full throttle: create your own racing simulator

Car racing games have something special. It is true that they may like it more or less, but nobody usually rejects the opportunity to play one. Even less if it is through a good simulator with its steering wheel, pedals and even a seat like those used by racing cars. But, How much does it cost to assemble the best racing simulator? We see it.

Feel like a real pilot

In the world of video games there is a genre that seems inexhaustible, we are referring to the car racing simulators. It doesn't matter how long there are more or less new features each year, it has a very loyal community of users who invest hours and hours behind the wheel.

And it is normal, because they end up assembling "real vehicles" inside the house thanks to all that hardware that allows you to feel as if you were really inside the cockpit of a racing car. So, if you like the adrenaline that going at full speed generates and you are one of those who always compete to get there first, let's see everything you have to take into account to make your own racing simulator. Or, if money is no problem for you, buy one of the best ones that already exist on the market, ready just to connect and enjoy.

The easy, but less expensive option: Vesaro Racing Simulator

Let's start with the easy option, but not the cheapest. If you do not have money problems, it is clear that the best option is to opt for a ready-made solution. You get rid of complications when choosing components, how to square them, etc. Of course, you have to pay for that comfort.

El Vesaro racing simulator possibly one of the best in this regard. A complete set where you not only have screens, but also a seat, steering wheel, pedals and everything you need for a truly realistic driving experience.

This Vesaro kit includes everything, from the structure itself to the screens such as the cockpit with steering wheel, pedals and seat. Although to justify the almost $50.000 that costs has to offer something more. So here we also have a vibration simulation system.

In general terms, this system includes two parts so to speak. On the one hand, there is the part that holds the three screens that it uses as a U. These panels offer a 55-inch diagonal and are curved, so the feeling of immersion and being inside the vehicle increases.

Then there is the second part of the kit, the cockpit. Here we not only have a race car seat, comfortable and capable of transmitting those sensations that you would feel in a competition vehicle, but also a structure where the steering wheel and pedals are fixed. Thanks to that you avoid something typical like the seat or steering wheel and pedals move while you play, making you have to sit down again, etc.

If all that were not enough, the structure where these elements are fixed includes a movement simulation system with which you will feel the bumps in the road when you move at full speed on it. That's one of the big reasons why this racing emulation kit is as expensive as it is.

Now, could we put all this together on our own and cheaper? Well, the answer is yes, but logically compromises will have to be made.

How to assemble your racing simulator from scratch

Let's put third-party solutions aside and move on to something more fun: how to build your own racing simulator? It really does not have much of a mystery, but you do have to know what hardware we might need and what would be the most recommended. In addition to an indicative price. Because investing 2.000 euros is not the same as, for example, going to around 12.000 if you are looking for certain components or extras.

The steering wheel

The first thing to enjoy a much more satisfying driving experience is, without a doubt, to have a good steering wheel. There are hundreds of options here, so it will all depend on how much you are going to play and what kind of sensations you want to feel.

If it is something casual, it may be that with cheaper and simpler ruffles you will be more than enough. However, if you're looking for something much more real, then Logitech's solutions are one of the most attractive. They recently released their Logitech G923 with TrueForce technology, a steering wheel with the latest in terms of components, a high quality of construction and a vibration technology that in the games that support it offers a much more realistic driving.

In addition, this proposal is compatible with both consoles such as PlayStation or Xbox and PC, which is really where it is not most interesting for it to work, so we are going to tell you about it below. Other slightly cheaper options are from Logitech itself or from brands like Thrumaster. The important thing is that they all offer a good level of precision, so that when you turn a lot or a little, fast or slow, the car responds as it would in reality.

Thrustmaster T80

If you want to start with something simple, but with good evaluations, this flyer is the minimum that we recommend to start in this world. The set is worth just over 100 euros and is of sufficient quality to transmit the simulation of the circuits to our home.

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Logitech G29

This other flyer is one of the best sellers, which is not surprising at all. It features a more complete pedalboard and overall better specs for immersive simulation.

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Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel

Those who can afford it, will go without hesitation to a model like this or those of Fanatec. The G Pro is a peripheral aimed at all those who plan to make more use of this type of game. It is a team with Direct Drive technology, which guarantees its precision. The pedalboard is sold separately, and can be custom configured in both position and pressure and travel.

When it comes to flyers, there are models of many kinds and for a wide range of audiences. These that we have just mentioned are very interesting models to start with, even to reach an advanced level if we are starting from scratch. However, the more experienced players —that is, those who already have enough experience or who could even use a real racing car on the circuit— will not settle for these peripherals designed for the majority.

Experienced pilots will always prefer a wheel that offers a gap between motor and ring (as with the G Pro). In this way, the most suitable steering wheel for each simulation can be placed on the base. It will not be the same to emulate a rally round as to simulate a Formula 1. In these disparate cases, there are teams that allow you to exchange the ring and keep the base.

Gear box

To add much more realism to driving, along with the steering wheel and pedals you can also use a gearbox and add a plus of realism by feeling that you drive just like you would in a racing car or your own.

Of course, these gearboxes are useful for depending on what type of games. Because, as you know, there are cars like those in Formula 1 where said gear shift levers are placed right on the steering wheel in the form of paddles. So don't buy before you know exactly what controllers you're going to need for the game you want to play. In the case of the Rally, you would be interested in a sequential shifter. However, most H-shaped shifters allow them to be configured this way.

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Cockpit

El cockpit is nothing other than cockpitBut don't worry, it's not something literal. It is the structure that you can buy already complete, with a seat included, or just with everything you need to anchor the one you want next to the steering wheel, pedals and other accessories.

The idea or purpose is that everything remains as if it were a single piece. Therefore, while you are playing, the pedals or the seat will not move from each other if with the tension of the race you exert more pressure or faster movements, and the same for the steering wheel.

It may seem like something unnecessary, but in the long run it becomes the opposite. So take a good look at all the options that exist on the market to be able to choose the one that best suits your budget. Because there are cockpits that can easily cost more than 1.000 euros, although the normal thing is that with a seat included they are around 300 or 500 euros.

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Monitor support

The next step to create your racing simulator is related to the monitors or monitor that you are going to choose. Depending on the number of them you will need one type of support or another. There is a lot of similarity here to what you would use for a work environment. But it is important that you be clear so that the height and angle adjustments always be the same.

For example, you can get an arm for two or three screens. This last configuration is the most suitable since you have a central screen for the view that you will see facing the road or circuit and then the two sides for panoramic vision.

However, in the event that you cannot or do not want to opt for several screens, the recommendation is that you bet with an ultra-panoramic panel. It may be a somewhat more expensive choice, but you have 34″ and even 49″ screens with which you do not suffer any type of cut and you will have a vision very similar to what you would have inside the vehicle.

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motion simulator

To finish rounding off the experience, if in addition to the money you also have the necessary space, a movement simulator will be the icing on the cake. Because the realism that is obtained thanks to the integration with certain simulators means that you can feel the same experience as in a real car.

The problem is that these are usually quite expensive. For example, the SimLight 150 that you can see in the image above has a cost of 12.040 euros and up. And the rest of similar proposals are also on par in terms of costs.

If at any time you consider getting one of these simulators, you should keep in mind that you have to take security very seriously. The manufacturer's recommendations must be followed to the letter so as not to injure ourselves during a game. Remember that any blow or accident you suffer in the video game will be represented in a reduced way in the real world. Therefore, you must wear the appropriate protections to avoid suffering damage to the neck and other parts of the body.

PC Gaming and monitors

We haven't talked about the PC because there really isn't much to comment on. Most gaming-focused PCs will offer plenty of power to run these types of simulators. Of course, you have to know that Proposals such as iRacing or rFactor consume fewer resources than other more commercial options like Project Cars 2.

So, a PC with a high-mid-range CPU and GPU plus a solvent configuration in terms of RAM and storage will be enough to run these types of games at resolutions that will be around 1080p or 1440p at a refresh rate above 60 fps.

And the same with the screens. Monitors that have a refresh rate above 60 Hz is ideal. For example, 144 Hz will give you a feeling of fluidity and speed when riding very high. In the event that you do not want to bet on several screens, remember that there are ultrawide models of 34 or even 49 inches that are downright striking.

Therefore, to the initial question of how much it costs to set up a car racing simulator, the answer is that it depends. Not counting the PC, for about 1.500 euros you can have a pretty cool set made up of various screens, stands, steering wheel and pedals. So it's just a matter of thinking a little about what you have, what you would like to have and go for it.

*Note to reader: in the text you will find links to Amazon that are part of an affiliate program for the brand. All have been freely selected by the editors of El Output, and at no time are our recommendations conditioned by any request.