Logitech G25 Racing Wheel Kit (www.Logitech.com, $299) has style, quality and fun written all over it. Use the kit to control a racing simulation program such as GTR2 (Viva-Media, $29.99), Live For Speed or rFactor, and you won’t believe the realism and excitement in store for you.

The kit consists of three main components: the steering wheel console, the gear shift console and the foot pedal board. The steering wheel console is solidly built, measuring 10 x 10 x 5 inches, with the most obvious feature being the equally solid 11-inch hand stitched leather covered racing style steering wheel. Twin brushed stainless steel spokes attach the wheel to the steering hub. On each spoke is a programmable thumb-reachable red button. Located under each wheel spoke is a paddle-type brushed aluminum lever, also programmable so racing simulation enthusiasts could set up these levers for in-line shifting control. An AC adapter is included.

The steering wheel is solid, feels great in your hands and turns a full 900 degrees (2 1/2 turns) without wobble or wiggle; this feature allows precision control of your car in those programs supporting 900-degree turning. The wheel can be set for other degrees of rotation used in other programs if necessary. Twin motors in the wheel console offer a superior force feedback, including rumbling when you start the engine, shaking when you run off the road and much more (depending on the software you use). This type of force feedback adds incredible realism to your driving experience--so much so our youth testers were fighting over who could drive next.

The six speed gear shifter console is equally solid, measuring 10 x 6 x 5 inches, and features a luxury leather knob and boot. The shifter can be set for six speed gated shifting (plus push-down reverse) or straight line sequential shifting simply by depressing and turning the control knob. We favored the gated shifting that allowed us to accurately downshift from fifth gear to third gear, anticipating the upcoming curve and such. The youth testers didn’t want to bother with the clutch so preferred the automatic clutch sequential shifting approach. Also present on the shifter console are four red and four black programmable buttons and a four-way programmable rocker switch. The rocker switch is great when programed for camera view and zoom control, so you can quickly and easily set and change the views without having to reach over to the keyboard. There’s a power light on the shifter console indicating that the unit is on and a sequential shifting light to remind you when you are in sequential shifting mode.

The foot pedal board measures 12 x 17 x 7 inches, is set on a full black plate and includes a clutch as well as the accelerator and brake pedals. The stylish brushed aluminum racing-style pedals each offer a different feel when pushed, mimicking the pedals of a real car.

The steering wheel and shifter consoles can be mounted along the edge of a desk or table using the very secure integral clamps; optionally, they can be mounted on a board or rail using the flush threaded nuts on the undersides of each unit. Well designed cable channels and wire wells on the bottom of the components keep the cables neatly stowed and flush with the bottom. The foot pedal plate has gripper teeth for carpet use, rubber feet for bare floors or flush treaded nuts for plate or rail mounting. We used the carpet teeth, which held the pedals in place despite quite a bit of tromping.

The wheel kit connects via USB and is compatible with Windows XP/Vista or PlayStation 2 running any game supporting Logitech Force Feedback. Other games can be used but may not take advantage of all the features of the G25 Racing Wheel.

A program that does take advantage of the G25 Racing Wheel’s features is GTR2, a racing simulation based on the FIA GT racing circuit. And simulation is putting it mildly. The realism that depicts the cars and the accurate handling during the racing is incredible. You’ll get to choose from 140 wonderfully reproduced GT cars such as the Ferrari 550 Manello, Lotus Elise or the Maserati MCl2. Each comes with its own distinctive handling characteristics. You’ll also choose from 34 racing tracks based on real FIA-GT tracks such as Monza or Hockenheim, a few of which you’ll be blocked from using until you’ve proved your worth as a racer.

A welcome feature of GTR2 is the Driving School, where you can use the Logitech wheel to learn or improve driving skills in any one of four sections: Theory, Trackwork, FIA GT information and

Assists. Once you’ve completed the School, you’re ready (maybe) to take on one of the five single player racing modes: Open Practice, Time Trials, Race Weekend, 24-Hour Race, Championships and Multiplayer. Plenty more challenges are available in the GTR2 racing simulation.

Using the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel Kit with a supported racing program is pure driving simulation joy. Great fun for all the family, and the wheel is built to last.

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