Sparco is a brand synonymous with auto racing, ranging from firesuits, to seats, even to helmets. Now, add a new category to the list, Sim Racing! Sparco has announced that they are expanding into the virtual world, as well as a new sim racing cockpit!

In a Press Release I received this morning, Sparco has announced a new division, that is specializing in the virtual side of racing. The hallmark announcement is the new “Evolve” cockpit, which looks to be a new contender in the hotly contested cockpit market. The Evolve cockpit features a compact size, a “realistic seating position”, and minimal flex. Sparco collaborated with Humanetics to research the ideal driving position, as used in real world Rally and GT cars. No price has been revealed on the cockpit, but I will let you guys know when I hear more.

Another intriguing thing mentioned in the Sparco release is that they are looking to get into the hardware market as well. While the language in the press release seems a little iffy, what it SOUNDS like is that Sparco is working on a steering wheel that will work on both consoles, and the PC. This could be an interesting competitor to Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec. I haven’t found out if this is a 100% confirmation, but I will post the full press release at the bottom of this post, so you can decide for yourself.

In addition, it appears that Sparco will also be releasing some gaming/office chairs, quite similar to the DXRacer brand of chairs. These will be available in 3 models, the Grip, Stint, and Comp. For more information on them, check out the press release.

What are your thoughts on Sparco entering the Sim Racing and gaming market? Would you buy a Sparco-branded cockpit/wheel? Let us know in the comments!

SPARCO® GAMING – VIRTUAL EVER REAL

Sparco experience in racing world meets the virtual.

Volpiano (TO) – More and more realistic virtual world. It is from this concept that SPARCO®, brand leader in research and development, was inspired and designed a line of products that would make the experience of the ‘simulation’ and gaming, ever closer to reality. A field should not be underestimated because, increasingly, the search for performance on track starts right in front of a monitor. Volpiano’s brand transferred its experience in the study of shapes and materials and brought in the seats for gaming, where players must find the maximum comfort and breathability because of the long sessions.

The result is a collection aimed not only at the “casual” gamer, but also for the experienced user seeking high performance. SPARCO® has conceived three chair models:

GRIP: entry-level model, allows the user to adjust the seating position in height and inclination, while the back offers the ability to recline and micrometer lumbar adjustment. The product is saddled with the same synthetic leather used for after-market automotive products ensuring wear resistance, washability with a damp cloth and durability of the surface texture.

STINT: is dedicated to a discerning gamer, who in addition to the functional aspects of handling and tightens, look at the performance. The STINT chair is equipped with the innovative COLDFLOW system, developed in SPARCO®: this system sees mate, both in the cushion and in the central part of the backrest, a perforated fabric and a cushion composed of epoxy nature wires; this innovative bearing between human body and polyurethane padding allows a breathability 9 times higher than traditional upholstery synthetic fabric and significantly lengthens the time required for it to reach the condition of sweating, induced on traditional upholstery by the poor breathability. The COLDFLOW system also sees improving blood flow compared with traditional upholstery.

COMP: is the “luxury” model of SPARCO® range. This product was conceived in two variants C and V. The first, top of the range between the gaming seats, is equipped with a backrest consisting of the same composite material of carbon fiber used on Supercar staged by SPARCO®; the version V, instead, is equipped with a backrest in painted fiberglass matt black. Both chairs are derived in design and comfort from SPX SPARCO® seat.

SPARCO® also starts a partnership with Codemasters, which will be produced together with a custom chair branded DiRT Rally.

The same philosophy used for the seats, SPARCO® has applied for the construction of equipment for the Sim Racing. The dramatic increase in the realism of driving simulations as Assetto Corsa by Kunos Simulations, SPARCO® partners, led tens of millions of players to appear at the Sim Racing, videogame discipline that provides personal online gameplay and competition against other real players. SPARCO® decided to offer all Sim Racers a range dedicated to them and mostly revolutionary.

The tip of the iceberg consists of the cockpit Evolve, which sees reconceived the driving seat for simulators thanks to a very compact layout, but that will thrill all virtual drivers thanks to anthropometric study done with Humanetics®, which will guarantee them the same driving position that SPARCO® studies for Rally and GT cars. The driving position has been conceived from measurements of 95 percentile, then even adults with generous dimensions will be able to obtain the perfect sporty driving position. The numerous adjustments present (sliding guides for the seat, the adjustment system for rotation, sliding and elevation of the wheel support and pedals support, space-saving folding) allow a wide range of users, the search for the correct position. Evolve has obviously been designed for optimum torsional stiffness, which make you feel all virtual drivers like in a real interior, despite its compact size that lead to portability to be reckoned with. To enrich the range, as well as various optional in the pipeline for Evolve cockpit, equipped as standard with a racing seat, there is also the driving devices and clothing.

On devices, SPARCO® is working on steering wheels, in all sizes and materials, present on racing cars. Users will then be able to buy, along with the cockpit Evolve, even bundle of products to interface with their PC or their gaming console.

Davide Brivio, SPARCO® Gaming Program Manager: “Joining a degree in Mechanical Engineering and years of passion and experience in the Sim Racing and in FPS gaming is definitely a dream come true. The development of this first range, which will be released in 2017, aims straight to raising the quality of gaming equipment, to allow desktop players and Sim Racer to improve the gaming experience through products developed in Italy by the racing industry leaders that takes seriously the virtual universe, which now 100% of professional drivers face each day. The intentions for the coming years are definitely supporting the community that we want to create, and why not, the search for innovative solutions for both entry-level and for the most hard-core gamers. ”

“Once, racing champions were formed with karts, today more and more with simulators,” said Claudio Pastoris, SPARCO®CEO, “things change quickly and you need to keep up with the times. eSports are not only the video game but real sport, considered as such, especially abroad. online competitions, championships and tournaments that gather “professionals” Team or Pro Player, and “amateur” whose rise, as for professional riders, is made up of many hours of training to get to high performance. The eSports, like a car race, is an experienced discipline. ”