What Is Sim Racing?

The gaming world has come a long way since the Atari console (which was and is an incredible creation). Technological innovation is the primary driver of change in the industry, and we are indebted to it for introducing us to the concept of sim racing. Hold up! You’re probably here to answer the question, ‘what is sim racing?’ so we can’t start the gushing just yet.

Sim racing is one of the best gaming experiences we have had so far, and this blog will explain why.

What is Sim Racing?

Sim racing or racing sim is short for racing simulation, a form of immersive gaming that attempts to emulate real-life experience as closely as possible. So you can hop onto the sim racing rig and start F1 Esports to get a feel of what it’s like to be an F1 racer.

As the same implies, the simulation focuses on racing e-sports that involve racing cars or motorbikes, with a few offering flight simulations.

Car racing is the most popular among the sim racing players, so we will focus on that when taking you through specific details about the dynamics. We also have detailed blogs about several aspects that we have addressed here, so you can always check them out if you need more information.

Components of a Sim Racing Rig

So, you have a basic definition of what sim racing is, but you’re likely curious about how the simulation rig emulates real-life. The answer lies in the components that go into making a sim racing rig.

A sim racing rig is the gear and equipment you need to enjoy sim racing. That’s a very simplistic way to put it, so let’s look at the list of the components for a better idea. Following are the elements you might need to get a complete sim racing rig:

  1. Simulator Chassis
  2. Gaming PC or console
  3. Monitor(s)
  4. VR (optional)
  5. Seats
  6. Steering Wheels
  7. Button Box (if buttons aren’t present on the steering wheel)
  8. Pedals
  9. Gears and Hand Brakes
  10. Headsets
  11. Tactile Transducers and shakers
  12. Gauges for Speed, Fuel, etc.

Chassis

The base structure you see in the picture above is the chassis. It is the foundation of the rig and where the seat, wheel, pedals, monitors, etc., will go. The chassis has shakers and transducers attached, the components responsible for emulating the bumps, thuds, turbulence, etc.

Visual

For visual output, you have the option to choose between high-end monitors or VRs. The gaming community has turned this preference into a debate, but it isn’t as big of a deal as people make it out to be. Choose the option that’s comfortable and which gives you a better experience.

You will technically also need a monitor if you choose VR, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive gaming monitor. A standard one will also get the job done.

Sound System

One consequence of choosing monitors over VR is that you’ll likely need a premium sound system. Gaming monitors with built-in sound systems aren’t in demand, so you will struggle to find one that offers sound effects that do justice to the experience.

Controls

The steering wheels, gear, hand brake, and pedals are necessary for offering the controls you’d need when driving a real car. Everything is in sync with the game, so the visual will respond per your actions.

Your sim racing rig will also need a button box (unless you choose a steering wheel that comes with buttons). Its purpose is to help you adjust the chassis during gaming to remain comfortable throughout the experience.

Additional Accessories

Some accessories are relevant to players using monitors for racing instead of a VR headset. These include gauges, racing gloves, and helmets that help reinforce the realism. You can choose not to get them (though we recommend the gauges) because they won’t necessarily affect your performance.

We have written a detailed blog on building a sim racing rig, so check that for more information.

Is Sim Racing Realistic?

Yes, however, it depends on the kind of equipment you get. The first thing you need to know about sim racing equipment is that it is expensive. Significantly expensive.

A standard sim racing rig can cast around $30,000, and you’ll need to spend extra if you want to upgrade it further. But there’s no need to get disheartened because you can still play even if you don’t own the equipment.

Several gaming centers have set up sim racing rigs and charge you for playing by the hour. The charges differ from establishment to establishment, but it usually depends on the quality of components they’ve used.

As per professional racers and coaches, premium quality components come closest to mirroring real-life racing. The standard rigs also emulate the experience well enough for most people to get sucked into the realism of it all.

Can Sim Racing Improve Driving Skills?

According to several people who have tried it for this reason, yes, it can. The argument is that sim racing emulates real-life driving down to all the bumps, jerks, and similar physical disturbances. You feel the effect when you bump your virtual car in another and experience things going downhill when you don’t maneuver correctly.

Hence, it is safe to say that your driving skills can improve if you play the right games to better your driving ability.

Some driving schools have gone a step further and even introduced sim racing for driving practice. There isn’t enough research to support their claim, but they’ve made this decision because they believe sim racing can teach people how to drive.

We have explored this topic in more detail in our blog ‘Can Racing Sims Teach You How To Drive?’ so check it out to learn more.

How Can I Connect with Other Sim Racers?

The best way to improve your sim racing experience is by having a network of other sim racers and coordinating time with them for gaming.

You can create your network by interacting with gamers in the sim racing establishment you visit. You can also join sim racing communities and talk to people there to create your little group of fellow gamers to play with.

Knowing the other racers generally improves the experience.

Tips for Improving Sim Racing Experience

Are you considering getting into sim racing to see what the fuss is about? We have a few tips to help you maximize your enjoyment.

1. Minimize all Distractions

The game tries everything possible to make you believe you are behind the wheel in a real car, so don’t undermine the effort. Put your phone to the side and don’t check it while your virtual car is in motion.

You shouldn’t be using your phone when driving a real car, and the same rule applies when you’re driving a virtual one.

2. Keep your Schedule Clear for a Few Hours

Finish your chores, errands, work, and other responsibilities before your gaming time. You’ll be playing for a few hours, so don’t let anything urgent interrupt you in the middle.

3. Keep Water Close for Hydration

We don’t recommend eating (treat your racing gear with respect, not with chips remainings on your fingers), but keep a water bottle with you while playing. It would be best if you stay hydrated, so prepare the source of hydration in advance to avoid needing to get up during gaming.

Wrapping Up

We hope this blog post has provided a detailed answer to the question, ‘What is sim racing?’ and made you curious. Do try it out and check out our other articles for more details.