SimCraft Racing Simulators
Built to Train, Engineered to Win.
Why SimCraft Racing Simulators Are the Choice of Champions
If you’re chasing tenths, you’re in good company.
SimCraft is the simulator trusted by drivers and teams who win—78+ championships and counting. From Jimmie Johnson fine-tuning for the NASCAR Cup Series to Ben Keating prepping for Le Mans, SimCraft systems are used by professionals who demand real-world performance from their racing simulators.
Alpha Prime Racing, Riley Technologies, and Legacy Motor Club all use SimCraft hardware to train, test, and gain an edge. And it’s not just for the elite—junior karting champions like Lucas Palacio and the Wheldon brothers rely on SimCraft to sharpen their skills before they hit the real track.
“I knew my brake points. I knew what the curb would feel like.”
—Ben Keating, Le Mans GTE-AM Champion
Whether you’re in a garage or a pro race shop, SimCraft delivers the fidelity, feedback, and flexibility that real drivers trust.
What Makes SimCraft Motion Simulators Different?
Not just a “sim”—a true driver development tool
Let’s get one thing straight: most “sims” on the market are toys. SimCraft racing simulators are not. They’re engineered training tools trusted by the best in motorsports. As we say, many have a sim—only a few have a SimCraft.
From the start, SimCraft’s mission has been to deliver professional racing simulators that feel like the real thing. That’s not just a bold claim—it’s backed by physics, engineering, and over 25 years of continuous development in motion technology.
Center-of-mass motion: the secret to real-world transfer
Other platforms move the seat or pedals from the base. We rotate the entire cockpit around its center of mass—just like an actual vehicle moves. That distinction matters. It’s what gives SimCraft simulators the seat-of-the-pants feel that pro drivers rely on for muscle memory, weight transfer detection, and precision car control.
Conventional platforms with front- or side-actuated designs create “swing” or “arc” motions that can break immersion. In contrast, our full motion racing simulators use independent axis control with roll, pitch, yaw, surge, sway, and heave—all centered around where you sit. The result? You don’t just see the car rotate. You feel it.
Built from the ground up by racers
SimCraft was born in a garage—literally. Founder William MacDonald envisioned motion simulation rooted in physics. His son Sean Patrick MacDonald carried that vision forward, building SimCraft’s proprietary rigid-body motion engine from scratch. Over 350,000 lines of custom C++ code later, it’s now the most accurate motion platform available.
Every product we build reflects that legacy—engineered, tuned, and built entirely in-house in Georgia, USA.
Built to Perform—And Backed for Life
SimCraft simulators are engineered to last a lifetime. That’s not marketing—it’s metallurgy.
Where some competitors rely on bolt-together extruded aluminum (a cost-effective choice for prototyping, not motion), SimCraft builds TIG-welded, unified chassis structures from high-grade steel. We phased out aluminum extrusions entirely after testing from 2010 to 2012 revealed long-term fatigue, stress fractures, and, in one case, total structural failure.
The result? A system you can trust under load, session after session.
That structural integrity lets us offer something few others can: a lifetime warranty on every chassis we build.
Each platform is powder-coated and built to exacting tolerances, not just for strength—but for beauty. Our simulators aren’t just high-fidelity driver development tools—they’re durable, functional works of kinetic art.
Built Around You
Every SimCraft simulator is built to match your performance goals, aesthetic preferences, and environment. From pedal sets and wheelbases to chassis color and audio integration, personalization isn’t a feature—it’s the foundation.
With nearly two decades of experience in custom builds, our team works with you to configure a simulator that fits exactly how you want to train, race, or showcase. Whether you’re a pro driver, private collector, or facility owner, we help you get every detail right.
The result isn’t just a simulator—it’s your simulator.
Want to compare platforms before you invest?
Not all “motion” simulators are built the same—and the differences can make or break your lap times. We’ve broken it down for you in Pros and Cons of Different Racing Simulators.
How Professional Simulators Improve Driver Development
More translational seat time = competitive advantage
Professional drivers call it “translational seat time”—the ability to apply simulator experience directly to the track. That only happens when the sim behaves like the car. And that’s where SimCraft products shine.
Whether it’s Jimmie Johnson preparing for an IndyCar test, Ben Keating dialing in brake points for Le Mans, or a junior karting driver learning Spa in a GRID1, the advantage is clear: if you can feel what the car is doing in the sim, you’ll be ready for it in the real world.
“I knew how many times to downshift before a corner without needing to look at my dash. I knew my brake points. I knew what the curb would feel like.” — Ben Keating
Real tracks, real motion, real results
SimCraft motion racing simulators support a wide range of professional sim software: iRacing, rFactor Pro, and custom applications for OEMs and engineers. Every track can be scanned, every car can be replicated—and with 90% motion fidelity, you don’t need to guess how it’ll feel.
Our clients have racked up 78+ championships since 2017 using SimCraft hardware, including NASCAR, IMSA, WEC, and Indy NXT titles. More than just muscle memory—this is race-winning development.
Cognitive and physiological validation
Here’s the thing: driver development is not just about muscle memory. Several studies have validated the neurological, visual, and cognitive impacts of motion simulation—particularly the kind SimCraft delivers:
- Michigan State University’s Spartan Motorsport Lab found that full motion simulators significantly increased predictive steering accuracy and visual load response.
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center RACE Study confirmed that realistic simulators help train executive control and decision-making under pressure, even in neurodiverse populations.
- Austin Hatcher Foundation’s IRB-approved protocol highlighted simulator-based improvement in young drivers with cognitive control deficits—thanks to reliable multi-sensory feedback loops.
🧠 Want a parallel?
It’s like playing piano on a plastic toy vs. a Steinway. The physical response changes how your brain processes the input.
SimCraft Models: One Architecture, Multiple Platforms
SimCraft’s advantage starts with architecture—but you still need the right racing simulator for your space, goals, and budget. That’s why we offer three distinct product models, each built on the same physics-driven motion foundation.
APEX GT – Flagship for Professional Driver Development
The APEX GT is our most capable chassis, supporting anywhere from 3DOF to 6DOF. It’s a full-frame steel tube simulator that delivers immersive, physically accurate motion with options to expand your rig as your needs grow.
If you’re a pro driver, team engineer, or someone looking for the most complete driver-in-the-loop system available, the APEX GT is it. Used by Riley Technologies, Alpha Prime Racing, and countless champions.
BUILDER edition starts at $49,900.
APEX CT – Compact, Portable, No Compromise
APEX CT is our compact motion racing simulator, perfect for home users, club racers, or training environments where space is at a premium. Available in 3DOF and 4DOF configurations, it sacrifices nothing in fidelity, just size.
It’s also quieter and easier to transport—great for mobile setups, second homes, or sim centers with tight footprints.
BUILDER edition starts at $29,900.
GRID1 – esports Motion Racing Simulator
Don’t let the single axis fool you. GRID1 is a game-changer. With yaw motion simulation, GRID1 simulates oversteer, rotation, and car balance—arguably the most important feedback in real-world racing.
With options for both karting and GT seating positions, GRID1 is a favorite for esports competitors, sim racers transitioning to real cars, or karting programs looking to train young drivers.
BUILDER edition starts at $9,900.
SimCraft Editions: Choose Your Build Style
SimCraft products are available in three distinct editions. Same architecture. Different paths to the grid.
BUILDER Edition – For DIY Users and Custom Integrators
The BUILDER Edition includes the core SimCraft motion platform without accessories, making it ideal for technically capable users or custom integrators who prefer to source and install their own seats, wheels, displays, and other components. Optional upgrades—such as the SimCraft Tilton pedal system and supported force feedback wheelbases—are available. BUILDER clients receive limited technical support focused specifically on motion components, the Craftcon user interface, and the Craftware motion control layer.
STANDARD Edition – Turnkey with Professional Components
This is our most popular configuration. A fully assembled, turnkey, race-ready simulator with curated accessories, tuned and tested by our team, and delivered with optional white-glove installation.
STANDARD Edition platforms are the most balanced offering for home racers, driver coaches, and race shops that want reliability and simplicity without excess.
ELITE Edition – Top-Spec Everything
The ELITE Edition is our no-compromise build. Think 5.1 audio, custom rack enclosure, and premium-grade sim controls. It’s what powers the Precision Drive Club at MiamiGP, and it’s an ideal fit for showrooms, luxury installs, or hybrid racing/flight environments.
Whether you want immersive AV integration or a statement piece, the ELITE Edition delivers it.
Inside the Motion Experience: Why Degrees of Freedom Matter
From 1DOF to 6DOF: What each level delivers
In simulation, “motion” isn’t a single concept—it’s defined by six degrees of freedom, each representing a specific movement your body experiences in a race car:
- Yaw – understeer/oversteer, rotation, slip angle
- Roll – body roll, left/right weight transfers and track features such as banking and curbing
- Pitch – acceleration/braking and track features such as hills and bumps
- Surge – longitudinal Gs from acceleration/deceleration
- Sway – lateral Gs from cornering
- Heave – vertical motion from curbs, track surface
Models and degrees of freedom
Each SimCraft platform supports a range of motion capabilities:
- GRID1: 1 DOF (Yaw)
- APEX CT: 2 or 4 DOF
- APEX GT: 3 to 6 DOF
Adding axes increases motion fidelity. And because SimCraft uses independent axis control—not the brute-force, blended motion approach used by most systems—you get accurate, isolated feedback for each force. That’s critical for high-level driver-in-the-loop simulation or data-correlated training.
Why YAW matters most
Yaw is the first and most important DOF for racing. It’s the axis responsible for feeling grip loss, rear rotation, throttle steer, and drift behavior. GRID1 proves that even a single axis—when properly implemented—can revolutionize car control training.
In fact, MSU’s Spartan Motorsport Lab found that even limited-motion simulators with accurate yaw delivered measurably improved visual tracking and steering stability compared to static sims.
Yaw teaches drivers to correct, rotate, and recover—not just react.
From Proving Grounds to Living Rooms
Race teams, sim centers, and museums
SimCraft is the trusted simulator partner of:
- Alpha Prime Racing (NASCAR Xfinity team focused on developing talent)
- Legacy Motor Club (NASCAR Cup team co-owned by Jimmie Johnson)
- Riley Technologies (multidisciplinary team in LMP2 and GT racing)
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum (home to the first ADA-accessible motion simulator)
- Skip Barber Racing School (legendary U.S. driver development program)
Miami GP’s Precision Drive Club (ultra-luxury private club)
Each of these institutions chose SimCraft because of its accuracy, reliability, and flexibility across use cases—from fan engagement to elite driver development.
Drivers at every level
Whether it’s 11-year-old Lucas Palacio winning the WSK Super Masters or Jimmie Johnson preparing for a NASCAR Cup race, SimCraft users span every stage of motorsport. The Wheldon brothers train on their home APEX CT racing sim. FIA academy drivers and club racers alike use our platforms to cut laps and sharpen muscle memory before race day.
You can see their results in our news section, with real-world wins from Sebring to Spa in everything from formula to stock cars.
Seamless for home or shop use
SimCraft simulators are built to be lived with:
- Surround sound or headphone use
- Clean cable management
- Compact configurations (like APEX CT or GRID1) for garages and home offices
Need support? Every STANDARD and ELITE Edition includes training and full support—even with third-party software—and optional white-glove installation is available for a seamless setup experience and maximum performance.
Real-World Motion = Real Results
SimCraft Clients by the Numbers (2025):
Proven by Professionals, Accessible to Everyone
From Skip Barber Racing School to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, SimCraft simulators are everywhere motorsport happens. But they’re also in garages, basements, and coaching centers across the U.S.
FAQ: Racing Simulators and the SimCraft Difference
What is the most important degree of freedom for racing simulation?
Yaw (1DOF) is the most important for car control, making GRID1 a serious tool even for pro racers. For full training, 3DOF (roll, pitch, yaw) or 6DOF adds immersion and fidelity.
What’s the difference between APEX GT and APEX CT?
APEX GT is a full-sized platform for maximum motion and tuning flexibility, while APEX CT is similar in a smaller footprint hardware, ideal for home use. Both products use the same software.
Can I build my own SimCraft rig?
Yes. The BUILDER Edition lets you integrate SimCraft’s chassis and motion system with your own components. It’s perfect for custom integrators, sim center installations, or DIY setups.
Is SimCraft compatible with iRacing or Assetto Corsa?
Absolutely. SimCraft products are compatible with iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor, rFactor Pro, and most major sim racing software.
Ready to Race? Start Your Build
Whether you’re a pro racer, weekend warrior, or team manager, SimCraft gives you everything you need to train like a champion. Choose your model—APEX GT, APEX CT, or GRID1—and select your edition: BUILDER, STANDARD, or ELITE.
You’ll get motion that feels real, software that just works, and support that stays with you through every lap.
