Mitchell Dahlen plans sim racing venue in Fargo

Mitchell Dahlen, a Hawley, Minnesota resident, has engineered a professional-grade, full-motion racing simulator in his backyard shed and is now planning to launch a commercial venue in Fargo. By manufacturing hardware in-house and sourcing parts directly from factories, Dahlen’s company, MM Simulations, offers a rig that provides real-time physical feedback for games like F1 and iRacing at nearly half the cost of market competitors.

The project began not as a business venture, but as a solution to a personal setback. After breaking his ankle, Dahlen turned to sim racing for entertainment, but found the entry price for high-end, motion-capable equipment to be prohibitive. Rather than paying the premium, he decided to build the system himself, focusing on reducing the cost by cutting out the middlemen typically found in the electronics and automotive hardware supply chain.

The Engineering Behind the Motion

Dahlen’s rig is a different beast entirely. According to a report by Valley News Live, the system utilizes 150 millimeter actuation powered by 750-watt servo motors. This setup allows for movement speeds of nearly 400 millimeters per second, translating digital data from the game into physical motion.

When a driver hits the brakes or takes a sharp turn in a virtual race, the rig shifts the driver’s body to mimic those G-forces. Dahlen notes that the system allows users to feel acceleration and road bumps in real time, creating a visceral experience that mirrors actual driving.

To keep the price point low, Dahlen handles almost every aspect of production. He builds everything in-house except for the steering wheel and pedals. This vertical integration—controlling the design and sourcing of the hardware—is what allows him to undercut competitors by roughly 50%.

From the Backyard to a Fargo Venue

While the shed served as the laboratory, the long-term goal is civic and commercial. Dahlen envisions a dedicated venue in the Fargo-Moorhead area that blends high-tech simulation with a social atmosphere. He describes a concept similar to a modern driving range, where people can visit for the experience and stay for the amenities.

“We could be looking at actually opening up a venue in town. Would probably serve food. Just like you would at the driving range, but you’re going to the driving range,” Dahlen said. “I think that once you’re in, it’s going to be hard to leave.”

By lowering the cost of the hardware, Dahlen is attempting to make a high-barrier hobby accessible to a broader demographic in North Dakota and Minnesota.

The Economic Stakes of Simulation

Dahlen has not yet released a specific timetable for the Fargo opening. For now, he is using his Facebook page to communicate updates and announce the rollout of his simulators into local businesses.