This is going to be a rather long review with quite a few photos. If you don't feel like reading my thoughts on what led me to my decision you may skip the first few paragraphs and jump right into the review portion. This is my first 'review' I've attempted to write so I hope I cover all the bases.
I'm fairly new to sim racing, didn't really know much about it when I decided to jump in. I knew I needed a rig and a wheel/pedal set. I did a little research and decided to get the Playseat for my first rig and the T500RS for my wheel/pedal set. I started out running GT5 and the more I played the more I enjoyed it. I'd always wanted to build a gaming computer so after awhile I though why not build a gaming computer for sim racing online... long story short that is how I hooked up with iRacing.
Once my gaming computer was built I joined iRacing and began practicing. After running several races (and lots of practice) I was hooked and decided it was time to upgrade my rig. This started my quest for a new sim racing rig. There were several items I was looking for in a racing rig. I wanted something that I thought looked good but at the same time had to be functional, not too expensive, sturdy, adjustable (this is a huge factor for me), customizable (another big factor) and a rig that would add to the immersion factor. My future rig would also have to have the capability of converting to full motion if I should decided to go that route at some later date. I wanted a rig I could make mine, set up the way I wanted it to be set up, adjusted the way I wanted everything adjusted with no limitations (or at the very least minor limitations).
So the search began... everyone has their idea of what they want in a rig. Just because one person likes a certain rig more than any other does not make the other rigs not as good, they are simple not right for that individual. Please keep that in mind during this review, the rig I chose is the right rig for me. It may or may not be the right rig for you. I hope the information I provide will help you decide if it is right for you or not. We each have our likes and dislikes and that is one of the reasons for reviews like this one. Without the reviews I watched and read I would probably have made a bad decision so I must thank all of those who wrote or contributed to a sim rig review, they were of enormous help.
To begin my search I watched every sim rig review video on InsideSimRacing (a great place to start), then I search the forums and sim sites for user comments and recommendations. Finally after a great deal of research I had narrowed my search down to a few sim rigs... the rigs on my short list were the VR3 (although at the time I think it was the VR2), the Human Racing rig, the Vesaro, the Obutto and the rSeat. All appealed to me but none really 'grabbed' me (except for the Vesaro). Each had it benefits and distractors but none, I felt, meet all my needs.
At this point I started to narrow down my short list while at the same time still looking for 'just the right rig'. Right off the bat, even though the Vesaro rig is beautiful it was just too expensive so I crossed that off my list. Same with the Human Racing rig, at the time they were just beginning to ship to the US and for me, with the shipping cost, it also was just too expensive plus it was very limited in two of my main requirement categories. The rSeat fell into the same trap; too limited for my needs. That just left the VR2 and the Obutto. I liked the looks of the VR2 the best, didn't really like the looks of the Obutto but the Obutto was easily more adaptable for what I had in mind. I was starting to get a little frustrated and thinking I was just going to have to settle for something that falls short of what I really wanted.
However, while I was searching for a new rig I was also looking for a good triple monitor mount for my three forty inch Samsung's. My search for a triple screen monitor mount led me to the Fast Track Sim website where I ultimately wound up buying my triple monitor mount. While checking out the monitor mounts on the Fast Track Sim website I ran across the TC-R1. It wasn't love at first site but it sure was pretty close. Over the course of ordering the mount and communicating with Mark (Mark Lutes the owner of FTS) I asked about the TC-R1. Mark gave me some good information and answered ALL of my questions. While waiting for my monitor mount to be built and shipped I gave the TC-R1 lots of thought. The TC-R1, unlike all the other rigs I had looked at, met all of the requirements I was looking for in a rig. At this point I had decided I would get the TC-R1 but wanted to wait until I received my monitor mount to check out the quality of work before placing my order.
Once I received my triple mount and put it together I was very impressed with the quality of craftsmanship and that pretty much sealed the deal. Add to that the design of the TC-R1, Mark's willingness to answer my questions (and there were a lot) in a very timely and friendly manner and I was sold on the TC-R1. As far as I'm concerned that turned out to be a very wise decision for me since I've been able to mod the TC-R1 just the way I wanted and the added immersion factor is fantastic!
I'm going to try to cover all the bases here (and include as much information as possible) so if I've left something out that you have a question about let me know.
This chassis will not be for everyone, I'd say it's probably going to appeal to serious sim racers as well as real world racers. I'll list my Pros and Cons at the end, but first the basics...
Cost
Most importantly for most, cost – $1349.95 Chassis, no seat, no monitor mount
TC-R1 Frame
Standard powder coated (your choice of colors) chassis $1349.95, this does not include a seat or monitor mount. Although if you purchase a triple monitor with the chassis is you can get the mount for $250.00 and it mounts directly onto the TC-R1 with forward rear adjustability as well as articulating arms for angle adjustment. For larger monitor sizes you will need a floor standing mount which Mark also makes (like the one I have for my rig). You may use your seat or purchase one from FTS, seats start at $300.00. Chassis colors available at no extra charge – Wet Black, Semi-Gloss Black, Flat Black, Gloss White and Red. Other colors are available for an additional charge.
I already had the triple monitor mount and I would be adding my own seat (a GS-4) so all I ordered was the standard chassis (although I did end up special ordering many custom accessories).
The FTS Pro Sim Racing Chassis is 64” long x 23” wide is constructed of a mix of 1” , 1 1/4” round and 1 1/4” square mild steel tubing. It comes with a 1/8” steel aluminum floorpan with 80/20 pedal mounting crossbar. Standard equipment includes a adjustable steering tray, adjustable mouse pad, and an adjustable keyboard mounting surface (the steering tray, mousepad, and keyboard mounting surface are made of HDPE plastic). All of the above weights in around 100 lbs.
Shipping from GA for me was only two days so it arrived quickly once built and shipped.
The FTS TC-R1 arrived packaged very well without a scratch. Assembly was a piece of cake. The frame arrived in two pieces with 2 seat mount crossbars. Simple bolt the front assembly to the rear assembly with two screws. Attach the rear upper rails to the front section with 2 bolts and clamps on each side, insert your seat support bars, attach the steering tray and attach the legs. The mouse pad and keyboard mount can be added now or at a later time.
That's it, total time to assemble frame 15 to 30 minutes.
In this picture you can see the frame assembly sans accessories trays, etc. (I was also in the process of finishing my 'Game Room').
From the left...
From the right...
As you can see from the photos I ordered mine in gloss white.
Pedal/Steering Wheel
The TC-R1 will accommodate most, if not all, pedals and wheels. Mark works with each individual customer to assure proper fitment and location and can handle special requests (typically at no extra charge). Since I ordered mine Mark has advised me that the TC-R1 now ships with a different pedal mounting system than when I ordered. It now comes with two 80/20 crossbars in the floorpan that attach to an outer set of slots in the floorpan, the pedals attach to the 80/20 which should accommodate all pedals with little or no customization.
My pedals were adjustable only forward/backward.
My T500Rs pedals mounted...
The steering tray is adjustable forward/backward, up/down as well as at varying angles (tilt).
T500RS mounted (as well as a test fitting of a few other items)...
The mousepad is adjustable up/down (will tilt forward/backward) and you may select one of three different settings to orientate the mousepad to your preferences.
The keyboard tray attaches to the frame with an articulating arm which allows for a wide variety of mounting positions. I'm using my keyboard tray for my laptop since I already possessed a keyboard tray that I used on my previous rig.
Seat mounts – Your seat will bolt to two crossbars, you can then move the seat/crossbars forward/backward to the desired position (seat sliders are available at an extra charge).
Here's my GS-4 mounted (but not hooked up). I used the board the GS-4 was shipped on as a floor pan for my seat (just painted it white to match TC-R1), worked out perfectly (you can mount your seat without a floor pan).
Optional accessories – Just about anything you can think of. I've made special requests for certain items by explaining to Mark exactly what I wanted and so far I have not been disappointed with any of the special order items I've requested.
Among the accessories available – Buttkicker mounts, shift mount, dead pedals, button box mount, colored front end panels, carbon fiber panels for certain areas on the chassis, casters, seat sliders, cup holder and as mentioned before seats. Speaking of seats*, Mark recommends a real racing seat and offers Bimarco road style composite seats and a full range of oval and road race UltraShield seats (prices start around $200.00).
*Mark advised me that the UltraShield seats do require some drilling to mount and he normally drills the seats at no additional charge. Side mounting side plates are also available but at an extra charge.
Button Box mounted on Button Box mount...
Some of my special request items were an accessory tray, grab bars and seat belt attachment clips which are all also available. Just about anything you need I believe Mark could make it for you.
Accessory tray holding two PS3 controllers which I need when I run GT5 in triple screen. Without the accessory tray I had to sit these on the floor.
Seat Belt Mounts
Finally... my Pros/Cons
Pros
Strong, solid and very steady professional rig
Completely adjustable wheel deck (up/down, back/forward, tilt)
Pre-drilled wheel/pedal mounting decks (for your specific wheel/pedals and seat if necessary)
Immersion Factor – I don't just sit down, I have to slide into this rig. For me this adds a great deal of immersion to the whole experience. You feel as though you are sitting inside of a race car not just sitting on a race rig.
Buttkicker Mini LFE mounts made specifically for the TC-R1
Adaptability of the TC-R1 frame for adding accessories, etc.
Personal attention/custom work
**Cost
Cons
Pedal tray does not allow for angle adjustment (I placed a piece of aluminum angel stock between my pedals and the floor pan to get the angle I wanted. See update at end of review for more info)
There is no adjustment for changing the angle of the pedals. I was able to accomplish this but it would have been an added benny if the pedal tray had as much adjustability as all the other accessories.
**One last though on Pros/Cons - Cost could be a con to some but when I compared the cost of the TC-R1 with the cost of the other rigs I was looking at I did not consider cost a Con, for me it was more of a Pro since I feel this is a great value for the price, lots more bang for the buck.
Final thoughts....
I'd rate the TC-R1 9 out of 10 easily. If the pedals had an angle adjustment I'd give it a 10.
The TC-R1 was indeed the right choice for me. I must admit I enjoy the process of building and customizing a rig to my personal taste almost as much as I enjoy racing. The TC-R1 lets me do this with ease and makes it easy to add mods to my chassis.
Previously when I raced I 'sat on' my rig (a Playseat) and that is what it felt like. I was sitting in a (sort of) racing seat and sitting on a rig. Now instead, with my TC-R1 I 'climb into' my rig, 'slide down' into position and prepare to race. Before I even start the sim I'm already more immersed in the experience than I was while actually racing before. Once I hit the button to race and the servo's on the GS4 kick in, the 5.1 sound begins with the deep rumble of the engine while simultaneously my SimVibe Buttkickers start vibrating my rig to the idle of the engine and I push in the clutch, slide the gear shift into first and feel the 'clunk' as it goes into gear then the magic begins.
With the buttkickers going and adjusted properly there is no extra 'rattling' or annoying sounds. I have one buttkicker Mini LFE SE mounted on all four corners plus one on the pedal. In addition I have a Clark transducer under the seat and a Buttkicker Gamer 2 attached to the gear shift (which by the way fits perfectly on the gear shift mounting bar).
I love HUD (as you can tell by the pictures) and the TC-R1 made it easy for me to add a 7” kindle, 10” Motorola Xoom, iPhone 3G and a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 all used to show different information during a race. An additional screen is available via my laptop if needed which is attached to my rig utilizing the articulating keyboard arm.
Keyboard arm with laptop...
The addition of the dead pedal is a big plus as well as the accessory tray which gives me a place to put my glasses, remote control for my monitors and other items. I installed a small lip on the tray to keep anything from vibrating off while racing if the buttkickers get a bit too active.
Mounting the buttkickers was a breeze due to the buttkicker mounts specifically made for the TC-R1. There are plenty of attachment points/areas for adding cable management ties or accessory mounts.
Ok, how about some pics.....
Speaking of Buttkicker mounts, here are a few pics of my BK Mini LFE SE, first left rear...
Left front (photo is tilted)...
Right front BK...
Painted body of Bks to match TC-R1 frame....
BK glowing..
BK Simvibe Extension on Brake Pedal
BK Gamer 2 on Shift Mount
Clark Tactile Under the Seat...
Keyboard/Track Pad...
Retractable Casters
Caster retracted...
Need a little more work on cable management...
PS3s and SimVibe Amp plus UPS
Sunfire True Subwoofer...
UPS for Monitors and charging HUDs...
Making Progress, Fourth Monitor added...
Rear Speakers Mounted...
Cockpit...
Grab Bars - These make it easier for me to get in and out of my rig. I'm not as agile as I use to be when I was younger so I was using the sides of my GS-4 for this purpose when I though the grab bars would be a better idea. And they were, plus I also think they look good on the rig.
Logo...
Completed TC-R1 (for the time being) Plus rSeat Formula on Custom FTS Platform...
If interested I'll do another post on my game room and a review of the rSeat Formula seat PLUS the Custom FTS Formula Platform.
I have some legs on order so that I can put casters on my Formula platform plus another monitor mount for the 50" Toshiba I'm using with the Formula rig.
Hope I haven't bored you. If there are any questions just let me know. There's much more I wanted to cover but I tried to keep this post to just a review of the TC-R1.
I believe all of my information on the TC-R1 is correct but if anything is incorrect (price, etc) someone (or Mark if you read this) let me know and I'll correct it.
Update - Concerning pedal angle adjustment, I used a piece of aluminum angle stock placed under my pedal to adjust the angle and it worked just fine for me. I also mentioned this to Mark and at the time he informed me he was working on a solution that would keep cost down. Below is the latest info I have from Mark concerning pedal angle adjustment:
"Due to the vast number of pedal systems and designs I have chosen for now at least to omit the angle adjustment in favor of developing specific wedge Spacers to go between the pedal pad and ARM when possible.
One issue we found with angle adjustment on the entire unit is with pedals with a heel plate....it also raises the heel up and starts to mess with driver ergonomics.
So we will work with each individual customer to develop these Spacers to adjust the pedal pad angle."
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