Building a sim racing setup should feel exciting, not overwhelming. The best rig is the one that matches your platform, fits your space, and gives you confidence every lap. This guide walks you through the decisions that matter most for New Zealand drivers: choosing a base, pedals, rims, and shifters, planning your budget, and creating an upgrade path that grows with you. By the end, you will have a clear picture of the setup that is right for your needs today, and a plan for where you can take it tomorrow.
Start With You: Goals, Platform, Space, Budget
Before looking at product specs, define what you want out of sim racing.
What is your goal?
-
Better immersion after moving from a controller
-
Cleaner, more reliable inputs for consistent lap times
-
Training for specific disciplines such as GT, rally, drift, or single-seater
-
Competitive pace in leagues or long endurance events
Which platform will you race on?
-
PC provides the most flexibility. You can mix brands and add USB accessories freely.
-
Xbox and PlayStation require licensed wheelbases. Staying within one brand ecosystem is the smoothest path.
-
If you want to use both console and PC, choose a console-licensed base first. It will almost always work on PC too.
Where will the rig live?
-
Desk: ideal for beginners, compact, fine for lower torque bases.
-
Wheel stand: portable, stable, and suitable for entry direct drive.
-
Cockpit: rigid and comfortable for long stints. Best for mid-torque direct drive bases and load-cell pedals.
How much do you want to spend?
Think in stages. Buy a setup that feels good now and make sure it has an upgrade path you actually want to take. This way, you avoid replacing everything at once.
Wheelbase Choices: Gear, Belt, or Direct Drive
The wheelbase is the engine of feel. It defines how strong the feedback is and how clearly the car talks to you.
Gear-driven bases are affordable and robust, making them popular for beginners. The mechanical feel can be slightly notchy, but they are still capable of delivering a fun racing experience.
Belt-driven bases are smoother and quieter. They deliver more refined feedback, which makes them a great balance of comfort and detail for drivers who want reliability without stepping straight into direct drive.
Direct drive bases are the current benchmark. The motor is directly connected to the shaft, so response and detail are immediate. Entry direct drive bases are compact and easy to manage. Mid-torque direct drive brings serious realism, although it requires a rigid mount to feel its best.
Torque guide
-
3–6 Nm: a lively starting point for beginners and smaller spaces
-
8–12 Nm: stronger feedback, more headroom for GT and formula cars
-
16–21 Nm: advanced setups for drivers who have a rigid cockpit and want maximum realism
Choose the lowest torque that you can comfortably drive with for an hour. Smooth, precise driving always beats brute strength.
Pedals: The Biggest Upgrade to Lap Time
Your steering sets direction, but your braking sets lap time. Consistent braking is what lowers mistakes and builds rhythm.
Potentiometer pedals measure position. They are affordable and fine for starting out.
Load-cell pedals measure pressure. They feel closer to a real brake pedal and make trail braking repeatable. Most drivers who upgrade pedals first see the biggest jump in pace and consistency.
Two-pedal sets are fine if you mainly drive modern paddle-shift cars. A clutch is useful if you enjoy H-pattern classics or want more realism. Look for pedals with adjustable springs or elastomers so you can tune resistance and comfort.
Rims, Shifters, and Handbrakes
Rims
-
Round rims are versatile and feel natural for road, rally, and drift.
-
GT-style rims are cut for comfort and are excellent all-rounders.
-
Formula rims are compact and ideal for quick inputs, with buttons close to your thumbs.
Choose a base with a quick-release hub if you want to swap rims easily.
Shifters
-
Sequential shifters bring rally and prototype racing to life.
-
H-pattern shifters make older touring cars and street builds authentic.
Handbrakes
Essential for rally and drift, especially if you want progressive control. On PC, they can connect over USB. On consoles, they usually need to daisy-chain through the wheelbase.
Compatibility Made Simple
Compatibility comes down to three things: platform licence, game support, and how accessories connect.
-
On PC, install the drivers and use the brand’s control app. Accessories can connect separately via USB.
-
On Xbox and PlayStation, buy a licensed wheelbase and keep accessories inside the same ecosystem. That way, everything runs through the base as one recognised device.
-
Adapters exist, but they are not a long-term solution. They rely on firmware updates and can stop working after patches.
When browsing Speednation’s website, check platform badges first. If the page does not clearly state Xbox or PlayStation compatibility, assume it is PC-only and ask before you buy.
Mounting and Ergonomics
A strong wheel on a wobbly mount still feels average. Stability is what makes feedback clear.
Desk mounts work at lower torque but can flex. Wheel stands provide more stiffness and fold away for storage. Cockpits remove flex and unlock the best of mid-torque direct drive and load-cell pedals.
Your position matters too. Align the wheel centre with your chest. Keep your elbows slightly bent, shoulders relaxed, and pedals square to your hips. This prevents fatigue and makes control inputs natural.
Setup Day: Making Hardware and Game Speak the Same Language
A clean first setup makes every drive smoother.
-
Install drivers and control software.
-
Connect the wheelbase directly to the PC or console.
-
Centre the wheel and set the rotation. Match the same angle in-game.
-
Calibrate pedals so the min and max values are accurate.
-
Set dead zones to zero unless drift requires a small adjustment.
-
Save a profile for each game with clear names.
Fine-tune force feedback with three simple checks:
-
Strength: reduce until heavy corners still have a gradient.
-
Stability: add a little damping so straights are calm.
-
Detail: keep road effects low so physics cues lead, not rumble.
Setup Recommendations by Use Case
Living-room racing
Compact base, two pedals, round rim, mounted to a sturdy desk. Prioritise a load-cell brake if the budget allows.
Balanced first rig
Entry direct drive based on a wheel stand, GT rim, three-pedal load-cell set. Add a sequential shifter for rally or touring cars.
League racing or endurance
Mid-torque direct drive based on a cockpit, GT and formula rims, load-cell pedals with elastomer stacks, plus a shifter. Designed for a consistent pace and low fatigue.
Rally or drift focus
Round rim, sequential shifter, progressive handbrake. Torque is less important than quick steering response and pedal control.
Shared rig
Quick-release rim, saved profiles per driver, and adjustable pedals with markers for repeatable setups.
Budget Planning: Spend Smart
Spend with intent, not hype.
-
Invest first in a stable mount. It makes any base feel better.
-
Upgrade pedals early. A reliable brake is worth more than raw torque.
-
Choose a base with torque you can use comfortably.
-
Add rims, shifters, and handbrakes as your interest deepens.
-
Step into a cockpit when your base and pedals outgrow a desk or stand.
NZ-Specific Advice
New Zealand drivers face unique conditions.
Power: storms can spike mains supply. Use a surge-protected board. If outages are common, a small UPS prevents update failures.
Climate: humidity and salt air can wear materials. Keep rims out of direct sun, cover the wheel between sessions, and brush pedals free of grit. In winter, let cold gear warm to room temperature before powering on.
Support: buying locally means faster warranty turnaround and clear help when you need it. Keep receipts and serials and contact support early if something feels wrong.
Common Mistakes and Quick Wins
Mistakes
-
Choosing maximum torque without stable mounting
-
Forgetting to match the rotation in the software and the game
-
Ignoring pedal calibration after updates
-
Overusing road effects to mask the mount flex
Quick wins
-
Use a short, quality USB cable
-
Tie cables neatly with Velcro to reduce strain
-
Add heel support for smoother pedal control
-
Choose a lighter rim if your base feels sluggish
The Right Setup Is the One You’ll Use
The best racing wheel setup is not the most expensive. It is the one that matches your platform, fits your space, and makes you want to drive. Choose pedals you can trust, mount everything securely, and tune your profiles carefully. If you're excited to sit down and turn laps, you chose well. When you are ready to take the next step, Speednation can help you test, compare, and plan your upgrade path with confidence.