In 2026, the SIMGASM Sport stands out against Trak Racer, Playseat and the Fanatec CSL Cockpit through its compact 40 x 120 mm aluminium frame, a rated braking load of 300 kg at the pedal deck and a wide choice of colours and liveries. Trak Racer offers a similar profile size in a wider body. Playseat and the Fanatec CSL Cockpit use tube frames, which suit lighter setups better than very high torque builds.
Each brand has fans, and each makes sense for a certain racer. This comparison looks at frame type, size, strength and flexibility, so you choose with facts and not with marketing. In the video below, independent creator Cronk Sim Racing gives his first look at a SIMGASM cockpit, the C160 Pro, so you see the build quality before we compare the brands.
Why compare frame types first?
The frame type decides almost everything else. Aluminium profile frames use slotted beams. You bolt parts wherever you want and move them later. Tube frames use bent steel or aluminium tubes with fixed mounting points. They look clean and often fold or pack small, but you have fewer options to move parts.
For a strong direct drive wheelbase and firm load cell pedals, profile frames usually win. The slots let you place the wheel and pedals exactly where your body needs them, and a tall profile stays very stiff. That is why so many high torque rigs use aluminium profile.
SIMGASM Sport vs Trak Racer TR120S V2
This is the closest match. According to Trak Racer, the TR120S V2 uses a 120 mm x 40 mm aluminium profile base and measures 660 mm wide and 1,445 mm long. The SIMGASM Sport also uses a 40 x 120 mm main profile, but it measures 580 x 1320 x 720 mm. So the Sport is 80 mm narrower and 125 mm shorter, which helps in a small room.
Full disclosure matters here. SIMGASM founder Johan Akkerman knows Trak Racer well. He raced on a Trak Racer TR8 himself and later worked at the company, from Global Business Developer to Chief Business Officer. There he tested and helped develop the TRX chassis and designed the TRX seat. He left in May 2025 and started SIMGASM with full control over design, quality and personalisation.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Orange
SIMGASM Sport vs Fanatec CSL Cockpit
Fanatec describes the CSL Cockpit V1.5 as a trapeze chassis built from aluminium tubing and steel brackets, made for low flex. SimRaceBlog reported that it was tested with load cell pedals and direct drive bases up to 25 Nm. That makes it a solid choice for a Fanatec CSL DD or ClubSport DD setup.
The Sport targets a higher level. SIMGASM recommends it for wheelbases above 26 Nm and up to and including 40 Nm. It also has integrated cable passthroughs, is ready for motion and works with many brands, not only Fanatec. Using a Fanatec base? Read our guide to the best cockpit for the Fanatec CSL DD.
SIMGASM Sport vs Playseat
Playseat is famous for easy, all in one seats. Models such as the Trophy combine a tube frame with a seat, so you unpack it and race quickly. For a gear driven wheel or a small direct drive base, that is a comfortable and simple start.
The limit shows when your hardware grows. A fixed tube frame offers fewer places to mount a shifter, handbrake, button box or screen. The Sport comes with the Apex side profile arm for a shifter or handbrake, and every slot on the profile is a mounting point. The seat is sold separately, which sounds like extra work, but it means you choose the seat that fits your body.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Gold
Which one fits your setup best?
Here is the short version. Pick Playseat for a quick, simple start with lighter hardware. Pick the Fanatec CSL Cockpit if you stay inside the Fanatec world up to about 25 Nm. Pick a Trak Racer TR120S V2 if you want a 120 mm profile with a wide body. Pick the Sport aluminium sim racing cockpit if you want a strong 40 x 120 mm frame in a compact footprint, with colours, liveries and many mount types.
Still comparing different sizes? Browse the full sim racing cockpit range from Hobby to Pro, or read whether a 40x120 profile is enough for you.
What makes SIMGASM different as a company?
SIMGASM B.V. is a Dutch company based in Wijk bij Duurstede. Development started in January 2026 and the company was formally incorporated on 27 February 2026. It designs its own hardware, and the cockpit range includes patented designs. The team stays compact and ships directly from the Netherlands, so more of the budget goes into materials and finish.
Personalisation is a big part of it. Print specialist Michal Nevrela has more than fifteen years of experience with professional print techniques and turns racing liveries into real products. That is why the Sport comes in solid colours and in liveries such as JPS and MARINI.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
Questions about SIMGASM, Trak Racer, Playseat and Fanatec
Is the SIMGASM Sport the same size as a Trak Racer TR120S V2?
Both use a 40 x 120 mm profile, but the Sport is narrower and shorter at 580 x 1320 mm.
Is the Fanatec CSL Cockpit good for high torque?
It was tested with direct drive bases up to 25 Nm. Above that, a 40 x 120 mm profile frame gives more reserve.
Does the SIMGASM Sport include a seat like a Playseat?
No. Seats are sold separately, so you choose the seat that fits you.
Which wheelbases fit the SIMGASM Sport?
The Sport offers bottom, front, side and Asetek front mounts for brands such as Fanatec, MOZA, SIMAGIC, Simucube, Asetek, Thrustmaster and Logitech. Always check the model table on the product page.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
