It’s no secret that Tillett has long been a dominant name in kart racing. Just as many famous F1 stars develop their skills in karting, the sport is also the perfect testing and proving environment for Tillett, allowing technology transfer to other forms of racing - and also to its road car programme.
But did you also know that there are many well known racing drivers who started their careers sim racing?
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were both highly accomplished sim racers before entering professional motorsports, as was Formula 1 and IndyCar driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, who was known to have used simulators to prepare for races and keep his skills sharp. Formula E and Le Mans winner Lucas di Grassi is also an advocate for sim racing as a valuable tool for improving driving skills.
The short answer: realism. Sim racing games aim to replicate the experience of driving real-world race cars as closely as possible, within a virtual environment. Software plays a huge role in achieving that realism, however, those that have experienced a top-flight simulator will know that it’s the hardware that really makes the difference when it comes to authenticity.
Along with the steering wheel and pedals, a good quality race-grade seat makes up the three main touch-points of your sim driving experience. These all enhance the overall realism of the sim racing experience and make you feel more connected to the virtual vehicles you are controlling.
While both racing car seats and sim racing seats are both designed to enhance the driving experience, there are distinct differences.
One of the main differences when compared to road or track seats, is that sim seats do not need the same safety features and impact resistance, due to the absence of speed. Sim seats also benefit from portability as simulators often need to be easy to set up, dismantled and moved around. This means that being super lightweight is very desirable in a sim racing seat.
Whilst lightweight sim-only seats exist which cannot be used on a moving vehicle, there are seats (like the Tillett B4 seat, for example) which are equally lightweight but which can also be used on track. This authenticity adds even more to the sim driving experience.
Design aesthetics is another area where sim and real racing seats can differ. Some racing car seats prioritise function over form, with a strong emphasis on structural integrity at the expense of looks. Sim racing seats, on the other hand, sometimes put design aesthetics first, as they are often the centrepiece in a gaming or entertainment room.
If total authenticity is important, there are real car racing seats out there which also feature stunning design aesthetics.
In the fast-paced world of sim racing, where milliseconds can make all the difference, a comfortable and ergonomically designed seat isn't just a luxury - it's a strategic advantage. Just as in real-world driving and racing, comfort and good ergonomics bring a wealth of benefits:
• Performance Enhancer, Not a Distraction
A comfortable seat ensures that your concentration remains firmly on the racing, giving you the edge needed for optimal performance.
• Extended Racing Sessions
You may well find yourself spending hours and hours practising or participating in endurance races. A seat that supports ergonomic posture prevents strain on your body during these long sessions, allowing you to maintain consistent performance without discomfort.
• Posture & Stability
Ergonomically superior seats promote proper posture, aligning your body to minimise strain on your spine, neck and limbs. This translates to improved stability and control, as body movements are more intuitive and precise.
• Health & Well-Being
Tied into the above, an ergonomic seat promotes better spinal health, reducing your risk of musculoskeletal issues, and contributing to your overall well-being.
• Reduced Fatigue
Racing can be mentally and physically demanding. A well-designed seat reduces the strain on your muscles and joints, minimising fatigue and ensuring you can perform optimally throughout the duration of your racing sessions.
Sim racing offers more than just entertainment; it provides a host of real-world benefits that extend beyond virtual tracks. The skills honed in a simulated environment have a remarkable capacity to transfer to actual driving. From enhanced spatial awareness and precision control to sharpened decision-making under pressure, Sim racers often find their virtual practice translating into improved performance on real roads and race tracks.
As we mentioned at the top of this article, there are many famous track racers who started out in simulators - and lots of them still drive sim’s today. Max Verstappen, for example, is a very keen sim racer, whose go-to sim seat is actually the Tillett B2.
Over the past few years, the popularity of sim racing has surged and the market continues to experience significant expansion.
This is due to numerous factors, not least of which is rapid advancements in technology which have led to more realistic and immersive sim racing experiences. These include improvements in graphics, advanced physics engines, and realistic force feedback systems that recreate the sensation of driving on actual tracks.
The recent rise of professional esports has also been a major factor - generally raising awareness and attracting professional racers and esports enthusiasts alike.
Sim racing has also become ever more accessible, thanks to a much wider range of platforms, from high-end setups to more affordable options like gaming consoles and PCs. This accessibility has opened the door to a much wider audience.
As the virtual world of sim racing continues to captivate enthusiasts, the significance of a well-designed racing seat becomes undeniable. Remember that the right VR seat transcends just comfort. With ergonomic support, immersive realism, and performance-driven features, the right seat will also give you the precision and control to conquer virtual tracks with unparalleled confidence.
All Tillett seats have different features and characteristics, and all can potentially be used for VR racing. Compatibility will depend on specific dimensions and mounting points - which can vary between simulator rigs.
The Tillett B4 is undeniably the ‘King of Sim’, being chosen by the world’s greatest drivers and the creators of the highest-end simulators in the world.
Whilst this seat is also a totally authentic real-world racing seat, used in prototype sports racing and formula cars; around 80% of B4’s find their way onto simulators - like the Exsim VR5. Built from the ground up to offer the pinnacle in immersive VR, Exsim’s all new VR5 is fitted with the Tillett B4 out of the box.
The Tillett B7 is also popular due to its extreme lightweight. At just 3.8Kg, the B7 is arguably the best performance racing seat on the market today and is actually the world’s lightest seat homologated to FIA standard 8855-1999.
Finally the Tillett B2 is worth a mention - if for no other reason than it being the seat of choice for multiple Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.
Choosing the right sim race seat is very much down to your individual situation and requirements, however there is a host of information out there to help you decide. These include sim racing communities, YouTubers and streamers, and online reviews. You can also seek advice from rig manufacturers and sim racing retailers. Make sure you also speak to the seat manufacturer themselves, as they are best placed to advise on the key characteristics and subtle nuances between each seat model.
Check out the Tillett seat range here!
Alternatively, get in touch with us here for more information!
Tillett seats look, feel and perform differently to any other seat on the market today. This is thanks to a unique (and closely guarded) manufacturing system which is part craftsmanship, part technical know-how and part materials technology.
From research and design to prototype testing and manufacture by hand - every step of our process is rooted in no-compromise quality.
