Trak Racer TR80S vs TR8 Pro V2: Which Rig Is Right for Your Sim Build?
|
Trak Racer TR80S vs TR8 Pro V2: Which Rig Is Right for Your Sim Build?
The Trak Racer TR80S and the TR8 Pro V2 are two of the most popular sim racing cockpits we sell at Gamer Gear Direct, and they attract completely different kinds of buyers. The TR80S is an aluminium profile rig built for people who want a long upgrade path and the widest possible accessory compatibility. The TR8 Pro V2 is a tubular steel cockpit that goes together fast, sits solid under high-torque wheelbases, and suits anyone who wants to start racing with minimal fuss. Both rigs are rigid and stable in the showroom - but once you look at how they are built and what surrounds them, the differences are significant. Here is what actually separates them.
Quick verdict
- Choose the TR80S if you want the broadest accessory compatibility, plan to keep adding to your rig over time, or want the flexibility to switch between racing and GT driving positions.
- Choose the TR8 Pro V2 if you want to be up and running in an afternoon, plan to run a high-torque direct drive wheelbase, and prefer a clean build you are not going to keep modifying.
Trak Racer TR80S
The TR80S is built around 80x40mm aluminium extrusion profile - the same format you see in CNC machines and high-end industrial rigs - which has become a standard in sim racing because of its open ecosystem. Countless third-party manufacturers build mounts, brackets, and accessories that bolt straight onto an 80x40mm profile rail, so you are not limited to Trak Racer's own range when you want to expand. Pedal adjustability is high, and the rig includes a Formula/GT hybrid pedal position that lets you switch between an angled F1-style layout and a flat GT setup without swapping parts. The trade-off is assembly time: Trak Racer rates the TR80S at 7+ hours to build, which reflects the precision involved in aligning and locking individual aluminium sections - though for many builders, that process is part of the appeal.
Trak Racer TR8 Pro V2
The TR8 Pro V2 uses 2-inch tubular steel - a heavier and stiffer construction at 51kg assembled compared to 32kg for the TR80S - and that weight contributes to how solid it feels when a high-torque wheelbase is working hard. Where the TR8 Pro V2 wins clearly is convenience: Trak Racer rates it at around one hour to build, the gear shift mount and seat sliders are included without extras, and customers who want to be driving on the same day they unbox are almost always the ones heading home with this rig. The tubular steel format does have a smaller third-party accessory ecosystem than aluminium profile, so if you plan to source parts from multiple manufacturers beyond Trak Racer's own range, keep that in mind.
The Specs Side by Side
| Spec | TR80S | TR8 Pro V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame type | 80x40mm aluminium extrusion | 2" tubular steel |
| Weight (assembled) | 32kg | 51kg |
| Footprint (W x L) | 660 x 1200mm | 600 x 1300mm |
| Recommended wheelbase torque | 0 - 16Nm | 0 - 25Nm |
| Pedal tray adjustability | High | Low to medium |
| Formula/GT hybrid pedal position | Yes | No |
| Gear shift mount | Optional | Included |
| Seat slider rails | Optional | Included |
| Assembly time | 7+ hours | Around 1 hour |
| Third-party accessory ecosystem | Wide (profile format) | Limited (tubular steel) |
Specs sourced from Trak Racer product pages and official comparison documentation.
Wheelbase Compatibility and Torque
Both rigs are motion-ready and compatible with a wide range of wheelbases and pedal sets. The meaningful difference is in how much torque each chassis is built to handle.
The TR80S is rated for wheelbases up to 16Nm. That covers most entry-to-mid tier direct drive options - wheelbases like the MOZA R5, the Logitech G PRO, and similar. It is plenty of torque for the vast majority of sim racers.
The TR8 Pro V2 is rated to 25Nm, which takes you into serious high-end direct drive territory. If you are running a Simucube 2 Sport, a MOZA R9, or planning to step up to one of the stronger bases in our range, the TR8 Pro V2 gives you the torque headroom to do it without worrying about the rig flexing under load. The heavier tubular steel chassis plays a role here - 51kg of steel simply moves less when a high-torque wheelbase is working hard.
Accessories and the Upgrade Path
This is where the TR80S earns its position as the more popular rig in our range.
Aluminium profile has become the default format for aftermarket sim racing accessories. Shifter mounts, handbrake arms, button box brackets, keyboard trays, extra monitor supports - the majority of what you find from third-party manufacturers is designed around 80x40mm profile rail. If you plan to keep building your rig out over time, or want the freedom to source parts from multiple brands, the TR80S puts you in a much larger ecosystem.
The TR8 Pro V2 is well supported within Trak Racer's own accessory range - there are dedicated mounts, speaker kits, tablet holders, and more. But if you plan to add aftermarket parts from other manufacturers, be aware that most of what you find online is built for profile rigs. It is not a dealbreaker, but it is something to factor in before you commit.
Who the TR80S Is For
- Builders who want to keep adding to their rig over time
- Anyone sourcing accessories from multiple brands
- Racers who switch between F1 and GT driving positions
- People running wheelbases up to around 16Nm
- Those who enjoy the build process and want a rig they can keep evolving
Who the TR8 Pro V2 Is For
- Racers who want to be up and driving with minimal build time
- Anyone pairing a high-torque direct drive wheelbase (above 16Nm)
- Setups where the rig needs to go in fast - a commercial space, a man cave build, a gift
- People who prefer a finished rig they are not going to keep modifying
- Anyone who wants gear shift mount and seat sliders included without extras
Our Pick for Most Buyers
For most sim racers who are building a rig they plan to upgrade over time, the TR80S is the stronger long-term choice. The aluminium profile format puts you in the widest possible accessory ecosystem, the pedal adjustability is genuinely high, and the Formula/GT hybrid position adds real flexibility. It takes longer to build - that is real - but the end result is a platform you can keep expanding.
If you already know what wheelbase you are running and want to be racing this weekend rather than next, the TR8 Pro V2 is the better answer. It handles serious torque, it ships with the essentials already included, and it goes together fast. Just go in knowing the aftermarket accessories world will be slightly smaller.
Both rigs are available to test at our Dandenong South showroom. If you are undecided, come in and sit in both - the feel of a rig under your hands and feet tells you things a spec sheet cannot. You can browse our full Trak Racer range online, or see how each rig fits into a complete build on our racing simulators page.
If you have already looked at the TR8 Pro V2 in more depth, our Trak Racer TR8 Pro Review covers the rig in full detail from our showroom team.
Not sure which rig fits your setup?
Visit our Dandenong South showroom to test both side by side, or reach out and our team will help you match the right rig to your wheelbase and sim.
Book a Showroom Visit
