Sim Racing Glossary

New to sim racing? Learn the terminology with our comprehensive glossary of terms and concepts.

8

80/20 Aluminum Profile

Modular aluminum extrusion system with T-slot channels, used to build rigid, customizable sim racing cockpits. Named after the common 80mm x 20mm cross-section.

B

Belt Drive

A wheelbase technology using a toothed belt to connect the motor to the steering shaft, offering smoother force feedback than gear drive at a mid-range price.

Brake Mod

An aftermarket modification to sim racing pedals that improves brake feel, typically by adding resistance, changing the progression, or converting to load cell operation.

D

Desk Clamp

A mounting method where the wheelbase attaches directly to a desk using a built-in or included clamp mechanism. The simplest and cheapest mounting solution.

Direct Drive

A wheelbase technology where the motor is directly connected to the steering shaft with no gears or belts, providing instant, detailed force feedback.

E

Ecosystem

A brand's interconnected product lineup where components are designed to work together, often with proprietary connections that limit cross-brand compatibility.

F

Force Feedback

The resistance and movement provided by a sim racing wheelbase to simulate the forces a real steering wheel would experience, commonly abbreviated as FFB.

G

Gear Drive

A wheelbase technology using mechanical gears to connect the motor to the steering shaft, found in entry-level wheels with a characteristic notchy feel.

H

H-Pattern Shifter

A gear shifter that replicates the traditional H-shaped gear selection pattern found in manual road cars, requiring lateral and longitudinal movement to select specific gears.

L

Load Cell

A pressure-based sensor in sim racing pedals that measures braking force rather than pedal travel, providing more consistent and realistic brake feel.

P

Pedal Face

The surface of a sim racing pedal that contacts your foot, available in different shapes, sizes, and materials to match driving preferences and footwear.

Platform Compatibility

Whether sim racing hardware works with a specific gaming platform (PC, PlayStation, Xbox), determined by manufacturer licensing and hardware design.

Potentiometer

A position-based sensor in sim racing pedals that measures how far the pedal has traveled, common in entry-level pedal sets.

Q

Quick Release

A mechanism that allows rapid attachment and detachment of the wheel rim from the wheelbase, enabling easy wheel swaps and storage.

R

Rig

A dedicated frame structure for mounting sim racing equipment, providing a stable, adjustable platform for wheel, pedals, seat, and accessories. Also called a cockpit or sim rig.

S

Sequential Shifter

A gear shifter that moves in a single forward-back axis to shift up and down through gears sequentially, mimicking racing car sequential gearboxes.

T

Torque

The rotational force produced by a wheelbase motor, measured in Newton-meters (Nm). Higher torque means stronger force feedback capability.

W

Wheel Rim

The steering wheel component that attaches to a wheelbase, featuring the grip surface, buttons, paddles, and display elements that the driver interacts with.

Wheel Stand

A standalone mounting frame for a wheelbase and sometimes pedals, positioned in front of a chair or couch. More stable than desk mounting but smaller than a full rig.

Wheelbase

The motor unit in a sim racing setup that generates force feedback. The wheel rim attaches to the wheelbase via quick release or fixed connection.