Rallying is a unique niche in motorsport, and so it often introduces tech that wouldn't be seen in circuit racing. The single paddle shifter is a great example and Sim Lab has now introduced its own take own version for simracing.
Image Credit: Sim-Lab
Sending cars flying through forests, across deserts, up twisty mountain roads and over frozen lakes, rallying is all about adaptability. Hence, the sport's engineers are always on the look out for new ways of helping drivers complete stages in the fastest yet easiest way possible.
Inventions such as anti-lag improve a car's speed, but much of the time, it's innovations that target the driver's comfort that improve a team's position. That is the case for the single-paddle gear shift. Enabling drivers to easily access the next gear regardless of how active they are with the steering.
A single paddle that can bolt on to a selection of wheels, the Sim-Lab push-pull Rally Shifter finally brings the tech into the mainstream. Just like the real thing, it is designed to make gear shifts easier when working the wheel. The carbon fibre paddle is long enough to always sit behind the driver's hand. Pull the paddle back and you go up a gear, push it to downshift.
With the paddle comes a kit to mount it to a wheel with a number of bases compatible with the kit. Fanatec's entire DD fleet as well as its Clubsport and CSL Elite bases will work with the paddle shift. The list is bolstered by the Simucube Sport and Pro, Simagic Alpha, VRS Directforce Pro and OSW/SC1. Thrustmaster and Logitech wheel bases are seemingly too intricate to support the mounting bracket, though third-party modifications may well hit the market.
Much like a standalone shifter, this product connects to a PC using its own USB cable. It is made from motorsport-grade carbon-fibre and is available now for the modest price of €199 plus shipping.
What do you make of the Sim-Lab Push-Pull Rally Shifter?
Image Credit: Sim-Lab
Sending cars flying through forests, across deserts, up twisty mountain roads and over frozen lakes, rallying is all about adaptability. Hence, the sport's engineers are always on the look out for new ways of helping drivers complete stages in the fastest yet easiest way possible.
Inventions such as anti-lag improve a car's speed, but much of the time, it's innovations that target the driver's comfort that improve a team's position. That is the case for the single-paddle gear shift. Enabling drivers to easily access the next gear regardless of how active they are with the steering.
Sim-Lab's push-pull rally shifter
Until now, the closest thing simracers had to this innovative piece of tech that featured heavily in the R1 cars in the WRC were the numerous sequential shifters available on the market. A sequential shift is now the most accurate piece of hardware to simulate the current top class of car. But those looking to race a non-hybrid R1 car from before the latest regulation change will be pleased to hear about Sim-Lab's latest creation.A single paddle that can bolt on to a selection of wheels, the Sim-Lab push-pull Rally Shifter finally brings the tech into the mainstream. Just like the real thing, it is designed to make gear shifts easier when working the wheel. The carbon fibre paddle is long enough to always sit behind the driver's hand. Pull the paddle back and you go up a gear, push it to downshift.
With the paddle comes a kit to mount it to a wheel with a number of bases compatible with the kit. Fanatec's entire DD fleet as well as its Clubsport and CSL Elite bases will work with the paddle shift. The list is bolstered by the Simucube Sport and Pro, Simagic Alpha, VRS Directforce Pro and OSW/SC1. Thrustmaster and Logitech wheel bases are seemingly too intricate to support the mounting bracket, though third-party modifications may well hit the market.
Much like a standalone shifter, this product connects to a PC using its own USB cable. It is made from motorsport-grade carbon-fibre and is available now for the modest price of €199 plus shipping.
What do you make of the Sim-Lab Push-Pull Rally Shifter?
