In 2009, Fanatec introduced the ClubSport pedals with sophisticated features such as a load-cell brake and brake pedal vibration.

Since then, Fanatec has expanded their line of pedal sets as the ClubSports have received smaller brothers with the CSR & CSR elite pedal sets. With them successfully introduced, it was time to overhaul the long-running ClubSports to a new version.

The proven base design of the pedals remains unchanged, coming in a new black and brushed aluminum look. More important are the technical changes as the V2 ClubSports comes with a new hydraulic brake.

To accomplish this, the load-cell brake has been equipped with an oil dampener for an even more realistic feeling. Users can adjust the brake pedal by changing the silicone oil and the viscosity alongside the spring tension. The brake pedal has also been made stiffer and comes with less travel for improved feeling.

The clutch has also been overhauled as it now comes with a degressive clutch mechanism developed by Teki Ei-Ichi. The new ClubSports will be shipping together with the new ClubSport wheel, Fanatec has set the price to 249,95 Euros/Dollars, upgrade kits for old ClubSport pedal sets won’t be available.

I have just left my email address at the mysterious webpage having read Rob's post on Virtualr.  Lets see what we get back.   Bingo the following turned up promptly.

"Thank you for signing up for Automaniax!

We will shortly release the closed BETA-Version of automaniax.com (about end of April) , which provides a new race experience online. 

With real cars, real tracks,and real motorsports. And that for free. We would be happy, if you take part in this community and race experience.

We will release more details to you shortly before the release, so that you are one of the first who can check out this experience.

Hopefully we see soon on automaniax.com

Thank you very much, The Automaniax Team "

A new driving simulation is always welcome.  Porsche being part of the production of the new driving sim (by Automaniax) is exciting.  Porsche has not licensed there car designs to any Sim to date except via Ruf.  If Porsche have a hand in the engineering it will be superb.  (Ed: Ok I have owned 3 Porsches amongst other Marquees.)   Porsche has a huge following with there iconic 911 style, not to mention a beautiful beast like the Carrera GT.  (I can tell from personal experience that car is mind blowing! )   The Porsche driver will appreciate and get involved in the virtually real driving world I am sure.  My current Visionracer VR3 is Fanatec GT3 and Clubsport pedal based as I've been driving Forza. 

Sonac has tackled the review of the next Fanatec product.

This time, he’ll takes a look at the new and more sturdy Fanatec CSR Shifter set that has been introduced with the CSR wheel. The set consists of a sequential shifter and a 6+1 shifter.

Fanatec has released a new beta version of their driver package for all their PC wheels, including the Porsche line and the recently-released CSR & CSR Elite.

The new driver addresses various issues as listed below, it’s available both as 32bit & 64bit version.

Rob over at Virtualr has produced another one of his great reviews.  This time its the much anticipated Fanatec CSR Elite wheel.

Check out the un-boxing video below and the review here.

Sonac from the Fanatec Wheel fan site has released his video review of Fanatec’s load cell brake powered CSR Elite pedal set.

His extensive video review doesn’t just review the pedals, he also compares them to two other popular models – It’s bigger brother, the Clubsport pedals as well as the Logitech G25 pedal set.

Fanatec has shipped out the first examples of their brand new CSR Elite Wheel to community testers and the first batch of reviews is now becoming available.

Below are the first to reviews by sonic, UKOGjonboy & kangal333, showing off the brand new wheel in full detail. Furthermore, Amar212 has released a very extensive written review of the wheel over at GTPlanet.

The CSR Elite is Fanatec’s first wheel that uses the brand-new developed base that will also power the upcoming Clubsport wheel base that is aimed at PC users.

Following the successful launch of the Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel, Fanatec is kicking into higher gear as the production of the CSR Elite wheel has officially been started.

The CSR Elite is the first Fanatec wheel to use the company’s all-new base that has been in development for over 1.5 years.

Unlike the CSR wheel base that will be launched later and is primarily aimed at PC users, the CSR Elite comes with Fanatec’s trademark cross-compatibility including Microsoft’s Xbox 360. 

Two weeks ago, we took a look at the world of sim racing and their fanatical followers. We spoke to Fanatec about their racing wheels and how they enhance the sim racing experience.
 
This week, we continue this two-parter with a look at the proper racing cockpit setup. What’s a good racing wheel without a proper cockpit setup? Take it from me; a racing wheel is nice, but if you’re forced to sit in an office chair with the wheel clamped to a 2 x 4 attached to a rudimentary stand, you’re not getting the full experience. In fact, it’s an incredibly uncomfortable experience. A cockpit setup is necessary because it places the wheel and pedals at the correct distance so that you can focus on your driving and not how uncomfortable you are.
 
No one knows the importance of a proper cockpit more than VisionRacer CEO David Harvey, a sim racing enthusiast and one of the biggest car nuts I know. Not only does Mr. Harvey create some extremely high quality cockpit setups, he also has been restoring and building race cars from scratch for years. If anyone can tell you why a cockpit/wheel setup is necessary to play a sim racer, then he can.
 
GAMING EXAMINER: Let’s get the most obvious question out of the way first: obviously you’re aware of Playseat and the popularity of their cockpits. What makes yours different from theirs, and why should gamers consider a VisionRacer as opposed to a considerably more affordable Playseat?
 
DAVID HARVEY: We feel Playseat have filled an important role to date. The more people into virtual driving and racing the better.
 
The VisionRacer VR3 product will stand on its own merit. As sim and real race car builder/drivers we had a set of criteria we desired in a rig to meet. Like cable management, I hate messy cabling. The wheel and pedals require power, usb normally and connection to the shifter via cables. I personally like the my race gear to be a statement in style, form and practical function.
 
We would suggest the actual differential is made up of the a few element. Quality of the materials go hand in hand with style, fit and finish. Secondly, we have gone past just the VR3 product with SimRoom. Our clients are asking us for parts right up to complete “ready to drive” solutions. So as opposed to saying whats the difference between the rigs we would suggest what the difference between our solutions today and going forward?
 
Without getting too far ahead of ourselves we have stated our mission is to provide 2D/3D full stereoscopic motion based simulators at an affordable price. That has every component compatible and integrated. Our clients typically do not see themselves as “gamers”. They uses technology daily, love driving cool cars, likes quality and longevity. Client service and support is important. Style, design and build quality is a must. Price is not a prime consideration but value for money is calculated.
 
Playseat sell mainly direct which has not built an agent service base. Their clients don’t consider value added services such as builds and installation are important. We feel with the complexity of the technology clients prefer service and support readily at hand.
 
The next step is a new approach to involving our community in the design of the products and when they are produced. Watch this space.
 
GE: Please tell us a little more about the features that make a VisionRacer cockpit unique.
 
DH: To us style and attention to detail. We spend 100′s of hours going over every detail from the product design to photography. We design our own websites and sophisticated CRM workflow systems behind the scenes to deliver clients service .
 
We talk through and evaluate every client interaction because we are interested. We care. Our philosophy is we are servicing a growing user base and clients demands and desires for a virtually real experience.
 
Due to this client interaction we made 20+changes and improvements to our last version. Most not seen but important to our clients so vital to us.
 
We see the VR3 base as a platform to add accessories to, which make the experience and ownership of our product better.

GE: What are the main differences between the four setups that are available?
 
DH: Our philosophy is value. Clients can;
 
1) Buy parts to custom make their own unit. Hence we have launched SimRoom.com. This is for sim racing and soon flying, another passion of ours.
2) Buy a validated solution in parts to have fun and the challenge of building at home or;
3) Have a professional build, install and integrate with the clients existing or new AV gear.
 
Will a choice of the mild steel VR3 “Black Label” or polished stainless steel called “Chrome”. Add what you like up to a turnkey solution delivered before Christmas day without disappointment.

Add motion. It’s expensive but eye boggling, jaw dropping good. Add the new visual devices to your base unit as they are released knowing you investment is protected.
 
NVIDIA have been using 25 VR3′s as shown in this video.
 
GE: I can go on all day about why wheel/cockpit based racing is the only true way to play a sim racing game as opposed to a controller. Can you offer some thoughts to our readers why a racing game is a completely different beast with a wheel/cockpit setup?
 
DH: When learning to fly a 747 a simulator seems obvious. When learning to drive a 600hp car it seems people feel that simulated experience is unnecessary.

Not many people have actually driven a car to the limits in a position to evaluate the outcomes. The male ego feels it’s natural to drive, but would not consider taking a 747 for a “fang”.

More is possible with more natural analogue inputs. I drive a car with focus on entry point and exit point. During the corner I am evaluating a patch of traction about the size of your hand for mechanical grip.

Following the Formula One wheel rim that was seen in various video, Fanatec has revealed the next rim for their upcoming ClubSport wheel base – The BMW M3 GT2 wheel rim!

Below is first footage of the new rim as BMW works driver Dirk Adorf and Fanatec’s Thomas Jackermeier show off the high-tech piece of kit.

Since Fanatec’s ClubSport wheel base uses a real-life quick release mechanism, the wheel can even be used in a real race car. The wheel comes quite close to being an actual replica of the real M3 GT2 wheel safe for some details like the middle display and some buttons that differ from the real thing.

Fanatec targets at having the rim available in December, pricing info is not yet available but Fanatec has already revealed that the rims will be priced between 150 and 300 Euros/Dollars. Following the F1 and GT rim will be more wheels, including NASCAR & rally style wheels and an even more realistic F1 wheel sometime in 2012.