- How did hobby start and morph into a sport?
What is Sim Racing
A fun Hobby and Sport!
Sim racing — short for simulated racing — is both a fun hobby and a surprisingly deep sport. It covers everything from casual games like Forza Horizon to professional-level simulators like iRacing.
Whether you’re using a gamepad on Xbox or PlayStation, or a full sim rig with a steering wheel and pedals, you’re participating in sim racing. It’s a hobby that welcomes all skill levels — and budgets.
Some popular casual and competitive titles include:
- Forza Horizon – Open-world fun with real cars and wild landscapes
- Gran Turismo 7 – Realistic driving with an arcade-friendly feel
- Project CARS – Deep physics with console support
- iRacing – The gold standard for competitive sim racing and real-world physics
- Assetto Corsa – A mod-friendly PC sim with strong realism
- Le Mans Ultimate – Focused on endurance racing and WEC-level simulation
You can race against AI, friends, or even join ranked online leagues. Sim racing is also used by real drivers for training — including Formula 1 pros and NASCAR champions.
From casual cruisers to future esports racers — sim racing has a lane for everyone.
A Hobby with Many Entry Points
Choose your Line: casual, Competitive, or Just for fun!
🎮 Sim Racing: Why It's Exploding — and How to Join In
From bedroom setups to professional esports careers — discover why millions are choosing virtual racing over arcade games
📈 Why Sim Racing Has Exploded
🏠 2020 — Racing Goes Virtual
Lockdowns paused real racing. Drivers turned to iRacing and Gran Turismo, streaming events live and bringing sim racing into the spotlight.
🎥 2021 — Streaming Takes Over
TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube exploded with hot laps, rig builds, and racing tutorials. Sim racing became content gold, attracting millions of new viewers.
🛞 2022 — Gear Gets Affordable
Wheels like the Thrustmaster T128 and Logitech G923 made sim gear accessible for new racers everywhere.
🎮 2023 — Realism Goes Next-Level
Titles like Le Mans Ultimate and Assetto Corsa delivered pro-level physics and track accuracy from your home setup.
🏎️ 2024+ — Sim Racers Go Pro
Programs like GT Academy and FIA esports helped sim racers launch real racing careers.
🛠️ How to Get Started — Your Entry Points
🎮 Start Casual
Use a gamepad on Forza Horizon, GT7, or F1 24. No gear needed — just plug in and go.
🛞 Beginner Setup
Add a starter wheel like the Thrustmaster T128 or Logitech G923. Great for console or PC users looking to level up.
⚙️ Enthusiast Tier
Explore Assetto Corsa, Project CARS, or start modding. Upgrade to load cell pedals, cockpit stands, and shifters.
🏁 Full Sim
Try iRacing or Le Mans Ultimate with direct drive wheels, triple monitors, or VR. You're fully in now.
🕹️ You Don't Need a Fancy Rig to Start
If you're on Xbox or PC, the Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro Controller is a fantastic starting point. It's a modular, wired controller built for precision — perfect for racing titles like Forza Horizon, GT7, and F1 24. You get fine throttle and steering input without needing a wheel yet.
Your Sim Racing Journey
As you get more into the hobby, the upgrade path is completely up to you. Many racers build over time:
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Start with a controller - Use what you have and learn the basics of racing lines, braking points, and car control. Check out our controller guide here Controller Guide
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Add a beginner racing wheel like the Thrustmaster T128 or Logitech G923 - Feel the road and get authentic steering feedback. Want to check out our wheel guide? Click here Wheel Guide
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Add a stand or cockpit for comfort and immersion from companies like NLR, Playseat, or Trak Racer - Get the proper racing position. Check out our gear Rig Guide here Rig Guide
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Upgrade to load cell pedals, shifters, or Direct Drive wheels - View our guide on intermediate gear for serious performance gains.
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Try VR, triple monitors, or motion platforms when you're ready - View our guide on immersion accessories for the ultimate experience.
You don't need to buy everything at once — sim racing is one of the few hobbies where you can go from zero to esports-level setups gradually. The fun is in the progression, the challenge, and the drive to improve.