SimLab is typically the kind of brand that is unknown to the general public, but that every serious player in the world of simracing needs to know about. It’s a brand that offers high-end cockpits and driving simulation equipment.
The Sim-Lab company was founded in 2015 by Richard Schouteren, who at the time couldn’t find any equipment of sufficient quality for his taste. So what could be more logical than to create his own brand?
Sim-Lab has made a name for itself by offering irreproachable equipment and equipping racing professionals such as Jos Verstappen (father of a certain Max), Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez. Oh yes, by the way, they’re also official suppliers to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports.
Today, let’s take a look at the SimLab product range. In concrete terms, what can this brand bring to your cockpit and gaming experience?
Best sellers in the SimLab cockpit range
SimLab cockpits are designed for racing and simracing professionals in general. But what I particularly like here is that high quality doesn’t necessarily mean you have to mortgage your house.
Admittedly, the brand is recognized as a specialist in driving equipment, offering a wide range of products from simple accessories for simracers to complete, high-end simulation equipment. But it has the decency to remain affordable in terms of pricing.
The Sim-Lab GT1 Evo cockpit
One of the brand’s flagship products. This fixed chassis is built from aluminum profiles, the best solution in terms of adaptability and adjustability. Simply put, you can do whatever you want with it. In terms of rigidity, its construction makes it rigid enough to handle the power of a Fanatec DD2 (25Nm of torque). And given that over 90% of simracers are on bases that produce less than 15Nm of torque, we’d say you’re on the safe side 😉
The price does not include the bucket seat or seat rails. You can choose between SimLab seats or any other bucket seat supplier.
- Dimensions: 135cm de long, 58cm de large et 66cm de haut
- Weight: 55Kg
- Prices: à partir de 449€
The Sim-Lab P1-X cockpit
The Sim-Lab P1-X cockpit is an evolution of the GT1 Evo chassis. Still made of aluminum sections, it is designed to be even stiffer than the GT1, yet easily adaptable to a dynamic chassis by adding jacks. My brand’s promise is simple: with this chassis model, you won’t have any flexibility whatsoever.
It’s bulkier than the GT1, and features a stiffer arm for mounting a handbrake and/or shifter. When it comes to mounting motor bases, you’re spoilt for choice with front brackets or horizontal plates.
Given the build quality and ease of installation of this model, it’s not surprising to find it used by esport teams. And even former F1 driver Romain Grosjean.
- Dimensions: 135cm de long, 68cm de large et 78cm de haut
- Weight: 60Kg
- Prices: à partir de 829€
The SimLab WS Pro wheel stand
Sim-Lab also knows how to make itself accessible to simracing enthusiasts with smaller wallets. The SimLab WS Pro wheel stand is a fine example of a quality product that can be easily upgraded. Depending on your budget and the amount of space you can devote to your passion, you can choose between the steering wheel mount on its own or with the bucket seat mount.
The option of installing the seat can also be purchased separately, allowing you to upgrade your cockpit over time. Obviously, in terms of rigidity, we’re not on the level of a P1 or GT1, but if you don’t want to spend a whole salary on your chassis, this is a model that will give you satisfaction!
- Dimensions: 58cm de long, 68cm de large et 72cm de haut
- Weight: 20Kg
- Prices: à partir de 249€
Other SimLab cockpit models to keep in mind
The RaceX Pro is a welded aluminum tube cockpit. While this solution is less adaptable and modifiable than aluminum sections, it has the advantage of being sexier in the living room. This model is available in two colors, black or white. Pricing starts at €699 for the version without a seat, and €999 with a Sim-Lab bucket seat.
We now move on to the SimLab GT2 , which shares many of the same features as the GT1. The main difference is the inclination of the steering wheel support arms. Its rigidity makes it a very good model if you’re driving on a Direct Drive base. It can reach your living room for a price starting at €599.
The TeamRedline (or TR1) cockpit is strongly inspired by the GT2. The main difference with its big brother is the adaptability of its deck for the steering wheel base. It’s exactly the same size and weight as the SimLab GT2, but at a slightly lower price starting at €549.
The Grid by Sim-Lab range
Sim-Lab doesn’t just make cockpits of impeccable quality. Since taking over the Grid Engineering brand, they’ve been offering top-of-the-range simracing equipment.
Grid’s first product is the Dashboard Grid Display DDU 5. The beast features a 5-inch screen with 854×480 resolution. 20 adjustable LEDs and an impeccably finished aluminum shell. In addition to its incredibly stylish look, the product is compatible with SimHub software as well as JRT and Z1. Obviously, for such a top-of-the-range model, the price is a bit steep, and you’ll have to shell out €499 to afford it.
Grid By Sim-Lab P911 V2 Steering Wheel
Now we’re talking divine. So to avoid a heart attack, please don’t look too closely at the price. Just admire, for a moment, the beauty of this steering wheel.
For this second version of the Porsche steering wheel, Sim-Lab didn’t do things by halves. Every part is custom-built. Machined aluminum on every level. Buttons and rotary selectors are backlit. Adjustment of paddle springs, motion capture via software..
The list of everything I like about this replica of the Porsche 911 RSR endurance steering wheel would be endless. Available from August on the Grid by Sim-Lab website, this is one of the steering wheel models I’m most excited about. But with a price tag of €2,499, I’ll have to make do with photos for a while yet. Well, if you insist in the comments that I go to the checkout and test it, we’ll see. I can be convinced.
Sim-Lab in brief
Not content with building great cockpits and monitor mounts, SimLab had the intelligence to buy Grid to diversify its offering and attack the very high-end flywheel market. If you’re looking for a simracing chassis offering excellent value for money, SimLab is a safe bet. But to be honest, it’s the P911 I’d really like to test this year. What do you think, should I buy it? Talk about it in the comments!
