No-frills tech news

Asetek Is Taking Aim at <b>Sim Racing's</b> Closed Ecosystems

One of the biggest frustrations for sim racing enthusiasts isn’t just the cost of upgrading their setup. It’s finding out that a new wheel, pedal set, or wheelbase often means replacing nearly everything else, too. For Asetek, that was a problem worth solving. Sim Racers Want Flexibility Speaking with Insider Gaming at the SimRacing Expo in Charlotte, NC last month, Asetek CEO André Eriksen said the company intentionally designed its sim racing ecosystem around compatibility, allowing users to mix and match hardware instead of forcing them into a single brand’s lineup. “We believe in competition,” Eriksen said. “We have confidence enough that we actually do it both ways. If you have another wheel base, you can use our wheel. But also, if you have our wheel base, you can get an adapter and buy someone else’s wheel.” It’s a philosophy that stands in contrast to much of the sim racing market, where buyers are often encouraged—or required—to stay within one manufacturer’s ecosystem when upgrading components. Eriksen said avoiding that lock-in was a deliberate decision from the beginning. “We wanted to have one piece of software where you should be able to control all of our products,” he explained. “You should be able to upgrade firmware, configure everything and do it all in one app.” The same approach extends to the company’s hardware. Rather than requiring customers to replace an entire setup when moving up to more premium equipment, Asetek designed many of its products to serve as upgrade paths. Gear That Grows With You One example is the company’s pedal lineup. Entry-level pedals can later be upgraded with additional components, while buyers can move through Asetek’s different product tiers without having to start over from scratch. The company applies the same thinking to its wheelbases and steering wheels, allowing customers

Wreckfest 2 adds two US cars and new player progression system | Traxion.GG

Wreckfest 2’s latest Steam Early Access update has arrived, and it’s another substantial one. Headlining Update 8 is the first version of a progression system. Not to be confused with the first part of the yet-to-be-added career mode, this tracks your actions, whether you want to focus on racing or crashing. As you level up, you’ll earn badges representing your playstyle. Bugbear says this marks “the beginning of a living system” that will “continue to evolve throughout Early Access and beyond.” In response to community requests, the update also adds five new Suicide Race routes and a chaotic Random Waypoint Mode. As the name suggests, this mode randomises where the next waypoint appears on the track, but is currently limited to multiplayer r19aces. A minimap has also been added to the HUD to help with navigating the tracks. Elsewhere, custom paint jobs can now be shared with other players. Currently, designs can only be shared by exchanging files from the savegame folder, but Bugbear notes that this will be “made more convenient in the future.” Showcased in a typically tongue-in-cheek trailer, two new rear-wheel drive American cars also join the vehicle roster. These include the Bullet, which resembles a 1970s Dodge Charger, and the Jackal, which is inspired by the third-generation Ford Mustang ‘Fox Body.’ Rounding out the update is a host of bug fixes and optimisations detailed in the patch notes below. More tracks and cars are expected in the next update due to arrive this autumn. Wreckfest 2 Update 8 patch notes NEW CONTENT – New American 60s RWD: Bullet. – New American 80s RWD: Jackal. – New Scrapyard Waypoint Race route. – New Savolax Sandpit Waypoint Race route. – New Random Waypoint Mode & Free Order Waypoint Mode Note that AI can’t navigate the Random waypoint order

Asetek <b>Racing</b> Announces Initium DD10 Wheelbase for Xbox

Today, Asetek Racing has announced it is bringing a new sim racing wheelbase to the market that will add to its extensive ecosystem of setups. The next wheelbase in the Asetek Racing line is the Initium DD10, as it delivers direct drive performance and genuine cross-platform freedom and compatibility for racers. While Asetek Racing has officially announced this new wheelbase, the full details will come at a later date. This will launch in Q4 2026, and it will be compatible with both Xbox and PC, so no PlayStation or Switch support. This is still a win to have more wheelbases in the console ecosystem, and Xbox could use some more options. The Core Aspects of the Initium DD10 In our review of the previous Initium wheelbase, it was noted that it was fairly heavy, but the feedback was fantastic. The DD stands for direct drive, and the 10 monicker is the amount of torque. This measures in at 10 Nm, but the latest Initium DD10 wheelbase is upgradeable up to 14 Nm. This is for those seeking extreme feedback while racing, and certainly some toned arms. The Initium DD10 is being built to go back and forth between Xbox and PC, which means the Xbox supported product portfolio for Asetek is being expanded. This will launch in Q4 2026, and it will be compatible with both Xbox and PC, so no PlayStation or Switch support. There is an "openness" to this wheelbase, as well. This is accomplished via onboard USB pass-through capabilities. This will allow for the Initium DD10 wheelbase to support both a full range of Asetek Racing wheels, but also third-party wheels. This is a rare level of compatibility. This can also potentially save some players' money as they will not need to invest in a new wheel

Gran Turismo 7 Daily Races: Bombs Away at Bathurst

A new week brings a new set of Gran Turismo 7 Daily Races, with three fresh events now live and running through next Monday. Each of the three runs a little longer than usual this week, which should make for a more satisfying set all round. The one to keep an eye on is Race B. It drops Gr.4 cars onto Mount Panorama for five laps on Racing Hards, rolling start, with brake balance the only setting left open and BOP set to High Speed. Mount Panorama’s multiple long straights are an open invitation for aggressive overtaking, so expect plenty of dive-bombing in the lower-ranked lobbies. It could get a little wild. Race A keeps things firmly Japanese. It’s the Toyota GR Yaris RZ “High performance” ’20 around the Autopolis Short Course for eight laps on Sports Hards, a rolling start with settings locked. Race C is the long one of the bunch. It’s 16 laps of Deep Forest Raceway in Gr.3 cars, with a 2x fuel multiplier and 5x tire wear. Both Racing Medium and Racing Soft are required, so even without a mandatory pit stop listed, you’re stopping at some point to get both compounds down. Gr.3 machinery let loose through the trees at Deep Forest is a good combo, and at this length there’s room for it to breathe. GT7 Daily Races (June 29): Race A - Track: Autopolis Short Course (8 laps) - Car: Toyota GR Yaris RZ “High performance” ’20 — Event-Specified - Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M) - Tires: Sports Hard - Settings: Specified - Start Type: Rolling Start - Mandatory Pit Stop: – - Fuel Multiplier: 1x - Tire Multiplier: 1x GT7 Daily Races (June 29): Race B - Track: Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit (5 laps) - Car: Gr.4 — Garage/Specified Car -

DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award – 2026 Austrian Grand Prix

Authentics Store Tickets Hospitality Experiences Arcade Previous Next Upcoming Radio Rewind: 2026 Austrian Grand Prix DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award – 2026 Austrian Grand Prix Racing Bulls win the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award in Austria, switching Arvid Lindblad onto hard tyres in 2.03 seconds on Lap 18 of the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. Jun 29, 2026 11:17am UTC 2026 Austrian Grand Prix: Russell takes second victory of the season Race Highlights: 2026 Austrian Grand Prix 2026 Austrian Grand Prix: Russell leads away from both Ferraris at the race start Qualifying Highlights: 2026 Austrian Grand Prix

This Week in iRacing | June 30th to July 6th, 2026

This Week in iRacing | June 30th to July 6th, 2026 June 29th, 2026 by Justin Melillo Welcome back to This Week in iRacing, your guide to the daily, even hourly racing that members can get into, based on where their license level is at. There are also some special series that run at specific times that anyone can jump into, with the right credentials, that offer a more meaningful sim racing experience. Here are a few of the highlighted series taking place this week — 2026 Season 3, Week 3 — from June 30th to July 6th in 2026. iRACING SPECIAL EVENTS iRacing’s Special Event calendar features a selection of the world’s most compelling races across numerous disciplines. Whether you’re interested in stock cars or sports cars, open-wheel formula cars or sprint cars, sticking to pavement or playing in the dirt, running solo or racing with a team of your closest friends, our Special Events have something for everyone! iRACING FIRECRACKER 400 The next special event on the 2026 iRacing Special Event calendar is the iRacing Firecracker 400, which pays tribute to NASCAR’s rich Fourth of July racing tradition with a full-length, high-stakes battle at Daytona International Speedway. Running the 1987 NASCAR Cup cars at the historic version of the venue, this event brings old-school horsepower and razor-thin pack racing to life in one of iRacing’s most intense formats, available in both fixed setup and open setup variety. For more information on iRacing Firecracker 400 -> CLICK HERE For more information on the 2026 iRacing Special Events calendar -> CLICK HERE WEEKLY RACING SERIES These are the series that are not confined to the iRacing seasons, that run independently throughout the course of the year and feature some of the most recognizable motorsports racing around. From NASCAR to the

How 27 seconds of Qualifying decided the Austrian Grand Prix

How 27 seconds of Qualifying decided the Austrian Grand Prix The Austrian Grand Prix was a tense and ultimately relieving 86-minute affair for George Russell, but the key pillar of his victory was a 27-second window around 24 hours earlier. It started with Max Verstappen’s high-speed crash at Turn 9, which immediately brought out yellow flags at that part of the circuit. Next Up Related Articles - All the key moments from the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix - Stromsted secures victory in thrilling F3 Spielberg Feature Race - Perez and Bottas reflect on Cadillac issues - AS IT HAPPENED: Russell takes victory for Mercedes in Austria - Unlocked5 Winners and 5 Losers from Austria - OFFICIAL GRID: Who starts where for the Austrian GP

Logitech: Summer 26 Offers &quot;Save up to 100&quot;

A few days ago, Logitech published its summer offer. There are some interesting discounts, considering all the precious simracing bundles you can buy. Celebrate with us and enjoy great discounts! Summer is the perfect time to refresh your setup and make everyday moments feel a little easier. Whether you’re working, gaming, creating, or staying connected, the right gear helps you do more with greater comfort and confidence. For a limited time, shop Logitech’s Buy More, Save More event and unlock savings of up to $100 on the gear you rely on every day. Because the best setups aren’t just built to look good—they’re built to keep up with everything you do. US Offer Only: - Deal: Buy More Save More:- $100 Off for purchases over $400 - $70 Off for purchases over $250 - $30 Off for purchases over $120 - Live Dates: Jun 29 – Jul 12 - URL: https://www.logitech.com/en-us CA Offer Only: - Deal: Buy More Save More:- $90 Off for purchases over $400 - $60 Off for purchases over $300 - $30 Off for purchases over $200 - Live Dates: Jun 29 – Jul 12 - URL: https://www.logitech.com/en-ca Limitations - Discount is given before shipping, handling, and taxes are added - Offer valid while supplies last - Offers can’t be combined with other codes. Logitech Simracing Hardware: - Logitech RS50 System - Logitech RS50 Wheelbase (PS Compatibility) - Logitech RS50 Wheelbase - Logitech RS Pedals - Logitech RS Fórmula Wheel McLaren Racing Edition - Logitech G RS Shifter & Handbrake - Logitech G RS Wheel Hub - Logitech G RS Track Wheel - Logitech G RS QR Adapter - Logitech G RS Round Wheel - Logitech G Racing Adapter - Logitech G Driving Force Shifter - Logitech G PRO Racing Pedals - Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel

Mekies hails Verstappen for 'undoubtedly the strongest <b>race</b>' of the season in Austria

Mekies hails Verstappen for ‘undoubtedly the strongest race’ of the season in Austria A significant upgrade package helped Red Bull fly at their home event in Austria, where Max Verstappen achieved a season-best result of P2. Laurent Mekies shared his excitement at Red Bull’s performance at the Austrian Grand Prix as they took a significant step closer to Mercedes, with the Team Principal praising Max Verstappen for his drive to P2. The Milton Keynes-based outfit brought some of their biggest upgrades of the season so far to their home race, including changes to the floor and rear suspension to target improved performance and reliability. Following some teething issues in Free Practice and a heavy Q3 crash, Verstappen started from P5 on the grid before quickly progressing up the order by dispatching Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes and Charles Leclerc's Ferrari in a single move on Lap 2. He then came out on top in a thrilling battle with Lewis Hamilton and went on to steadily reduce George Russell’s advantage at the front, ultimately taking the chequered flag less than two seconds behind the Briton. Reflecting on the result, Mekies said: “It's a very, very strong race, probably undoubtedly the strongest race we have done this season and, as we discussed after Qualifying, it was visible the progress was there but difficult to put a number on it. “To see us getting so close to the ultimate pace needed to win here on a difficult track in very hot weather is a good witness of how much work went on in Milton Keynes and how strong Max today was really in all phases of the race.” Red Bull took time to find their feet in the new set of regulations and went without a podium until Verstappen claimed P3 at the Canadian Grand

FORMULA 1 LENOVO AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2026

FORMULA 1 LENOVO AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 - PIT STOP SUMMARY 26 - 28 Jun 2026 Red Bull Ring, Spielberg | Stops | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time of Day | Time | Total | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | 44 | Lewis HamiltonHAM | Ferrari | 12 | 15:17:52 | 21.369 | 21.369 | | 1 | 16 | Charles LeclercLEC | Ferrari | 13 | 15:19:10 | 21.731 | 21.731 | | 1 | 10 | Pierre GaslyGAS | Alpine | 13 | 15:19:33 | 21.600 | 21.600 | | 1 | 55 | Carlos SainzSAI | Williams | 14 | 15:20:51 | 21.371 | 21.371 | | 1 | 5 | Gabriel BortoletoBOR | Audi | 17 | 15:24:22 | 22.605 | 22.605 | | 1 | 3 | Max VerstappenVER | Red Bull Racing | 18 | 15:25:08 | 21.317 | 21.317 | | 1 | 6 | Isack HadjarHAD | Red Bull Racing | 18 | 15:25:21 | 21.770 | 21.770 | | 1 | 41 | Arvid LindbladLIN | Racing Bulls | 18 | 15:25:32 | 21.408 | 21.408 | | 1 | 31 | Esteban OconOCO | Haas F1 Team | 18 | 15:25:50 | 21.878 | 21.878 | | 1 | 23 | Alexander AlbonALB | Williams | 18 | 15:25:53 | 21.249 | 21.249 | | 1 | 63 | George RussellRUS | Mercedes | 19 | 15:26:16 | 21.204 | 21.204 | | 1 | 81 | Oscar PiastriPIA | McLaren | 19 | 15:26:31 | 22.077 | 22.077 | | 1 | 30 | Liam LawsonLAW | Racing Bulls | 19 | 15:26:44 | 22.022 | 22.022 | | 1 | 43 | Franco ColapintoCOL | Alpine | 20 | 15:28:24 | 21.561 | 21.561 |

Fanatec's new Podium Pedals Formula are already available

One of Fanatec’s best-selling products over the years has been the ClubSport Pedals. The CSP saga has gone from the primitive v1 to the evolved v3, which has accompanied us for several years. It is time to renovate the well-known pedals with a more modern approach, like the Podium Pedals. As you may have seen on our social channels last week, we explained a change in schedule for the Podium Pedals launch. The original plan was to launch the three-pedal set first. During final validation, a quality issue was identified with the clutch pedal, so we have decided to postpone the three-pedal set until Q3. However, we’re happy to confirm that we are readying the first batch of the two-pedal ‘Formula’ configuration, which will be available to ship worldwide on June 25th. Podium Pedals Formula launch bundle The Podium Pedals Formula set is priced at 699.95 EUR and features carbon fiber pedal faces and carbon fiber heel cups. For a limited time, each set will also include a pair of aluminum GT-style pedal plates at no additional cost, allowing users to choose between Formula and GT-style pedal feel. Clutch pedal and three-pedal set availability Both the three-pedal configuration and the individual clutch pedal are expected to be available in Q3. If you’re considering purchasing the Podium Pedals Formula and adding a clutch pedal later, it’s important to note that the upgrade will cost 234.90 EUR (Clutch Module + Small GT Face Plate). Therefore, if a clutch pedal is essential for your racing, it may be worth waiting for the complete three-pedal configuration, which is also priced at 699.95 EUR. Drivers who want the flexibility to run both GT and Formula configurations can save approximately €74.95 with the launch offer. Once the launch promotion ends, the cost of converting between Formula

Oracle Red Bull <b>Racing</b> is back! Max Verstappen finishes 2nd at Austrian GP

Red Bull Motorsports © Clive Rose/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool F1 Oracle Red Bull Racing is back! Max Verstappen finishes 2nd at Austrian GP The hottest race of the season delivered spectacular duels as Max Verstappen pushed his tyres to the limit to score his second podium of the season. In sweltering conditions in Spielberg, Max Verstappen kept his cool as he delivered a stunning drive to secure second place at the Austrian Grand Prix. The four-time world champion started from fifth on the grid before executing a series of expert overtakes as he pushed to catch race leader George Russell of Mercedes. The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver then went from hunter to hunted over the final laps at the Red Bull Ring, showcasing his defensive skills as he held off a late charge from Russell’s team-mate and world championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen’s team-mate Isack Hadjar also produced another strong showing as he finished in sixth place to mark a much-improved weekend for Red Bull Racing after the team introduced a major upgrade package for its home race. 01 Drivers battle intense heat at the Red Bull Ring With much of Europe experiencing a heat wave, the racing conditions in Spielberg presented an extra challenge for all of the teams and their drivers. On Sunday, the air temperature at the Red Bull Ring reached 34.5°C, while the track was 46.8°C when racing got underway. This led to the race being held under FIA Heat Hazard protocols, with teams having to install a special Driver Cooling System. 02 The draw of the Austrian Grand Prix Despite the soaring temperatures, the fans flocked to the Red Bull Ring, with plenty there to show their support from Oracle Red Bull Racing. The grand prix has long been a highlight on the

<b>Sim racing</b> gains ground as industry expands

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Round 2 of the Manawatu Car Club E-Series was hosted by the second biggest <b>race</b> track in ...

Round 2 of the Manawatu Car Club E-Series was hosted by the second biggest race track in the UK Snetterton. We welcomed our new series sponsor Courtesy Ford Manawatu on board, thank you for your support. With the biggest field of entry’s to date at 32 we knew it was going to be a round full of action. Qualifying was taken out by Daniel Hetterscheid who put in an impressive time of 1:49.324 to sit him on pole position for race 1. Next to him on the front row was Dylan Walker who missed out on the top spot by 0.182. Race 1 saw a clean start by majority of the front pack leaving behind the remaining field of cars to fight there way into position with some contact and spins seen by some. With clear track in front of him for the 8 lap race Daniel Hetterscheid crossed the line picking himself up the top points. Dylan Walker was close behind to pick up second place and Dallas Alexander made up 4 grid places for third to complete the podium. The 15 lap feature race with a reverse grid based on results from race 1 placed Hetterscheid at the back of the pack promoting. MCC member Derek Clarke to begin the race on the front row next to Mason Wheeler. As expected with Snettertons track design making turn 1 big enough to think you have room then a short straight to the turn 2 hair pin it was all on for young and old. A number of damaged cars spent there first lap limping back to the pit area for repairs, which seemed to be the theme for this race as results showed 5 DQs and 5 lapped cars. But the chequered flag declared Zach Wendt-Smith the winner. Second