Ok......here we go....but first some ramblings. A couple of years ago I was browsing the web and I saw some links to homemade cockpits and it got me to thinking.....maybe I should give this a go. I quickly ruled out going the pay for a pit route as getting anything shipped up here friggin near doubles the cost of any seat or ready made cockpit. Sooo...that left me with trying to find something that I could build with hand tools and still end up with a comfy place to put down thousands of laps.

I looked at some very well done PVC pits...and I still like the idea of them.....but the cost of a decent seat puts these designs in the "hmmm" category. The PVC is not that cheap either...especially if one uses the black 2" stuff...but....one does not need to cut as much wood either so that still entices me. Here are a couple of well executed PVC pits.....

Now both of theses pits are to die for...I mean just look at em....any self respecting sim racer would/should have blood rushing to all the wrong parts when viewed...know what I mean...nudge nudge wink wink...say no more.... ;).

Now these rigs are an investment in time...and MONEY...but if it is your passion....then go for it right????...well kinda sorta ya...but one has to be realistic and do what one can do....right?? 

So this brought me to the place where I am now...the build. After drooling over these for some time I finally came to the conclusion that I needed something a bit simpler yet just as functional. I was browsing the forums at RSC and found a thread about the resurrection of the Microsim Racebase. I emailed for a set of plans....and low and behold I recieved a watermarked PDF from one Jeffrey Armstrong....and the wheels started turning.....albeit quite slowly. I soon realized that these plans needed some work as I did not want to build them as per the dimensions given....so....I turned the PDF into a TIFF and imported them into AutoCad and began revising the plans. In the meantime RSC's forums went to hades in a hand basket and all info was lost on these plans...but then they were resurrected yet again over at http://www.thewayiplay.com/ and have gained quite a following there. If you follw this link you will see what I mean...http://www.thewayiplay.com/mainforum/index.php?topic=894.0

Anyways...the months passed and I slowly worked on the drawing revisions until I was satisfied with the overall design. I produced some cut-outs but the visualization just was not there for me. I had a friend bring my drawing into Google Sketchup Pro.....and I was finally able to see what my design would look like. In the process of working it up in Sketchup I realized some errors in the CAD design and had to make some minor revisions....but overall I was/am happy with the design. Here are some renders........

I have yet to rework the Sketchup drawing to reflect the CAD changes I made....but I think you can get the idea of what I am going to end up with. The colors in the render are for contrast only.....I have not really decided on the final color scheme yet...I will worry about that when the time comes.

I suppose I should maybe touch on what I plan to build this out of. I had first considered 5/8" MDF as that is what was recommended on the original plans...but I changed my mind and now I will build out of 3/4" spruce/pine plywood as this will give me more finishing options...and less toxic goo in my lungs...lol....one has to think of that you know...hehe. I will most likely use a combination of the spec fasteners, glue, wood screws and bolts to hold it all together.....but I will document that when I build it.

My next installment will most likely be on the existing setup and room layout...so stay tuned..... :)