MMG is a household name in the rFactor community, most notably for having released the Formula One 2007 mod.

Now, the group expands their activities to sim racing hardware by unveiling the SimRDisp7X data display. The external display delivers all kinds of information including revs, speed, gears, fuel, pit limiter, safety car periods, engine overheating and traction loss. It features three segment displays and a bar of LED’s, giving it a realistic racecar look.

The display is connected via USB and is completely compatible to rFactor and it’s upcoming successor. MMG plans to make the display compatible to other titles such as the Simbin simulations, iRacing and ARCA Sim Racing in due time.

The SimRDisp7X sells for €75/$106, 100 units are available for pre-order until January 7th, orders will be shipped by January 29th. The display can be attached to your screen, a mount for the Logitech G25 will be following shortly.

Below are two images and a video, showing the display in action. If you like what you see, you can become one of the first 100 pre-orderes by visiting the MMG website.

Back in summer, I posted first previews of Leopoldo’s self-built BMW F1 wheel for the Logitech G25.

Since then, the project has made some very impressive progress as Leopoldo has made a new video, showing off the finalised second version wheel.

The wheel comes with rubber handles, a display, a joystick button, one rotary switch and 12 regular buttons. Watch the video below to check out some of the features.

Virtual Concept has recently unveiled their RS1 racing simulator. The simulator’s most significant feature is the patented “Immersion Screen” technology that provides a 180-degree field of vision while driving. This is a very interesting approach, somewhat comparable to the jDome concept.

The simulator is aimed towards producing real feeling instead of looking like a real race car, the eXtreme package includes 900 degree force feedback wheel and 3 frame-mounted pedals, an 8-gate H-pattern shifter and a functional dashboard with LED shift lights, a gear selection indicator, and several programmable buttons.

Sounds interesting? Then check out the Virtual Concept website and the two preview videos below, showing the simulator at work using rFactor.

Fanatec seems to be on a roll these days. Shortly after anouncing the very reasonably priced Porsche Carrera wheel, a new product has been unveiled, adding a new flagship to their line of Porsche licensed wheels.

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the most professional Fanatec Porsche wheel yet, aimed at serious sim racers. The 900 degree rotation wheel is made with handstitched authentic Italian Alcantara leather, as used on real Porsche 911 GT3 RS wheels. The 289,50 Euro/Dollar package also includes the Porsche clubsport pedals and pedal shifters, making this a real performance package.

Features:

• Original Porsche 911 GT3 RS steering wheel design
• Licensed by Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH
• Authentic metal Porsche logo on wheel
• Hand stitched leather wheel manufactured according to Porsche quality standards using original ALCANTARA® leather made in Italy.
• Compatible with PC and PlayStation 3 (games which support Force Feedback wheels)
• Includes Clubsport paddle shifters made of stainless steel
• Extra large wheel rim diameter (300 mm)
• Turning angle can be adjusted in the wheel to 900°, 360° or 180° or in 1° steps by software
• Play with table: Strong table clamps with quick release, special non-slip rubber pads, and Velcro strips on the pedals
  keep everything in place. Integrated screw inserts allows a strong fixation on a gaming cockpit
• Play without table:  Fully compatible with the RennSport Wheel Stand which is available optional
• Powerful Mabuchi RS 550 Motor as used in RC cars delivers extra strong Force Feedback effects
• Additional 2 Force Feedback actuators in the wheel simulates motor vibrations.
• Extra smooth and silent belt drive without mechanical dead zone
• High resolution wheel sensor
• TUNING functions with LED display
• Saves up to 5 wheel set-ups
• Adjust ForceFeedback strength during game play
• Adjust sensitivity independent from the game
• Clubsport pedals made of aluminum
• Pressure sensitive load cell sensor
• Maximum brake force adjustable
• Contactless magnetic sensors for gas and clutch with unlimited lifetime
• Vibration motor on brake pedal to indicate blocking tires (only in games which support this feature)
• Adjustable spring strentgth

The first units of the new wheel are already shipping to pre-order customers, you can get your very own example by visiting the Fanatec website.

After making a first apperance in InsideSimRacing Episode 33, Shaun and Darin have now dedicated a whole video review to Thrustmaster’s brand new Ferrari F430 wheel.

The 12-minute review shows the wheel getting tested in rFactor, GTR Evolution and iRacing. Watch the review below to find out if this wheel is worth its price or just a glorified piece of Ferrari merchandise.

Fanatec has added a new product to their line of Porsche-licensed steering wheels - The Porsche 911 Carrera Wheel.

The wheel is an original reproduction of the original Porsche 911 Carrera wheel and comes with a three-pedal system, realistic 6+1 shifter and LED display which can be used to display game info or to change wheel settings.

Features:

• High Quality wheel rim made of TPE rubber
• Extra large wheel rim diameter (30 cm / 11.8 inch)
• 6+1 Speed gear stick with correct dimensions
• Gear stick is interchangeable and can be mounted on the left or right side
• Realistic clutch pedal with declining resistance
• Strong table clamps with quick release, special non-slip rubber pads, and Velcro strips on the pedals keep everything in place. Integrated nuts allow the strong fixation on a gaming cockpit
• Powerful Mabuchi RS 550 ForceFeedback motor
• High resolution wheel sensor
• Turning angle can be adjusted in the wheel to 900°, 360° or 180° or in 1° steps by software
• TUNING functions with LED display
  • Saves up to 5 wheel set-ups
  • Adjust ForceFeedback strength during game play
  • Adjust sensitivity independent from the game
  • Adjust damper strength

The wheel is designed for Windows PCs but will also work on the Playstation 3. The best news is the price tag as the wheel sells for 129,95€, making it the cheapest of the Fanatec Porsche range of wheels.

In similar news, Fanatec has also announced a special limited edition of their Porsche 911 Turbo S wheel and the matching clubsport pedals. More info can be found on the Fanatec website.

Here’s another one of those pieces of hardware you just want to have but probably can’t afford: The BlueTiger Motion Simulator.

Like other motion simulators, this one adds a lot immersion to sim racing by placing you and your wheel and screen on a movable platform, giving you a small taste of the g-forces involved in real racing. The video below shows the system at work using rFactor. Furthermore, the simulator is designed to work with iRacing, NASCAR Racing 2003 and ARCA Sim Racing.

The base version of the simulator starts around $7000 not including seat, wheel or screen. More info can be found one the BlueTiger website.

Thrustmaster has unveiled another Ferrari-licensed wheel, adding the Ferrari F430 Force Feedback Racing Wheel to their PC product lineup.

The 28cm diameter wheel is pretty much an exact replica of the real life Ferrari F430 steering wheel, featuring a paddle-shift unit as well as start-engine button. The third unique feature is the Manettino, a unique Ferrari innovation first used on a gaming wheel. The backlit five-position rotary switch can be used to tweak various settings while driving, including brake balance or traction control settings.

The wheel comes with powerful Force Feedback enhanced by Immersion Touchsense Technology but without a clutch pedal. This is no big disadvantage as the wheel is not meant to be a pro solution but rather a nicely designed consumer product. It’s planned to retail at $159, making it an interesting alternative for first-time wheel customers.

From MSE Simulation comes something very interesting for those of you wanting to spice up their racing cockpit. The 3 axis motion system adds a lot of immersion to sim racing, letting you feel the movements of your car.

The system can be hooked up to the PC as well as gaming consoles like the Xbox360 or Playstation 3. The massive steel version weighs over 230 kilos and can carry up to 1000 kilos of payload. It can be seen at work below, hosting a Playseat setup using rFactor.

I´ve already showcased quite a few G25 mods that used the excellent base of Logitech’s best wheel to use a custom wheel.

Here’s a new approach as the G25 has been paired up with Thrustmater’s Ferrari F1 wheel. A quite clever solution, combining the G25’s excellent Force Feedback with an affordable F1-look wheel without the need to built one from scratch.

Those of you who like this idea will have to look quite hard to find one of the Thrustmaster wheels though as the F1 wheels are not in production anymore.

Via DrivingItalia

Ballracing Developments is specialised in motorsport simulators and below is their new Velocity MK1 motion platform simulator in action.

Located in Macau, the simulator is basicly a Formula One car on a moving platform, what sound’s impressive looks every bit as interesting as you can see below.

From Fanatec, creators of the Porsche 911 Turbo wheel, comes a very interesting piece of new hardware for sim racers - The Rennsport Cockpit.

The Rennsport Cockpit is made of an aluminum roll cage, housing an extra wide fiberglass race seat. The cockpit comes with support for three 24″ or a single 37″ monitor, a 5.1 sound system, Fanatecs Porsche wheel as well as the clubsport pedals. The race seat, wheel and pedals are fully adjustable for maximum comfort, the shifter can be switched to suit left-hand drivers.

The cockpit sells for 1295 Euros/Dollars on the Fanatec website, not including wheel, pedals, monitors, sound system, PC or the optional keyboard slider. If you really want this new piece of hardware and are quick to decide, you should hurry up as Fanatec sells the first ten examples for just 995 Euros/Dollars.

Here’s a really clever idea for sim racers who can’t bother their family with all their sim gear standing around or who have trouble racing in peace without getting distracted by wife or kids.

GTPlanet user GTP_joeninety has build himself a closed racing pod made of MDF, giving him a comfortable and cozy place to race in. The box is fully equipped with screen, gaming consoles, steering wheel, racing seat and proper ventilation.

The pod sits on wheels and can be moved around as it fits though doors, the only downside is that Joe will never be able to install a jDome in this ;)

Via GTPlanet

From Andresimparts comes a very impressive project for all you stock car racing fans out there. This custom made dash turns your sim racing cockpit into a full blown stock car, including the characteristic gauges and switches.

All that’s left to do is replacing the G25 with a more suitable basic looking steering wheel to make the NASCAR feeling complete….