Next Level Racing GTlite Review: The Rig That Goes Away

Folds flat against a wall, and trades rigidity to do it.

Specifications

Specifications above come from Next Level Racing's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.

What it does well

• It genuinely folds and stores flat, which is the difference between owning a rig and not owning one in a shared home.
• Hard-mounted pedals rather than a floor mat, so the pedals do not walk away from you under braking.
• Pre-drilled wheel and shifter points with screws supplied, so mounting is a bolt-up rather than a drilling exercise.
• The fabric seat breathes, which matters more than it sounds during a long summer session.
• It converts to a flight cockpit with the separate flight pack, which is a genuine second use rather than a marketing line.

Where it falls short

• Folding requires hinges, and hinges are where a frame flexes. Under a strong direct drive base you will feel the rig move, and that movement is feedback you are not getting.
• The fabric seat is a comfortable chair rather than a bucket. It does not hold you in place under heavy lateral load the way a moulded seat does.
• No monitor mount, which is the usual cockpit omission and the usual extra cost.
• Repeated folding and unfolding is a wear pattern that a bolted frame does not have.
• It is the cheapest way to a real seating position, and cheap in a cockpit means less mass and less mass means more movement.

What owners report

Owners consistently report that the folding is what made sim racing possible for them at all, and consistently report flex under strong wheelbases. That is the trade the design makes and it is not a defect. Reports of the seat being comfortable but not supportive are common. People who moved from a wheel stand to this describe the pedal mounting as the biggest single improvement, which is worth noting: pedals that move are worse than a wheel that flexes.

The core decision is at folding cockpit vs fixed cockpit, and if you are coming from a stand, wheel stand vs full cockpit covers what changes. Measure the folded and unfolded footprints against your room with the rig space calculator.

Who it suits

• Shared living rooms and apartments where a permanent rig is not possible.
• Owners of belt-driven or entry direct drive wheels up to around 8 Nm.
• Anyone moving up from a wheel stand who wants pedals that stay put.
• People who also fly sims and want the flight pack conversion.

Who should skip it

• Anyone running a 9 Nm or stronger base, where flex becomes the limiting factor.
• Drivers who want a supportive bucket seat for long stints.
• Buyers with permanent space, who should spend the same money on a fixed frame.

Alternatives worth considering

Keep reading

• Folding cockpit vs fixed cockpit
• Wheel stand vs full cockpit
• Rig space calculator
• Best sim racing cockpits
• Next Level Racing GTRacer 2.0 review
• Next Level Racing F-GT review

This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.