Wooden and Aluminum Faux Race Car

[joe mendel]

When I am off work from the shop, I either spend my relaxation time watching my favorite baseball team, or sim racing.  Racing on PC simulation software has been a hobby of mine since 1994.  For the longest time I have wanted a dedicated area for playing PC racing simulations.  I decided to go with a combination of wood and metal in its construction.  I made the side panels from nine-ply plywood, and the roof panels are 1/4" MDF.  The free standing panels are used to block any distractions from underneath the side monitors are 1/4-inch plywood panels attached to aluminum profile.   The silly, and unnecessary spoiler was once there to protect the rear speakers from being bumped.  I have since moved the 7.1 rear speakers closer to ear level and just kept the plywood spoiler for effect and the absurdity of it all.

The variable-speed 175 C.F.M. ventilation system is very much needed as the three 32" monitors and the 23" overhead monitor generate a great bit of heat very quickly and sustains making heat.  Once the curtain is closed the heat is trapped in the cockpit so it needs to be vented out and gets recirculated into the dashboard vents.  The blackout curtain is needed to stop reflections from behind me.  Being in front of the three monitors is like a triple dressing mirror, with reflections from all sides just bouncing off each surface.  The black backdrop helps to minimize those reflections, and eliminated the distractions from outside the cockpit (four cats and a dog).

Some internet races are usually 45 minutes to an hour in length, and as long as 2.4 hours in duration, so comfort and accessibility to controls is a premium consideration.  The aluminum profile allowed me to tweak the location of everything by sliding things in the channels, and the plywood panels allowed me to lock things in place.  Everything is placed for my comfort and ergonomics, so guest just have to put up without a seat slider or tilt steering wheel.  There are two 1000 watt per channel amplifiers overhead, (which I can access overhead like a NASA capsule),  and they power Buttkicker brand transducers which shake the driver seat from underneath and in the lumbar area, and the left and right sides of the pedals plate. 

The wheel motor has 20Nm of torque available for the force feedback haptics, which can be quite jolting during a crash.  The pedal system has incredible feel and adaptability to give a true-to-life feel during use.  The sequential shifter is a top notch built piece of kit.  All of it is way too much fun, and has been a great distraction in the workshop as my weekend project built in the shop for me.

Well, I am off to cut some hot laps at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

[Coop]

I wish I had your ingenuity, abilities, time and money! That’s really cool! 

[wtnhighlander]

That's cool, Joe!  I used to enjoy a bit of simulated Nascar, but never had a rig as nice as that!

[Tom King]

Do they have sponsors on that racing circuit?  I was thinking the only thing it needs is more room for sponsors stickers.  We were in a Pro sailboat racing circuit that was shown on ESPN in the late '80's.  The circuit ended after four years, but if it had gone on another year, we were going to be the OP, SnapOn tools team, and would have been doing it for a living.

[joe mendel]

On 7/28/2022 at 8:37 PM, Coop said:

I wish I had your ingenuity, abilities, time and money! That’s really cool! 

Don't forget the understanding wife, can't buy big-boy-toys without an understanding spouse.

[joe mendel]

On 7/28/2022 at 8:47 PM, wtnhighlander said:

That's cool, Joe!  I used to enjoy a bit of simulated Nascar, but never had a rig as nice as that!

We have been doing NASCAR sims for decades.  This is an old first generation Pentium running the original NASCAR game.

[joe mendel]

On 7/28/2022 at 9:23 PM, Tom King said:

Do they have sponsors on that racing circuit?  I was thinking the only thing it needs is more room for sponsors stickers.  We were in a Pro sailboat racing circuit that was shown on ESPN in the late '80's.  The circuit ended after four years, but if it had gone on another year, we were going to be the OP, SnapOn tools team, and would have been doing it for a living.

Yes, there are sponsors in the eSports world of sim racing, cash to be won as well.  In the past I have been paid as a software beta tester, a consultant for a company that made very high tech steering wheel/pedal units, and a VR prescription eye wear developer.

I use to watch those boats races all the time.

 

[drzaius]

Wow, that's impressive. I have an autistic grandson who is a car nut, but will never be able to get a license. He is amazing at driving games though. We've let him drive a bit in deserted parking lots and some roads and he just got in the driver's seat and drove. Turning, braking, parking, backing up; no problem. He picked it up way faster than any neuro-typical kid I've ever seen.

I've been thinking of making him some sort of driving simulator, but not quite as sophisticated as yours, Joe. Do you have any suggestions as to where to get ideas about construction of such a beast?

[joe mendel]

On 7/29/2022 at 10:19 AM, drzaius said:

Wow, that's impressive. I have an autistic grandson who is a car nut, but will never be able to get a license. He is amazing at driving games though. We've let him drive a bit in deserted parking lots and some roads and he just got in the driver's seat and drove. Turning, braking, parking, backing up; no problem. He picked it up way faster than any neuro-typical kid I've ever seen.

I've been thinking of making him some sort of driving simulator, but not quite as sophisticated as yours, Joe. Do you have any suggestions as to where to get ideas about construction of such a beast?

https://opensimracing.com/collections/plans

There was a time when I taught kindergarten, and I was amazed at the things which would tap into the minds of special needs kids.

Open Sim Racing will give you some ideas on building a wooden sim rig.

[drzaius]

Thanks Joe.