Written by DualShockers has published a roundup from SimRacing Expo 2026, the hardware showcase held in Charlotte over Memorial Day Weekend, spotlighting ten products the outlet says simracers should watch. The list spans direct drive wheels, rigs, pedals and accessories, though only three entries came with concrete specs, prices and release windows: the GameSir x Trak Racer TR640, the CSRS kart-rig lineup, and the Thrustmaster GT Wheel Add-On.
- GameSir and Trak Racer unveiled the TR640, a force feedback controller built around a central dial that doubles as a steering wheel, priced under $200 and slated for a Q4 2026 launch.
- CSRS, a Charlotte-based startup, showed off an entry-level kart-rig line aimed at kids and families, with prices ranging from roughly $100 to $250.
- Thrustmaster brought the GT Wheel Add-On, a Gran Turismo 7-branded wheel rim with PlayStation button icons, tested on-site with a Thrustmaster wheelbase.
- DualShockers described its list of ten as a selection, not a full accounting of everything shown on the expo floor.
What Is SimRacing Expo 2026?
SimRacing Expo 2026 is a hardware-focused trade event where manufacturers demo wheels, pedals, rigs and motion systems directly to attendees. This year’s edition took place in Charlotte during Memorial Day Weekend, bringing together both established brands and smaller startups under one roof. Products shown on the floor here have historically arrived on store shelves within a few months, giving buyers an early look at what’s coming before they commit to a purchase.
The format favors hands-on demos over press releases, and that’s part of why coverage of the show — including DualShockers’ own recap — comes out as “products to watch” roundups instead of full technical breakdowns. It also explains why some of the ten items on this particular list arrived with detailed pricing and specs while others were mentioned only in passing.
Why This Hardware Roundup Matters for Sim Racers
Sim racing hardware has moved well past the days of clip-on wheels and gearshifters. Direct drive wheelbases, load-cell pedals and haptic feedback systems that were once semi-professional territory are increasingly showing up at consumer-friendly price points, and expos are where that shift becomes visible. A roundup like this one gives shoppers a sense of where the market is heading before official launch dates and full spec sheets are locked in.
For simracers planning a rig upgrade later this year, keeping an eye on what got floor time in Charlotte helps avoid buying into hardware that’s about to be replaced by something newer.
The 10 Sim Racing Hardware Products to Watch
DualShockers framed its list as ten hardware products worth tracking coming out of the show, covering categories from direct drive wheels to entry-level rigs and add-on accessories. The three entries with fully reported details are the GameSir x Trak Racer TR640, the CSRS kart-rig lineup, and the Thrustmaster GT Wheel Add-On. The remaining seven items on the outlet’s list touched on additional categories — pedals, cockpits and display setups among them — but specific product names, pricing and release details for those entries weren’t included in the coverage.
Direct Drive Wheelbases and Wheels
The standout wheel-side announcement is the TR640, a joint project between GameSir and Trak Racer. Rather than a conventional wheelbase, it’s built around force feedback paired with a central dial that functions as the steering input — an unusual layout for a category dominated by round rims. Trak Racer and GameSir are positioning it under $200, with a Q4 2026 launch window, which puts it squarely in budget territory for a segment that has traditionally required a much bigger spend to get real force feedback.
On the more traditional side, Thrustmaster showed the GT Wheel Add-On, a rim built specifically for Gran Turismo 7 and marked with PlayStation-style button icons rather than generic labeling. It was demoed on the show floor paired with a Thrustmaster wheelbase, giving attendees a direct hands-on comparison against the stock wheel most GT7 players start with.
Pedals and Load Cell Systems
Pedals were among the categories DualShockers flagged as part of its ten-product list, but the outlet’s coverage stopped short of naming specific units, brands or prices. Beyond confirming that pedal hardware had a presence at the show, there’s not much to report here. Anyone chasing pedal upgrades should treat this as a category to watch rather than a confirmed shopping list for now.
Cockpits, Rigs and Motion Platforms
CSRS, a startup based in Charlotte, used its home-turf event to introduce a line of kart-style rigs aimed squarely at kids and families rather than competitive racers. Pricing runs from around $100 up to $250 depending on configuration, positioning the lineup as an entry point for younger or newer simracers rather than a replacement for a full-size cockpit. It’s a notably different pitch than the high-end motion platforms that dominate rig conversations, and it fills a gap in a market that skews expensive at the top end.
Displays, Accessories and Software Add-ons
Display setups and accessories rounded out part of the ten-product list, though DualShockers didn’t publish detailed specs or pricing for those specific entries. What is clear is that the show’s ten highlighted products spanned more than just wheels and pedals, touching on the broader ecosystem that surrounds a modern sim racing setup.
Availability and Pricing Expectations
Of the three products with confirmed details, the TR640 is the one with a firm timeline: a Q4 2026 release at a sub-$200 price point. CSRS’s kart-rigs, priced between roughly $100 and $250, already have public pricing in place, putting the lineup closer to market than the other entries on the list. The Thrustmaster GT Wheel Add-On was demoed live, but neither a price nor a ship date was announced at the show.
| Product | Maker | Category | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TR640 | GameSir x Trak Racer | Force feedback controller | Under $200 | Q4 2026 |
| Kart-rig lineup | CSRS | Entry-level cockpit/rig | $100–$250 | Not stated |
| GT Wheel Add-On | Thrustmaster | Wheel rim (GT7-branded) | Not stated | Not stated |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was SimRacing Expo 2026 held? The event took place in Charlotte over Memorial Day Weekend.
How many products did DualShockers cover in its roundup? The outlet’s article names ten hardware products it flagged as worth watching, though it describes the list as a selection rather than a complete inventory of the show.
What is the TR640? It’s a force feedback controller from GameSir and Trak Racer that uses a central dial instead of a traditional round wheel, priced under $200 with a Q4 2026 launch planned.
Who makes the CSRS kart-rigs? CSRS, a Charlotte-based startup, showed the line at its hometown event, targeting kids and families with pricing between about $100 and $250.
Is the Thrustmaster GT Wheel Add-On compatible with any wheelbase? It was demonstrated at the show paired with a Thrustmaster wheelbase and is branded specifically for Gran Turismo 7, but Thrustmaster hasn’t published broader compatibility details yet.
Final Thoughts
SimRacing Expo 2026 gave a clear look at where budget-friendly hardware is headed, with the TR640, CSRS’s kart-rigs and Thrustmaster’s GT Wheel Add-On all pointing toward more accessible entry points into the hobby. The rest of DualShockers’ ten-product list touched on pedals, displays and other accessories, but full details on those entries will have to wait for further reporting before simracers can weigh them against a purchase decision.
Source: dualshockers.com
