There are many occupations to pursue when one grows up. Yet few are as exciting or challenging as becoming a race car driver. We’re not going to sugarcoat it. It’s going to be a long and difficult journey, but for those willing to take it on, it’s actually become dramatically more accessible to pursue.
Sim Racing (racing with a computer racing simulator) has become one of the most cost-effective ways to quickly develop racing skills and be competitive against drivers who have honed their skills on actual cars. This is thanks to the realistic feel, feedback, and performance of racing simulator games that have evolved to accurately simulate real racing conditions.
If you’ve recently watched the movie, Gran Turismo, you may have surmised that partaking in actual racing like karting or touring cars is no longer a requirement to be a race car driver these days. In fact, many career racing drivers are event encouraged to log on more racing simulator time to further improve their skills.
From simulator to racing
The Gran Turismo movie, based on real events, actually documents the journey of Nissan GT Academy graduate, Jann Mardenborough, who went from video game driver to professional racer. He participated in the Nissan GT Academy that saw him progress through multiple elimination rounds to secure a professional racing contract with a real racing team.
These days, even sim drivers from the Philippines have a shot at international competition with events like the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup offering finalists the chance to represent the country in regional events, and also race real life cars at the local one-make series, the Philippine Vios Cup.
Of course, to get behind the wheel of a real car, you first need to be the best among the sim drivers. There’s no better way to climb that ladder than to start playing and practicing.
Before beginning your sim driver journey, there are a few prerequisites. You’ll need hardware (which some call the platform), the steering wheel and pedal set itself with which to drive in the game, and the rig (which houses the platform and the steering wheel set).
Overall, expect to pay anywhere from P60,000 (console + game + second hand wheel set + rig) to upwards of P200,000 (PC + game + professional grade wheel set + rig). Also, a working internet connection, and online gaming network membership fees are required to compete online.
It may sound daunting, but it’s far more economical than actual racing where a racing kart alone can set you back some P250,000, and another P100,000 for safety certified equipment like a racing suit, gloves, shoes, HANS device, and helmet. This does not even include expenses like fuel, tires, parts and maintenance, mechanic, and track fees.
Platform
First, you’ll need to select your gaming platform. This is basically the hardware with which you’ll run the racing simulator game. Most racing simulator games are designed to run on video game platforms like PC (PC tower or laptop), Playstation, (PS4 or PS5), or Xbox (One, Series X, or Series S). While some racing games are available on the Mac and Nintendo Switch, these generally don’t possess the same level of complexity or realism as the others, so we’ll exclude them from the list.
The PC is easily the most versatile platform but also one of the most expensive. Versatile because individual components like processor, video card, RAM, and storage can be chosen from a wide selection. Its performance is also the best, however, quite a considerable amount of money will be needed for a high-performance system capable of handling these games.
Consoles like the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X or Series S can be bought as is and are ready to play many of these games. However, they may require certain wheels specifically designed for these systems to play. The choice of consoles depends on which simulator game you prefer. The Playstation system has the gold standard but exclusive simulator game, Gran Turismo 7. The Xbox has its own games called Forza and Forza Motorsport.
Generally, we recommend the Playstation as there are more online and real life leagues and competitions based on Gran Turismo 7, Formula 1, and WRC Rally. The PC tower comes in second with several online competitions and leagues based on games like Assetto Corsa and iRacing.
Wheel
Some may see the wheel as an optional accessory. However, for those that seriously want to pursue racing, it’s practically a requirement. You don’t see real race car drivers using gaming controllers. Wheels and pedals, after all, provide more accurate and realistic control of a car, and are the same controls you’ll find in a real car.
Wheels come in two forms: without feedback and with. Again, we recommend purchasing one with force feedback as these generally inform the driver of the car’s behavior and also simulate the same feedback one will feel in a real car.
Which wheel will depend on your budget. The Logitech G29 is a good starter choice as it’s affordable and widely available. It comes with force feedback and is compatible with consoles and PC. It’s not the most realistic or accurate, but it’s a good device to start with.
Those with a slightly larger bidget should look into a Simagic wheel set. These are much more expensive, but are more realistic and also offer more options (from base, to wheel, to pedals) to truly customize the sim driving experience. Simagic is distributed in the country by SIM² Premier and the details can be found in their Facebook page.
The Rig
The last ingredient is what’s commonly called as a rig. The rig is composed of a frame, seat, steering wheel and pedal mounts, and sometimes monitor mounts. The rig can be adjusted to accurately simulate a vehicle’s driving position. This helps the budding sim racer get accustomed to the driving position of a real car when the time comes.
Shift Zone offers a wide variety of driving rigs, whether for beginner sim racers or more experienced home racers. Entry level VX-S, V1 and V2 stands are designed to be compatible with popular racing wheels such as Logitech and Thrustmaster. These stands feature strong adjustable bases suitable for storage when not in use, making them a practical option for home setups.
For seasoned racers who are looking for something more permanent and immersive, Shift Zone’s line up of Aluminum Extrusion Racing Simulator Cockpits provide robust yet highly customizable setups. The Aluminum Extrusion Cockpits feature enhanced durability as well as extensive customization options, making them ideal for serious enthusiasts who want to fine-tune their setups to meet their specific needs. These cockpits allow for further personalization, such as selecting separate seats that provide the comfort needed for extended racing sessions.
"The core of Shift Zone's brand ethos is to democratize sim racing in the Philippines," says owner Miguel Aranzaso. "We believe that high-quality sim racing equipment should be accessible to everyone so that beginners and experts alike can enjoy the thrill of virtual racing within a reasonable budget." Shift Zone is committed to helping cultivate love of the sport locally, making it the top choice for sim racing gear in the Philippines.
To explore Shift Zone's complete lineup of products, including sim racing cockpits, flight simulators, and related accessories, visit their online stores on Lazada and Shopee.
Start racing
Having these essential elements should get you started on the right path towards a competitive racing career. The only ingredient left is practice, practice, practice!