Custom Simulator Builds · Tampa, FL

Built by drivers,
not gamers.

Five custom sim racing builds. Every component vetted through daily use in our Tampa lounge. Drive the build before you commit. Founded by a former Army Ranger who believes the gear should match the driver.

From $6,995 2–4 Week Build Time Nationwide Shipping
Start Your Build See the Lineup
Test Drive First Every Build, At Our Lounge
Components Fanatec · Simucube · MOZA
Build Quality Real Engineering, Not Assembly
Founded By A Former Army Ranger
The Difference

Drive every tier
before you pick one.

Every component philosophy on these builds is dialed in on the rigs we run daily in our Tampa lounge. The wheelbase you'll buy is the same model you'll drive. The pedals you'll buy are the same model you'll drive. The chassis, the seat, the simulation — all proven in daily use.

Book a Fitting Session and you drive the counterpart to every build we sell — Rookie through Pole Position — back to back in one afternoon. It's the only way to feel 8Nm against 25Nm, a single ultrawide against wraparound triples, or a static cockpit against a motion platform. Then we spec your rig while it's still fresh. No other custom sim builder can offer that.

$100 per hour · 1 or 2 hours
Credited in full against your build
  • Drive all five tiers with an Academy builder
  • Second person free — most builds get decided by two people
  • Two hours covers every tier without rushing
  • By appointment · Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu
Book a Fitting Start a Build
Academy Sim Racing Tampa lounge with multiple racing simulators
From Our Drivers

Real reviews. Real rigs.

★★★★★ 5.0 · 67 Google reviews
★★★★★

Duncan helped me setup my home sim rig. I had no idea where to start, so his services really helped find out what I liked before making my purchase. He's very knowledgeable about every component in these rigs, so he can get you set up properly.

Neil Desai · via Google
★★★★★

Duncan is a good dude. Solid tech support. Always responds if there's any technical issues and resolves them within the hour. I definitely recommend this company. They're going places.

Nathan Newsome · via Google
Read all 67 reviews on Google →
The Lineup

Five builds.
Real engineering.

Every tier is a complete philosophy — from your first real direct drive to a flagship motion rig. No upsell pressure, no overspec for the spec sheet. What you see is what you'll drive.

Build Price Display Wheelbase Pedals Haptics & Motion
Rookie $6,995 34" curved WQHD 165Hz 8Nm direct drive Load cell — View →
Base From $10,000 49" curved 144Hz 15Nm direct drive Load cell Buttkicker View →
Club OLED $16,995 49" QD-OLED 240Hz 25Nm · DD2 or Simucube 3 Simucube Active Buttkicker View →
Club Triple $17,995 3× 32" curved 165Hz 25Nm · DD2 or Simucube 3 Simucube Active Buttkicker View →
Pole Position $42,995 Triple OLED 25Nm · DD2 or Simucube 3 Simucube Active Buttkicker + D-BOX motion View →
Tier 05 · The Real Entry Academy Rookie entry sim racing build with single curved display
05 The Doorway In

Academy Rookie

$6,995

The affordable way into a real Academy build. Genuine direct drive and a real load cell brake — no gear-drive toys, no compromises on the parts that matter. The entry that still drives like the real thing.

Full build sheet +
Chassis Academy entry chassis, anodized blackSolid aluminum tube frame — the same platform we run for rentals and events.
Seat Race-style bucket seatSupportive and comfortable for long sessions.
Wheelbase 8Nm direct driveGenuine direct drive — not a gear or belt toy. Real force feedback at the entry point.
Wheel Round rim, quick releaseVersatile for road, GT, and endurance. Swap options available.
Pedals Load cell pedalsReal load cell brake — the single biggest jump in driving fidelity. Standard, not an upsell.
Display 34" curved WQHD 165HzWide, fast, single-driver sightline. Immersive without overspend.
PC Gaming PC, VR-capableRight-sized to run all the major sims cleanly at this display. No overspec.
Start a Rookie Build Book a Fitting
Tier 04 · The Configurable Build Academy Base simulator build with single 49-inch curved display
04 The Build You Make Your Own

Academy Base

From $10,000

Not a fixed box — a complete direct-drive foundation you build up to fit the driver. Most Base builds add active pedals, a shifter, or a handbrake at consultation. Start here, spec it your way.

Full build sheet +
Chassis Academy PRO chassis, anodized black extruded aluminumPro-grade aluminum profile. The same chassis platform we run in the lounge.
Seat MOMO Supercup XLFIA-spec inspired bucket. Daily-comfortable, race-day stiff.
Wheelbase Fanatec ClubSport DD 15NmGenuine direct drive force feedback. Not an entry toy.
Wheel Fanatec ClubSport Wheel RS (round rim)Versatile rim for road and endurance racing.
Pedals Load cell pedalsReal load cell brake — the biggest single jump in driving fidelity.
Display 49" curved ultrawide, 144HzWide field of view, single-driver sightline.
PC Custom-built gaming PC — Nvidia RTX, VR-readyRight-sized for single-display sim racing. No overspec.
Tactile Buttkicker Gamer Plus with amp + mountingRoad texture and impact feedback through the chassis.
Configure a Base Build Book a Fitting
Tier 03 · OLED Single Academy Club OLED simulator build with QD-OLED ultrawide display
03 Top-Tier Force Feedback

Academy Club OLED

$16,995

The full Fanatec Podium DD2 25Nm wheelbase. Simucube Active Pedals. A 49-inch QD-OLED ultrawide for perfect blacks and instant response. Club OLED is for the driver who's serious about chasing lap times.

Full build sheet +
Chassis Academy PRO chassis, reinforced uprightsHeavier-duty chassis to handle the DD2's torque output.
Seat MOMO Supercup XLDaily-driveable race-spec bucket. Comfortable for long sessions.
Wheelbase & Wheel ◉ Fanatec Podium DD2 — 25Nm · IncludedThe industry reference. 25Nm of genuine direct drive on the wheelbase that's defined high-end sim racing for years, paired with a carbon Podium Formula wheel and full telemetry LEDs. Not the budget pick — a benchmark, and what most of our rigs ship with. ○ Simucube 3 Pro Package — 25Nm · +$1,000The newest premium platform: SC3 Pro base with re-engineered control loop, 23-bit absolute encoder, LightBridge quick release, and a 3-year warranty — paired with a Simucube Tahko round wheel. The platform you've likely seen at major events, on your rig. Want a different Simucube wheel — GT, Formula, or something specific? We spec those by consultation. Tell us what you race and we'll quote the right wheel for it. Either way, drive direct drive at our Tampa lounge before you decide.
Wheel Fanatec Podium Formula V2Carbon-fiber formula rim with full LED telemetry display.
Pedals Simucube ActivePedal Pro + Co-Pedal + Link HubThe pedal set that real iRacing pros run. Customizable feel via Simucube software.
Display 49" QD-OLED ultrawide · 5120×1440 · 240HzQD-OLED panel — perfect blacks, instant response, HDR pop.
PC Custom-built performance PC — high-tier Nvidia RTX, 32GBBuilt to drive the QD-OLED at full settings in iRacing and ACC.
Tactile Buttkicker Gamer PlusRoad texture feedback layered with the OLED visual immersion.
Start a Club OLED Build Book a Fitting
Tier 02 · Triple Display Immersion Academy Club Triple simulator build with three curved monitors
02 Wraparound Cockpit Immersion

Academy Club Triple

$17,995

Same Podium DD2 and Simucube Active Pedals as Club OLED — but with three 32-inch curved 1440p displays for the wraparound vision you need on road courses, oval racing, and drift. Apex peeking is no longer a problem.

Full build sheet +
Chassis Academy PRO chassis, reinforced uprightsSame chassis as Club OLED — proven under heavy use.
Seat MOMO Supercup XLSame race-spec bucket as the other Club configuration.
Wheelbase & Wheel ◉ Fanatec Podium DD2 — 25Nm · IncludedThe industry reference. 25Nm of genuine direct drive, proven and refined, paired with a carbon Podium Formula wheel and full telemetry LEDs. What most of our rigs ship with. ○ Simucube 3 Pro Package — 25Nm · +$1,000The newest premium platform: SC3 Pro base, re-engineered control loop, 23-bit absolute encoder, LightBridge quick release, 3-year warranty — paired with a Simucube Tahko round wheel. The latest engineering on the market, on your rig. Want a different Simucube wheel — GT, Formula, or something specific? We spec those by consultation. Tell us what you race and we'll quote the right wheel. Drive direct drive at our Tampa lounge before you decide.
Wheel Fanatec Podium Formula V2Full LED telemetry, carbon construction.
Pedals Simucube ActivePedal Pro + Co-Pedal + Link HubThe pedal set serious sim racers run. Same as Club OLED.
Display 3× 32" curved 1440p 165Hz on integrated cockpit triple mountWraparound vision — see your apex, your mirrors, your peripheral.
PC Custom-built performance PC — high-tier Nvidia RTX, 32GBTriple 1440p tested in our lounge — runs all major sims at high frame rates.
Tactile Buttkicker Gamer PlusSame chassis-mounted road feel as Club OLED.
Build Time Each Triple build includes 3–4 hours of alignment and bezel compensationTriples that feel like one continuous view — not three monitors next to each other.
Start a Club Triple Build Book a Fitting
Tier 01 · Flagship · Motion Equipped Academy Pole Position flagship simulator with motion system
01 Flagship Motion Build

Academy Pole Position

$42,995

Built like a real race car. Without the cage. D-BOX 4-actuator motion system, MOMO Supercup XL seat, triple OLED, and the absolute top of every component category. This is what we build when nothing is held back.

Full build sheet +
Chassis Premium aluminum chassis with motion-rated mountingEngineered for D-BOX motion forces and continuous race-day use.
Seat MOMO Supercup XLRace-spec bucket — the same seat across every Academy build.
Wheelbase & Wheel ◉ Fanatec Podium DD2 — 25Nm · IncludedThe industry reference. 25Nm of genuine direct drive, premium carbon Formula wheel, full telemetry LEDs. ○ Simucube 3 Pro Package — 25Nm · +$1,000SC3 Pro base, re-engineered control loop, 23-bit absolute encoder, LightBridge quick release, 3-year warranty — paired with a Simucube Tahko round wheel. ○ Simucube 3 Ultimate — 35Nm · by requestMaximum force. 35Nm of direct drive for drivers who want every bit of headroom. Available by request on Pole Position and bespoke builds — wheel specced to how you race. Want a different Simucube wheel — GT, Formula, or something specific? We spec those by consultation. Drive direct drive at our Tampa lounge before you commit.
Wheel Fanatec Podium Formula V2Carbon formula rim with full telemetry display.
Pedals Simucube ActivePedal Pro + Co-PedalActive force-feedback pedals at the highest tier.
Display Triple OLED with premium motion-compensated mountOLED panels engineered to handle motion forces without panel stress.
Motion D-BOX 4250i 4-actuator motion systemReal motion — heave, pitch and roll from the actuators, with synchronised haptic and track feedback through the seat.
PC Custom-built flagship PC — top-tier Nvidia RTX, 64GBDrives triple OLED and motion simultaneously at maximum settings.
Audio Buttkicker + premium 5.1 audioChassis haptics layered with D-BOX motion and directional audio.
Setup White-glove install at your locationD-BOX motion calibration takes 8 hours — we do it on-site so it's right.
Start a Pole Position Build Book a Fitting
Recent Builds

Real rigs. Real prices.

Builds we've actually made — spec'd, priced, and ready to build one like it. The anchor lineup is the skeleton; these show the range in between. Drive the closest one at the lounge before you commit.

The Rally Spec build — sequential shifter and load-cell handbrake

The Rally Spec

H-pattern box and load-cell handbrake — built for rally stages and drift tandems, not just clean laps.

  • Configurable Base foundation
  • Active-feedback pedals
  • H-pattern & sequential shifter
  • Hydraulic handbrake
  • Single ultrawide display
From $13,500 Build one like this
Full Custom Livery build — branded track-map wrap

Full Custom Livery

When the build has to be unmistakably yours — wrapped to spec, track map and all.

  • Configurable Base foundation
  • Load cell pedals
  • Branded, multi-color custom wrap
  • Track-map livery
  • Single ultrawide display
From $12,000 Build one like this
Beyond The Build

Coaching, leagues,
community.

We don't just build sims. We run a working racing facility — coaching sessions, in-person leagues, corporate events, youth driver education programs. Every customer who buys a build gets access to the lounge community.

Buying a sim from a guy in a workshop gets you a sim. Buying from Academy gets you a sim and a place to be a driver.

Explore the Lounge
Driver coaching session at Academy Sim Racing
Personalize Your Build

Make it yours.

Every Academy build can be configured with add-ons at consultation. These are the most-requested upgrades. Prices added to the final invoice.

BDH H2SQ dual-mode shifter add-on

Dual-Mode Shifter

H-pattern and sequential in one unit. We build with the BDH H2SQ — the same shifter we run in the lounge. Prefer a different setup? We'll match it during your consult.

From $1,200 installed
Heusinkveld load-cell handbrake add-on

Hydraulic Handbrake

Heusinkveld load-cell handbrake with adjustable lever and force — dialed in for drift, rally, and pit-stop work. We tune the elastomer to how you actually drive.

From $430 installed
Additional racing wheel rim — Fanatec Porsche GT

Additional Wheel Rims

Round, formula, GT — multiple rim configurations per build. Quick-release ready.

From $270 each
Custom vinyl wrap — branded sim rig

Custom Vinyl Wrap

Branded wrap or custom livery for events, businesses, or personal flair.

From $700 installed
Triple curved display upgrade — wraparound sim setup

Triple Display Upgrade

Available on Base tier and above. Swap single 49-inch for three 32-inch curved.

Inquire at consultation
Bespoke build — custom sim rig blueprint, drawn from scratch

Bespoke Builds

Outside the standard tiers? We do fully custom builds for commercial installs, prototypes, and one-offs.

Consultation only
Sim rig install and calibration at Academy Sim Racing
Install & Calibration

Already own a rig?
We'll dial it in.

Bought a Podium, Simucube, or a high-end rig somewhere else and stuck on setup? You're not alone — getting a premium sim mounted, wired, calibrated, and tuned right is where most owners hit the wall. We do it every week, on rigs we didn't sell.

Hardware mounting, force feedback tuning, pedal calibration, software and telemetry setup — we get your rig driving the way it's supposed to. Same hands that build our own sims, on yours.

Request an Install
Frequently Asked

Real answers.

The questions we hear most often on consultation calls. If yours isn't here, ask in the build form.

Can I test drive a build before buying? +
Yes. Every component philosophy on our builds is dialed in on the rigs we run daily in our Tampa lounge. The wheelbase, pedals, seat, and chassis are the same models you can drive at the lounge. Display sizes scale to the build tier, but the driving experience is what you'll feel before you commit.
Fanatec DD2 or Simucube 3 — which wheelbase should I choose? +
Straight answer: we're not a Fanatec shop or a Simucube shop. We're builders, and both are genuinely excellent at 25Nm. The Fanatec Podium DD2 is proven, refined, and a phenomenal piece of hardware most drivers will never out-grow — it's what most of our builds ship with. The Simucube 3 Pro package is the latest engineering, with measurable refinements in the fine details, a longer 3-year warranty, and the option to grow into Simucube's wheel ecosystem. The honest truth: you'd be happy on either. Simucube is the move if you want the newest generation and that wheel flexibility. Either way, you can drive direct drive at our Tampa lounge before you decide — that's the whole point of buying from people who actually race.
How long does it take to receive my custom build? +
Typical build time is 2–4 weeks from deposit, depending on tier complexity and component availability. We confirm timing on the consultation call so you know exactly when to expect delivery. Pole Position tier with motion can take longer due to D-BOX lead times.
Do you ship outside of Tampa? +
Yes. We crate and ship nationwide via LTL freight. Pole Position tier includes white-glove install at your location due to the motion system calibration requirements.
What software is included with the build? +
Builds ship with clean Windows 11 installed, driver software configured, and all hardware calibrated. Sim racing titles like iRacing, Assetto Corsa, ACC, AMS2, rFactor 2, etc. are purchased separately based on your preference. We help with installation and initial setup as part of onboarding.
What's the warranty and support situation? +
All hardware components carry their manufacturer warranties (typically 1–2 years). Academy provides direct support for build-related issues, configuration help, and component coordination during the warranty period. After-warranty service is available at standard shop rates.
Why should I buy from Academy instead of building it myself? +
Every component we put in a build is one we use daily in our Tampa lounge. We've built and stress-tested these specific configurations. You get the integration, calibration, and component matching that takes most builders months of trial and error. And you can drive it before you buy it — no one else can offer that.
Do you finance builds? +
We work with several financing partners. Specific options depend on build size and your situation. We'll discuss on the consultation call.
Start Your Build

Tell us what you're looking for.

We respond to every build request within 24 hours, often faster. Our team reviews your needs personally before reaching out — we want to make sure we're the right fit before we take your time.

What happens next: Once you submit, we'll review your request personally and reach out within 24 hours to schedule a consultation call. We don't auto-book — we want to make sure we're the right fit before we take your time.

Call (813) 355-9071
Email info@academysim.com
Visit Tampa, FL Lounge