Editor's take: AI data centers have locked down much of the world's available chip manufacturing capacity for years to come, leaving device makers searching for new ways to extract growth from limited resources. Corsair is betting on the racing and flight simulation markets by acquiring Trak Racer, an Australia-based manufacturer of high-quality cockpits and accessories.
Corsair has acquired Trak Racer, a "premium" manufacturer of simulation cockpits, seats, monitor stands, and other sim-racing equipment for enthusiasts. The US company now plans to combine Trak Racer's expertise with Fanatec, a renowned brand in the sim-racing hardware market that is fully owned by Corsair.
According to Corsair, sim racing is now one of the fastest-growing product categories in the gaming industry. The company acquired Fanatec in 2024 after the German manufacturer filed for bankruptcy in July of that year. Corsair later liquidated the company but retained its employees and continued using the Fanatec brand for its simulation peripherals.
While Fanatec specializes in the electronics side of simulation, including steering wheels, pedals, and shifters, Trak Racer focuses on physical components such as aluminum cockpits, racing seats, motion systems, and haptic feedback solutions. Corsair now wants to combine these complementary capabilities to build a complete platform for simulation and racing enthusiasts.
According to the company's website, Trak Racer actually sells both "physical" cockpits and traditional accessories such as racing wheels and pedals. The Melbourne-based company was founded in 2008 to build professional-grade products and collaborates with Formula 1 teams on their simulation workloads. Fanatec also has longstanding ties to the world's leading motorsport competition.
Trak Racer has primarily built its business by selling directly to customers through its online store. Following its acquisition by Corsair, the brand should gain access to a broader customer base thanks to Corsair's existing distribution network and retail partnerships.
According to Corsair CEO Thi La, the Trak Racer brand should serve as an ideal extension of Fanatec's lineup of simulation and racing peripherals.
Simulation enthusiasts will have to adjust their expectations of what kind of audience Sten is referring to. Trak Racer's Airbus TR550 Flight Simulator, which Corsair describes as the company's entry point into the flight simulation market, carries a price tag of €1,028 – excluding shipping.