There's something magical about meeting people you've known online for years—that surreal moment when virtual connections transform into genuine friendships. This is exactly what happened when the Chicane Podcast team converged on Chicago for the first-ever North American Sim Racing Expo, an event that exceeded everyone's expectations.What began as uncertainty about who would attend evolved into a groundbreaking gathering where industry giants like Simicube, SimLab, and VPG brought their A-game, setting up displays more impressive than those at established European expos. The expo wasn't just about hardware—it was about the passionate individuals behind these companies. We discovered that nearly every sim racing manufacturer began with a simple thought: "I like this product, but wish it could do this one thing better." That spark of innovation, coupled with specialized skills and driven personalities, has created an industry built on passion rather than corporate interests.Motion platforms dominated conversations throughout the weekend, with setups ranging from modest four-actuator systems to $175,000 professional simulators. After testing numerous configurations, we reached a surprising consensus—motion doesn't slow you down as many fear, but instead offers valuable physical feedback about what the car is doing. It's roughly "80% immersion, 20% information," making it worthwhile for those seeking deeper connection with their virtual vehicle while remaining optional for competitive racing.The expo's true magic happened after hours, as attendees gathered at SimRacing South Barrington, a dedicated bar featuring multiple motion rigs running iRacing. There, amid friendly competition and flowing drinks, the community spirit flourished. As one participant joked, "What a bunch of sickos we are—we go to the expo for eight hours of sim racing, then go to dinner talking about sim racing, then find a bar to do more sim racing!"For anyone considering future expos, our advice is unanimous: don't miss it. No video or description can capture the experience of putting your hands on different wheels, feeling various motion systems, and connecting with people who share your passion. The inaugural Chicago Gaming Expo wasn't just an event—it was the beginning of something special for North American sim racing.Support the showPlease e-mail the show for any questions, comments or stories/experiences at
[email protected] TGSR/Chicane Podcast Merch Store!: https://trackghost-shop.fourthwall.com Watch the show in video podcast form on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@TGSsimracingAll my links: https://linktr.ee/tgssimracing Affiliates and Discount Codes trophi.ai | Use promo code CHICANE12 to save 12% on your membership https://my.trophi.ai/get-trophi?via=CHICANE Sim Gaming Expo I Use promo code CHICANE10 to save 10% on tickets. https://simgamingexpo.com/ Moradness by Daniel Morad I Use promo code CHICANE15 to save 15% off your order. https://moradness.com/ Intro/Outro Rights below:Song: Low Mileage - Hold You [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/holdyouWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/holdyouAT/youtube
South Africa