Dreaming of sitting behind the wheel of an F1 or a GT3 car, feeling every curb and every loss of grip just like on a real track? Welcome to the world of sim racing. Building your own simulator is the key step to turning gaming into real sporting performance.
This guide is designed for you — whether you're an aspiring driver or a seasoned racer looking to level up. We’ll break down every component, from the Direct Drive base to the Load Cell pedals, so you can make the choices that will make the difference on track. Ready to never miss your braking point again?
---Step 1: Choosing the Wheel and Base
The heart of your racing setup is the wheel and its base. This is the component that transmits the most information from the game to your hands. It’s how you feel the sensations, how you communicate with the virtual car.
Force Feedback Technologies
Force Feedback is the technology that simulates the forces you would feel through a real car’s steering wheel. There are three main technologies on the market:
- Gear and Belt Driven: The most common systems for entry- to mid-range setups. They use brushed or brushless motors to generate force feedback through gears or belts. The feeling is good but can lack subtlety and detail, sometimes producing jolts or a “smoothened” sensation.
- Direct Drive: The Pro Technology: This is the absolute benchmark in sim racing. A powerful motor is mounted directly to the steering shaft. With no intermediaries (belts or gears), Direct Drive transmits 100% of the game’s feedback with incredible fidelity, responsiveness, and power. Every grain of tarmac, every loss of grip is instantly and unfilteredly reproduced, giving you an unmatched competitive edge. For the ultimate simulation experience, this technology is a must.
Nacon’s Choice: RS PURE Wheel and Base
Nacon designed its RS PURE range to meet the demands of the most meticulous drivers. The RS PURE SimRacing Wheel + DD-9Nm Base Bundle is the ideal solution to enter the Direct Drive world without compromise.
With its 9 Nm torque base, you get powerful and ultra-precise force feedback, able to reproduce the slightest nuance of the track. The wheel features magnetic shifters for crisp and precise gear changes — essential to avoid losing even a fraction of a second on the straights.
---Step 2: The Pedals — Your Secret Weapon Against the Clock
If the Direct Drive base lets you feel the track, the pedals give you ultimate control over braking and acceleration. This is one of the most underestimated components by beginners — yet the most important for shaving off lap time.
Understanding Load Cell vs Potentiometer
- Potentiometer Pedals: Most mid-range pedals use a potentiometer, which measures pedal position. Braking is therefore based on pedal travel. It’s intuitive but lacks precision and realistic feel.
- Load Cell Pedals: The Load Cell measures the pressure you apply on the brake pedal, not its movement. This mimics how real race car braking systems work. You can modulate your braking with surgical precision, avoiding wheel lock-ups and optimizing your lap time at every corner.
The RS PURE SimRacing PC Pedals from Nacon are a must-have. Equipped with a Load Cell sensor, they give you a hyper-realistic braking feel, allowing you to push your braking limits and significantly improve your lap times.
---Step 3: The Cockpit — Stability and Immersion
Having the best wheel and pedals is useless if they’re not firmly mounted. The racing cockpit or chassis is the structure that ensures the stability of your setup. It lets you find a realistic driving position and withstand the forces of the Direct Drive wheel.
- Why a cockpit? To prevent your equipment from moving or vibrating, which would reduce feel and accuracy.
- Choosing a chassis: Go for a aluminum profile model for its rigidity and modularity. You’ll easily adjust the wheel, pedals, and seat positions for perfect comfort and ergonomics — essential for long racing sessions. A sim racing rig is a long-term investment, so choosing the right chassis is crucial.
Step 4: Peripherals for Total Immersion
Once the foundations of your simulator are set, it’s time to add accessories that will refine your driving experience.
Shifter and Handbrake
For rally, drift, or classic car enthusiasts, a gear shifter and a handbrake are essential. They add an unmatched level of immersion and realism.
Nacon offers a RS PURE SimRacing PC Hybrid Shifter that can be configured as either sequential or H-pattern. The RS PURE SimRacing PC Load Cell Handbrake uses the same technology as the pedals for extremely precise pressure control.
Sim Racing Gloves
Often overlooked, sim racing gloves provide better grip on the wheel and protect your hands, especially with the strength of a Direct Drive. The Revosim PURE Racing SimRacing Gloves are designed to offer optimal grip while keeping your hands breathable.
---Ideal Setups by Nacon: From Entry-Level to Pro
To help you choose, here are two sample configurations using Nacon products, for every type of driver.
The "Starter" Setup
For drivers who want to try Direct Drive without breaking the bank, the RS PURE SimRacing Wheel + DD-9Nm Base Bundle is an excellent starting point. It gives you the sensations of Direct Drive force feedback with a powerful base and a very precise wheel.
The "Expert" Setup
For drivers aiming for the podium, the RS PURE SimRacing Wheel + DD-9Nm Base + Pedals Bundle is the ultimate solution.
| Component | "Starter" Setup | "Expert" Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel & Base | RS PURE Wheel + DD-9Nm Base Bundle | RS PURE Wheel + DD-9Nm Base Bundle |
| Pedals | Not included | RS PURE Load Cell Pedals |
| Advantage | Entry-level Direct Drive | Precision and control |
| Price | Affordable | Performance-focused investment |
The RS PURE SimRacing Wheel + DD-9Nm Base + Pedals Bundle gives you the complete package to compete on equal terms with the best drivers on games like Assetto Corsa.
---FAQ
- What’s the budget for a simulator?
The budget ranges from around €1000 for a basic Direct Drive setup to over €5000 for high-end gear with cockpit and accessories. The key is to prioritize the components that most improve your performance: the Direct Drive wheel and the Load Cell pedals. For a sim racing platform that can take you to the podium, plan for a higher investment.
- PC / Console compatibility?
Most wheels are PC-compatible. For consoles, make sure to choose a model specifically designed for PS5 or Xbox Series X, such as Nacon hardware.
- How to tune a Direct Drive?
It depends on the game and your preferences. The goal is to find a balance between strength and clarity. You can find many tutorials online to optimize your settings. For more information on other topics, check out our article on how to calibrate a PS5 controller.
