Next Level Racing RC E Review
Quick summary· AI-generated
The RC E delivers solid build quality and adjustability in a compact, affordable package. Assembly is straightforward with excellent documentation. The reviewer praises its handling of modern direct-drive wheelbases despite slim 25mm steel tubing, though notes some limitations in pedal angle adjustment and the lack of a shifter mount. Cosmetic corners are cut, but the fundamentals—rigidity, comfort, footprint, and price balance—work well for entry-level and mid-range sim racers.
Excerpt from Sim Tourist
Strength in Simplicity
The market for affordable sim racing cockpits has become increasingly competitive, with manufacturers trying to strike the right balance between price, rigidity and comfort. The Next Level Racing RC E enters this segment with a straightforward promise: deliver the strength needed for modern direct drive wheelbases while keeping both the footprint and the price under control.
After spending considerable time assembling and testing the RC E, it became clear that this cockpit knows exactly what it wants to be. Rather than trying to include every possible feature, Next Level Racing focused on the fundamentals, and in many areas that approach pays off remarkably well.
Inside the Box & Assembly
Assembly is refreshingly straightforward. The instruction manual deserves particular praise, with clear illustrations and a logical sequence that makes the entire process easy to follow. Every bolt aligned properly during construction and the included hardware is comprehensive, even including useful extras such as cable ties, wheelbase spacers and an innovative bolt measuring card.
The only area that proved slightly awkward was installing the pedals, where limited access underneath the tray makes tightening the bolts a little more difficult.
Overall, however, the RC E is a very pleasant cockpit to build, and the excellent documentation makes the process considerably easier than with many competing products.
Configuration
The RC E offers considerably more wheelbase adjustment than its compact appearance suggests. Both height and reach can be adjusted, while the wheel deck can also be tilted to achieve a comfortable driving position for a wide variety of drivers.
The pedal tray offers angle adjustment and can even be reversed for pedal sets with an integrated incline, but it cannot create a negative pedal angle. For most entry-level and mid-range pedals this won’t be an issue, although more upright pedal sets have fewer adjustment possibilities.
One omission worth mentioning is the lack of a supplied shifter mount. For racing this isn’t a major drawback, but drivers who enjoy trucking or classic H-pattern gearboxes may miss the option.
Build Quality
Despite using relatively slim 25 mm steel tubing, the RC E feels reassuringly solid once assembled. The powder coating proved durable during testing and the frame components fit together without unnecessary struggle.
There are a few cosmetic compromises. The acrylic front badge relies on…
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