We love to see superb engineering of client installations.  Scott in the US has put a lot of time and thought into his dual VR3 Chrome model set up.

We will have more on this build but check out the first shot.  This setup features a dual rigs with a single master control with 6 buttons, custom control G27 shifter overlay, custom drinks holder on second shifter mount and I believe custom coordinated carpet.

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.

Back in July, Ignite Skill Gaming (owners of rFactorcentral & SimRaceWay) announced to have acquired $7.5 million dollars of funding to turn SimRaceWay into an online racing title.

The company isn’t stopping there though as Ignite has announced a new partnership with the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School at the Infineon Raceway in California. The facility is being re-branded as SimRaceWay Performance Center and aims to combine real and virtual racing as Ignite is hoping for synergy effects for the physics developments of their new title as well.

The racing school offers over 70 vehicles to choose from and is now extended by a choice of simulators, giving interested customers the chance to try out their skills in a danger-free environment first before going for the real thing.

The sim facility consists of 12 VisionRacer VR3 Black Label racing rigs, equipped with Logitech G27 steering wheels.

Below are a bunch of photos showing off the new facility, also present is Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon who’s assisting Ignite Skill with his real-life racing experience.