“Cool Performance is the best option in terms of development and accuracy, I arrive at the track fully prepared.”— Benjamin Hites
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB | 26Nm | ~£4,000 |
| Steering Wheel | LM-Pro GT3 Wheel + DDU Display | GT3 Format | ~£2,200 |
| Pedals | CP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing) | 200kg Brake | ~£3,500 |
| Cockpit | Cool Performance GT Pro Simulator | 120kg+ Frame | ~£15,000 |
| Seat | Sabelt GT PAD FIA-Approved Seat | Upright GT Position | ~£1,200 |
| Display | Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 | 5120×1440, 240Hz | ~£900 |
| DDU | Cool Performance 4.3" LCD Dashboard Display | 16 RGB LEDs | Included |
| Haptics | CP-S Haptics System | Integrated | Included |
| PC | Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX 5080 (Water Cooled) | Custom | ~£2,500 |
| Total Est. Value | ~£25,445 | ||
🕹️ Core Driving Controls
[Wheelbase] Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB ~26Nm VerifiedActive
Industrial-grade direct drive system delivering 26Nm of peak torque via a Kollmorgen AKM54 servo motor. Features over 2 million resolution points per wheel turn and CP-S custom software modelling. Critical for Hites’ remote track preparation from Chile, providing the fidelity needed to learn European circuit nuances from 12,000km away.
[Steering Wheel] LM-Pro GT3 Wheel with DDU Dashboard Display VerifiedActive
300mm GT3-format steering wheel with polyurethane grips, magnetic shifters, and carbon fibre paddles. Features an integrated DDU (Driver Display Unit) dashboard display providing real-time telemetry, lap times, and car status. Matches the GT3 wheel format Hites uses in his real Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2.
[Pedals] CP-S Hydraulic Pedals with AP Racing Master Cylinder VerifiedActive
Professional-grade hydraulic pedals using genuine AP Racing master cylinders — the same components found in real F1 and GT brake systems. Features a simulated brake caliper with hundreds of configurations, gas-spring throttle with 3 force levels, and an electronically-controlled sliding pedal box with 300mm of travel adjustment. Essential for Hites to accurately find braking markers from his simulator in Chile.
[Cockpit] Cool Performance GT Pro Simulator VerifiedActive
The Cool Performance GT Pro Simulator is handbuilt in the UK (Sevenoaks) to ISO 9001 standards. The frame is CNC-machined powder-coated aluminium weighing over 120kg, configured in an upright GT seating position. Features a Sabelt GT PAD FIA-approved seat (FIA 8855-1999) with interchangeable padding. Zero-flex construction with lifetime warranty. Shipped to Chile for Hites’ home use.
[Display] Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 Ultrawide VerifiedActive
The Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 is the standard display included with Cool Performance builds. This super-ultrawide curved monitor delivers a 5120×1440 resolution across a 1000R curve, providing excellent peripheral vision from a single panel. At 240Hz with 1ms response time, it delivers smooth, responsive visuals ideal for GT racing preparation.
[DDU] Cool Performance 4.3" LCD Dashboard Display VerifiedActive
Dedicated 4.3" LCD dashboard display unit mounted on the steering column, providing real-time telemetry data including lap times, gear position, RPM, and tyre temperatures. Features 16 RGB LEDs for shift light indication and flag alerts.
[Haptics] CP-S Haptics System VerifiedActive
Integrated haptic feedback system that transmits road surface detail, kerb strikes, and chassis vibrations directly through the cockpit frame. Works in conjunction with the Leo Bodnar FFB system to provide a multi-channel immersion layer beyond steering feel alone.
[Motion] None Confirmed — Static Setup EstimatedStatic
No motion platform has been documented for Hites’ rig. Cool Performance simulators offer optional D-Box G5 3DOF haptic motion (Pitch, Roll, Heave with 1.5" stroke).
🏁 Sim Racing & Motorsport Background
Benjamin Hites is a Chilean GT racing driver who competes at the highest level of European GT motorsport. Based in Chile, he faces a unique challenge — preparing for European circuits from the other side of the world. His Cool Performance GT Pro is not a luxury but a competitive necessity. He uses the simulator extensively to understand correct gears for each corner, find braking markers, and refine car setups before arriving at the track. As a “Team Cool Performance” affiliate, he represents the brand while genuinely relying on the equipment for race preparation.
| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | GTWCE Silver Class Champion | Won with Grasser Racing Team driving Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 |
| 2022-24 | 24 Hours of Spa | Multiple appearances at the world’s greatest GT endurance race |
| 2022-24 | GTWCE Endurance Cup | Regular competitor in full GTWCE Endurance season |
| 2022-24 | GTWCE Sprint Cup | Competed in Sprint Cup rounds alongside Endurance campaign |
| Ongoing | Remote Track Preparation | Uses Cool Performance GT Pro in Chile for European circuit preparation — gears, braking markers, setup work |
| Ongoing | Team Cool Performance | Official affiliate of Cool Performance brand |
Software: Assetto Corsa and iRacing (pre-installed with Cool Performance builds). Used extensively for remote track preparation — learning European circuits from Chile before race weekends.
📋 Full Hardware List
| Component | Model / Specification | Est. Cost | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm) | ~£4,000 | Verified |
| Steering Wheel | LM-Pro GT3 Wheel + DDU Dashboard Display | ~£2,200 | Verified |
| Pedals | CP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing, 200kg) | ~£3,500 | Verified |
| Cockpit | Cool Performance GT Pro Simulator | ~£15,000 | Verified |
| Seat | Sabelt GT PAD FIA-Approved Seat (FIA 8855-1999) | ~£1,200 | Verified |
| Display | Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 (5120×1440, 240Hz) | ~£900 | Verified |
| DDU | Cool Performance 4.3" LCD Dashboard Display (16 RGB LEDs) | Included | Verified |
| Haptics | CP-S Haptics System | Included | Verified |
| PC | Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX 5080 (Water Cooled) | ~£2,500 | Verified |
Total estimated value: ~£25,445 (Cool Performance GT Pro configuration with LM-Pro GT3 wheel, Sabelt GT PAD seat, Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide).
💰 Cost to Copy Benjamin’s Setup
Benjamin’s Cool Performance GT Pro Rig
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❓ Benjamin Hites Setup FAQ
What sim racing setup does Benjamin Hites use?
• Wheelbase: Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm, Kollmorgen AKM54 motor)
• Pedals: CP-S Hydraulic with AP Racing master cylinder (200kg brake)
• Wheel: LM-Pro GT3 (300mm, polyurethane grips, magnetic shifters, carbon fibre paddles)
• Display: Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide (5120×1440, 240Hz)
• DDU: Cool Performance 4.3" LCD Dashboard Display with 16 RGB LEDs
• Seat: Sabelt GT PAD FIA-approved seat (FIA 8855-1999, interchangeable padding)
• Haptics: CP-S Haptics System
• PC: Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX 5080 (Water Cooled)
• Cockpit: CNC-machined aluminium frame (120kg+, zero-flex, ISO 9001, lifetime warranty)
Total estimated cost: ~£25,445.
What has Benjamin Hites achieved in GT racing?
• 2023: GT World Challenge Europe Silver class champion with Grasser Racing Team (Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2)
• 2022-24: Multiple 24 Hours of Spa appearances
• 2022-24: Regular GTWCE Endurance Cup and Sprint Cup competitor
• Ongoing: Team Cool Performance affiliate
How does Benjamin Hites use his simulator for remote track preparation from Chile?
• Understand correct gears for each corner of every circuit
• Find braking markers and reference points
• Adjust car setups and test different configurations
• Maintain driving sharpness between race weekends
This allows him to arrive at European race weekends fully prepared despite being based approximately 12,000km away. The high-fidelity simulation provided by the Leo Bodnar 26Nm wheelbase and CP-S hydraulic pedals ensures the skills transfer directly to the real car.
How much does Benjamin Hites’ sim rig cost?
Is Benjamin Hites’ sim rig sponsored?
📚 Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1)
- Cool Performance Official Website — Confirms Benjamin Hites as GT Pro Simulator user and Team Cool Performance affiliate
- Cool Performance — Simulator Product Pages — GT Pro and Formula Pro specifications
Secondary Sources (Tier 2)
- Pro-Sim Testimonials — Pro-Sim is the technology partner behind Cool Performance
- Simulator Showroom — Pricing Reference
- Benjamin Hites Instagram (119K followers) — Racing activity and simulator usage posts