Sim And Real Racing Gifts At Christmas?

Paul Jeffrey · Dec 26, 2020

So folks, the big day is over and done with - did any of you get any sim racing or motorsport themed gifts this December 25th?

Yup, we've all had to pretend we like the new socks / off brand whisky / "funny" jumper and other assorted odds and ends this Christmas (and pretty much every other one too), but did any of the RaceDepartment faithful get a nice sim or real racing related gift from someone this year, and if you did, what was it?

Let us know in the comments section below!

michelforest · Dec 27, 2020

No sim racing gift from friends or family... However, not sure if this counts, but I "gave myself" the new Fanatec McLaren steering wheel.

cteters · Dec 27, 2020

Whoever tipped my wife off on using house slippers with the rig, I owe ya one. Super comfy.

Nick Hill · Dec 27, 2020

My family gave me a set of T-LCM pedals - I really like them! Getting some good laptime improvements as well.

Bonehead · Dec 27, 2020

Nope, nothing, nada.

Barry Waterfield · Dec 27, 2020

Currently setting up my StreamDeck XL with a custom profile for all my installed sims.

Its time consuming but rewarding.

Adrian Herrera · Dec 27, 2020

Got myself a sweet set of TLCM pedals!

Clover11 · Dec 27, 2020

My wife got me a Buttkicker simulation kit. Been looking forward to trying tactile for a while so that is pretty cool. She also got me a brush and products to clean my alcantera wheel.

JimLee · Dec 27, 2020

Not complaining (got too much already) .... But No ... and not counting RF2 DLC2 pack

P.S. What did Paul get?

joemendel · Dec 27, 2020

My Aiolog shifter arrives this Wednesday. They were out of stock until a couple of weeks ago--close enough for a Christmas gift.

Ruttman98 · Dec 27, 2020

Trak Racer adjustable pedal steering deck and adjustable pedal plates.

Logitech G733 headset.

wombat999 · Dec 27, 2020

Corsair CMT128GX4M8X3600C18 Dominator Platinum RGB 128GB 3600MHz DDR.
I decided to fill up all the slots on the MoBo.

Nick Hill · Dec 27, 2020

Clover11 said:
My wife got me a Buttkicker simulation kit. Been looking forward to trying tactile for a while so that is pretty cool. She also got me a brush and products to clean my alcantera wheel.

I have to admit, when I first learned of the buttkicker, I thought it seemed pretty ridiculous...but I have heard enough people raving about it that I've changed my opinion. It's supposed to really add to the experience. I'd like to try one someday, you'll have to let us know what you think of it!

BP · Dec 27, 2020

Made a mostly enclosed rig this month out of foam board, black cloth and lots of gaffer tape and glue. Got the final pieces on Christmas Eve: a LED Light strip, as well as some smart plugs, smart bulbs and Amazon echo extensions...just finished putting it all together now (it's functional but looks pretty rough, so no pictures yet) but very enclosed and immersive (and my current fans actually cool better since it's now like a tunnel).

My favourite part though is the automation. I just have to say "Alexa, racing mode" and what basically took several steps to fire up the rig and switch over from my office desk to rig is done automatically: turning off any room lights and desktop speakers, turn on the wheel, fans, rig speakers and rig LEDs (positioned overhead like in endurance cars). I'm just working on how to get it to switch from single monitor to triple monitor by voice then it'll be complete...

Boby Kim · Dec 27, 2020

Better topic would have been: what did you give away for Christmas. There are people that did not celebrate Christmas because they simply do not have the money.
Anyways, keep going on with all expensive stuff you received

VirtuaIceMan · Dec 27, 2020

I picked up WRC9 in the Epic Games sale, and plan to hoover up a bunch of games on Steam at some point. But not many sims.

DaveDaBass · Dec 27, 2020

I got a merchandise shirt from our community here in Germany.

danjbirch · Dec 27, 2020

michelforest said:
No sim racing gift from friends or family... However, not sure if this counts, but I "gave myself" the new Fanatec McLaren steering wheel.

I did exactly the same and I love it

Rosbergfan06 · Dec 27, 2020

Got a Toyota LMP1 model for Christmas

Ruy Horta · Dec 27, 2020

The most unexpected “gift” was the Hyperion 2020, by RSS.
That was one that came out of the blue and much appreciated.

My second unexpected “gift” was my first experience with Smoothtrack using my humble iPhone as the tracking device. After some tweaking this simple solution blew my mind.

Yes, I know TrackID, though I never bought it, and yes, I know VR, but there are (many) times I just don‘t want to use my setup (Rift - although I am looking at the new HP as a replacement). But using the open source Smoothtrack with a EUR 10,99 iphone app as a substitute really worked better than expected.

I had to tweak some deadzone, add some filter etc, but really very nice technology. You could even use an old webcam, same thing and even less complicated.

The resolution of something like TrackIR is probably better, but I’d say you should try this cheap setup before you grab your wallet.

An honorable mention to R3E’s Brands GP and the Glen, both great tracks nice representations. The Sirocco was icing.

Finally I’d like to mention that after getting a free ride from Race Department, I decided to return the favor with a Premium account - yes, to support the services you provide and the many hours of enjoyment.

That’s all, and enough, I did not get any real presents, other than the presence of my loving family of 3 kids and a wife.