Pedal Face

The pedal face (also called pedal plate or pedal pad) is the surface your foot contacts when operating sim racing pedals. Different pedal faces suit different driving styles, footwear, and preferences.

Why Pedal Faces Matter

Feel: The shape and texture affect how naturally your foot finds and operates the pedal.

Footwear compatibility: Some faces work better with shoes; others are designed for socks or bare feet.

Heel-toe technique: Throttle and brake pedal face placement affects heel-toe downshifting.

Comfort: Extended sessions require comfortable foot contact.

Pedal Face Shapes

Flat/Rectangular

Simple flat plates, often with a slight curve.

Best for: General use, shoes or socks, beginners Common on: Entry to mid-range pedals

Rally/Tilted

Angled faces that match real rally car pedal orientation.

Best for: Rally sim racers, heel-toe technique Common on: Heusinkveld, some Fanatec pedals

Long/Tall

Extended vertical faces for more foot positioning options.

Best for: Drivers who move foot position during sessions Common on: Premium pedal sets

Drilled/Perforated

Faces with holes or slots cut through.

Best for: Real racing aesthetics, shoe grip, weight reduction Common on: Racing-replica pedals

Pedal Face Materials

Aluminum: Most common on mid-range and premium pedals. Durable, good feel, can be cold on bare feet.

Steel: Very durable, found on some premium sets. Heavier than aluminum.

Plastic: Common on entry-level pedals. Adequate but less premium feel.

Rubber-coated: Provides grip, especially with socks. Found on some pedal faces as an option.

Adjustability

Many premium pedal sets offer pedal face adjustments:

Angle adjustment: Tilt the face for comfort or technique Height adjustment: Raise/lower relative to the pedal arm Swappable faces: Change between different shapes Spacing adjustment: Change distance between pedals for heel-toe

Entry-level pedals typically have fixed, non-adjustable faces.

Heel-Toe Considerations

For heel-toe downshifting (blipping throttle while braking with the same foot):

• Throttle and brake faces should overlap in height when needed
• Face edges should be accessible at the same time
• Adjustable faces let you dial in the perfect spacing

If heel-toe is important, check whether the pedals allow proper face positioning.

Pedal Face Upgrades

Some pedal manufacturers sell aftermarket faces:

• Different shapes for preference
• Different textures for grip
• Material upgrades (aluminum replacing plastic)

Third-party manufacturers also make replacement faces for popular pedal sets.

Footwear and Pedal Faces

Racing shoes: Thin soles provide best pedal feel. Any face shape works.

Sneakers/trainers: Thicker soles reduce feel. Textured faces help grip.

Socks/bare feet: Comfortable but less precise. Rubber-coated faces add grip.

Work boots/heavy shoes: Difficult to modulate precisely. Not recommended.

Many serious sim racers use dedicated sim racing shoes or thin-soled shoes for better pedal feel.

Related Terms

• Load Cell: Pressure-based brake sensor
• Potentiometer: Position-based pedal sensor
• Heel-Toe: Technique requiring specific pedal face placement