Trak Racer TR120

Our rating : 9.7/10

Today, there are various sim-racing players, especially when it comes to peripherals and chassis. The big names in the game are companies that have been around for more than 20 years, such as Fanatec, Logitech, Thrustmaster and so on. It has to be said that sim-racing is a sector highly dependent on the experience acquired by manufacturers, and the more experience you have, the more you weigh in the game.

In the chassis market, it’s exactly the same: having many years of experience gives you access to technologies, innovations and cockpit manufacturing methods that can make you stand out from the crowd. Major players in the cockpit market include Playseat, Next Level Racing, Trak Racer and other brands with as much experience as those I’ve just mentioned. Pro racers will tell you that the best is probably Playseatand they may be right. However, challengers like Trak Racer entered the fray some 15 years ago and have been producing quality products ever since.

The Trak Racer catalog includes the TR120 a highly customizable mid-range cockpit. In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to this chassis, tell you about its strengths and weaknesses, and give you my opinion on it.

Main and technical cockpit features

• 120 mm x 40 mm aluminium profile frame
• Highly customizable cockpit in terms of accessories and mounting points for chainstays, cranksets, monitors and shifters
• Dimensions: 660 mm wide, 1133 mm high and 1445 mm long
• Assembly kit and screws included with TR120
• Compatible with a large number of Direct Drive bases available on the market

Design

The design of the TR120 is not so unique, given that it incorporates everything currently available in mid-range cockpits. In concrete terms, it’s very square, sober and rather successful as far as I’m concerned.

Black dominates the TR120with red stripes here and there, as well as brand logos. It’s sober, elegant and, above all, all-purpose. The streamlined aluminum chassis gives it character, rigidity and a design that doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Basically, the TR120 looks a lot like other chassis on the market, but it’s a good-looking one all the same.

Manufacturing and finishing

Trak Racer used 120 x 40 mm profiled aluminium for the entire structure of the TR120s entire structure, giving it both rigidity and a good base from which to absorb the torque and forces of the various high-end sim-racing peripherals.

The finish is simply exemplary. You know, profiled aluminum is aluminum squares that you cut into shapes, with joints to tie them together. Trak Racer has done an excellent job on these junctions, using parts cut to millimetre precision, reinforcing the overall quality of this cockpit. In terms of build quality and finish, Trak Racer’s years of experience are clearly evident on the TR120.

I didn’t notice any manufacturing faults on this cockpit, whether it was the matte black paint, the brackets which are all adjustable to your liking, or the seat rail. In fact, the latter is identical to those found in cars.

Using the cockpit

Given the size, shape and default driving position of the TR120This cockpit is clearly aimed at GT-type racing, or even “standard” driving. Basically, it’s a chassis for any sim-racing racer, but one that will suit single-seater lovers perfectly.

Indeed, the TR120 can accommodate drivers of the world’s premier motorsport discipline thanks to a range of brackets available in the options catalog, including an inverted bottom bracket and a bottom bracket plate that can be tilted to different angles.

Although the TR120 isn’t designed with F1 in mind, you can adapt this cockpit to virtually any automotive discipline. All you have to do is reach into your pocket and add the various parts available in the Trak Racer catalog, and this is the chassis’ biggest flaw.

As far as sim-racing peripherals are concerned, I’m pleased to say that the TR120 is able to accommodate virtually all those available on the market, whether in terms of bases (Fanatec, Simagic, etc.), cranksets, shifters/handbrakes and even monitors with the appropriate support. What’s more, different brackets can be chosen, depending on the peripherals of course, to accommodate the maximum number of riders and, above all, their riding style. In this respect, it’s just perfect, and that’s what sets Trak Racer apart from other cockpit brands on the market.

Sensation in play

I’d now like to turn to the in-game sensations provided by the TR120 from Trak Racer. For a mid-range product aimed primarily at semi-professional customers, the TR120 is a good cockpit, solid, rigid and fairly competitively priced.

In terms of feel, I’m happy to say that this chassis delivers plenty of it, even if you have a high-end setup. The aluminum profile gives it a rigid, stable base, with no movement on any axis. The TR120 features a number of different riding positions, all of which are infinitely adjustable, whether for the base support, the crankset or the optional shifter/handbrake.

For the base, you have 5 bracket options that can accommodate several different peripherals, leaving you with a wide range of products. By the way, the chassis is very solid and can easily handle the most powerful bases, such as the DD2 podium from Fanatec. For the pedals, you have 3 (free) support options, one of which is inverted. It’s worth noting that every custom element is subject to a charge. This means that the TR120 comes in a standard configuration, and if you’d like a specific one (depending on your peripherals, for example), you’ll have to reach into your pocket, except for the pedalboard support, which is free.

For the seats, there’s a rail at the bottom that lets you adjust the distance between you and the steering wheel. The TR120 doesn’t include slides for reclining the bucket seat, so you’ll be limited to one type of seat. In fact, some of the manufacturer’s models are not very sturdy (the GT-Style for example), which will leave a slight aftertaste on a cockpit that can easily reach €1,000, seat included.

Compatibility

Since the TR120 has several bracket options, so you have broad compatibility with sim-racing peripherals available on the market, whether for bases, pedals or shifters/handbrakes. It’s really complete, and you’ll easily find what you’re looking for.

For the seats, it’s more or less the same: the rail is standard and will accommodate several styles of bucket seat, whether Trak Racer or other brands.

Value for money

The basic TR120 costs €639, which isn’t very expensive when you consider the build quality, attention to detail and customizability. At almost €640, I’d say its value for money is pretty good, but beware! the bill will quickly become steep if you choose to buy several brackets, which can cost an arm and a leg (up to €480).

My verdict

Trak Racer has struck hard with the TR120 in the basic version. The price is competitive, even aggressive, the build quality is exemplary and the customization possibilities are virtually limitless.

At €639 for the standard version, or €659 for a specific base support, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better on the market in terms of rigidity, flexibility and build quality. Of course, you’ll have to buy the bucket seat on its own, but there are some inexpensive options that will leave you with a chassis just under €1,000. Personally, I validate the TR120 for pro and semi-pro riders.