In the sim-racing market, there are many brands offering cockpit-type equipment. These include Playseat, Next Level Racing and Simlab.

Simlab is a world-renowned European player. The brand’s catalog offers just a few chassis – 5 in this case – but these are highly modular, and start at very attractive prices. In fact, the title of Simlab’s home page is “Making motorsports accessible”.

Among the chassis in Simlab’s catalog is the GT1 Pro. This aluminum profile cockpit represents the brand’s answer for GT and endurance racing fans, with its emphasis on customization. In what follows, we’ll test this chassis and see what it’s worth.

Chassis main and technical features

• Aluminium profile frame
• Dimensions: 1350 mm x 580 mm x 770 mm
• Available with a range of accessories for chassis customization
• Compatible with many factory sim-racing peripherals
• Configurable with or without monitor brackets
• Crankset support for up to 200 kg of pressure

GT1 Pro design

Simlab’s cockpit designs are always minimalist, and the GT1 Pro is no exception. The cockpit is entirely black, with just a few brand logos here and there.

Simlab” is cut into the metal on the bottom bracket, and two white Simlab logos appear on the uprights of the base deck. Apart from that, the GT1 Pro is a simple, sober piece of equipment, but the manufacturer does provide a blue bucket seat to add a little panache to its cockpit.

Of course, the bucket seats follow the GT1 Pro’s overall design, so they’re very sober and in a single color.

Customized assembly

The GT1 Pro cockpit is delivered completely disassembled. The assembly operation will therefore have to be carried out by you, preferably with additional help. Even if the GT1 Pro is only made up of around twenty components, assembling a chassis is not as simple as that, especially for those made of aluminum profile, like the GT1 Pro.

Depending on the options you select on the Simlab website, you’ll end up with the GT1 Pro, i.e. the cockpit, a monitor stand or multiple screens, a bucket and its slides. Each accessory is sold separately, so you don’t have to order everything.

Manufacturing and finishing the GT1 Pro

The GT1 Pro uses aluminum profiles, i.e. square metal tubes, for its structure. This choice of materials is used throughout the Simlab range for a number of reasons, including modularity and rigidity.

In terms of build quality, the GT1 Pro is a superbly well-made cockpit. I didn’t notice a single flaw in the structure, or indeed in any of the parts that make up the equipment. And the same goes for the finish, which is also very premium.

From the paintwork to the logos, from the assembly of the various parts to the chassis in general, the GT1 Pro is a top-of-the-range piece of equipment, with no manufacturing defects and a very fine finish.

Chassis adjustment

The GT1 Pro is a cockpit designed primarily for GT racing. However, this doesn’t prevent you from doing rally, endurance, drift, touring or even Formula racing. All GT1 Pro brackets are highly adjustable, with various parts that can be added, greatly enhancing the modularity of Simlab’s signature equipment.

The base deck can be adjusted in 3 ways: height, tilt and depth. The same applies to the bottom bracket, and even the bucket if you take the options offered by Simlab, or have one with slides.

The lateral shifter/handbrake support is also adjustable, but only in height. I have just one point to make about this bracket, and that’s rigidity. I noticed a slight flexing when using a handbrake, especially a Load Cell one. It’s not bad, but it’s noticeable if you’re used to using supports that are solid.

Sensations during play

Once the GT1 Pro is assembled and ready for the sim-racing setup, let’s see what it’s got. The riding position is very good and comfortable, especially with the numerous options for adjusting the seat, base deck and pedals. It only takes a few minutes to find the right riding position, whatever your discipline.

Next, the rigidity of the cockpit. Quite frankly, it’s a very solid piece of equipment, which won’t budge, even with the Direct Drive chainstays developing over 20 nm of torque. And even if you attach a monitor using the Simlab brackets, the structure remains very stable in sim-racing use. The only point I have concerning rigidity is the shifter mount. I noticed a slight flexing when shifting hard, or when using a Load Cell handbrake. Admittedly, it’s nothing major, and you’ll be able to get away with it without a problem, but it’s still a slight blemish on a picture that’s almost perfect.

Apart from that, I’d say the GT1 Pro is an exemplary chassis that will serve as a good basis for your sim-racing setup.

GT1 Pro compatibility

The GT1 Pro’s base deck can accommodate a wide range of sim-racing peripherals, including those from Fanatec, Simagic, Simucube and the big boys. You can attach front- or bottom-mounted bases without too much trouble.

For the crankset, the list is even longer, and the support is designed to handle Load Cell or hydraulic equipment up to 200 kg pressure. The brands are numerous, as are the models.

Value for money

Depending on the accessories chosen for the GT1 Pro, this chassis offers good value for money, but can also be very expensive. Bare-bone, i.e. the cockpit alone, the GT1 Pro costs close to €650. And if you have fun ticking off all the options, expect a bill that ticks the €1,700 mark.

On the one hand, it’s expensive, but it’s less than what the competition is offering, which gives the GT1 Pro good value for money, if taken in moderate configuration.

My verdict on SimLab’s GT1 Pro chassis

Simlab’s products are renowned for their quality and, above all, their attractiveness in terms of price. The GT1 Pro is no exception to this rule, and the manufacturer has come up with one of the best GT and endurance chassis on the market. Of course, you can also use it for Formula racing, rallying or drifting, as it’s highly modular and configurable.

If you’re looking for a cockpit for your sim-racing setup, without blowing your budget, and also have a versatile option, then I recommend Simlab’s GT1 Pro. Just configure it sparingly, or it could cost you an arm and a leg.