In this update to my TR160S build series, I installed two major upgrades that bring the realism and immersion to another level: the Trak Racer TR Series GT seat and the Aiologs H-pattern shifter. Combined with the latest update from Assetto Corsa Evo's early access program, it was the perfect time to test everything with a proper street car and a manual gearbox.

Watch the full video review below 👇

Trak Racer TR Series GT Seat: Assembly and First Impressions

The seat ships in three parts, which is a bit unusual, but makes shipping and handling easier. Assembly is straightforward: snap the two pieces together, align and bolt the sides, then attach the center padding via Velcro.

The glossy black finish looks aggressive and clean. This seat is available in black or gray, and right away it felt different from the standard GT seat I had before. It sits lower, has a more sculpted profile, and feels much more like a true race car seat.

Let's talk comfort. I'll be honest; it is very firm - considerably more than other sim seats. The padding pieces are all in the right places - they're just firm. But I've sat in real race car seats before, and this reminds me exactly of that feeling. It's immersive in that way.

The seat is a proper bucket, so it's pretty deep. Thankfully, Trak Racer includes a thick bottom pad which helped raise my height and make the seating position more ideal. Without it, you may sit too low depending on your rig layout. Not a big deal - you may just have to adjust the positioning of your wheel/wheelbase and pedals.

Compared to the original "GT-Style" seat from Trak Racer, this new TR Series is less upright and feels more naturally wrapping around your back. I actually had to sometimes use a lumbar support on the old seat, especially for longer sim racing sessions. That was where the previous one was not ideal. The new TR Series seat hugs you better and adds to the overall immersion. If you like a firmer, racecar-style feel, this is a big upgrade.

⚙️ Installing the Aiologs H-Shifter

The Aiologs H-pattern shifter came in a plain box, but it impressed immediately. It is the most compact H-shifter on the market (86x86x136 mm), yet it feels premium and weighty. You get:

• Mounting plate for aluminum profile rigs
• USB cable for easy plug-and-play setup (the driver installs automatically)
• A polished 180mm chrome knob
• Three different shifter rods to customize throw
• A tension adjustment key to tune stiffness and resistance

The mechanism is visible through tempered glass windows on both sides, and RGB lighting inside adds a cool, customizable flair. It does not support sequential mode, but it does exactly what it’s meant to do with precision. That being said, Aiologs sells sequential-only shifters on their website, priced from $180 to $250 USD.

I swapped it in place of my Fanatec ClubSport Shifter using the included mounting plate. It was pretty easy overall, and I was ready to go in about 10 minutes.

🕹 Test Drive in Assetto Corsa Evo

The new AC Evo update adds two tracks (Donington, COTA) and seven new cars: perfect for testing an H-shifter. I jumped into the Honda NSX-R at COTA, one of the new cars, using open mode for full access to customization and car choice.

The Aiologs shifter delivered. Shifts were crisp, tactile, and insanely satisfying. It’s louder than other shifters, but I wanted to see if that could be helped by softening the tension.  Using the adjusting key, I made it more smooth/loose, which eased the amount of force needed to make a shift. I'll be honest though - it was still loud. I guess that just comes with the territory.

On the plus side, this is a proper shifter and the immersive feel it gave me was next-level. I was surprised how much more engaged I felt driving a manual again. The realism is there, especially for someone who drives manual in real life like I do. There's just something about shifting gears like this that makes the experience that much more fun!

🧠 Post-Drive Thoughts on the Seat

The TR Series seat held up well in use. It's definitely firm, and not for everyone, but it felt authentic. This is a bucket seat, not a lounge chair. If you prioritize realism, it's great. For endurance racing, you might want to add extra padding. Trak Racer is planning to release additional cushions soon.

At $419, it’s Trak Racer’s most expensive seat, but it justifies the price with build quality, visual appeal, and ergonomics. It’s also wider than expected, so most users will find it roomy enough without sacrificing support. Good thing us sim racers don't have to contend with G-forces, right? 

🎯 Final Verdict

Aiologs H-Shifter

• Small footprint, satisfying shifting feel
• Visible mechanism + RGB lighting
• Adjustable throw and tension
• Does not support sequential, but nails H-pattern feel
• Loud AF

Trak Racer TR Series Seat

• Firm, aggressive styling
• Improved back curve over previous GT seat
• Comes with lift padding, more options on the way
• Best for shorter sessions or realism-focused rigs

If you’re after a more connected driving experience and want to shift manually again, this combo delivers. Both of these products offer solid value and make your rig feel one step closer to a real car.