Aluminium profile rigs like Sim-Lab and SIMGASM are popular for one reason: modularity. The moment you add a shifter, handbrake, button box, tablet, or stream deck, that modularity becomes real.

The problem: accessories are often mounted “wherever they fit”, which causes two issues:

• poor ergonomics (you reach too far or twist your wrist),
• and flex (long lever arms with weak support arms).

This guide gives practical mounting targets for common accessories and shows how to keep the rig feeling tight.

Accessory mounting principle: keep loads close to the structure

Flex isn’t just about the rig. It’s about leverage. A handbrake mounted far out on a thin arm will flex even on a very stiff cockpit.

Better approach:

• Mount accessories on a rigid arm that ties into the main frame.
• Keep the accessory as close as practical to the upright structure.
• Use two connection points when possible (reduces twisting).

On SIMGASM builds, side mounting arms are designed for this: Core side mounting arm and Apex side mounting arm.

Shifter mounting: position targets that feel natural

For a H-pattern shifter, your hand should fall onto the knob without shoulder lift. For a sequential shifter, you want a slightly higher position to allow fast pulls without wrist strain.

Quick checklist:

• Elbow slightly bent, shoulder relaxed.
• Knob roughly in line with your hip (GT-style) or slightly forward (some rally setups).
• No need to lean forward to reach 5th/7th.

If you swap between H-pattern and sequential, set the mount so the base position works for both, then fine-tune knob height with spacers or a different lever.

Handbrake mounting: rally vs drift vs road

Handbrake placement depends heavily on discipline.

• Rally: handbrake should be reachable without taking your hand far from the wheel—often close to the shifter.
• Drift: you may want a slightly higher, more vertical pull with a clear path for aggressive inputs.
• Road/track: often used less, so comfort and clean layout matter more than speed.

A combined solution keeps things tidy. See the shifter and handbrake mount as a clean way to mount both on a modular rig.

Button boxes, dashboards and stream decks

These devices are about reducing mental load. If you’re hunting for buttons mid-corner, the mounting is wrong.

Rules of thumb:

• Place critical controls within a small reach of your wheel hand position.
• Avoid mounting heavy button boxes on long, thin arms (they will vibrate).
• Angle displays toward your eyes—don’t make your neck do the work.

If your rig has angled uprights (some designs do), you may need an angled bracket solution so the button box faces you correctly. A stiff side plate helps: wheel mount side plate or large wheel mount side plate depending on layout.

Don’t forget cable routing (accessories multiply cables fast)

Every accessory adds at least one cable. If you don’t plan routing, your cockpit becomes a web.

Simple strategy:

• Mount a powered USB hub in one “electronics zone”.
• Route one clean trunk cable back to the PC.
• Use strain relief at every device so connectors aren’t stressed.

Related: Cable management for Sim-Lab and 8020 rigs.

Recommended SIMGASM parts for accessory builds

• Apex side mounting arm / Core side mounting arm for stiff accessory mounting close to the frame.
• shifter and handbrake mount for combined shifter + handbrake layouts.
• SIMGASM Club simulator as the universal 80x40 base for most accessory ecosystems.
• SIMGASM Sport simulator / SIMGASM Pro simulator if you want a cockpit designed for heavy accessory builds and clean routing as you evolve.

FAQ

My shifter mount flexes. Do I need a new rig?

Not usually. Flex often comes from a long accessory arm or a single connection point. A stiffer arm or a different mounting position can solve it.

Where should my handbrake be if I drive mostly rally?

Close enough that you don’t need to reach or rotate your torso. Many rally drivers prefer it very close to the shifter so the hand movement is small and fast.

Continue reading: Planning a clean setup.