10 Sim Racing Merchandise You Ought to Examine Out from the 2026 SimRacing Expo

Over Memorial Day Weekend, I used to be invited to attend the 2026 SimRacing Expo in Charlotte on behalf of DualShockers. Not solely was this occasion merely a blast normally to attend due to all of the insane sim racing rigs I may hop on and check out, however I additionally obtained to go hands-on with many thrilling items of tech getting into the sim racing fray.

The next choice of ten merchandise I might like to focus on are undoubtedly not exhaustive of all of the cool issues I used to be in a position to see over the weekend from dozens of wonderful and passionate groups. They’re, nevertheless, ten issues that I used to be notably enthusiastic about, and that I believe deserve some further consideration.

Whether or not these are doubtlessly life-changing sim racing rigs, nice entry factors, or just one thing tangentially associated to the world of sim racing I believe it’s best to find out about, we’ll cowl the whole lot under from the 2026 SimRacing Expo.

10

GameSir and Trak Racer’s TR640 Drive Suggestions Controller

Sim Racing within the Palm of Your Hand

One thing I spoke quite a bit with between dev groups and friends on the present alike was accessibility in sim racing. Let’s be sincere; not all of us can afford an unbelievable 4, 5, and even six-figure sim racing rig, as a lot as we might like to have one. With this in thoughts, one product I actually loved taking a more in-depth have a look at was the TR640 Force Feedback Controller, which is the results of a partnership between Trak Racer and GameSir.

With a value level just below $200, it is certainly one of your most cost-effective methods to get into the sim world with out going all-out on a full rig. Right here, a dial within the middle of the controller acts as your direct drive steering wheel, full with correct power suggestions that genuinely is a marvel to behold as you utilize the controller.

In type issue, it feels closest to a PS5’s DualSense, with the plain caveat that it now has a steering wheel module proper within the middle. Lights on the high of the controller additionally work as your gear shift indicator in real-time. It is a controller that you must really feel to consider, and I walked away extremely impressed with its potential because it rolls nearer to a 2026 This fall launch.

9

CSRS’ Kart Line

The Coolest Child on the Block

Talking of accessibility, CSRS is a neighborhood Charlotte start-up that is all-in on being the proper, reasonably priced entry level for youths and households within the sim racing area. To be sincere, I am undecided that I noticed one other firm on the expo present ground that was this dialed in to what a typical household can virtually afford when desirous to get a baby into sim racing.

The CSRS-Kart line of sim rigs vary from sizes tailor-made to grade schoolers, all the best way as much as teenagers and finally to adults as your driver continues to develop. What’s finest is that the entry-level rig from CSRS will solely set you again about $100, and their most costly, bigger models high out at about $250.

This was a workforce I completely liked talking with on the present ground, and one which I knew it will be straightforward to get behind of their mission to convey sim racing to extra kids and households. Think about in case your child was the one with 4 sim rigs in the lounge and had Mario Kart events on the common. You would be the best home on the block.

8

Thrustmaster’s GT Wheel Add-On

Having a Gran Ol’ Time

A variety of our readers are console-focused gamers, which is why I used to be notably eager to take a look at Thrustmaster’s GT Wheel Add-On. Personally, Gran Turismo 7 (by way of the PSVR2) is the racing sport I at present spend probably the most time with myself, so trying out a wheel designed for GT itself in thoughts was a no brainer.

And… Yeah, this factor is actually good. I used it on the present as a desk-mount unit hooked up to a Thrustmaster wheelbase, and it is completely certainly one of my favourite choices for these of you that wish to race with a wheel setup however haven’t got the area or finances for a full rig. Paired with a wheelbase, the power suggestions and expertise normally with the GT Wheel could be very, very good.

There’s additionally one thing to be stated for a wheel being made particularly for Gran Turismo, with button icons that correlate immediately with the PlayStation prompts you realize and love. I like this wheel greater than a few of Thrustmaster’s costlier however similarly-tiered wheels to be sincere, so if you happen to love Gran Turismo anyway, it is a winner.

7

Trak Racer’s Aston Martin Aramco AMR26 Racing Simulator

Getting on the Grid

I really like Formulation 1, and whereas Aston Martin is not my private favourite workforce of alternative as a fan, there isn’t any denying that the formally branded Aston Martin Aramco AMR26 cockpit from Trak Racer is ridiculously cool. Should you’re on the lookout for a rig setup with loads of further model and aptitude, this is likely one of the coolest ones on the market.

For these most tuned-in to Formulation 1 sim racing, it is also among the finest cockpits I examined out to make you’re feeling such as you’re in an precise F1 automobile, due to the positioning of the seat and pedals. This is not a setup that comes with any electronics, so you’re simply shopping for the cockpit itself. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re into the Aston Martin theming, it is rad.

Trak Racer additionally makes some extent to say the strengthened pedal plate, which shouldn’t flex beneath the burden of your late breaking into the hairpin at Monaco.

6

Sensit’s Haptic Suggestions Sim Racing Seats

Really feel It

Should you’ve by no means tried one, a sim racing rig with full movement constructed into the setup is an insanely immersive expertise. It is also, in fact, costly to construct out a rig like that, and to be sincere, they’ll legitimately tire you out after some time. That is why I believe Sensit’s haptic feedback sim racing seats are a beautiful different for anybody on the lookout for some extra immersion, however in a better type issue.

You possibly can seize a Sensit chair with the haptics in-built, or, in case your pre-existing seat is suitable with the Sensit haptic insert, it can save you some cash this fashion. Sensit is sweet sufficient to even present info on whether or not or not the insert will match along with your seat, even when it is from a totally completely different model.

In apply, the Sensit chair and its haptic suggestions are wonderful. You may really feel each bump within the street, each curb, and particularly each time you go off observe. To me, the best factor right here was shifting gears, as you actually really feel the burden of the automobile jostling with every shift up/down. It is genuinely superior immersion, however in a a lot easier (and certain cheaper) type issue in comparison with full movement.

5

Pimax’s Dream Air VR Headset

VR Consolation Meets Excessive Efficiency

I have been a VR believer for a very long time at this level, and I’ve owned each the PSVR and PSVR2, in addition to a Meta Quest. I’ve liked all three of these headsets for numerous causes and have used all of them quite a bit, however I nonetheless was totally impressed by the Pimax Dream Air VR headset. Pimax hadn’t been on my radar earlier than this expo, however they’ve undoubtedly made their presence identified now.

At a value level above different opponents (about $2K), the Pimax Dream Air is a really spectacular unit if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing premium. For sim racing particularly, I attempted it out with three or 4 completely different titles/rigs, and it is fairly simply the very best VR headset I’ve ever used for racing.

It is extremely snug, light-weight, has no noticeable gentle leak (even on a vivid expo present ground), and holy cow, does it look good. It is obtained 8K decision, and regarded markedly higher than any headset I might used prior. In order for you the very best VR for sim racing (or anything in VR), the Pimax Dream Air is insanely good.

4

Trak Racer’s TRZ Bike Racing Simulator

MotoGP at Residence

Proven off for the very first time on the 2026 SimRacing Expo, Trak Racer’s TRZ Motorbike Racing Simulator is a blast. It is the primary ever bike sim on the earth that is made for dwelling use in thoughts, and as such, it is actually spectacular what Trak Racer has already crafted right here with their maiden (and anybody’s maiden) foray into one of these expertise.

The bike has full, operational handlebars, but in addition leans aspect to aspect as you velocity round MotoGP tracks. And positive, most of us have used one of many bike racing arcade machines of the previous with leaning capabilities, however Trak Racer has taken issues to a different degree right here, and impressively, at a $1,999 value level that does not appear too dangerous in any respect when you think about what’s all at play.

As the primary sim on the earth of this sort and one which’s able to being utilized in arcade-style, as a full sim expertise, or someplace in between, the TRZ Bike Sim is likely one of the coolest issues you possibly can have at dwelling for MotoGP followers.

3

iRacing’s Titles in Basic

Doing Racing Video games Proper

In fact, iRacing was additionally on the expo, which ought to be no shock since their titles have develop into the excessive customary for sim racing experiences lately. For anybody on the present that hadn’t but performed all of their present titles, the expo was an incredible alternative to go hands-on with iRacing, iRacing Arcade, NASCAR 25, and World of Outlaws.

For me, I had but to take a look at NASCAR 25, and rapidly discovered myself simply spending an hour with the sport on the present ground. If you have not performed it both and have love for NASCAR, racing normally, or are additionally somebody that spent a whole lot of hours with the nice NASCAR titles of previous, you owe it to your self to take a look at 25.

iRacing Arcade additionally confirmed off its (a lot wanted) multiplayer splitscreen performance, we obtained affirmation that NASCAR 26 was coming alongside properly, and likewise heard about how significantly the workforce is taking the event of the forthcoming Indycar sport, which I now could not be extra excited for after trying out the whole lot else iRacing needed to provide.

2

Asetek’s Initium Line

Professional Degree Sim at a Nice Entry Level

Up subsequent is Asetek, who’ve a number of product strains starting from the cheaper entry factors, to probably the most high-end sim rig setups you would ever want. Right here, I might wish to deal with the Initium line of products, which function Asetek’s lowest entry level into the world of sim racing. It is somewhat absurd simply how good Asetek has made the Initium line for anybody that desperately needs to get into sim racing, however cannot spend many hundreds of {dollars} on a setup.

A full Initium sim rig setup, full with wheel, wheelbase, pedals, seat, and cockpit body comes out to round $1,000 in complete. If you begin to go searching on the funding for different full setups from competing manufacturers, it is a downright steal, in my view. What’s finest is that Asetek has additionally been working immediately with XBOX, as a result of they perceive {that a} sim rig suitable with consoles is much more accessible to gamers than the PC-only setups.

Actually, Asetek looks as if they’re making lots of consumer-first, good strikes with their merchandise, which is one thing I will at all times get behind. The high-end stuff is there, and it is nice. However if you happen to simply wish to get in on the bottom ground, the Initium line is genuinely glorious. I attempted out a full Initium setup on the present, and it greater than held its personal on the value level in comparison with any others.

1

Simcraft’s Apex GT

Pushing Boundaries

Final, however completely not least, is Simcraft’s incredible Apex GT rig. No, this is not going to be the sim rig for many of us (it prices about $150,000). Regardless of this, it serves as a testomony to simply how far sim racing has come. This machine is the closest you possibly can really feel to really moving into an actual race automobile, as even seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has attested to.

Everybody I spoke to that obtained off the Apex GT stated issues that sounded life-changing: “It is spoiled the whole lot else for me.” “I’ll be chasing that feeling.” “I really feel like I am nonetheless coming down for that.” Clearly, even if you happen to personally may not ever be capable of have one for your self, the Apex GT is one thing to expertise.

To me although, the precise coolest factor about it’s that, nearly as a aspect impact of the realism and design of the Apex GT, Simcraft has discovered that it has genuine health benefits, both mentally and physically, for people who get within the machine, and it is now being utilized in consideration for numerous sorts of rehabilitation in healthcare settings. Sim racing is sweet for you? As if I wasn’t offered already!