August is usually a quiet month for sim racing hardware. The iRacing season is winding down, many people are away, and manufacturers tend to hold major announcements for Gamescom, SimRacing Expo and the Black Friday period. This year, the second half of the month is more interesting. Gamescom starts in nine days, iRacing’s subscription increase takes effect tomorrow, and several hardware launches have become clearer since this guide was first published. This guide therefore covers two things: what is worth buying at current prices, and what may be worth leaving in the basket until the next hardware announcements arrive. The calendar: four dates worth noting | Date | What happens | What to do | |---|---|---| | 18 August | iRacing raises its subscription prices | Renew today if you already plan to continue | | Until 20 August | CONSPIT summer promotion | Final days of the campaign | | 26-30 August | Gamescom 2026 | Asetek peripherals and new MOZA hardware will be shown | | 16-18 October | SimRacing Expo Frankfurt | Another major hardware launch window | Fanatec: the best discounts are now in bundles and accessories Fanatec still has significant discounts across its store, but the strongest deals have shifted towards Ready2Race bundles, steering wheels and accessories. The ClubSport DD and DD+ are back at their regular €599.95 and €799.95 prices in Europe, while the CSL DD ecosystem remains more aggressive when purchased as a complete bundle. Wheel bases | Wheel base | Current price | Status | |---|---|---| | CSL DD QR2 (8 Nm) | €429.95 | One of Fanatec’s cheaper DD entry points | | ClubSport DD (15 Nm) | €599.95 | No current standalone discount | | ClubSport DD+ (18 Nm) | €799.95 | No current standalone discount | | Gran Turismo