The 24 Hours of the Nürburgring is not just about speed. This race is all about focus, endurance, and confidence in your car. During the day, GT3 cars fly across the asphalt, but once night falls, the Nordschleife turns into one of the most difficult circuits in the world. Fog, rain, elevation changes, and traffic make every lap different.

That is exactly why many motorsport fans are not only watching the real race this weekend, but also diving into sim racing. Anyone who has ever completed a long stint on the Nürburgring in a simulator immediately understands why this race is so demanding.

A good sim racing setup shows just how much concentration it takes to drive flawlessly for hours. That is what makes sim racing popular among both beginners and experienced racers. You learn to recognize racing lines, remember braking points, and stay calm under pressure. And you can do all of that from your own room.

Why the Nürburgring remains so special

The Nürburgring Nordschleife is located in the German Eifel region and is known as the Green Hell. The circuit features more than 20 kilometers of asphalt and over 150 corners. No modern circuit feels this unpredictable.

During the 24-hour race, dozens of different cars share the track at the same time. GT3 cars reach extremely high speeds, while slower classes are constantly being overtaken. That requires excellent timing and awareness. One mistake immediately costs valuable time or even causes damage to your car.

In sim racing, you quickly understand why this track commands so much respect. Small bumps pull at the steering wheel. Elevation changes shift the weight of the car. And corners seem to continue forever.

That is why many sim racers train on the Nürburgring. The circuit forces you to drive cleanly, smoothly, and intelligently.

Why long races are physically harder than most people expect

A ten-minute sprint feels completely different from a race that lasts several hours. During endurance races, comfort plays a huge role. You especially notice it in your back, shoulders, and neck.

Many beginners focus on speed first. However, your seating position often determines how much concentration you still have left after an hour of driving. A poor posture creates tension in your arms and shoulders. As a result, your steering becomes less precise.

That is why you increasingly see sim racing setups designed for long sessions. A solid sim racing cockpit prevents movement during intense force feedback moments. This creates a calmer steering feel and reduces tension in your body.

A stable pedal position also makes a noticeable difference. Especially during endurance races, you do not want to constantly correct your foot placement. Small movements cost energy and concentration.

Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit Pro Black | SIMGASM

What do you need to seriously train for endurance sim racing?

A basic setup does not need to be extremely expensive, but stability definitely matters. Many sim racers start with a PlayStation, Xbox, or PC combined with a simple steering wheel. That works perfectly for taking your first steps. However, during long races, you quickly notice why higher-end hardware has become so popular.

A good PC makes long sessions more enjoyable

For modern simulators such as iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione, powerful hardware makes a huge difference. Especially during night races or rainy conditions, the game demands a lot from your system.

A setup with at least 16GB RAM, a 6-core processor, and a modern graphics card such as an Nvidia RTX 5060 or AMD RX 9060 delivers stable performance. That means fewer frame drops and smoother visuals.

And during a race on the Nürburgring, that really matters. Even a small stutter in a fast corner immediately feels unsettling.

Why force feedback adds so much realism

A steering wheel with force feedback lets you feel exactly what the car is doing. You notice loss of grip earlier and feel when the front tires start to slide.

In endurance racing, this makes a huge difference. You rely less on on-screen indicators and drive more by feel. Especially on the Nürburgring, this creates extra confidence during high-speed sections or wet conditions.

Many beginners start with Logitech or Thrustmaster systems. Racers looking for more detail often upgrade to a Direct Drive wheel. These systems allow you to feel subtle vibrations and weight transfer far more accurately. You can also explore our steering wheels for more inspiration.

Moza Racing FSR2 Steering Wheel

Why a good sim racing cockpit is essential for long races

During a race that lasts several hours, you want your body to make as few corrections as possible. A sturdy sim racing cockpit keeps everything stable. No sliding pedals. No wobbling wheel. No tension in your lower back.

You especially notice this during longer stints. A stable seating position creates more relaxation in your arms and shoulders. As a result, you steer more consistently and make fewer mistakes.

At SIMGASM, we focus heavily on this with sim racing cockpits and accessories designed for stability and comfort. Especially during endurance racing, this provides a major advantage.

Monitor placement also plays a huge role. A monitor positioned too high puts strain on your neck. A screen placed too far away makes it harder to judge distances. That is why many racers choose a monitor with at least a 144Hz refresh rate. It delivers smoother visuals during fast steering inputs.

Which sim games work best for the Nürburgring?

Not every simulator feels the same. Some games place more emphasis on competition, while others excel in physics or weather simulation.

iRacing focuses on competition and structure

Many serious endurance racers choose iRacing. The online racing structure is excellent, and Nürburgring events attract a large number of participants. Real-life racing drivers also regularly train in iRacing.

The physics feel direct and predictable. That helps you learn how to drive precisely and manage traffic intelligently.

Assetto Corsa Competizione excels in GT racing

For GT3 enthusiasts, Assetto Corsa Competizione remains extremely popular. Rain, night racing, and tire temperatures all feel highly realistic. That makes the game especially appealing for endurance racing fans. The force feedback also delivers a lot of detail during long stints on the Nordschleife.

rFactor 2 puts a strong focus on realism

rFactor 2 is known for its strong physics and dynamic weather system. Grip changes during rain feel especially impressive. However, this simulator requires more technical knowledge to properly tune your setup. As a result, more experienced sim racers usually choose this platform.

Why triple screens or ultrawide monitors are popular among endurance racers

On a circuit like the Nürburgring, maintaining awareness is essential. Especially in heavy traffic, additional visibility helps enormously. That is why many endurance racers use triple screens or an ultrawide monitor.

With triple screens, you can spot traffic earlier and recognize corners more quickly. This reduces mental pressure during long races. An ultrawide setup offers a cleaner look and takes up less space.

However, proper screen positioning remains important. An incorrect viewing angle quickly causes fatigue during night races.

How sim racers train for a 24-hour race

Many endurance racers do not only train for speed. They mainly focus on rhythm and concentration. A flawless one-hour stint often delivers more results than a single fast lap.

That is why many sim racers complete longer sessions back-to-back. They test seat position, force feedback settings, and monitor height. Nutrition and breaks also play a role during endurance events.

At the Nürburgring, everything revolves around repetition. The more you drive, the better you recognize small reference points. That is exactly what makes sim racing such an effective training tool.

Why endurance sim racing keeps growing in popularity

More and more motorsport fans are looking for a realistic racing experience at home. Sim racing delivers exactly that feeling of tension, strategy, and focus. Endurance races attract especially high interest because teamwork and concentration are central to the experience.

During a night stint on the Nürburgring, you notice how intense sim racing truly feels. You stay fully focused on braking points, traffic, and grip levels. As a result, a long race feels surprisingly realistic.

SIMGASM therefore sees more racers investing in comfort, stability, and expandable hardware. Especially in endurance racing, that makes the difference between simply surviving and genuinely enjoying a long session.

Free Standing Single Monitor Stand Vesa 75/200 Apex - White | SIMGASM

Q&A

Below, we answer several frequently asked questions:

Why is the Nürburgring so difficult in sim racing?

The Nürburgring features massive elevation changes, many blind corners, and constantly changing grip levels. As a result, every lap demands complete concentration.

Which game works best for endurance racing?

iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione are both extremely popular for endurance racing. Both simulators offer strong physics and a highly competitive online environment.

Do you need an expensive setup for sim racing?

No. A basic setup with a steering wheel and pedals works perfectly well to get started. However, during longer races, you quickly notice the advantages of a sturdy cockpit and better force feedback.

Why do many racers use a Direct Drive wheel?

A Direct Drive system delivers far more detail through force feedback. As a result, you feel grip loss and weight transfer much earlier.

Is a 144Hz monitor important for sim racing?

Yes. A high refresh rate creates smoother visuals and reduces motion blur. This especially helps during fast corners and night races.

Why do many racers choose a sim racing cockpit?

A sturdy sim racing cockpit prevents movement while steering and braking. This provides more comfort and control during long races.

Want to learn more or directly buy your sim racing rig? The experts at SIMGASM are happy to help.