You want to race real people with a wheel, but you are not sure where to start. There are dozens of games, the gear looks expensive, and public servers often turn into a demolition derby at the first corner. This guide gives you a simple map: which sims people actually race, what you need at each level and where in Bulgaria you can race in an organised way, with a calendar and standings.
The short version: sim racing takes three things - a simulator (the game), a controller or wheel, and somewhere to race against others. Your platform decides the game: Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing are PC only, Gran Turismo 7 is PlayStation only, while F1 25 and Assetto Corsa Competizione are on both PC and consoles. If you want regular racing in Bulgaria, Virtual Esport runs a Le Mans Ultimate league (GT3, every Thursday from 21:00 Bulgarian time) and an F1 26 league, and entry is currently free.
What is sim racing?
Sim racing is car racing in a simulator that tries to recreate real motorsport as closely as possible. The difference from arcade racers is the goal: an arcade game is about fun, a sim is about learning to drive fast and clean.
For example, in an arcade game you can enter a corner flat out and bounce off the barrier. In a sim the same mistake costs you time, tyres and often the whole race.
Sim racing also has an organised side: seasons, teams, standings and live broadcasts. Some sims are the official games of real championships. Le Mans Ultimate, for instance, is the official game of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Which games people race, and on what
Start with the hardware you already play on. Several of the most serious sims are PC only, so check the platform before you buy.
Game | Platform | Known for |
|---|---|---|
Le Mans Ultimate | PC (Steam) | Official game of the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with endurance racing cars and circuits |
iRacing | Windows PC, subscription | Official series, licences that unlock them and an iRating that matches drivers of similar skill |
Assetto Corsa Competizione | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Official game of the GT World Challenge |
Assetto Corsa EVO | PC, in early access since January 2025 | The next generation of Assetto Corsa; the publisher expects the full release in the first half of 2027 |
F1 25 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Official Formula 1 game; the 2026 season arrived as a paid expansion |
Gran Turismo 7 | PS4, PS5 | Online racing in Sport mode; PS Plus is required to play online |
A quick note on F1: EA did not release a standalone F1 26 game. The 2026 season came as a paid expansion for F1 25 (the 2026 Season Pack). Our discipline on the site is simply called F1 26.
There are other PC sims too, such as Automobilista 2 and rFactor 2. If you are still choosing, do not only ask which game is "the most realistic". Ask where you will race it. A sim with no rivals gets old quickly, while a regular calendar keeps you coming back every week.
What gear you need, level by level
You do not need a pro cockpit to get started. Gear builds up in levels, and each step adds feel and consistency rather than automatic speed.
Level 1: a gamepad
A fine starting point for F1 25 and Gran Turismo 7, which both play well on a controller. It lets you find out whether you enjoy sim racing before you spend money on hardware.
Level 2: an entry-level wheel and pedals
A wheel and pedals clamped to a desk or table. This is where you first feel force feedback: the wheel tells you when the tyres are losing grip. For Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing we recommend starting at this level at least.
Level 3: a stronger base, better pedals and a stand
The usual next step is a stronger wheel base (often direct drive), load cell pedals that measure force rather than travel, and a stand or cockpit so nothing moves under braking. Hardware makers themselves advise against cutting corners on pedals, because brake feel is at the heart of fast, consistent driving.
Level 4: hydraulics, motion and VR
Hydraulic pedals, motion platforms, triple screens or a VR headset. This is for people who already race regularly and know what they are missing. You do not need any of it to be quick in a league.
We will cover specific models separately. For now the rule is simple: buy gear that works with your platform, and check that the game you want supports it.
Where to race in an organised way in Bulgaria
Public servers are good for practice. For a real race you need a league: a fixed start time, the same rivals every week and standings that build up over the season. Here is what we offer at Virtual Esport, an independent Bulgarian esports league and platform.
Le Mans Ultimate: GT3 every Thursday
Our Le Mans Ultimate league runs the GT3 class (LMGT3). The season has 7 rounds: Monza, Daytona, Sebring, Spa, Bahrain, COTA and Barcelona, one round a week, every Thursday from 21:00 Bulgarian time.
There are driver and team standings. When you sign up for a race you pick your car, for example the BMW M4, Porsche 911, Ferrari 296 or Aston Martin Vantage. The opening round at Monza on 17 September 2026 was won by Anne Spaan in a BMW M4 LMGT3.
New to the game? Start with our guide Le Mans Ultimate for beginners.
F1 26: equal cars, clean fights
Our F1 26 league is in its second season, with 8 rounds. Cars run with equal performance, so the driver makes the difference, not the machinery.
The format: short qualifying, 50% race distance, Safety Car on, standard damage, Strict Corners and dynamic weather. There are driver and constructor standings.
Allowed assists: racing line, traction control, ABS and automatic gears.
Banned assists: brake assist, pit entry and exit assist, ERS assist and DRS assist.
What applies to both leagues
Registration is free, and taking part in our tournaments is currently free as well.
You need your own legitimate copy of the game.
You can join as a driver or as an engineer. Engineers support the team and do not appear in the standings.
You can register on your own from age 14. Under 14, only a parent can create the profile, and from 14 to 18 you register with a parent's knowledge.
Prizes, when there are any, are listed in the description of each event under upcoming events.
Races are streamed live on our Twitch channel.
Virtual Esport is an independent league and is not affiliated with EA, Formula 1, Motorsport Games, Studio 397 or the ACO.
Other communities and sim venues
Bulgaria also has other sim racing communities and clubs, as well as venues with simulators where you can try a wheel and cockpit before buying your own. For example (checked in September 2026):
Red Zone VR Racing - Sofia (NDK and Paradise Center) and Samokov (A1 Motor Park): simulators with VR headsets and motion platforms.
SimRacing Garage - Varna, Grand Mall Varna: 5 simulators and 1 full motion rig.
Simulator.bg - Simitli: 4 simulators with direct drive wheels, visits by phone booking.
Before you join a league or club, check that they have an up-to-date calendar for the current season and clear rules.
If you drive iRacing, it also has its own official series. The two work well together: official series for practice, and a league for standings against familiar rivals.
Why a league and not just public servers
Public server | League | |
|---|---|---|
When you race | Whenever you join | On a calendar, at a set day and time |
Rivals | Random, different every time | The same drivers all season |
Rules | Whatever the server is set to | Announced in advance: assists, damage, format |
Result | Gone when the session ends | Points in driver and team standings |
Audience | Usually none | Live broadcast |
For example, on a public server someone can punt you at turn one and simply leave. In a league, that same driver will be on the grid next week too, with points they do not want to lose. That changes how everyone drives.
A league also gives you a goal. When you know Spa is waiting on Thursday, you practise Spa all week instead of lapping random tracks.
How to get started this week
Pick a platform and a game. On PC you can run every game in the table except Gran Turismo 7. On console you choose between F1 25, Assetto Corsa Competizione and, on PlayStation, Gran Turismo 7.
Start with what you have. A gamepad or an entry-level wheel is enough to find out whether you enjoy it.
Practise offline. Drive the track from the next round until your laps are consistent, not just fast.
Register for free at virtualesport.com and pick a discipline: Le Mans Ultimate or F1 26.
Sign up for a race from the upcoming events.
Watch a round live on the stream to see what it looks like from the inside.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a wheel to go sim racing?
Not to start with. F1 25 and Gran Turismo 7 both play on a gamepad. For Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing we recommend a wheel and pedals.
Can I go sim racing on PlayStation or Xbox?
Yes. F1 25 and Assetto Corsa Competizione are on consoles, and Gran Turismo 7 is on PlayStation. Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing are PC only.
How much does it cost to race in Virtual Esport leagues?
Registration and tournament entry are currently free. All you need is your own legitimate copy of the game.
How old do I have to be to race?
You can register on your own from 14, and between 14 and 18 with a parent's knowledge. For a child under 14, only a parent can create the profile.
Pick your discipline and register for free with Virtual Esport to line up with us at the next round.