Built from a lifelong love of motorsport
Forrest Motorsport began with a passion for engineering, hospitality and racing. From building simulator systems in 2020 to opening our first Newbury race room in 2022, every stage of our development has been shaped by real drivers, real customers and real-world experience.
After three fantastic years on the high street, we are taking everything we learned into the next chapter: specialist simulator projects, private and commercial installations, technical support and mobile motorsport events.
Where the story started
- Founded Forrest Motorsport in 2020
- More than 30 years in hospitality and events
- Raised three miles from Oulton Park, Cheshire
- Simulator builds, installations and specialist projects
My name is Graeme Forrest, and I founded Forrest Motorsport in 2020.
The business brings together two important parts of my life: a fascination with engineering and more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and events. That combination has shaped how we approach every simulator, installation and customer experience.
I grew up around three miles from Oulton Park in Cheshire. On race weekends, I could hear the superbikes and BTCC touring cars from our back garden. Motorsport never felt like something distant. It was part of the background to my childhood, and that fascination with cars, technology and competition has stayed with me ever since.
When simulator technology became increasingly capable and accessible, I saw an opportunity to combine those interests. Forrest Motorsport started by building, testing and improving simulators for private drivers and specialist projects. In 2022, following the disruption of Covid, we decided to take a much bigger step.
From first build to the next chapter
- 2020
Forrest Motorsport is created
Forrest Motorsport began with simulator builds, equipment sourcing, system development and technical problem-solving. We learned how different chassis, PCs, displays, controls, motion systems and software platforms worked together, as well as where compatibility problems and unnecessary costs commonly appeared.
- 1 July 2022
Our first race room opens
We opened our first physical race room in Newbury on 1 July 2022. It was more than a shop. It became a simulator venue, a social space, an event environment, a testing facility and a place where complete beginners could experience motorsport alongside experienced sim racers and real-world drivers.
- 2022 to 2025
Three years of hands-on experience
Running the race room every week taught us lessons that cannot be learned from specifications alone. We learned how to welcome nervous first-time drivers, adjust equipment for different users, host competitive group racing, manage multiple networked simulators and keep complicated systems operating reliably. We also learned how simulator experiences should flow, from arrival and driver briefing through practice, qualifying, racing, leaderboards and podium presentations. That operational knowledge now influences every venue, event and simulator system we help to create.
- 2024
Recognised in our hometown
In 2024, Forrest Motorsport won Best Independent Retailer at the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards. We were also selected as a finalist for Best Town Centre (BID) Business. The recognition meant a great deal because it reflected not just the simulator technology, but the customer care, accessibility and welcoming atmosphere we had worked hard to create.
- 2025 and beyond
Taking the experience on the road
After three fantastic years, the lease on our race room came to an end. Rather than recreate exactly the same business elsewhere, we chose to build upon what the shop had taught us. Forrest Motorsport moved into a more flexible, mobile and project-led model. We now concentrate on simulator consultancy, custom builds, commercial installations, technical support and specialist projects, while The Grid Experience takes our event knowledge into workplaces, venues, exhibitions and live experiences.
A reputation built one customer at a time
The most rewarding part of running the Newbury race room was the response from our customers. Across Tripadvisor and Google, people consistently praised the knowledge, service, atmosphere and attention they received.
Our Tripadvisor history includes 69 five-star reviews and one four-star review from 70 customers, while a further 20 customers left five-star reviews on Google. We remain extremely proud of that record. It represents three years of listening, improving and treating every visitor as an individual.
These are historic results from the Forrest Motorsport race room in Newbury.
Designed by people who have operated the equipment
We do not approach simulator projects solely as hardware sales. We have spent years building systems, maintaining them, watching customers use them and understanding what happens after the installation team leaves.
Systems that work together
A simulator is an interconnected system. The chassis, seat, controls, PC, displays, audio, motion, software, network and available space must all work together. We consider the complete installation rather than recommending isolated components.
Built around real users
A simulator must suit the people using it. Adjustment, accessibility, driver size, experience level, comfort and ease of operation can be just as important as outright performance.
Commercially practical
Commercial systems need reliability, sensible maintenance, rapid driver changeovers, straightforward staff controls and clear recovery procedures. Our recommendations are informed by three years of operating our own public venue.
Supported beyond installation
A successful project does not finish when the simulator is switched on. We can assist with setup, calibration, software, staff training, operating procedures, race formats, troubleshooting and future upgrades.
Interesting projects for interesting clients
We are naturally drawn to projects that require thought, experimentation and practical problem-solving. Our work has ranged from private home simulators and driver-training systems to university, defence, education and commercial installations.
Selected organisations and project areas have included:
- Swansea University
- Cranfield University
- United States Air Force
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
- Driving schools and driver-training organisations
- Commercial simulator venues
- Private drivers and home simulator clients
Although the end use may vary, our approach remains the same: understand the objective, design the complete system and make sure it works properly in the environment where it will actually be used.
Two businesses, one foundation of experience
Forrest Motorsport
Forrest Motorsport provides simulator consultancy, specification, equipment sourcing, custom builds, installation, configuration and ongoing technical support for commercial and private clients.
Whether the project is a single home simulator, a driver-development system or a multi-simulator venue, we apply the knowledge gained from years of building and operating our own equipment.
The Grid Experience
The Grid Experience takes the hosting and operational knowledge developed inside the Forrest Motorsport race room and applies it to mobile events, corporate experiences, exhibitions, competitions and brand activations.
It is a separate event company built upon the experience of the Forrest Motorsport team. Historic Forrest Motorsport reviews and awards remain attributed to Forrest Motorsport.
Working with RaceMotion
Forrest Motorsport works with RaceMotion as an installer and custom setup builder. This relationship combines our experience in simulator specification, installation, software and operation with RaceMotion's technical and fabrication capabilities.
For larger or more specialised projects, RaceMotion can support us with custom fabrication and additional engineering expertise. This allows us to approach projects around the client's objectives rather than forcing every customer into a fixed package.
Supporting a mission we believe in
We are extremely proud to be working with Mission Motorsport, The Forces' Motorsport Charity, as it develops simulator-led activities and events.
Mission Motorsport uses motorsport and the automotive industry to support recovery, rehabilitation, retraining and employment opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community. We genuinely believe in its work and thoroughly enjoy supporting the people behind it.
We encourage our customers, suppliers and friends to learn more about the charity and the difference it makes.
Still curious. Still building.
Forrest Motorsport has changed considerably since 2020, but the motivation behind it has stayed the same. We enjoy understanding what a customer wants to achieve, solving the complicated parts and creating something that is genuinely useful.
The shop gave us three years of invaluable knowledge. Our commercial and private projects continue to extend that knowledge, and our move into mobile events allows us to bring the experience to far more people.
We are now entering the second chapter of Forrest Motorsport, with better knowledge, stronger technical relationships and the confidence that comes from having operated the systems we recommend.
Have an interesting simulator project?
Whether you are planning a private simulator, a commercial installation, a driver-training system or a mobile motorsport event, tell us what you are trying to achieve. We will help you understand the options, avoid unnecessary expense and create a practical route from idea to installation.