Building a Sim Racing Setup on a Budget: What We'd Actually Buy in 2026

ozzyracing87
Apr 19
4 min read

So you want to get into sim racing but you don't want to remortgage the house to do it. Good news — you don't have to. At Ozzy Racing we've seen drivers go from absolute beginners to genuinely competitive racers on setups that cost less than a weekend away. Here's our honest guide to what we'd actually buy if we were starting from scratch in 2026.

First Things First: What Do You Actually Need?

Before we get into the hardware, let's be clear, a great setup doesn't make you fast. Racecraft, consistency and understanding the car underneath you matters far more than whether your wheel has force feedback at 20Nm. That said, the right gear does make a real difference to immersion, feel and enjoyment. So let's break it down by budget.

Under £150 — The Starting Point

If this is your first proper foray into sim racing, the Logitech G29 (PlayStation/PC) or G920 (Xbox/PC) is still the go-to recommendation. Yes, they've been around for years. Yes, they're a bit plasticky. But they work, they last, and they'll teach you the basics of weight transfer and braking without emptying your wallet.

Pair that with a wheel stand rather than trying to balance the wheel on your desk, your lap times will immediately improve just from having a stable platform. Trak Racer does solid entry-level options worth looking at.

👉 Shop Trak Racer cockpits & stands

Platform-wise, Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 is the fastest and cheapest option into sim racing or Assetto Corsa on PC/PS5 are brilliant starting points. ACC (Assetto Corsa Competizione) is a step up in terms of realism and is what most UK online league racers use.

Budget breakdown:

Logitech G29/G920: ~£100–£130
Wheel stand: ~£40–£80

£150–£500 — The Sweet Spot

This is where sim racing really starts to come alive. In this range you're moving into entry-level direct drive territory and the jump in force feedback quality over a belt-driven wheel is immediately noticeable. You'll feel the kerbs, the understeer, the moment the rear steps out. You start getting real information through the wheel, and it makes you a better driver.

At this level we'd point you toward the Simagic range, available through our friends at Abruzzi a UK-based sim racing retailer we trust, with next-day delivery and great support. Use the Simagic Bundle Builder on their site to save money putting a package together.

👉 Browse Simagic at Abruzzi

For pedals, a load cell brake is one of the single biggest improvements you can make to your consistency. You're braking with pressure rather than travel, just like a real car, and your braking zones become dramatically more repeatable. Abruzzi stock the full Simagic pedal range.

For your rig, Trak Racer cockpits are well built, adjustable and a step up from wheel stands without breaking the bank.

👉 Shop Trak Racer rigs

£500+ — Going Serious

This is where I live, and honestly, it's hard to go back once you've been here.

I run the Simagic Alpha U a high-torque direct drive wheelbase that delivers incredibly detailed, nuanced force feedback. Paired with the Simagic P1000 pedals with the hydraulic upgrade, this combination genuinely changes how you drive. The hydraulic brake pedal has a feel that's closer to real motorsport than anything else I've used progressive, consistent and completely confidence-inspiring under late braking.

👉 Shop Simagic Alpha U at Abruzzi 👉 Shop Simagic P1000 Pedals at Abruzzi

At this level, a proper fixed rig is essential you need the wheelbase mounted rock solid to feel every bit of feedback the Alpha U delivers. Trak Racer's higher-end cockpits are built for exactly this.

👉 Shop Trak Racer full cockpits

If you're serious about competing, improving your racecraft and putting in consistent lap times, this is the level of kit that rewards the investment. You stop thinking about the hardware and start thinking purely about the driving.

The Setup We'd Recommend at Every Level

Just starting out: Logitech G29 + Trak Racer wheel stand. Don't overthink it. Drive.
First real upgrade: Simagic entry-level direct drive + Simagic P1000 load cell pedals from Abruzzi. Night and day difference.
Going competitive: Simagic Alpha U + P1000 hydraulic pedals + Pro Sim Rig fixed rig. This is where lap times get serious.

Using our affiliate links to grab any of this kit helps support the channel and the community we're building, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we actually use and believe in.

Our Honest Advice

Don't wait until you can afford the perfect setup. Start where you can, focus on the driving, and upgrade one piece at a time. The fastest drivers we know aren't always on the most expensive rigs they're the ones who put the hours in.

Jump into our Discord if you want personalised advice on what to buy for your budget, the community is full of experienced drivers who've been through every upgrade cycle and will give you a straight answer.

Race smarter. Race faster.

— Adam & Reece, Ozzy Racing