Best Sim Racing Setups of 2026

The Best Sim Racing Setups of 2026 in Australia

4 Builds at Every Budget

Whether you're just getting started or ready to go full factory-driver, here's exactly what to buy — with real AUD prices from Pagnian Imports.
Sim racing in Australia has never been more accessible — or more exciting. In 2026, the gap between entry-level gear and pro-grade hardware has narrowed dramatically, which means that no matter what you're willing to spend, there's a genuinely great home sim racing setup waiting for you. The question is knowing what to spend it on.
At Pagnian Imports, Australia's leading simulation retailer since 2009, you'll find every tier of gear under one roof — from your first belt-drive wheel to full direct-drive cockpit rigs that make iRacing feel like the real thing. This guide breaks down the four best sim racing setups available right now, at four different price points, so you can find your perfect match.

What Makes a Good Sim Racing Setup?

Before we get into the builds, it's worth understanding the three core components of any sim racing rig:
  • Wheel Base & Wheel — This is the heart of your setup. It controls how your steering feedback feels (called Force Feedback, or FFB). Belt-drive wheels like Logitech and Thrustmaster are a great start; direct drive (DD) bases like MOZA and Fanatec deliver far more powerful, precise feedback for an even more realistic experience.
  • Pedals — Often overlooked by beginners, pedal quality dramatically affects your lap times and immersion. Entry sets come bundled with wheels; dedicated load-cell and hydraulic pedals are in a class of their own.
  • Cockpit / Wheel Stand — Rigidity is everything. A flexy stand wastes all the force feedback your wheel generates. A proper racing cockpit locks everything in place, improves posture, and makes longer sessions far more comfortable.
With that in mind, here are the four best sim racing setup builds available at Pagnian Imports in 2026.

Tier 1 — The Starter Setup  |  ~$900 AUD

The best starter budget Sim Racing Setup
Perfect for: First-timers, console racers, casual players wanting to level up
You don't need to spend thousands to get a genuinely fun sim racing experience. The best budget sim racing setup pairs Logitech's proven G923 wheel with a proper wheel stand — and it punches well above its price.
What's in the Build:
The G923 is the gold standard entry-level sim racing wheel for a reason. It includes Logitech's TRUEFORCE technology for responsive force feedback, a leather-wrapped wheel, and a 3-pedal set. Compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC — it's ready to go out of the box with Gran Turismo 7, F1, and Assetto Corsa.
Skip the desk mount. The NLR Wheel Stand 2.0 gives you a proper driving position and eliminates flex, making every lap feel more planted. It folds flat for storage — ideal for apartments or shared spaces.
Estimated Total:  ~$880 AUD
Who It's For:
This is the best sim racing setup under $1,000 in Australia. It works brilliantly with any major racing sim and is a natural first step into the hobby. When you're ready to upgrade, the wheel and stand can often be resold or repurposed.

Tier 2 — The Enthusiast Build  |  ~$1,400 AUD

Perfect for: Dedicated sim racers ready for their first proper rig
This is where sim racing stops feeling like a game and starts feeling like a sport. The jump from belt-drive to direct drive is enormous — and the addition of a full racing cockpit changes everything about how you sit, focus, and push lap times.
What's in the Build:
The MOZA R5 is one of the best-value direct drive wheel bases on the market. The bundle includes the R5 base (5.5Nm), a compatible steering wheel, and MOZA's SR-P pedals. The difference in force feedback over belt-drive gear is immediately and dramatically apparent — road texture, kerb rumble, and tyre load become tangible.
The GTRacer 2.0 is Next Level Racing's overhauled entry into full cockpits — and it's a serious step up from a wheel stand. It delivers a proper fixed driving position with improved comfort, rigidity, and adjustability over its predecessor, all at a price that keeps the overall build accessible. Compatible with all major wheel brands and pedal sets, it's built to grow with your gear as you upgrade.
Estimated Total:  ~$1,328 AUD
Who It's For:
This build is for anyone who's outgrown entry-level gear or who wants to get serious from day one. It's the ideal home sim racing setup for competitive online racing on iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and F1 series titles. The GTRacer 2.0 cockpit will grow with you as you upgrade components over time.

Tier 3 — The Serious Sim Racer  |  ~$3,000–$4,500 AUD

Perfect for: Competitive online racers, esports enthusiasts, sim racing obsessives
At this price point, every component is engineered for performance. You're getting a higher-torque direct drive base, a cockpit that rivals professional training rigs, and dedicated load-cell pedals that transform your braking technique.
What's in the Build:
The R16 V2 delivers 16Nm of peak torque — more than triple the output of entry belt-drive wheels. The result is force feedback with unparalleled detail and consistency. The R16 V2 is widely used by competitive iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione drivers as their everyday weapon. With a wide range of Moza wheels to chose from such as the popular Moza KS Wheel, this is where you truly start to feel like a race car driver. 
Next Level Racing F-GT Elite Cockpit  —  from ~$1,299 AUD
The F-GT Elite is a benchmark aluminium-profile cockpit that switches between Formula and GT seating positions in minutes. It's rigid under high-torque DD loads and compatible with every major wheel brand. This is the cockpit you see in serious sim racing content and esports setups worldwide.
Heusinkveld's Sprint pedals are among the most respected load-cell sets in sim racing — and for good reason. All three pedals (throttle, brake, clutch) feature progressive load-cell braking, full steel construction, and exceptional adjustability. The difference in braking feel and consistency over bundled pedals is night and day, and they're a favourite among serious iRacing and ACC competitors worldwide.
Estimated Total:  ~$3,000–$4,500 AUD  (depending on wheel/cockpit configuration)
Who It's For:
This is a professional-grade home sim racing setup. If you're racing online competitively, running league events, or simply want the most realistic driving experience money can buy at a realistic budget, this tier delivers it. Your setup will be on par with — or better than — what many professional training academies use.

Tier 4 — The Ultimate Sim Racing Rig  |  $7,000+ AUD

The Ultimate Sim Rig For Sim Racers in Australia
Perfect for: Dedicated esports competitors, driving coaches, sim racing content creators, the truly committed
There's no ceiling when it comes to sim racing hardware — but this build represents the pinnacle of what's available at Pagnian Imports for serious home use. Every component is the best of its class, and together they create a simulator experience that genuinely blurs the line between digital and physical driving.
What's in the Build:
MOZA R21 V2 Direct Drive Wheel Base  —  $1,279 AUD  (sale from $1,499)
21Nm of torque, whisper-quiet motor, and class-leading force feedback resolution. The R21 V2 is one of the finest direct drive bases in the world at any price — and at this price point, it's extraordinary value.
Alternatively: Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2 — $2,499.90 AUD
BJ Hydraulic 1000psi Pedal Set  —  $1,699 AUD  (sale from $1,799)
Hydraulic pedals simulate the actual feel of racing brakes — spongy initial travel, a progressive pressure wall, and enormous feedback under trail-braking. These pedals are used by real motorsport engineers and sim training coaches, and the difference they make to braking technique and consistency is immediately measurable.
Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 Cockpit  —  from $1,399 AUD
The F-GT Elite 160 is the flagship of NLR's Elite Series, engineered specifically to pair with high-torque direct drive bases and motion platforms. The 160-degree recline range lets you dial in any seating position — GT, Formula, or full recline for flight and open-wheel titles. Its aluminium-extrusion frame is built to handle sustained DD load without vibration or flex, making it the ideal foundation for a motion sim upgrade.
Estimated Total:  $7,000+ AUD  (depending on cockpit and motion platform choice)
Who It's For:
This is a sim racing studio. It's built for people who want a measurable, training-grade advantage — whether that's in esports competition, real-world circuit preparation, or simply demanding the absolute best. If you're investing at this level, the team at Pagnian Imports can help you configure the right full package for your space and goals.

All Four Builds at a Glance

 

Starter

Enthusiast

Serious Racer

Ultimate

Budget

~$900

~$1,400

~$3,000–$4,500

$7,000+

Wheel Type

Belt Drive

Direct Drive

Direct Drive

Direct Drive

Torque

~2.5Nm

~5.5Nm

16–21Nm

21–25Nm

Cockpit

Wheel Stand

Full Cockpit

Full Cockpit

Full Cockpit + Motion

Pedals

Included

Included

Load Cell

Hydraulic

Best For

Beginners

Enthusiasts

Competitive Racers

Pros & Esports

Which Sim Racing Setup Is Right for You?

The best sim racing setup is the one that matches where you are now — not where you hope to be in two years. Every tier above delivers genuine racing immersion, and every tier is upgradeable as your skill and appetite for realism grows.
Pagnian Imports has been helping Australian sim racers since 2009, with local warranty support, a showroom on the Gold Coast, and over 100,000 customers served. Whether you're spending $800 or $8,000, you'll find everything you need — and the expertise to match — at pagnianimports.com.au
Note: All prices listed in AUD and sourced from pagnianimports.com.au. Prices subject to change — check the site for current pricing and availability.
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