Gran Turismo 7 has just been released for PlayStation. It's incredible, but it is best enjoyed with a racing setup. Here's how you can make a beginner racing simulator without overspending.

Secure Your Racing Controls

When you get a racing wheel and pedals, you will soon find they slip and slide all over the place. Given that these are the most expensive and crucial parts of your simulator, you don't want them to fall away and get damaged. Most wheels come with a clamp, and pedals have rubber pads. But in most cases, these are useless on desks and similar surfaces. Fortunately, you can get a quality PVC floor mat which you can cut to size as required. Stick these to your desk and pedal surface, and you will all but eliminate your wheel and pedals from sliding.

Find a Good All-Rounder Racing Wheel

Your racing wheel is the most essential part of your homemade simulator. But they are expensive. In the UK, for example, a decent racing wheel ranges between £100 and £400. While it's tempting to get the most costly, you won't feel any benefit unless you race in tournaments with professional gamers. Therefore, it isn't necessary when learning how to use a racing simulator. For the time being, while you learn and save for a high-end wheel, it's best to get a good all-rounder. Logitech and Thrustmaster have an excellent range that won't break the bank.

Make Your Beginner Racing Simulator Comfy

If you are serious about your racing simulator, you will spend a lot of time behind the wheel. For instance, races in top racing games can go on for more than one hour. And you can create custom races with longer durations, such as a 24-hour LeMans style race. Unfortunately, all that racing can take its toll on your body and mind, and 75% of drivers suffer from back pain. So, it’s necessary to make your simulator comfortable. Arm padding, seat cushions and neck and back support are essential. A gaming chair will suffice, but you will need to adjust it.

Buy Used Accessories to Keep Costs Lower

Of course, there are many more parts to a full racing simulator than a chair, wheel and pedals. In fact, these are the basic components. Racing enthusiasts also purchase gear shifters and dash controls. However, these can become expensive, especially when starting out. Of course, you can add these gradually as you get better. And it's also a good idea to buy them second hand until you can afford to install brand new gear. And you won't be looking at your devices most of the time anyway, so functionality over style should be your focus.

Make Sure Everything is Compatible

There are many options out there for making a racing simulator. Brands like Logitech and Thrustmaster are among the top for racing wheels and pedals. But even though they manufacture excellent controllers, they aren't always compatible with your device. For example, racing wheels for PS4 cannot be used with PS5. And some PC racing wheels can't be used with any gaming console. Therefore you should always check the compatibility with your device before buying one. Online descriptions will always tell you, and if not, just Google it.

Summary

A racing simulator is an excellent way to get the best out of racing games. You can build a beginner one on a budget with secure controls, used controllers and checking compatibility.