On a SIMGASM Club, you mount a shifter or handbrake on the Core side profile arm that comes in the box. The arm bolts to the side of the 40 × 80 mm frame, next to your seat, on the left or the right. Set the top of the shifter roughly at the height of the wheel rim and about one hand width from it, and you have a natural reach for H pattern, sequential and handbrake use.
That sounds simple, and it is. Still, small choices in height, distance and side make a big difference in comfort. This guide walks you through them step by step on the Club aluminium sim racing cockpit.
What comes with the Club for shifters?
Before you buy extra parts, it helps to know what the Club already includes.
The Core side profile arm
Every Club ships with the Core side profile shifter and handbrake arm, plus the hardware, tools and white assembly gloves. The arm slides into the slot of the aluminium profile and locks with T slot nuts. Because it rides in that slot, you choose the exact spot along the frame instead of being stuck with fixed holes.
What you add yourself
The shifter or handbrake device is not included. You also need a flat plate to bolt that device onto the arm. SIMGASM sells the adjustable Shifter and Handbrake Mount for exactly that job, and it fits all SIMGASM simulators.
Where should the shifter sit?
A good position lets you shift without looking down and without stretching your shoulder.
Height
Start with the top of the shifter knob roughly level with the bottom half of the wheel rim. Too low, and you lean to the side on every gear change. Too high, and your elbow lifts, which tires your shoulder in long races. Adjust in steps of one or two centimetres, then drive a few laps before you change again.
Distance from the wheel
Keep about one hand width between the rim and the knob. Your hand then drops from the wheel to the shifter in one short move. In GT and road cars, many drivers also slide the arm slightly forward, so the knob sits just in front of the seat edge.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Purple
Left or right side?
The Core arm installs on either side. Most racers use the right side, like a left hand drive road car. For classic right hand drive cars or for a handbrake and shifter pair, you place one arm on each side. That freedom comes from the slotted profile. SIMGASM founder Johan Akkerman, who tested a wide range of cockpits during years of racing and international exhibitions, built the product concepts of the Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro around it.
How do you mount a handbrake for rally and drift?
A handbrake asks for a slightly different spot than a shifter, because you pull it hard and fast.
Handbrake position
Place the handbrake a little behind the shifter and a little higher, so you pull it up and back in one move. For drifting, many drivers mount it close to the rim, so the hand travels only a short way. Our rally sim setup guide explains rotation and handbrake settings that match this position.
Shifter and handbrake together
With both devices on one arm, put the shifter in front and the handbrake behind it. Check that your hand clears the shifter when you pull the handbrake fully. If it does not, move the shifter one slot forward. A clear plan helps here, and our shifter and handbrake build checklist gives you one.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Blue
Does the arm stay stiff under hard shifts?
A sequential shifter or a handbrake puts real force on the arm, so stiffness matters.
Why the frame helps
The arm bolts to a 40 × 80 mm profile, which flexes less than a 40 × 40 mm base. The SIMGASM Side Arm Core is built to stay stable against the forces of shifters, handbrakes and even HOTAS flight controls. Tighten every T slot nut firmly after the first few sessions, because new bolts settle a little.
When to step up
The Sport has a longer shifter arm and a thicker base. If you run a heavy hydraulic handbrake together with a strong direct drive base, the Sport gives more room. For most H pattern and sequential shifters, the Club arm is more than enough. Choosing a wheelbase first? See which wheelbases fit the SIMGASM Club.
Which shifters work well on a Club?
Almost any shifter with a flat bottom plate fits once you add the mounting plate.
Popular choices
MOZA, Fanatec, Simagic and Thrustmaster shifters all bolt onto a flat plate. If you race MOZA hardware, our comparison of MOZA HGP and SGP shifters shows the best positions for each. Rally fans get the most from a sequential shifter plus a handbrake. That is the kind of racing Fabien Lacaule of SIMGASM has focused on since 2017, with rally and off road as his main interest.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Gold
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the shifter questions we hear most.
Is the shifter arm included with the Club?
Yes. The Core side profile shifter and handbrake arm comes with every Club. The shifter and the mounting plate are separate.
Can I mount the arm on the left?
Yes. The arm installs on either side of the frame.
Can I mount a keyboard or cupholder on the same arm?
Yes. The Side Arm Core also holds SIMGASM keyboard and mouse mounts, a cupholder and a headset holder.
How high should the shifter be?
Start with the knob level with the lower half of the wheel rim and fine tune from there.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
