How-To Start Sim Racing: Guide on How to Choose The Right eSports Path

How-To Start Sim Racing: Guide on How to Choose The Right eSports Path

Looking How-To To Start Sim Racing? Choose The Right Path !

By Jakub Olcen

Sim racing is one of the most accessible ways to experience the thrill of motorsport. Unlike real racing, there’s no need for a race license, an expensive car, or travel to a track. All you need is a setup at home and the dedication to improve.

Sim Racing Offers:

  • Realistic Racing Experience – Many sim titles replicate real-world physics, handling, and tire models.
  • Cost-Effective Motorsport – No risk of damage, no fuel costs, just pure racing.
  • Competition at Every Level – From casual single-player modes to high-stakes esports championships.
  • A Pathway to Real Racing – Drivers like Cem BölĂĽkbaşı and James Baldwin have proven that sim racers can transition to real cars.

Choosing the Right Sim Racing Title

Not all racing games are equal. Some focus on realism, while others are more casual and arcade-like. If you’re serious about sim racing, here are the best titles to consider:

Entry-Level Sims:

  • Assetto Corsa – Great physics, huge modding community, good balance between realism and accessibility.
  • Gran Turismo 7 / Forza Motorsport – Console-friendly options that introduce players to racing fundamentals.

Competitive & Hardcore Sims:

  • iRacing – The most competitive online racing platform, used by professionals.
  • Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) – Focused on GT racing, excellent physics and official championships.
  • rFactor 2 – Advanced physics and endurance racing.
  • RaceRoom Racing Experience – Free-to-play with great competitive racing and realistic handling.

Choose the sim that aligns with your goals, our recommendation would be starting out with something that most people eventually move to which is iRacing

Essential Gear to Get Started

A proper setup makes a huge difference in immersion and performance. Here’s what you need:

1. Steering Wheel & Pedals

Your wheel and pedals define how connected you feel to the car. While controllers can be used, upgrading to a wheel and pedal set dramatically enhances the experience.

  • Budget: Gear-Driven or Belt-Driven wheel (Logitech G29, Thrustmaster T300).
  • Mid-Tier: Direct Drive Wheelbase for better force feedback and smoother control (Simagic Alpha Mini, Moza R5).
  • High-End: Direct Drive Wheelbase with huge torque (VRS DFP20, Simucube 2 Pro).

2. Pedals (The Most Important Piece of Equipment!)

Pedals are often overlooked but play a huge role in car control. A good brake pedal makes trail braking and threshold braking much more precise. This is definitely the most important piece of equipment to make your lap-times faster.

  • Entry-Level: Stock pedals with Logitech/Thrustmaster wheels.
  • Mid-Tier: VRS DirectForce Pro Pedals, Heusinkveld Sprint – Load cell braking improves realism.
  • High-End: Simucube Active Pedals – The closest to real race car pedals.

3. Cockpit/Rig Setup

Your rig setup determines comfort and stability, which are crucial for long racing sessions.

  • Desk Setup: Clamp your wheel to a sturdy desk if starting on a budget.
  • Racing Stand: Playseat Challenge, Next Level Racing Stand – Folds away for space-saving.
  • Full Cockpit: Sim-Lab P1-X, Trak Racer – Rigid setups for serious racers.

4. Triple Screens vs. VR: The Competitive Edge

Your choice of display affects immersion and visibility on track.

  • Triple Screens: The gold standard for competitive sim racing. Expands field of view, improves situational awareness, and allows precise car placement.
  • Single Monitor: A solid starting point—27” 144Hz recommended for smooth gameplay.
  • VR Headset: Offers deep immersion (Meta Quest 3, HP Reverb G2), but competitive racers prefer triples due to clarity and consistency.

Setting Up for Success

Once you have the right gear, it’s time to fine-tune your setup for maximum performance.

1. Adjust Your Force Feedback Settings

  • Proper force feedback helps you feel grip loss and weight transfer.
  • Avoid excessive force feedback strength; realistic settings improve consistency.

2. Optimize Your Driving Position

  • Sit with your knees slightly bent and arms relaxed.
  • Adjust your pedals and wheel for a comfortable, natural position.

3. Learn the Basics Before Jumping Into Races

  • Master smooth steering inputs and proper braking techniques.
  • Start with slower cars like Mazda MX-5s in iRacing or GT4 cars in ACC to build fundamentals.
  • Watch tutorials from experienced sim racers to improve your skills.

Joining the Community & Racing Online

Sim racing isn’t just about hotlapping—it’s about racing against real people.

Find the Right Competitive Environment:

  • Join online leagues for structured racing.
  • Participate in ranked matchmaking in iRacing, ACC, or RaceRoom.
  • Engage with sim racing communities on Discord and Reddit.

If you're looking for a competitive team and serious racing, check out DRIVEN | Performance eSports: DISCORD

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