| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB | 26Nm | ~£4,000 |
| Steering Wheel | CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula | 287mm | ~£2,000 |
| Pedals | CP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing) | 200kg Brake | ~£3,500 |
| Cockpit | Cool Performance Formula Simulator | 120kg+ Frame | ~£15,000 |
| Seat | Custom Fiberglass Formula Seat | F1 Position | ~£1,500 |
| Displays | 3× Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" | 4K, 240Hz, 1ms | ~£4,500 |
| Haptics | CP-S Haptics System | Integrated | Included |
| PC | Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX (Water Cooled) | Custom | ~£2,500 |
| Total Est. Value | ~£33,000+ | ||
🕹️ 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. The same wheelbase used by Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, and other Cool Performance drivers.
[Steering Wheel] CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula Wheel VerifiedActive
Hand-made carbon fibre and anodised aluminium steering wheel designed with input from Lando Norris. Features a comprehensive F1-style button layout with dual clutch paddles, rotary encoders for in-sim adjustments, and a 50.8mm quick release system.
[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.
[Cockpit] Cool Performance Formula Simulator VerifiedActive
The Cool Performance Formula Simulator is handbuilt in the UK (Sevenoaks) to ISO 9001 standards. The frame is CNC-machined powder-coated aluminium weighing over 120kg, engineered for zero flex during high-force feedback. Developed by Oliver Norris (Lando Norris's father) and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. Used by 9+ F1 drivers including Norris, Sainz, and Albon.
[Displays] 3× Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" 4K 240Hz VerifiedActive
Triple 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark curved displays in a wrap-around configuration, delivering full peripheral vision coverage. Each panel runs at native 4K resolution (3840×2160) at 240Hz with 1ms response time — a significant upgrade over the standard single-monitor Formula Pro configuration.
[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 Johnson's personal rig. The Cool Performance Formula Simulator offers optional D-Box G5 3DOF haptic motion (Pitch, Roll, Heave with 1.5" stroke), but competitive sim racers typically prefer static rigs for minimal latency.
🏢 Team Simulator — Legacy Motor Club
[Team Sim] SimCraft APEX 6 GT — 6DOF Full Motion VerifiedTeam Sim
Professional 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) full-motion racing simulator with independent roll, pitch, yaw, surge, sway, and heave control. Center-of-mass motion architecture in an 8' × 6' footprint. FIA-certified racing seat. Standard wheel options include Precision Sim Engineering GT3/LM-PRO or GSI X-29 with carbon fiber paddle shifters.
"After experiencing the SimCraft APEX6, I was amazed by its realistic feel and immediately knew I was hooked. I was even left wondering how such authenticity was achieved, given that nothing else I've tried can match the real-world vehicle experience, regardless of price."— Jimmie Johnson (SimCraft testimonial)
Scott Pruett — a 12-time racing champion who coached Johnson during his IndyCar transition — introduced Johnson to SimCraft's motion systems. Pruett noted: "Although Johnson had non-motion simulation equipment at home, he struggled to complete laps due to its lack of feel. After experiencing the intuitive connection offered by a SimCraft 6DOF full motion racing simulator, Johnson decided to invest in one." This suggests the SimCraft relationship predates the Cool Performance acquisition, placing it around 2021–2022 during Johnson's IndyCar years with Chip Ganassi Racing.
🏁 Sim Racing Background
Johnson came to sim racing relatively late in his career but embraced it fully. Beginning in 2020 during the COVID lockdown, he went from iRacing novice to averaging 5+ hours per day, hiring a professional esports champion as his tutor.
"I wanted the most realistic simulator so I gave Cool Performance a ring. They hooked me up! My only criteria was the feeling, physics of the car model had to be on point. I need to do some serious training for whatever lies ahead. The Formula Pro is easy to use, simple but incredible. I'm not tech savvy so simplicity is a big hitter."— Jimmie Johnson (Cool Performance testimonial)
| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series | Began iRacing during COVID lockdown; hired Ray Alfalla (4x eNASCAR champion, introduced by Dale Earnhardt Jr.) as tutor. Broadcast live on FOX/FS1. |
| 2020 | IndyCar iRacing Challenge | Also competed in IndyCar's virtual series (March–May 2020) |
| 2020 | Daily Training | Averaged 5+ hours/day on iRacing for over two consecutive weeks |
| 2021-2022 | IndyCar Preparation | Used Cool Performance + SimCraft APEX 6 for series transition (Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 48). Scott Pruett served as driving coach. |
| 2023 | Le Mans 24 Hours Preparation | Mandatory ACO sim evaluation at AOTech (Paris); NASCAR Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 with Jenson Button & Mike Rockenfeller |
| 2025 | Legacy Motor Club | First NASCAR team to install NASCAR-approved SimCraft APEX 6 GT (Section 13.5) |
Software confirmed: iRacing (primary platform, extensive documented use), rFactor Pro (team-level via SimCraft), Assetto Corsa (pre-installed with Formula Pro).
Streaming: Johnson does not stream on Twitch. No dedicated "rig tour" YouTube video exists. Most extensive video content comes from FOX/FS1 broadcasts of the 2020 Pro Invitational races.
📋 Full Hardware List
| Component | Model / Specification | Est. Cost | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm) | ~£4,000 | Verified |
| Steering Wheel | CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula (287mm) | ~£2,000 | Verified |
| Pedals | CP-S Hydraulic (AP Racing, 200kg) | ~£3,500 | Verified |
| Cockpit | Cool Performance Formula Simulator | ~£15,000 | Verified |
| Seat | Custom Fiberglass Formula Seat | ~£1,500 | Verified |
| Displays | 3× Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" 4K 240Hz | ~£4,500 | Verified |
| Haptics | CP-S Haptics System | Included | Verified |
| PC | Intel Core i9 + NVIDIA RTX (Water Cooled) | ~£2,500 | Estimated |
| Audio | SteelSeries Headset | ~£100-150 | Estimated |
Home rig total: ~£33,000+ (Formula Pro with triple 55" display upgrade). SimCraft APEX 6 GT team simulator not included in total.
💰 Cost to Copy Jimmie's Setup
Jimmie's Cool Performance Rig
💡 Budget Alternative (Similar Feel)
Gets you 80% of the performance at a fraction of the price. Heusinkveld load cells replace true hydraulics.
❓ Jimmie Johnson Setup FAQ
What sim racing setup does Jimmie Johnson use?
• Wheelbase: Leo Bodnar SimSteering 2 FFB (26Nm, Kollmorgen AKM54 motor)
• Pedals: CP-S Hydraulic with AP Racing master cylinder (200kg brake)
• Wheel: CP-S Custom Carbon Fibre Formula (287mm)
• Displays: 3× Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" (4K, 240Hz) triple wrap-around
• Haptics: CP-S Haptics System
• Cockpit: CNC-machined aluminium frame (120kg+, ISO 9001, lifetime warranty)
He also has a SimCraft APEX 6 GT (6DOF full-motion) at Legacy Motor Club — the first NASCAR-approved simulator.
Home rig estimated cost: ~£33,000+.
Does Jimmie Johnson use iRacing?
• Averaged 5+ hours per day on iRacing
• Hired Ray Alfalla (4x eNASCAR champion, introduced by Dale Earnhardt Jr.) as his tutor
• Competed in the eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series (2020)
• Used iRacing for IndyCar transition preparation (2021-2022)
• iRacing comes pre-installed on Cool Performance simulators
How did Jimmie Johnson prepare for IndyCar and Le Mans using sim racing?
IndyCar (2021-2022): Used both his Cool Performance Formula Pro and SimCraft APEX 6 (6DOF motion) when transitioning from NASCAR to open-wheel racing with Chip Ganassi Racing (car No. 48). Scott Pruett, a 12-time racing champion, coached him and introduced him to SimCraft's motion systems.
Le Mans 24 Hours (2023): Completed mandatory ACO sim evaluations at AOTech near Paris. Drove the NASCAR Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 alongside Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller. Described having "trust" in "the virtual experience of the sim."
How much does Jimmie Johnson's sim rig cost?
Is Jimmie Johnson's sim rig sponsored?
📚 Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1)
- Cool Performance Official — Jimmie Johnson Testimonial — Confirms Formula Pro, triple 55" 4K displays, and driver quote
- Cool Performance — Formula Simulator Product Page — Standard specifications
- SimCraft — APEX 6 GT Racing Simulator — Team simulator at Legacy Motor Club, Johnson testimonial
- SimLuxx — Cool Performance Formula Simulator — Pricing and detailed specs
Secondary Sources (Tier 2)
- Pro-Sim Testimonials — Pro-Sim is the technology partner behind Cool Performance
- NASCAR.com — Johnson & Alfalla iRacing Training
- Jalopnik — Le Mans Simulator Preparation
- Simulator Showroom — Pricing Reference