Advanced SimRacing ASR 3 vs SIMGASM Club is one of the most useful comparisons you can make before buying a “real” aluminium profile cockpit.
Both sit in what most sim racers call the 80x40 class: stiff enough for direct drive and load cell pedals, adjustable enough to fit most drivers, and still realistic for a home setup.
What “80x40 class” actually means
ASR lists the ASR 3 base composition as 3" x 1.5" (~76x38 mm). That’s essentially the same stiffness category as an 80x40 metric profile rig. It’s the point where:
- direct drive starts to feel “connected” instead of mushy,
- load cell braking becomes consistent,
- you can mount more accessories without the cockpit turning into a wobble tower.
ASR 3 highlights (from the published spec)
- Base profile: 3" x 1.5" (base and steering column).
- Footprint: 50" x 22" (~1270 x 559 mm).
- Wheel mounting options: Standard wheel deck, Fanatec side mount, front mount (Simucube/MiGE/VRS style), and Asetek front mount options.
Comparison: ASR 3 vs SIMGASM Club
| Topic | ASR 3 approach | SIMGASM Club approach | What you should care about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile stiffness tier | 3" x 1.5" (~76x38) | 80x40 class (SIMGASM Club) | Both are “serious” rigs for DD + load cell. |
| Wheel mounting | Wheel deck variants + front/side options | Choose mount style with wheelmount base set plus plates | Front vs side vs bottom changes adjustability and rigidity feel. |
| Pedal mounting | Tray / plate system | Profile ecosystem with universal peripheral deck options | Stiff pedal mounting improves braking consistency more than you think. |
| Clean build | Depends on routing choices and add-ons | Clear upgrade path to Sport for pass-through routing | Clean cabling matters if you stream, move the rig, or add motion/tactile. |
| Long-session comfort | Depends on seat selection | Choose Core Recline or Atlas GT | A good seat reduces fatigue and makes you more consistent. |
How to choose between them (real-world use cases)
Pick ASR 3 if you want an ASR ecosystem build
If you already know you’ll stay inside Advanced SimRacing’s accessory ecosystem (wheel decks, monitor stands, etc.), the ASR 3 is a clean “all-in-one” direction.
Pick SIMGASM Club if you want the simplest upgrade path
The Club is designed as the middle step in a four-tier ladder. You can start strong, then move up later:
- Need more adjustability and cleaner routing? → SIMGASM Sport.
- Need motion/hydraulic readiness? → SIMGASM Pro.
A practical setup recipe for this class of rig
- Wheel first: choose mount style. For max compatibility across brands, start with the base set and add front mount (Simucube/VRS/Asetek style) or Fanatec side mount as needed.
- Pedals second: mount them stiff and square. Add a heel rest (heelrest or heel plate) so your ankle angle stays consistent.
- Monitors last: if you plan tactile, keep screens separate with Apex freestanding triples.
Recommended SIMGASM gear
- SIMGASM Club (80x40) for most direct drive and load cell setups
- SIMGASM Sport (120x40) for more adjustability and cleaner cable routing
- SIMGASM Atlas GT seat for a supportive GT posture
- SIMGASM Apex freestanding triple monitor stand if you want monitors isolated from rig vibrations
- Shifter and handbrake mount for rally, drift or sequential setups
More Advanced SimRacing guides
- Advanced SimRacing ASR 4 vs SIMGASM Sport: 120x40 class rigs for high torque and clean cable routing
- Advanced SimRacing ASR Pro vs SIMGASM Pro: 160x40 class flagships for motion, hydraulics and zero flex
- Advanced SimRacing triple monitor stand vs SIMGASM Apex: stability, adjustability and faster alignment
- Advanced SimRacing integrated monitor stand vs SIMGASM Core: what to mount, where to mount it, and why
