How To Start Sim Racing On a Budget in 2025 (and make money)

Key Takeaways

• Sim racing provides exciting motorsport experience and opportunities to everyone.
• There are chances to compete in real competitions and win money.
• You can still start Sim Racing with a low budget in 2025.

Sim racing has become very popular since the 2023 Gran Turismo movie showed the true story of a Nissan marketing experiment to recruit the best sim racing drivers from the game, and train them to race a GT-R in real life. It gave regular people, like you and I, hope that we might become professional racing drivers one day.

However, not everyone will be so lucky. Still, there are plenty of ways to make money from sim racing, but it takes a lot of time and hard work. Plus, you’ll need the right equipment. That said, it’s not too late to start. You can still start sim racing on a budget in 2025.

What Is Sim Racing?

Sim racing, short for simulation racing, offers a realistic driving experience that allows anyone to participate in every type of race, from rally sports to F1, right at home. With advanced sim racing setups that include steering wheels and pedals, enthusiasts can engage in live competitions against other drivers worldwide.

This thrilling and affordable avenue into motorsports not only provides enjoyment but also opens the door to potential professional careers in the sim racing community.

Why Is It So Popular?

As mentioned, the Gran Turismo movie has a large part in this, but sim racing’s expansion is directly connected to advances in graphics and realism. Today’s racing games are incredibly realistic in their appearance and immersion. What this means is that you gain valuable experience of racing, even if you’re sitting in your living room.

For most, the allure is clear. You can hop into races and really put your skill to the test, all without the danger or costs of real motorsport. Online events, primarily community-run, maintain the energy and excitement. You meet people from all over the UK and beyond, exchanging advice, and competing in competitions.

Though some esports leagues have been put on pause, local competitions and international finals continue to draw huge audiences. There’s still money to be made, if that’s what you want.

How To Start Sim Racing in 2025

Getting started with a sim racing setup requires some initial effort, but trust me, the realistic driving experiences are worth it for sim racing enthusiasts.

1. Select your console:
   Sim racing games are available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Computer. Xbox and PlayStation are limited, with computer offering the most choice and customizations. I recommend deciding which category you want to race in, or which game you want, to see if it’s compatible. Otherwise, you can start with whichever console you already own.
2. Pick your game:
   There are many racing games available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, like Forza Horizon 5. When you’re looking for something deeper, games such as Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa or iRacing are out there. Personally, I play Forza Horizon 4/5 for fun, then switch to Assetto Corsa for real racing.
3. Build your sim racing cockpit:
   Select equipment that both works with your budget and is compatible with your gaming rig. Make sure your wheel, pedals, and seat setup is compatible with your console or PC. We’ll look at beginner-friendly options below.
4. Start making connections:
   Join UK-based sim racing forums for guidance and online racing meet-ups. Reddit has plenty of forums to get involved in.

Your First Sim Racing Setup

Beginning a new adventure in sim racing presents a unique set of decisions. You want to create a rig that works for you and your wallet, while staying competitive. The setup itself is easy, with the wheel, pedals, and seat being the essential components.

Good entry-level bundles such as the Logitech G290 (my personal choice, often on offer on Amazon) or Thrustmaster T150 are well-regarded for their strong feedback and user-friendly design. For seats, any decent office chair will do, although a gaming chair is much more comfortable.

TIP: Make sure everything fits together before you buy! Not all brands are compatible, and even compatible brands may change pins or firmware.

I got started with a budget racing setup for £300. This isn’t exactly cheap, but having a good steering wheel makes a huge difference.

Building Your Sim Racing Cockpit

Setting up your sim racing cockpit takes some thought. The right rig depends on your space, budget, and what sort of racing you want to do. Some folks go for the easy route with a pre-made unit, others get hands-on with DIY builds.

Here’s a quick look at your main options:

Cockpit Type	Features	Price Range	Pros	Cons
Pre-made	Ready out the box, solid build	£250–£800+	Quick to set up, sturdy	Pricey, less custom
DIY Kit	Modular, custom fit	£120–£400	Flexible, wallet-friendly	Needs tools, not as tough
Scratch Build	Full control, unique fit	Varies (£80–£500)	Cheap, fits your space	Needs skill, time, can wobble

A strong, stable cockpit is key. Your kit needs to handle the weight of your wheel, pedals, and seat—and you pushing, pulling, and turning them.

Flimsy frames creak and shift, which ruins the fun, can cause you to lose a race, or get hurt if it breaks. Adjustable cockpits let you tweak seating, wheel height, and pedal angle for comfort.

If you’re new, start with a basic frame and a monitor mount. You can always bolt on better bits later. Forums and Facebook groups are goldmines for tips. I still just set up my stand in front of the TV. It’s not ideal, but it does the job.

Why You Should Start Sim Racing

It’s the rush that sim racing provides that you just can’t find in any other video game. You experience the thrill of the circuit, the vibration of the wheel, and the battle for every position. Whether you’re new to sim racing or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everybody. You can race just for enjoyment, or pursue money in competitive online leagues. Tons of people in the UK and all over the world are doing it. You’ll never run out of friends… or enemies!

There’s a great community of people just like you waiting to become your friends. Check out my guide to setting up a sim racing rig at home.

How To Make Money From Sim Racing

Sim racing is a competitive career field and will require grit, patience, and most importantly, laser-like focus. If making money is your goal, you need to be prepared to put the time in perfecting your sim racing skills.

The average time that most serious racers invest before garnering enough of a following to warrant advertising fees is 12–18 months. Moreover, team contracts often demand two or three years of consistent racing.

By concentrating on a single sim title, whether it’s Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa, or iRacing, you can build an audience more quickly and easily within that community. The top few racers make between £20,000 and well over £100,000 per year from these team contracts, prize money, and brand sponsorships.

Alternatively, you could offer coaching, which costs £40 per session up to £500 for a month. Content creators are another group that have done well, producing instructional content, reviews or streaming races.

As you can see, there are multiple income streams. Whichever route you choose, whether you want to make money or just have fun, you need to know where to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions