Compare Packages
| Component | Starter | Enthusiast | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel Base | Logitech G923 (belt) | Moza R9 V3 (direct drive) | Fanatec DD+ (direct drive) |
| Pedals | G923 stock (potentiometer) | Thrustmaster T-LCM (load cell) | Heusinkveld Sprint (load cell) |
| Rig / Mount | Playseat Challenge (foldable) | Sim-Lab GT1 Evo (aluminum) | Trak Racer TR80 (aluminum) |
| Display | 27" 1080p 144Hz | Samsung G9 49" ultrawide | Meta Quest 3 (VR) |
| Seat | Built into rig | NRG FRP Bucket | Sparco R100 |
| Extras | — | Fanatec Handbrake | Shifter + Handbrake + Bass Shaker |
| Total | ~$650 | ~$2,020 | ~$3,715 |
The Starter Package
~$650
Everything you need in one shot. Foldable rig, force feedback wheel, and a fast monitor. Perfect for beginners, apartment racers, or anyone who wants to try sim racing without going all-in.
Ideal for: first-timers, casual racers, limited space, gift idea
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Logitech G923 (Wheel + Pedals) Belt-driven force feedback with TrueForce haptics. 3-pedal set included. PC + PlayStation or Xbox.~$300 Buy
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Playseat Challenge ActiFit Foldable racing seat — stores flat behind a door. Built-in seat, wheel mount, and pedal plate. Sets up in 2 minutes.~$250 Buy
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27" 1080p 144Hz IPS Monitor G-Sync compatible, 1ms response. Plenty for a starter setup and keeps GPU requirements low.~$100 Buy
The Enthusiast Package
~$2,020
The sweet spot. Direct drive force feedback, load cell brakes, aluminum profile rig, and a massive ultrawide. This is where sim racing gets serious — and where lap times start dropping fast.
Ideal for: dedicated hobbyists, iRacing/ACC competitors, home office dual-use
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Moza R9 V3 Wheel Base 9 Nm direct drive, 21-bit encoder. The biggest value disruption in sim racing — DD performance at old belt-drive prices. Add any Moza wheel rim.~$330 Buy
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Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals Load-cell brake in a standalone USB set. The single biggest lap-time upgrade from any potentiometer setup. Adjustable brake force.~$160 Buy
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Sim-Lab GT1 Evo Rig 80/20 aluminum profile. Rigid, adjustable, expandable. The foundation serious builders choose. Holds any wheel base and pedal set.~$450 Buy
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NRG FRP Bucket Seat Fiberglass shell with side bolsters. Fits 80/20 rigs via slider adapters. Proper racing position.~$200 Buy
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Samsung Odyssey G9 49" Ultrawide 5120x1440 DQHD, 240Hz, 1000R curve. Replaces triple monitors with zero bezels. Massive peripheral vision.~$750 Buy
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Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake V1.5 Dual-axis with USB standalone mode. Essential for rally and drift. Mounts horizontal or vertical.~$130 Buy
The Pro Package
~$3,715
The dream setup. 15 Nm direct drive, competition-grade pedals, heavy-duty cockpit, VR, and all the peripherals. This is what esports teams and real motorsport pros train on at home.
Ideal for: competitive iRacing, esports training, motorsport pros, sim racing enthusiasts who want the best
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Fanatec ClubSport DD+ 15 Nm direct drive with full Fanatec ecosystem. Rock-solid build, wide title support including Xbox. The endgame wheel base.~$1,100 Buy
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Heusinkveld Sprint Pedals 120 kg load-cell brake, CNC machined, fully adjustable geometry. Used by real motorsport drivers for training. The best pedals under $1,000.~$700 Buy
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Trak Racer TR80 Cockpit Heavy-gauge aluminum profiles with massive accessory ecosystem. Triple monitor mount, keyboard tray, shifter plates. Used by pro sim teams.~$640 Buy
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Sparco R100 Bucket Seat Motorsport-derived steel frame, deep side bolsters, harness slots. Fits most 80/20 rigs via standard slider adapters.~$425 Buy
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Meta Quest 3 (VR Headset) 2064x2208 per eye, 120Hz, wireless Air Link. Eliminates the flat-screen FOV problem entirely. The immersion choice for racing.~$500 Buy
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Fanatec CSL Shifter H-pattern + sequential mode. Plugs directly into the DD+ hub — zero USB overhead. Magnetic paddle shift on the wheel rim.~$150 Buy
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Dayton Audio BST-1 Bass Shaker Tactile transducer — feel curbs, rumble strips, and engine vibrations through the seat. Powered by SimHub (free). Game-changing immersion for $100.~$100 Buy
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Nobsound Mini Amplifier (for Bass Shaker) Compact 2-channel amp to power the bass shaker. Plugs into 3.5mm audio out or USB sound card.~$100 Buy
Which Package Should You Pick?
Never raced before? Start with the Starter Package. The Playseat Challenge folds up and the G923 is bulletproof. You'll know within a month if you want to go deeper.
Already hooked and want more feel? The Enthusiast Package is where 90% of serious sim racers land. The load cell brake alone will cut seconds off your lap times. The 80/20 rig means you never have to start over.
Competing in leagues or training for real track days? The Pro Package. Every component is competition-grade. The bass shaker adds a physical dimension that monitors and VR can't — you'll feel every curb hit and tire slip.
Quick Tips
Upgrade pedals first, wheel second. Load cell brakes are the single biggest improvement for consistency. If you're on a Starter Package and want one upgrade, get the Thrustmaster T-LCM.
Direct drive is the standard now. The Moza R9 V3 at ~$330 delivers direct drive at what belt-drive cost 2 years ago. There's no reason to buy belt-drive in 2026 unless you're on a strict budget.
80/20 aluminum rigs hold their value. Sim-Lab and Trak Racer frames resell for 70-80% of retail. They're an investment, not an expense.
VR vs monitors is a personal preference. VR: unmatched depth perception and immersion. Monitors: sharper image, no motion sickness, easier to stream. Both are great for racing.
Try Before You Buy
Not sure what setup you want? Visit a sim racing venue near you and try different rigs in person. Many venues use the same gear in these packages.
Find sim racing venues near you →
Into real racing too? Check out our sister sites:
kartingnear.me/gear — What to Wear Go Karting
racingnear.me/gear — What to Bring to a Track Day