12/11/2025 – Widget Factory – Episode 0513
iRacers Lounge Podcast – Conversation Topics
Show Introduction
On today’s show we will cover the new build and what’s happening in Week 13, attempt to catch-up up on way too much hardware, see which iRacer is now a World Champion, dig into the 2026 iRacing Special Events Calendar and which hardware company is facing a take over.
And remember you can follow along with us on your PC or mobile device in real time as you listen to the show and see for yourself all of the great topics and products we’ll discuss by visiting iracerslounge.com and selecting show notes. Hope to see you there..
TITLE SPONSOR READ:
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Topics
Build Week: 2026 Season 1
Miami!
Porsche 992.2
Luca Oil Dirt Road
FIA Cross
Bathurst Refresh
2026 Season 1 Release Notes
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/89188/2026-season-1-initial-release-notes-2025-12-pre-release
Virtual Revolution
https://www.grandstandmag.com/sim-racing-nascar-tucker-minter-william-byron
Widgets: A How To
Congrats iRacer!
Last Lap Pass
Redline and Coanda Take The Championships
Week 13 For Free?
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/89571/13th-week-should-be-free
Race To The Summit
2026 iRacing Special Events Announced
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/89420/2026-special-events-calendar/p1
2026 Season 1 Preliminary Schedule
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/89360/2026-season-1-preliminary-pdf-schedule
This Week In iRacing
https://www.iracing.com/this-week-in-iracing-december-9-to-december-15-2025
Podcast Housekeeping
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We are in the regular rotation… (Mike)
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IRLP Polar League
Bristol Results
Hardware/Software
Best Value But Not For Me
This video is a review of the Simsonn Plus X Racing pedals, focusing on their value, customizability, and performance, especially for a user who races from a desk setup. The reviewer concludes they offer the best value in the mid-range pedal market.
Here is a summary of the review:
Recommendation: The reviewer highly recommends the Simsonn Plus X pedals for anyone looking in the mid-range pedal setup (07:10 Opens in a new window ). They are notably sturdy for a desk setup due to their weight and the base plate’s construction (08:03 Opens in a new window ). He believes they outperform lower-end load cell pedals and provide performance close to pedals in the $400–$600 range.
Price and First Impressions: The pedals are priced affordably in the mid-range (around $300 with a base plate), which was surprising given their high-quality appearance (00:17 Opens in a new window ). Assembly was easy, comparable to “easy IKEA furniture” (01:28 Opens in a new window ).
Key Selling Points: Adjustability and Customization (02:23 Opens in a new window )
Almost every aspect is adjustable, including the angle and height of the pedals, and different brake dampers and throttle springs are included.
The Simsonn software allows users to tune pedal curves (04:22 Opens in a new window ). This feature can help users with trail braking precision or smoothing their throttle input, acting as a “crutch for your weaknesses” (05:25 Opens in a new window ).
Brake Pedal: The reviewer, who uses a desk setup, softened the brake to use less force, but it still felt “completely precise” and high quality (02:47 Opens in a new window ).
Clutch Pedal: The clutch feels linear, lacking the satisfying “dump feel” that the reviewer prefers in some other pedals (03:09 Opens in a new window ).
Throttle Pedal: The throttle uses a hydraulic system, which is an improvement over a standard spring, though the reviewer noted it lacked the “squishy feeling” of some higher-priced hydraulic pedals (03:41 Opens in a new window ).
Haptic Motors (Drawback): The reviewer was unable to get the optional linear haptic motors to work with the wheel slip setting in iRacing, which was a deal-breaker for his personal comfort level, though he noted other settings (like gear shift or ABS) did work (05:30 Opens in a new window ).
How Much?
CXC Motion Pro 3
BDH Active Shifter
GSI Aeroflex
COLO GCS 7.1.2 Channel Surround
https://cololight.com/products/colo-gcs
Asetek Company Takeover
https://traxion.gg/sim-racing-hardware-manufacturer-asetek-receives-takeover-offer/
AI Chief…Coming Soon
DIY DDU
Conspit US Webstore
MOZA R21…It’s Complicated
This video provides a detailed review of the MOZA R21 Ultra Direct Drive Wheelbase, a new 21 Nm entry into a saturated sim racing market.
The reviewer discusses the R21 Ultra’s features, comparing its value and performance to other high-end direct drive wheelbases like the Simagic Evo Pro, VRS Direct Force Pro, and Asetek La Prima.
Key Features and Specifications
- Constant Force: 21 Nm of constant force direct drive [05:57].
- Motor Technology: Features a “zero-cogging flat wire technology motor” for a smooth driving experience [06:06].
- Encoder: Uses a 21-bit magnetic encoder, providing over 2 million measurement points per 360-degree rotation, which contributes to smoother force feedback [06:51].
- Design: Smaller, more compact CNC machined aluminum housing than previous models, with options for Fanatec, side, and front mounting [09:09].
- Connectivity: Uses the standard NRG/D1 style quick release but lacks USB pass-through for third-party wheels, a key difference from competitors [000:09:47].
- Safety: The reviewer notes that an emergency stop button is not included and must be purchased separately, despite the unit’s power [10:24].
- Low Frequency Effects (LF): Supports an additional feedback layer for games like iRacing to generate effects like curb strikes and gear changes, which adds immersion but is not available universally [13:46].
Software and Settings (MOZA Pit House)
The video gives a tour of the MOZA Pit House software, detailing:
- Basic Settings: Including steering angle, soft limit stiffness, and output torque limit [22:00].
- Advanced Settings: Filters like Force Feedback Interpolation, Natural Damping, and Natural Friction, which the reviewer was able to run at lower values than previous MOZA bases due to the R21 Ultra’s refined performance [28:09].
- FFB Equalizer and Curve: Tools to adjust the amplitude of effects at different frequency ranges and modify the linearity of the force feedback response [34:10].
Driving Experience and Conclusion
Overall Value: The reviewer concludes that the R21 Ultra offers good value for its strength, but its lack of USB pass-through for high-end wheels and its awkward positioning in the ecosystem might make other, slightly less powerful but similarly priced competitors a better fit for the majority of sim racers [50:38].
Refinement: The R21 Ultra offers a noticeable improvement in refinement, detail, and smoothness over earlier MOZA bases, requiring less filtering to achieve a good feel [41:47].
Strength vs. Fidelity: The reviewer cautions that while the 21 Nm is powerful, users who prefer running at lower force feedback levels (e.g., under 12 Nm) might find the fidelity of weaker, competing bases (like the 12 Nm R12 or La Prima) to be better, as the R21 Ultra is better suited for those who will actually use the higher end of its dynamic range [46:31].
Jimmy Broadbent Collection
SinhRig On Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/shop/sinhrig/?etsrc=sdt&dd_referrer=
Conspit Canadian Distributor
Fully 3D Printed Wheel
Estebon Ocon Edition
Simperior Button Boxes
Simlabs P1X Ultimate Build Guide
We Good Now?
This video provides a quick update on the resolution of early issues with the Simucube 3 force feedback base, followed by a look at the creator’s initial Force Feedback (FFB) settings for iRacing and Le Mans Ultimate (LMU).
🛠️ Simucube 3 Issues and Resolutions
The creator reported four major hardware and software issues with the new Simucube 3 base, all of which have since been resolved:
- Control Box / EMI Issues: Resolved. The creator can now run his motion systems without an isolator, and the base works fine with no flickering LED or issues when bolted straight to the rig [00:40]. Simucube has a solution for the control box that they will communicate soon.
- FFB Knocking Issue: Resolved with a firmware update (Tuner version 3.0.3) [01:04].
- Hardware Disconnects / EMI: This was traced back to a faulty power supply. The original power supply was found to be causing a voltage drop and bad ringing, which sent EMI into the rig. Replacing the power supply fixed all disconnect issues [01:11].
- Loss of FFB/Damping: The creator has not experienced this issue on firmware 3.0.3, and the Simucube team has a fix coming for other users who may still be seeing it [02:30].
Overall, the creator concludes that all big issues have been resolved and the force feedback quality is excellent [02:58]. He also corrects a previous statement, confirming that LMU does have telemetry force feedback available [03:06].
⚙️ Simucube Settings for iRacing
The video shows the creator’s preliminary settings within the Simucube Tuner software:
| Game | Key Simucube Tuner Settings | FFB Effects |
| iRacing | In-Game Strength: 11-12 (for workout) | Direct Input Master: ~85% [05:00] |
| Mechanical Feel: Adjusted based on wheel weight [04:51] | Telemetry: ~30% [05:00] | |
| Telemetry FFB: Cornering Intensity, ABS (synced to pedals), Road Texture from Telemetry [05:30] |
A New Era?
Bavarian Simtec Now Available Through ASR
SPARCO: Ultra Carbon
Spend Brad’s Money!
Seat Wraps From Lovely Stickers
Results
NASCAR iRacing Series
Official Series
BMW M2 cup at Summit point
- Ellis – P 8- start a dead last
FIA F4 America
- Ellis – P6. Start a dead last in the top split and finish P6. At Willow Springs.
IMSA
- Hall – P1 highest at spa, 1st and 2nd wrecked right in front of me on last lap
- Brad W – P4 GT3 Spa. Started p6 and was forced three wide into the chicane at the start. That forced me to make contact with another car that resulted in him spinning. I had a great race contending for a top 5 all race. I had one of the best races shaping up over the last 4 laps with p4. That was until the white flag lap when an LMP2 (1000 less SOF gap to GT3) decided that he needed to get in the middle of us even though he was 10+ seconds behind his closest competitor. I was able to grab p4 when he spun in the chicane coming to the checkers. Finished p28 in division 3 for the season. My iRating was higher when the season started and I never really got it back after losing 300+ in the first few weeks.
- William – P4 and P12 – P4 was 2nd split. Pretty fast people in there but I was on pace and had a good run. Kept it clean and brought home a good result. P12 was top split european split with about a 4k GT3 field. Very fast people but felt I held my own with people near my pace. Split was so high that I still gained 34 IR for finishing 12th. But man did I get bullied in the beginning of this race. Some of the GRR guys were watching in discord and they were scared for me. Still don’t think i’m quite to top split, but I’ll take a decent result.
League / Hosted Races
IRLP Polar Series
Week Six – Bristol
- David – P16 wrecked out early, a guy got tight on exit and left reared me, quickly apologiezed, and he may have even been a little surprised that he even got to my fender cause there were four cars that I was going to let freight train me and was not as hard on the throttle
- Mike- p6 had a pretty good race led some laps ran top five basically got screwed on some pit strategy at towards the end, but a respectable finish for me P6
Grass Roots Racing
GTP/GT3 League – COTA Sprint Race
- William W – P4. Had never raced this track before going here this week. Did practice on Monday and race Tuesday. At no time was I comfortable. I know a lot of people like this track but it is not for me at all. Just happy to get out of here with a decent finish and not see it again for a long time.
- Brad W – P13 overall and p10 in class. I started p8 and felt very good about this race. I was caught up in the T1 mess that always comes at COTA. I had to basically stop to avoid hitting a spinner. That dropped me down a few spots. I ended up spinning a few laps later while pushing too hard to gain spots back. Finally settled into the top 10 before pits and was happy with it. I gambled with a very tight fuel fill to try and gap those around me. Even though JRT had me needing even less than what I actually took. I was running in p8 coming towards the end when I realized I was .6 gal short. Had to pit as we took the white and that dropped me 5 spots.
Hosted-
- Ellis – P pick up cup at Phoenix qualified P2 drove all race long and P2 trying to catch the guy. I was only one second back and then some 4000 eye rating guy came driving up through the field went by both of us and won the race so I finished P3
- Mount Washington, VW beetle up the hill. I put up a respectable lap at least I thought it was but it’s 48 seconds off of Pole. I did a 540 in the pole is a 452.65th fastest in the race to the summit sponsored by race craft
- Chris McGuire hosted car of tomorrow June 5 at Talladega started P8 and end up winner winner chicken dinner. At one point I was catching the leader and I had a huge maybe 10 or 15 mile an hour faster run than him and he pulled down in front of me by himself off his nose as he tried to block I went on the win the race.
- Then same car at Daytona wrecked out
- Then carb cup gin seven at Daytona. P3
- Then pick up cup at Phoenix started PA finish P4
- Think qualified at six and finish P6 I was fading at the end
- Then carb cup gin seven at Daytona wrecked out.
- Supercars at Michigan finish P6. Some guy was going below the line and trying to blend up and I called him a clown and then he tried to take me out and they ended up booting him out of the race cause he wouldn’t stop.
- Jen 4 @Daytona hosted wrecked out
- Pick up cup at Phoenix finish P3
- 13th week ridiculousness BMW M2 at North Wilkesboro started dead last finish sixth overall P3 in class
- FIAF4 @Willowsprings started 10th finish P6
- BMW M2 at Summit point started at 12th finish P8
- FIA cross car at Winton motors raceway rally P6. Started for the pole position.
- Pick up cup Daytona wrecked out
- Winter NIS at Daytona fixed. Green flag for the longest time we got through one and a half green flag shop before the caution start coming out. I got involved in a wreck. Three minutes damage got all of it fixed but wrecked out pretty hard racing near the end for 15th on the White I drove it in there and took the guy out didn’t mean to so finish P 19.
Final Thoughts
Words Spoken in Closing Audio Clip -“”Thank you for listening to the iRacers Lounge podcast make sure to go subscribe to us on iTunes, SoundCloud, or Google Play, Facebook & Twitter, See You On The Track .”
TITLE
- Widget Factory
Description
On today’s show we will cover the new build and what’s happening in Week 13, attempt to catch-up up on way too much hardware, see which iRacer is now a World Champion, dig into the 2026 iRacing Special Events Calendar and which hardware company is facing a take over.
So sit back, relax and join us on the iRacers Lounge Podcast.
iRacers Lounge Podcast is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, Podbean, Spreaker, Podbay, PodFanatic, Overcast, Amazon, and other podcast players.
Sponsors:
Hosts:
Mike Ellis – https://x.com/mikedeanellis
David Hall – https://x.com/dmixmage
Greg Hecktus – twitter.com/froozenkaktus
Donnie Spiker – https://www.instagram.com/spikerman19/
Brad Wrenn – https://x.com/bradwrenn
John Kerley – https://x.com/KerleyJohnE
Justin Pearson – https://www.facebook.com/justin.pearson.5811
Bobby Jonas – https://x.com/bjonas71
William Westbrook – https://www.facebook.com/william.westbrook.35
Kris Randall – https://www.signalcraftstudio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579217706429
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