This month sees the SimRacing Expo head to the USA for the first time, with a three-day event taking place at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina.
From 22 – 24 May, visitors can try out the latest cutting-edge sim racing hardware and software, enjoy live tournaments and meet real-world drivers and teams.
Here are seven reasons to visit the SimRacing Expo Charlotte.
The latest sim racing equipment unveils
Almost every major sim racing hardware manufacturer will be showcasing their wares at SRE Charlotte, including a series of exclusive product launches.
Heusinkveld will be attending with the latest pre-release version of its innovative DisplayDash button box, while perennial industry big-hitter Fanatec will likely showcase its Podium Pedals ahead of their July release date.
Danish manufacturer Asetek Racing will bring its new handbrake and shifter (the first prototypes of which were seen at SRE 2025), while high-end steering wheel specialist VPG is set to unveil a mysterious new rim.
Trak Racer is poised to showcase a range of mysterious new products, while BDH Race Sim Hardware will have its BDH Active Shifter available for patrons to sample in the flesh.
And that’s not all, as several sim racing equipment manufacturers have yet to reveal their product lineup. Rest assured, as soon as these are announced, they will appear on Traxion!
Try before you buy
Naturally, with all these sim racing hardware manufacturers in attendance, the SRE Charlotte is the ideal place to try before you buy.
Over and above new product launches, the likes of Thrustmaster, Fanatec, Heusinkveld, Asetek Racing and VRS will all have existing products available for visitors to test in-person, potentially fuelling future purchases and building hype.
Uniquely, SRE Charlotte also allows visitors to try out expensive motion rigs from the likes of ImSim, Driven DynamiX and D-BOX, something normally reserved for wealthy enthusiasts or professional racers.
Perhaps the best aspect of this is the ability to compare and contrast products from different manufacturers on-site.
New sim racing content
Sim racing software never stands still either, with iRacing, Project Motor Racing and RaceRoom committed to appear at SRE Charlotte.
PMR will be playable across several rigs on the GIANTS Software stand, with brand new (but as yet unannounced) content available to sample. iRacing Studios is showcasing all of its currently available titles, including the core simulation, NASCAR 25, iRacing Arcade and World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24. It will also be present on a dedicated eNASCAR booth.
RaceRoom will also be in attendance, giving sim racers a chance to try out the sim’s diverse range of content, including Super Touring, Hypercars and modern and classic DTM machinery.
Naturally, the game’s U.S.-based tracks, like Laguna Seca, Daytona, Indianapolis and Mid-Ohio, will be top of visitors’ agendas.
With thousands of people set to join the fun at the SimRacing Expo Charlotte, you’re sure to bump into a familiar face or two.
Already confirmed to appear are Matt Malone, Austin Jurs and André Eriksen, who will be holding a series of ‘sim racing Masterclasses’ over at the Asetek stand, while former Call of Duty esports pro and Elagto and Fanatec ambassador, Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter, will be live on stage discussing his transition from sim racing to real racing.
The expo also gives like-minded people a chance to say hello and have a chat, with the Traxion team out in full force throughout!
Hear from the best
The live stage will be a major feature of SRE Charlotte, with a mix of quizzes, content creator panels and product keynotes set to cater to a wide range of tastes.
Notably, there will be a keynote from the FIA on Friday, 22nd May, just after Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. takes to the stage to discuss the role sim racing plays in motorsport. iRacing will also appear on stage on day one of the expo.
On Saturday, NASCAR Euro Series driver Garret Lowe will be discussing his eNascar to EuroNASCAR journey, with the aforementioned Ian Porter and Matt Malone also scheduled to feature.
Watch live sim racing
On the final day, visitors at the expo can experience the energy of competitive live sim racing as the best esports drivers battle it out for prizes and bragging rights on stage.
Kicking off the Sunday schedule is the eNASCAR College Showdown, where student drivers will have a chance to win a Logitech wheel and pedal bundle, iRacing credits and a personalised trophy.
This will be followed by Podium 1 Racing’s GT3 Extravaganza in the afternoon, before a livestream of a special Super Tourers event in RaceRoom featuring classic tin-tops concludes the event.
Explore NASCAR
NASCAR fans can get one-day access to the NASCAR Hall of Fame museum by purchasing a SimRacing Charlotte Expo Golden ticket bundle (or by simply purchasing access during the weekend). Located just a few minutes away from the expo, it celebrates the sport’s long-running legacy, with iconic race cars on display alongside interactive exhibits.
On top of that, Golden ticket holders will get a Race-Day Bundle for the world-famous NASCAR Cup Coca-Cola 600, one of the longest races on the calendar, held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same weekend. A Pre-Race Track Pass and exclusive seating in Turn 4 for one of the best views of the action is also included.
Visitors to the SimRacing Expo can also hear from aforementioned NASCAR competitors, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Rajah Caruth and Anthony Alfredo during live on-stage interviews.