| 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 | ~£800 |
| 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. The same wheelbase is shared between both GT Pro and Formula Pro variants.
[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 4.3" LCD DDU (Driver Display Unit) dashboard display with 16 RGB LEDs, providing real-time telemetry, lap times, and car status directly on the wheel face. Designed for GT racing applications — matching Sansom's real-world British GT Championship driving.
[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. Identical pedals between GT Pro and Formula Pro variants.
[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 rather than the reclined formula layout. Features a Sabelt GT PAD FIA-approved seat instead of the formula fiberglass seat. Same core engineering as the Formula Pro with lifetime warranty.
[Seat] Sabelt GT PAD FIA-Approved Seat VerifiedActive
FIA 8855-1999 certified racing seat with interchangeable padding system, allowing personalised fit. The upright GT seating position mirrors real GT3 cockpit ergonomics — critical for Sansom's British GT race preparation. This is the GT Pro-specific seat; Formula Pro uses a custom fiberglass formula seat instead.
[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.
[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 Sansom's rig. Cool Performance simulators offer optional D-Box G5 3DOF haptic motion (Pitch, Roll, Heave with 1.5" stroke).
🏁 Sim Racing & Motorsport Background
Mark Sansom is a British GT racing driver and FIA Bronze-rated competitor who balances professional motorsport with his role as London and Dublin Managing Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, one of the UK's leading Magic Circle law firms. His 2023 British GT Silver-Am Championship title with Barwell Motorsport demonstrates the level of performance achievable by dedicated gentleman drivers competing at the highest tiers of GT racing.
| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Ginetta G56 GT4 / Assetto Motorsport | Early GT4 competition; also raced Bentley Continental GT3 with Assetto Motorsport |
| 2023 | British GT Silver-Am Championship | Champion with Barwell Motorsport; co-driver Will Tregurtha; Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
| 2024+ | British GT Championship | Continued British GT competition as FIA Bronze-rated driver |
| Ongoing | Sim Racing Training | Uses Cool Performance GT Pro for British GT track preparation |
Software: Assetto Corsa and iRacing (pre-installed with Cool Performance builds). Used for GT racing preparation — matching his real-world British GT Championship activities.
📋 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) | ~£800 | 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 seat, Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide).
💰 Cost to Copy Mark's Setup
Mark's Cool Performance GT Pro Rig
💡 Budget Alternative (Similar Feel)
Gets you 80% of the performance at a fraction of the price. Heusinkveld load cells replace true hydraulics.
❓ Mark Sansom Setup FAQ
What sim racing setup does Mark Sansom 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) with integrated DDU dashboard display
• Display: Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 ultrawide (5120×1440, 240Hz)
• Seat: Sabelt GT PAD FIA 8855-1999 certified seat (upright GT position, interchangeable padding)
• DDU: Cool Performance 4.3" LCD Dashboard Display with 16 RGB LEDs
• Haptics: CP-S Haptics System
• Cockpit: CNC-machined aluminium frame (120kg+, ISO 9001, lifetime warranty)
Total estimated cost: ~£25,445.
What has Mark Sansom achieved in British GT?
What is a gentleman driver in GT racing?
How much does Mark Sansom's sim rig cost?
Is Mark Sansom's sim rig sponsored?
📚 Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1)
- Cool Performance Official Website — Confirms Mark Sansom as GT Pro Simulator user
- Cool Performance — Simulator Product Pages — GT Pro and Formula Pro specifications
- SimLuxx — Cool Performance Simulators — Pricing and detailed specs
Secondary Sources (Tier 2)
- Pro-Sim Testimonials — Pro-Sim is the technology partner behind Cool Performance
- Simulator Showroom — Pricing Reference