FANATEC QR2, it’s finally arrived but with a variety of offerings, both “wheel” and “base” side contraptions, and a bunch of bundles available on their website, it’s easy to get confused as to what QR2 is, why its important, and whether you should upgrade. So, here are 10 things you should know about the Fanatec QR2

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1.

First and foremost, the QR2 is not a mere incremental update, but rather a pretty big leap for Fanatec, solving one of their main drawbacks in the past, and putting their quick release back in contention against the new, strong competition. This change is so significant for the company that they themselves claim that since the introduction of the ClubSport Wheel Base in 2011, this is the most significant change to the internal compatibility of the Fanatec ecosystem. 

2.

The user experience with the QR2 has been refined to be more seamless and efficient. Gone are the days of grappling with retention bolts and locking nuts, which if you ever experienced, you would know how annoying and outdated it was. The new operation of the QR2 allows you to easily and quickly attach and reattach your wheel rims in a matter of seconds.

3.

The QR2's new design focuses on minimizing mechanical noise, amplifying force feedback detail, and ensuring a more immersive racing experience. As per the noise, this was a problem with the original system which under certain quick movements and high torque outputs would give off a noticeable mechanical noise which many complained about. Of course these upgrades will give you a more immersive on track experience and provide you more fidelity and detail out on track, especially at higher force feedback levels. 

4.

For those who prioritize authenticity, the QR2 Pro version is a testament to Fanatec's commitment to taking sim racing to the next level. Crafted meticulously from aviation-grade aluminum and meeting FIA requirements, the QR2 Pro is more than just a sim racing tool; it's a piece of professional racing equipment which is FIA approved and is used on real-world race cars. Now for 99% of us, this is just a huge gimmick, but theres gotta be some rich dude out there who will use his wheel both on the sim and in his race-car in the same day. If we’re all being honest though, we all know that the main selling point of the QR2 Pro which retails at $200 will be its gold finish which looks extremely premium. 

5.

As per pricing, upgrading your current gear to the QR2 systems won’t necessarily be cheap and there's many ways of going through it. For starters, note that you’ll need to buy, at minimum, two separate products to make this work. One is called the “base side” and the other, the “wheel side”. Starting with the “base side” this is where the wheel will hook on to and this will be attached directly onto your current wheelbase. If you had a Podium DD1 or DD2, you’ll need the Type-M model which costs $150. If you’re on the Fanatec CSL DD or GT DD Pro, you’ll need the Type-C base side which costs $70. Now onto the “wheel sides”, three are available. One is the aforementioned $200 QR2 Pro which will be overkill for most people. What I reckon will be the most popular choice is the regular QR2 which costs $100, and then theres the much cheaper looking QR2 Lite which comes in at just $60.

“Wheel-Sides”

QR2-Lite QR2 QR2 Pro

“Base-Sides”

“Type-M” “Type-C”

6.

The QR2 also offers a diverse range of upgrade paths with a wide range of bundles offered in the Fanatec website (linked in the video description) for you to save some money in the process. Whether one prefers all-aluminum and shiny looking quick release or is inclined towards the cheaper carbon fiber-reinforced lite version, the QR2 caters to a spectrum of preferences, ensuring that there's something for most people in a big range of budgets.

7.

Compatibility is a bit tricky to understand with the QR2 systems. Essentially, regardless of what “QR2 base-side” you have installed onto your wheelbase, you can use any of the three wheel sides. However, you will need both a QR2 base and wheel side to reep the benefits of the new QR2 system. So if you have a ton of the old QR1 quick releases and want to upgrade completely to the new QR2 ecosystem, prepare to do some spending. Also when it comes to third party mods, I’m sure many are on the horizon but only time will tell.

8.

It's essential to be aware of certain nuances, especially for those leaning towards the QR2 Lite Wheel-Side. While the price tag is appealing, the catch is that if you are using a Podium DD1 or DD2, this quick release will prevent it from entering high-torque mode, as it’s not designed to withstand those much higher forces. However, if you are using a Fanatec CSL DD or GT DD Pro, you won’t have those limitations as those wheelbases aren’t able to exert those much higher forces in the first place. Essentially, if you didn’t cheap out on your wheelbase and have a DD1 or DD2, don’t cheap out on the quick release and spend a little more for the regular QR2 version.

9.

Upon purchasing your new QR2 systems, you’ll of course have to do some tinkering to properly install the system onto your wheelbase. Throughout this process, which shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, its especially important to read the manual and ensure you’re using all the right bolts and included bits and pieces when putting it together. Not using the proper hardware and following the user manual by the T can cause damage to the system so just be aware and don’t rush through it!

10.

All relevant Fanatec products, across all Series (CSL, ClubSport, Podium) will transition to the QR2 system. The transition period will last 1-2 years and essentially means that by then, all new Fanatec wheel rims and wheelbases will come included with the necessary hardware to be used with the QR2 ecosystem. It’s definitely going to be a little bit messy and confusing but ultimately, it was what had to be done in order for them to get up to speed and on-par with current standards. 

So, there you have it, 10 important things you should know about the Fanatec QR2 systems which hopefully clears up some questions. If you want to know my personal thoughts using this new system, make sure to watch my video here: