The SIMGASM Hobby and the Trak Racer TR40S are both compact aluminium profile cockpits with a 40 x 40 mm base. Choose the TR40S if you want taller 80 x 40 mm wheel uprights and a frame that Trak Racer lists as motion ready. Choose the SIMGASM Hobby if you want a smaller footprint, a choice of four wheel mount types, a shifter arm in the box and a cockpit in your own colour.
Both frames come up again and again when people search for a budget aluminium sim rig. So here is a calm, spec based comparison that helps you pick the right one for your room and your hardware.
What do the two frames have in common?
First the good news: the basic idea behind both frames is the same.
Both use anodised aluminium profiles with T slots. That means you slide your wheel deck, pedal plate and seat brackets along the frame and lock them where they fit your body. Both are entry level frames for drivers who leave the desk clamp behind. And both are built for a fixed spot in your room, not for folding away after every session.
Why the 40 x 40 mm base matters
A 40 x 40 mm base profile keeps the frame light and compact. It suits a first dedicated setup well. When you move to a strong direct drive base, a taller profile adds reserve. Our direct drive torque guide explains what those Nm numbers mean.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Green
How do the specs compare?
The numbers below come from the official product pages of both brands.
The SIMGASM Hobby uses a 40 x 40 mm main profile and measures 500 x 1270 x 580 mm (width x length x height). It has a rated braking load of 150 kg at the pedal deck. The Trak Racer TR40S uses a 40 x 40 mm base with 80 x 40 mm uprights. Trak Racer lists an assembled size of 660 x 1200 mm, a weight of 24.8 kg and a recommended wheelbase torque of 0 to 10 Nm.
In practice the Hobby is 160 mm narrower, while the TR40S is 70 mm shorter. In a small room the width often matters most, because you also need space to step in beside the seat. Our guide on how much space you need for a sim racing cockpit helps you measure.
Wheel and pedal mounting
Trak Racer lists a wheel plate and split steel pedal plates for the TR40S. SIMGASM lets you pick a Bottom Mount, Front Mount, Side Mount or Asetek Front Mount for the Hobby at checkout. That choice matters when your base needs a front or side mount for the best fit.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Red
What is included with each frame?
Compare the box contents, because extras quickly change the real value of a deal.
The SIMGASM Hobby includes the profiles, the brackets, your chosen wheel mount, tools, assembly gloves, the guide and the Core side profile arm for a shifter or handbrake. Trak Racer lists the gear shift mount and seat slider rails as optional for the TR40S. For the Hobby the seat slider is also an extra, and the seat is sold separately. See what comes in the box with a sim racing cockpit for a full list.
Colour and personal style
This is where the two frames differ most. The TR40S comes anodised in black. The Hobby comes in colours like black, white, red, purple, green, gold and silver, plus race liveries such as MARINI. SIMGASM was founded around exactly that idea: a simulator that shows the identity of the driver at a realistic price.
Who designed these frames?
There is an interesting link between the two brands.
Johan Akkerman, founder and CEO of SIMGASM, worked at Trak Racer before he founded SIMGASM. He grew from Global Business Developer to Chief Business Officer, tested and contributed to the development of the TRX chassis and designed the TRX seat. He left Trak Racer in May 2025. Development began in January 2026, from a base in Wijk bij Duurstede in the Netherlands. So the Hobby comes from someone who knows the TR range from the inside, and who chose to focus on compact frames, mount choice and personal colour.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - MARINI
Which one should you buy?
Your room, your wheelbase and your style decide the winner.
Pick the TR40S when you want the taller uprights and plan to add a motion base later. Pick the SIMGASM Hobby when width is tight, when you need a specific wheel mount or when you want a cockpit that looks like yours. Still in doubt? Compare all four tiers in the racing simulator cockpit range, or read what to check first in a sim racing cockpit for sale.
Questions and answers about Hobby vs TR40S
Here are short answers to the questions buyers ask about these two frames.
Is the SIMGASM Hobby smaller than the TR40S?
The Hobby is 500 mm wide versus 660 mm for the TR40S. The TR40S is slightly shorter at 1200 mm versus 1270 mm.
Do both frames include a seat?
The Hobby does not include a seat. Check the bundle you choose for the TR40S, because Trak Racer sells several versions.
Which frame suits a direct drive wheelbase?
Trak Racer recommends the TR40S for bases up to 10 Nm. SIMGASM positions the Hobby as its entry tier. For a strong base, look at a taller profile, like the SIMGASM Club, Sport or Pro.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
