Trak Racer TR5 Review
A Tubular Cockpit That Challenges Aluminum Profile Rigs
For years, tubular sim racing cockpits have occupied an interesting place in the market. They typically offer a cleaner appearance than aluminum profile rigs, are often easier to assemble, and usually include a seat as part of the package. The trade-off has almost always been rigidity and long-term expandability.
The new Trak Racer TR5 aims to change that perception.
At €549, it enters one of the most competitive price segments, going head-to-head with cockpits like the Playseat Trophy, Playseat Formula Instinct and Oplite GTR S8. On paper, the specifications are impressive, and judging by the number of pre-orders, expectations are clearly high.
But does the TR5 actually deliver once assembled?
After spending several weeks testing it with different wheelbases and pedal sets, here’s my full verdict.
📦 What’s Included?
The TR5 arrives in a single cardboard box containing:
- TR5 tubular frame
- Integrated racing seat
- Shifter mount
- Cable management accessories
- Mounting hardware
- Printed assembly manual
One thing immediately stood out during unboxing.
Despite my shipping carton showing obvious signs of rough handling, every component inside arrived in perfect condition. Trak Racer deserves praise for its packaging, relying almost entirely on cardboard protection instead of excessive plastic. It’s a small detail, but one that reflects thoughtful product design.
🔧 Assembly
Assembly took me approximately three hours, followed by another hour fine-tuning the seating position.
Fortunately, this is one of the easiest cockpits I’ve assembled recently.
Three things contribute to that experience:
- Every bolt is separated into clearly labelled bags.
- The included paper manual is genuinely excellent.
- Most importantly: everything actually fits.
Previous tubular rigs I’ve reviewed occasionally suffered from misaligned holes or difficult mounting points. The TR5 avoided all of those frustrations.
📐 Dimensions & Footprint
The cockpit measures approximately:
- Length: 140 cm (GT configuration)
- Width: 78 cm including shifter mount
- Height: 108 cm
- Weight: Approximately 35 kg
This isn’t a lightweight cockpit.
Once assembled, it feels substantial and inspires confidence.
👣 Pedal Deck Adjustability
One of the strongest aspects of the TR5 is its pedal platform.
The system uses two independently adjustable pedal plates mounted on sliding rails.
Adjustment options include:
✅ 30 cm of fore/aft travel
✅ Adjustable pedal angle
✅ Adjustable pedal height
✅ Independent front and rear height adjustment
This allows drivers to fine-tune pedal inclination with far greater precision than many competing tubular cockpits.
Another nice touch are the engraved measurement markers on the rails, making repeatable adjustments quick and easy.
Compatibility is equally impressive.
The dual-plate design accommodates virtually every separate pedal set while supporting pedal baseplates up to 48 cm wide.
Even taller drivers are well catered for, thanks to an additional 15 cm frame extension available through the centre tubes.
🎮 Wheelbase Mount
The wheel deck follows a different philosophy.
Rather than chasing unlimited adjustment, Trak Racer clearly prioritised rigidity.
Available adjustments include:
- Around 10 cm fore/aft movement
- 14° rearward tilt
- 7° forward tilt
For normal GT seating positions, finding a comfortable setup is straightforward.
Drivers preferring extremely reclined positions may wish for additional adjustment, but limiting moving parts almost certainly contributes to the impressive rigidity seen during testing.
⭐ Build Quality & Finish
This is where the TR5 genuinely surprised me.
Everything about the cockpit feels exceptionally well finished.
Highlights include:
- 40 mm diameter steel tubing
- High-quality matte white powder coating
- Pre-installed vinyl decals
- Rubber floor feet with branded detailing
- Plastic bolt covers
- Custom-branded frame spacers
None of these individually transform the experience.
Together, however, they create the impression of a product that has been carefully engineered rather than simply manufactured.
Attention to detail is one of the TR5’s biggest strengths.
💺 Seat Comfort
The included seat is another pleasant surprise.
Specifications include:
- 52 cm seating width
- 42 cm seating depth
- 86 cm backrest height
Material choices combine:
- Faux leather
- Suede
- Breathable mesh inserts
During testing on particularly warm summer days, the breathable centre sections noticeably reduced heat build-up compared to fully upholstered seats.
The adjustable backrest offers a generous range of recline, from almost upright to nearly flat.
My favourite feature, however, is the removable headrest.
One side features faux leather, while the other uses soft suede. Depending on which side you use, your can tilt the headrest a few cm’s forward. Very nice touch.
Inside, Trak Racer employs a special foam that makes the headrest remarkably comfortable during longer sessions.
It’s an unusual feature—but one that genuinely improves comfort.
🛠 Upholstery Quality
The upholstery itself feels durable.
Stitching appears consistent throughout, while the suspended seating construction inspires confidence for long-term durability.
Unlike some suspended-seat designs, I don’t expect premature stretching or tearing to become an issue.
Getting in and out of the cockpit also proved surprisingly easy thanks to the generous seating width and sensible frame layout.
💪 Rigidity Testing
Rigidity is ultimately where every cockpit earns—or loses—its reputation.
Pedal Deck
The pedal plates themselves are thick and sturdy.
However, under extremely heavy braking there is still some visible flex in the centre section.
This behaviour is common among dual-plate pedal systems.
While I couldn’t feel it during driving, slow-motion footage clearly reveals the movement.
Most users will never notice it.Those running extremely stiff load-cell pedals with minimal travel may be more sensitive to it.
Wheel Deck
The wheelbase mount, however, is outstanding.
Testing included:
- Logitech RS Wheelbase (8 Nm)
- Fanatec DD+ (18 Nm)
Even at 18 Nm, movement remained virtually non-existent during driving.
Trak Racer officially rates the mount for wheelbases up to 25 Nm.
Although I can’t verify that claim directly, the 18 Nm Fanatec DD+ never pushed the cockpit anywhere near its limits.
For a tubular cockpit, wheel deck rigidity is genuinely exceptional.
🔇 Noise Levels
Another pleasant surprise was how quiet the TR5 remains under load.
Throughout testing I experienced:
- No creaking
- No rattling
- No metallic resonance
Combined with the rubber isolation feet, the cockpit feels impressively refined.
🔧 Expandability
Traditionally, tubular cockpits haven’t been known for upgrade potential.
The TR5 changes that.
Integrated aluminium extrusions along the frame make mounting accessories significantly easier.
Potential upgrades include:
- Monitor mounts
- HOTAS setups
- Keyboard trays
- Additional racing peripherals
This makes the TR5 one of the few tubular cockpits that genuinely feels future-proof.
🎨 Design
Design will always be subjective.
Personally, I think the matte white finish looks fantastic.
It immediately stands apart from the sea of black cockpits dominating today’s market while maintaining a clean, understated appearance.
And for those wanting something more striking…
Yes, there is even a Hot Wheels Edition.
And admittedly—it looks brilliant.
✅ Verdict
The Trak Racer TR5 isn’t simply one of the best tubular cockpits I’ve tested.
It’s one of the first tubular cockpits that repeatedly made me compare it to aluminum profile rigs.
That alone says a lot.
Its wheel deck rigidity is outstanding.
The included seat is genuinely comfortable.
Build quality exceeds expectations.
Expandability is better than almost any competitor in this category.
It isn’t perfect.
The pedal deck still exhibits some flex under maximum braking, and drivers wanting extremely reclined seating positions may wish for additional wheel deck adjustment.
But those compromises never overshadow the overall experience.
At €549, the TR5 doesn’t merely compete against other tubular cockpits.
It competes against entry-level aluminum profile rigs.
And surprisingly enough…
It belongs in that conversation.
👍 Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Outstanding wheel deck rigidity
- Comfortable included seat
- Easy assembly
- Excellent packaging
- Strong accessory ecosystem
- Future-proof design
- Beautiful finish and attention to detail
👎 Cons
- Some pedal deck flex under maximum braking
- Wheel deck adjustment could be greater for extreme seating positions
- Wider footprint than some competitors
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