# racingsimulator.guide

Site grounding for agents without the racingsimulator.guide repository: its seven charter files, unchanged except that headings sit two levels lower and every term id the pinned version defines, in the frontmatter blocks too, is followed by its label from the pinned version. The YAML blocks are therefore for reading, not parsing; the repo files are the source.

- Domain: racingsimulator.guide
- Pins: editorial-charter@1.3.1, portfolio-icp@1.0.0
- Repo: f5ec1ceb38583c34951d0044ce6276c596cb6996 (committed 2026-10-03T14:10:06-07:00)
- Built 2026-10-05T03:25:29+00:00
- Pages: https://taxonomy.tfw.bz/sites/racingsimulator.guide/

## BRAND.md

Version 1.0.1 · status draft · sha256 e920e661ede36a615740db850226f90b4dc68016b0f9f40f817502b8a2759078

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.0.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
archetype: charter:brand-archetype-sage (sage)
secondary_archetype: charter:brand-archetype-hero (hero)
claims:
  - id: c1
    text: Compatibility notes and specs come from vendor documentation and carry the date they were checked.
    basis: charter:claim-basis-documented (documented)
    source: briefs/site.md (site-specific rules); about.manifest.json copy.summary150
  - id: c2
    text: The site is a single-author independent project, not backed by any sim racing hardware maker.
    basis: charter:claim-basis-documented (documented)
    source: about.manifest.json copy.modules history
```

### BRAND

#### Name and entity
Racing Simulator Guide, published by Thomas Prommer. Entity home: https://racingsimulator.guide/en/about/ (`about.manifest.json`). Contact comms@flywheel.bz.

#### Promise
Before you spend, you learn what each piece of sim racing hardware changes in feel, in compatibility and in setup.

#### Personality
The sage, with a hero streak. The sage gives the number, the condition that changes the choice and the vendor source. The hero streak is the pace: short sentences, one number per claim, verbs over adjectives. It never hypes a brand and never claims lap times, league results or ownership it does not have.

#### Visual pointers
Locked direction "Brake Later" (kinetic type, one hot orange on near-black). Tokens: `design/tokens.json`. Rationale and rules: `DESIGN.md`.

#### Do / Don't
Do: name the torque, the mount and the platform limit. Do: date every compatibility and price claim. Do: promote more than one ecosystem and state lock-in costs plainly.
Don't: rank brands. Don't: use forum posts as evidence. Don't: write "we tested" or imply a rig the site does not own.

## VOICE.md

Version 1.0.1 · status draft · sha256 9da8ad7c08eb854c0ecb8ca3b9ee28339e000de1dd2304442a501f79e52bcdb2

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.0.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
register: charter:voice-register-practitioner (practitioner)
person: charter:voice-person-second (second person)
languages: [en, de, es, fr, pt]
addresses: [rig-upgraders]
essence: "Fast to read, exact on the numbers, honest about what an upgrade changes."
```

<!-- ASSUMED DEFAULT, 2026-09-17: recommended voice option 'a. Brake later' from ~/reports/site-strategy/racingsimulator.guide.json, pending Tom's review in ~/reports/site-decisions/index.html. If Tom picks another voice this file is replaced. -->

### VOICE: Racing Simulator Guide (racingsimulator.guide)

> Loaded by /humanizer (Step 0) and the content publishing gate (drafting Step 1
> + humanizer Step 3). If absent, both fall back to generic mode.

#### 1. Identity & Register
- Voice owner / who speaks: the site, third person for facts, second person (you) for the reader. No named author yet; the byline is added later by a human.
- Register: brand (energetic, practitioner-informed)
- Language/locale: en (source language; de, es, fr, pt translated, see section 9)
- One-line essence: "Fast to read, exact on the numbers, honest about what an upgrade changes."

#### 2. Audience
- Primary audience: sim racers upgrading from desk wheels to a rig
- Reader's job-to-be-done: choose the next piece of hardware and make it work with what they own
- Assume they have raced with a wheel and know force feedback exists. Always explain torque, load cells, mounting patterns and platform limits in terms of what the driver feels.

#### 3. Tone Axes  (mark where this voice sits)
- Formal   ───●───  Casual
- Authority ──●────  Peer
- Serious  ──●────  Playful
- Concise  ●──────  Expansive
- Default editorial_track: factual

#### 4. Person, POV & Cadence
- Person: second person, direct. Never 'we' or 'I'.
- Sentence rhythm: Short, punchy sentences. One number per claim. Verbs over adjectives.
- Paragraph length: 2 to 4 sentences.
- Structural tics to keep / avoid: Keep: 'check this first' lines, upgrade order lists, comparison tables. Avoid: racing clichés, exclamation marks, rankings of brands.

#### 5. Lexicon
- Preferred terms: wheelbase, rim, direct drive, belt drive, gear drive, load cell, cockpit, flex, torque (Nm), compatible with, checked on
- Banned phrases (beyond humanizer's generic list): 'unleash', 'next-level', 'ultimate rig', 'dominate the track', 'game-changer', 'must-have', 'we tested', 'on our rig'
- Capitalization & spelling rules: iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Le Mans Ultimate, EA SPORTS F1, Fanatec, MOZA (caps, as the company writes it), Thrustmaster, Logitech G, direct drive (lower case as a term), load cell, force feedback (FFB after first use), Nm for newton metres.
- Domain-jargon level: Moderate. Terms defined once, then used.

#### 6. E-E-A-T / Experience Claims  (anchors gate Step 7)
- Authentic experience this voice can claim: None claimed until a named author exists. No lap times, league results or ownership may be implied.
- Named author + bio source: none yet. Do not invent authors, reviewers or credentials. A human adds the byline before publish.
- Quantified credential for bios: to be filled by the human author when assigned. Leave blank rather than guess.
- Citation posture: Vendor product and support pages and sim developer documentation, dated. No forum claims as evidence.
- Original-data hooks this voice owns: Dated compatibility tables (base x rim x pedals x platform) and upgrade-order checklists.
- "What I got wrong" angle: Documented pitfalls: strong bases on flexing desks, console versions of the same wheel, rims that only fit one ecosystem.

#### 7. Gold-Standard Examples  (few-shot anchor, highest leverage)
No pages are published yet. These are drafted anchors written for this proposal; replace them with verbatim paragraphs from the first two published pages.
- Example A (drafted for /en/direct-drive-racing-wheel/): "A direct drive wheelbase bolts the steering wheel straight onto the motor shaft. There are no gears or belts in between, so the force feedback is stronger and you feel smaller details, like a tyre starting to slide. The number to compare is torque, in newton metres. More is not automatically better: if your cockpit or desk flexes, a strong base shakes the whole rig. Check what your mount can hold first, then pick the torque. A rigid wheel stand or cockpit turns that torque into detail instead of wobble."
  - Why on-voice: momentum, defines one number, adds the condition that changes the choice.
- Example B (drafted for /en/sim-racing-wheel/): "Spend on pedals before the wheel. Braking is where lap time lives, and a load cell brake teaches consistency faster than extra torque. If your pedals slide or your desk moves, fix the mount next. A stronger wheelbase comes after both."
  - Why on-voice: clear order, short sentences, no brand bias.

#### 8. Anti-References  (do NOT sound like)
- YouTube thumbnail hype ('THIS WHEEL CHANGED EVERYTHING').
- Retail listing copy.
- Gatekeeping sim racing forums.

#### 9. Other Languages
Pages in de, es, fr and pt are translated from English with DeepL, then edited by a fluent reader. Keep the same facts, structure and tone axes. Register per language:
- **de:** du, as German sim racing communities and brands use it, but no slang. Keep 'Direct Drive', 'Load Cell', 'Force Feedback' in English with a German gloss on first use (Direktantrieb, Kraftsensor).
- **es:** tú. Keep 'direct drive', 'load cell' and 'force feedback' in English with a gloss on first use. Energetic but correct Spanish.
- **fr:** tu, which French sim racing media commonly use; if Tom prefers a reference register, switch to vous everywhere. 'volant', 'pédalier', 'cockpit', 'retour de force'.
- **pt:** você, Brazilian Portuguese. 'volante', 'pedaleira', 'cockpit', 'force feedback' kept in English.
- All languages: keep product names, units and model numbers exactly as the vendor writes them. Do not translate UI labels that the reader will see in English inside the software or app; give the English label and a translation in parentheses on first use.

## STRATEGY.md

Version 1.0.1 · status draft · sha256 d93f8ff818663ed3eff7345615741899c621a5dc54b718cdde39565b8a7855f5

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.0.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
mission_shape: charter:mission-shape-serve-x-to-achieve-y (serve X to achieve Y)
horizon: charter:horizon-12m (12 months)
positioning:
  primary: charter:positioning-axis-authority-depth (authority depth)
  secondary: [charter:positioning-axis-speed-of-answer (speed of answer)]
audiences:
  - kind: charter:audience-kind-consumer (consumer)
    name: Rig upgraders
    segment: rig-upgraders
    job_to_be_done: Decide whether direct drive is worth it, choose parts that work together, and plan the upgrade order within a budget.
profile_required: true
```

### STRATEGY

#### Mission
We help sim racers who are moving from a desk wheel to a proper rig choose hardware that works together, with compatibility facts taken from vendor documentation and dated.

#### Positioning
Authority depth first: dated compatibility tables built from vendor documentation, where shops and review channels give opinion and affiliate-shaped shortlists. Speed of answer second: short pages that give the number first. We concede price position (the site does not track the lowest price) and brand access (no vendor loans or sponsored units are claimed).

#### Audiences
Rig upgraders have raced with a gear- or belt-driven wheel clamped to a desk and now want a stronger wheelbase, load-cell pedals and a cockpit that does not flex. The trigger is often pedals sliding under hard braking, a direct drive price drop or joining a league. Assume they know force feedback exists; always explain torque, load cells, mounting patterns and platform limits in terms of what the driver feels.

#### Competitors
Vendor shops, large YouTube hardware review channels and the r/simracing community answer the same question. They dominate brand queries (briefs/strategy.md, risks).

#### What we will not do
No rankings of brands. No forum claims as evidence. No lap times, league results or ownership implied. No toy racing content (the Hot Wheels cluster is held off-niche in briefs/HOLD.md). No affiliate link or ad slot goes live until Tom confirms.

#### Bets for the horizon
1. Cover the head hardware queries first: wheel, direct drive and a cockpit page that the plan lacks today (moves gsc_clicks).
2. Make the dated compatibility table (base by rim by pedals by platform) the reason to return (moves content_engaged).
3. Put a disclosed, multi-ecosystem affiliate path on hardware pages once Tom confirms (moves affiliate_clicked).

## AUDIENCE.md

Version 1.1.1 · status draft · sha256 bd6cd627c4be997a48b3463e7ff101f51a10858b6f4f3b4770b91fb48b0cf32a

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.1.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
segments:
  - slug: rig-upgraders
    name: Rig upgraders
    kind: charter:audience-kind-consumer (consumer)
    archetype: icp:gear-buyer-enthusiast (Gear-buying enthusiast)
    priority: charter:segment-priority-primary (primary)
    job_to_be_done: Decide whether direct drive is worth it, choose parts that work together, and plan the upgrade order within a budget.
    funnel_stages: [charter:funnel-stage-consideration (consideration), charter:funnel-stage-decision (decision)]
    languages: [en]
    regions: [US]
    pains:
      - Wheelbases and rims lock you into one ecosystem.
      - Platform compatibility (PC, Xbox, PlayStation) varies by model.
      - Mounting hole patterns and cockpit rigidity are poorly documented.
      - Prices and stock change constantly.
    channels: [charter:channel-organic-search (organic search), charter:channel-social-video (social video), charter:channel-community (community)]
    entry_paths: ["/en/direct-drive-racing-wheel/", "/en/sim-racing-wheel/", "/en/racing-simulator-setup/"]
    size_signal: {metric: monthly_searches, value: 19930, unit: count}
    evidence:
      default: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md (assumed default ICP a, pending Tom) and briefs/site.md", as_of: 2026-10-03}
      size_signal: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-researched (researched), source: "briefs/strategy.md (size signal: sim racing wheel 12,100 + direct drive 4,570 + setup 3,260, DataForSEO keyword data in briefs/keywords.json)", as_of: 2026-09-17}
      regions: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "about.manifest.json languages [en] and content/en (only drafted locale); US from the en-us program pages and FTC rules in briefs/strategy.md; de, es, fr, pt editions are planned in briefs/site.md, not served; no traffic data yet", as_of: 2026-10-03}
      channels: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md (where they search: hardware queries, YouTube reviews, r/simracing)", as_of: 2026-10-03}
```

### AUDIENCE

#### Rig upgraders
Sim racers who have raced with a wheel clamped to a desk and want a stronger wheelbase, load-cell pedals and a cockpit that does not flex. They compare hardware across brands and need to know what works with what they already own, and what an upgrade changes in feel. Source: briefs/strategy.md, VOICE.md section 2.

#### Excluded audiences
Not written for: readers looking for toy or children's racing products (the Hot Wheels cluster is held off-niche, briefs/HOLD.md), and readers who want a ranked "best brand" verdict. Source: briefs/HOLD.md, VOICE.md section 4.

## MONETIZATION.md

Version 1.0.1 · status draft · sha256 18769cada27f5ecddbc1f06e4865a98dec88d978f3df6ccf82e4adff3d522b4a

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.0.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
revenue_lines:
  - slug: affiliate-thrustmaster
    name: Thrustmaster affiliate program
    type: charter:revenue-type-affiliate (affiliate)
    partner: {name: Thrustmaster, entity: null, program_url: "https://www.thrustmaster.com/en-us/affiliate/"}
    program_status: charter:program-status-assumed (assumed)
    commission_model: charter:commission-model-revshare-percent (revenue share)
    placements: [charter:placement-type-inline-link (inline link)]
    segments: [rig-upgraders]
    kpi_key: affiliate_clicked
    status: charter:revenue-status-idea (idea)
    share_band: charter:revenue-share-band-minor (minor)
    start_trigger: Tom confirms the monetization choice in the site-decisions review
    evidence:
      default: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md monetization option a; the program page was not read in this run", as_of: 2026-10-03}
  - slug: affiliate-fanatec
    name: Fanatec affiliate program
    type: charter:revenue-type-affiliate (affiliate)
    partner: {name: Fanatec, entity: null, program_url: "https://help.fanatec.com/hc/en-us/articles/43991039788177-Fanatec-Affiliate-Program-and-Partnerships-A-Primer"}
    program_status: charter:program-status-assumed (assumed)
    commission_model: charter:commission-model-unknown (unknown)
    placements: [charter:placement-type-inline-link (inline link)]
    segments: [rig-upgraders]
    kpi_key: affiliate_clicked
    status: charter:revenue-status-idea (idea)
    share_band: charter:revenue-share-band-minor (minor)
    start_trigger: Tom confirms the monetization choice in the site-decisions review
    evidence:
      default: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md (rates visible only after joining on Impact, per the strategy note)", as_of: 2026-10-03}
  - slug: affiliate-moza
    name: MOZA affiliate portal
    type: charter:revenue-type-affiliate (affiliate)
    partner: {name: MOZA Racing, entity: null, program_url: "https://affiliate.mozaracing.com/"}
    program_status: charter:program-status-assumed (assumed)
    commission_model: charter:commission-model-unknown (unknown)
    placements: [charter:placement-type-inline-link (inline link)]
    segments: [rig-upgraders]
    kpi_key: affiliate_clicked
    status: charter:revenue-status-idea (idea)
    share_band: charter:revenue-share-band-minor (minor)
    start_trigger: Tom confirms the monetization choice in the site-decisions review
    evidence:
      default: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md (rates not published on the portal page, so unknown until approved)", as_of: 2026-10-03}
  - slug: affiliate-amazon-associates
    name: Amazon Associates, entry wheels
    type: charter:revenue-type-affiliate (affiliate)
    partner: {name: Amazon, entity: null, program_url: "https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/"}
    network: Amazon Associates
    program_status: charter:program-status-assumed (assumed)
    commission_model: charter:commission-model-revshare-percent (revenue share)
    placements: [charter:placement-type-inline-link (inline link)]
    segments: [rig-upgraders]
    kpi_key: affiliate_clicked
    status: charter:revenue-status-idea (idea)
    share_band: charter:revenue-share-band-minor (minor)
    start_trigger: Tom confirms the monetization choice in the site-decisions review
    evidence:
      default: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md (widely stocked entry wheels; fee schedule not read in this run)", as_of: 2026-10-03}
  - slug: display-ads-software-setup
    name: Display ads on software and setup guides
    type: charter:revenue-type-display-ads (display ads)
    network: Mediavine Journey
    commission_model: charter:commission-model-rpm (RPM)
    placements: [charter:placement-type-display-slot (display slot)]
    segments: [rig-upgraders]
    kpi_key: ad_revenue_recorded
    status: charter:revenue-status-idea (idea)
    share_band: charter:revenue-share-band-minor (minor)
    start_trigger: Tom confirms the monetization choice and traffic reaches the network minimum
    evidence:
      default: {basis: charter:evidence-basis-assumed (assumed), source: "agent draft 2026-10-03 from briefs/strategy.md (Journey from 1,000 premium sessions a month, requirement not re-read in this run)", as_of: 2026-10-03}
```

### MONETIZATION

#### Revenue model
The assumed default in briefs/strategy.md is manufacturer and retailer affiliate links on wheel, direct drive, pedal and cockpit pages, plus display ads on software and setup guides. Compatibility tables stay unpaid and editorial. Every line is an idea until Tom confirms. No line is marked core because no source gives a revenue split.

#### Disclosure rules
Disclose the commission next to each affiliate link, in plain words. German pages carry "Anzeige" or "Werbung" near the link. Promote more than one ecosystem and state lock-in costs, so no brand is favoured because it pays more. Source: briefs/strategy.md compliance and brand risk notes.

#### Not monetised
Compatibility tables, upgrade-order checklists and any page that names a brand as a ranking. No affiliate link, ad slot or listing fee goes live until Tom confirms (briefs/strategy.md).

#### Thrustmaster affiliate program
Thrustmaster runs its own program for sim racing creators. The strategy note quotes a range on eShop sales; the figure is not repeated here because the program page was not read in this run.

#### Fanatec affiliate program
Fanatec lists its program on Impact. Rates are visible only after joining, so the commission model stays unknown.

#### MOZA affiliate portal
MOZA runs an affiliate portal. Its rates are not published on the portal page, so the commission model stays unknown until approval.

#### Amazon Associates, entry wheels
Amazon Associates for widely stocked entry wheels. Rates are low single digits per the strategy note, not verified here.

#### Display ads on software and setup guides
Display ads on software and setup guides, through Mediavine Journey once the site meets the network minimum. Ad categories are reviewed so no ad implies a brand endorsement.

## KPI.md

Version 1.0.1 · status draft · sha256 509f836d7c0b5b7c8caf0a89ba6e16e7f4403943381aea5d2a75fe00703e96e3

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.0.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
template: charter:kpi-template-editorial-traffic (editorial traffic)
template_override: ""
kpis:
  - {key: pageview_recorded, role: charter:kpi-role-primary (primary)}
  - {key: gsc_clicks, role: charter:kpi-role-secondary (secondary)}
  - {key: gsc_impressions, role: charter:kpi-role-secondary (secondary)}
  - {key: avg_position, role: charter:kpi-role-secondary (secondary)}
  - {key: content_engaged, role: charter:kpi-role-secondary (secondary)}
  - {key: newsletter_subscribed, role: charter:kpi-role-secondary (secondary)}
  - {key: affiliate_clicked, role: charter:kpi-role-secondary (secondary)}
  - {key: crawl_errors, role: charter:kpi-role-guardrail (guardrail)}
  - {key: pages_indexed, role: charter:kpi-role-guardrail (guardrail)}
catalog_sha: 4304fc97e9ac457725bdc25dcbb724c36257a707cbb3c237b69cd3e7ba04ac39
```

### KPI

#### Why these metrics
pageview_recorded is the number the site is run on while it is pre-launch and ranking pages is the first job. gsc_clicks, gsc_impressions and avg_position show whether the hardware pillars are earning search visibility. content_engaged shows whether the compatibility tables are read. newsletter_subscribed is kept from the template as a return path. affiliate_clicked stays enabled for the planned, disclosed hardware links and stays near zero until Tom confirms them. crawl_errors and pages_indexed are the guardrails: errors must not rise and indexed pages must follow the page plan.

#### Reading guide
Read pageview_recorded weekly against the target in kpi-mgmt once one is entered; none exists yet. Rising impressions with flat clicks means titles or positions need work. Rising pageviews with flat content_engaged means the tables are not being used.

#### Review cadence
Quarterly, with the 12-month bets in STRATEGY.md.

## taxonomy/binding.yaml

Version 1.1.1 · status draft · sha256 a7dae92c0512852f79dcc0637ea701ea4400aae7ecbba6f5f13dd81c36f7a388

```yaml
charter: 1
version: 1.1.1
profile: editorial-charter@1.3.1
domain: racingsimulator.guide
status: draft
reviewed_by: ""
iab_content: ["iab:680"]
icp_profile: portfolio-icp@1.0.0
content_profile: null
languages: [en]
regions: [US]
```