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Teach others how to build their own Sim Racing Motion Rig using affordable analog electronics.
Hi, my name is Ron and I have a problem. I got into sim racing and it is very addictive. I have decided to share some of the stuff I have done in the hope that it helps others with their addiction. I am a software developer with an education in electrical engineering from the U of Calgary, so I have a lot of the skills needed to design and build a full motion rig.
My Sim Rig design uses very cheap linear potentiometers (10cm travel) and analog circuits (arduino uno + DC motor controller) with DC scooter motors to create a very affordable and very reliable system. The Version 2 rig has over 700 hours of sim racing on it without needing any repairs or maintenance. I built a V2 for a buddy who has been running his for 4 months so far without any problems. Version 3 and 4 only have minor tweaks to make it easier to build and even more durable. My favourite racing sims right now are the original AC1, BeamNG, and LMU. I did play IRacing for a while but really hated the rating system, it became an expensive chore instead of fun. LMU has a much better rating system in my opinion.
There is a European project that has a similar design to this, but using digital servo/stepper motors and controllers called the 'SFX-100 project'. But it seems to be locked down to prevent people from using their design commercially (I don't give a rip who copies my design or what they use it for), and it has way more parts and costs FAR more to build than my design. The servo motors usually require a lot more power to operate as well, sometimes requiring a 240V supply. My system uses a single 1000W, 24V power supply, and I have never seen it go above 700W draw when in use. And my design is plenty powerful, I have come off the rig with sore ribs and abs many times from how violently it tosses me around. I believe my design is the most affordable and simple 4 leg system that exists for home DIY to date.
Version 1 I am the Sliver King!
Version 1 I am the Sliver King!
This was my first stab at a motion rig in March of 2025. I followed a great youtuber's instructions at https://www.youtube.com/@DMAX_DIY and built a very sketchy and noisy motion system with wood, screws, glue, tape, and luck. Thanks DMAX, I appreciate you!!! Almost hurt myself once when it flipped over backwards (then added some big supports to the base), so yes it really had a lot of motion. This system uses four 24V wheelchair motors that are normally used to haul heavy people around, it had 4axis, Pitch, Roll, Surge, and Slip. It was great for about a year, then it really started to get loose and break often. Wood screws slowly let off over time and it got very squeaky to race with this unit. Also the servo arms were 3D printed PETG and would eventually explode (sounds like glass breaking mid race), requiring almost weekly replacement... lame...
Version 2 All Aluminum, No More wood!
Version 2 All Aluminum, No More wood!
This version is a traditional 4 leg design and was built out of aluminum with steel 1605 ballscrews, entirely using hand saws, drills ,files, sweat and small amounts of blood. It took a ton of time to build, but it turned out really good and I put over 700 hours of racing on it without needing to repair anything before building V3. I miss the surge axis though, and plan on adding a surge/slip platform under the 4 legs eventually.
Version 3 3D printing to the rescue
Version 3 3D printing to the rescue
This version requires much less blood and tears to build than the previous versions. It uses 3D printed motor mounts and tweaks to the design to simplify assembly and reduce the number of expensive fasteners needed for the process. (Fasteners in small quantities are brutally expensive)
The motors shown here are from phidgets.com however they do not have the power handling capability needed to do races over an hour without cooling. The final design goes back to the motors used in V2 which are proven to be able to handle heavy weight (225lbs 'racer') for long races (3hrs+) without getting hot.
Version 4 Back to the tried and true motors
Version 4 Back to the tried and true motors
2026 Apr. The best-est version so far...
I adapted the 3D printed motor mounts to work with the old/better motors (350W DC up front, and 500W DC rear) and simplified the sensor mounting system to make this the easiest to build of all my designs so far.
Questions?
Questions?
Contact [r0n7890@protonmail.com] to get more information about the project
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