$170 BUDGET Sim Racing Cockpit! | RacGTing Challenger 301

This is the Challenger 301 by a company called Rak Ting. It’s an entry-level, foldable, and portable sim racing cockpit that also comes with an entry-level price tag. At just around $200—but quite a bit lower at the time of recording due to their Black Friday promotions—this rig is designed for beginner sim racers looking to support their beginner sim racing gear. I did the most logical thing and attached a 9nm direct-drive wheelbase to put it to the test. So today, I’ll be reviewing this product, telling you all what I like, what I don’t like, and who it could be for.

Made to be as cost-efficient as possible, the Challenger 301 holds its place in the market as a budget-friendly, beginner offering. It normally retails for around $200, but at the time of this recording, it has been discounted further and is expected to drop even more as we approach Black Friday. Notably, you can pair this discount with this unique link to recieve an additional 10% off, and free shipping is available for those who subscribe to their website. I mention all of this to emphasize this unit’s positioning in the market, a topic I’ll revisit later in this review.

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Build Quality

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Designed with maximum portability and functionality in mind, the Challenger 301 has a unique design reminiscent of Next Level Racing’s GT Lite and offers decent quality for the price. The frame is constructed from steel tubes, and the seat is made of suede fabric. Due to its foldable design, the seat does have some permanent creases that aren’t visually appealing, but other than that, it performs well. It was comfortable during my racing session and features subtle red stitching and accents that enhance its appearance.

Adding breathable material and some padded inserts could improve comfort, but for the price, what’s provided is reasonable. The included wheel, shifter, and pedal mounts meet expectations. You can mount nearly all mainstream gear, and there’s decent adjustability. The wheel mount allows for angle adjustments, and the pedal tray can be moved in or out. Unfortunately, the shifter plate is fixed in place at an angle reminiscent of the Carrera GT, which I found amusing but not ideal for my preference.

Some additional adjustment is possible with the seat by altering the angle of the backrest, but that’s about it. While this level of adjustability was sufficient for me, it’s certainly less than what you’d find in higher-end, more static rigs. These compromises are made to allow the Challenger 301 to fold up significantly for easy storage.

Since this product is designed for customers likely to use it alongside their desk or in the middle of the living room, the ability to move it in and out of place is more critical than extensive adjustability. Accessing it is made possible by unlatching the wheel deck on the right side and moving it up. However, this can become tricky once everything is attached and cable-managed. I ended up slipping in and out from the top 99% of the time, which was easier for me.

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In-Game Performance

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Now, let’s talk about this product's in-game performance, where there’s quite a bit to cover. For starters, it’s clear that this cockpit is designed for entry-level gear, particularly when it comes to the pedal deck. Initially, I planned to use it with some high-end load-cell pedals, but after pressing the heavy brake once and seeing the entire pedal tray detach almost instantly, I realized that wasn’t going to work. I swapped them out for something more suitable—soft, non-load-cell pedals—and with that setup, it performed fine.

Using the pedal tray with higher-end load-cell pedals would require significant reinforcement, which could potentially be achieved with some DIY modifications. However, in that case, higher-end offerings from RacGTing might be a better option if you’re looking to use premium gear. A cockpit like the Challenger 301 is clearly intended for gear ranging from the Logitech G29 to the Thrustmaster T300, both of which come with non-load-cell brakes. Nevertheless, I was curious to see how much it could handle.

Testing it with a Moza R9, a highly capable direct-drive wheelbase, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it held up reasonably well. Of course, there’s noticeable flex, especially if you tug it back and forth or up and down, but under regular use, it remained functional. Given that it performed decently with a wheelbase like this, it would undoubtedly work perfectly fine with something like the G29.

As for the shifter plate, I paired it with the Moza H-pattern shifter, which has a good amount of resistance. While the cockpit managed to do the job, there was significant and noticeable flex when shifting through the gears. This is something I suspect wouldn’t be an issue with lower-end shifters like the Thrustmaster TH8S or the Logitech Driving Force Shifter.

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Conclusion

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Considering this product's price tag, functionality, and on-track performance, it’s clear who the target market is. If you’re in a position where space and budget are limited and you plan to use entry-to-mid-range products, it’s an easy recommendation. However, if you anticipate upgrading to more demanding gear, don’t prioritize portability, and can stretch your budget a bit more, other options from RacGTing or numerous other companies might be a better investment.

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RacGTing Challenger 301 FAQ’s

What type of gear is the Challenger 301 designed for? The Challenger 301 is best suited for entry-level to mid-range gear, such as the Logitech G29 or Thrustmaster T300, which typically include non-load-cell pedals. It can also accommodate some direct-drive wheelbases like the Moza R9, although with noticeable flex.

Can the Challenger 301 handle high-end load-cell pedals? Not without significant reinforcement. High-end load-cell pedals exert a lot of pressure, and the pedal tray of the Challenger 301 may not hold up without DIY modifications. For high-end setups, a sturdier cockpit might be a better option.

Is the shifter plate adjustable? No, the shifter plate is fixed in place at a preset angle. While it’s usable with most gear, the lack of adjustability might not suit everyone’s preferences.

How comfortable is the seat for extended use? The seat is reasonably comfortable for the price, with subtle red stitching and accents. However, permanent creases from the foldable design and the lack of breathable material or padding could impact long-term comfort.

How portable is the Challenger 301? The cockpit is designed with portability in mind. It folds up significantly, making it easy to store when not in use—ideal for small spaces or shared living areas.

How does the cockpit perform during gameplay? For its target market, the Challenger 301 performs well. It holds up decently under regular use, even with a direct-drive wheelbase like the Moza R9. However, some flex is noticeable, especially with high-resistance gear.

Who is the Challenger 301 best suited for? This cockpit is ideal for beginners or casual sim racers with limited space and budget. It’s also great for those who prioritize portability and plan to use entry-level to mid-range gear.

Is the Challenger 301 good for future upgrades? If you plan to upgrade to more demanding gear, this cockpit might not be the best long-term investment. Higher-end, more static rigs from RacGTing or other brands may offer better stability and adjustability.

Can it be used in small spaces or living rooms? Absolutely. The Challenger 301’s foldable design makes it ideal for use in compact spaces or temporary setups, such as living rooms or shared work areas.