Hawley, Minn. – Mitchell Dahlen, the founder of MM Simulations, turned his own backyard shed into a full‑motion racing simulator after a broken ankle sparked his interest in sim racing. Faced with high prices for commercial rigs, Dahlen decided to design and construct his own system.
DIY engineering delivers motion at a fraction of the cost
The rig features a 150‑millimeter actuator powered by 750‑watt servo motors, achieving roughly 400 mm per second of movement. This allows the platform to replicate every bump, turn, brake and acceleration in real time while playing titles such as F1 and iRacing.
What sets Dahlen’s creation apart is price. By manufacturing hardware in‑house, sourcing parts directly from factories and eliminating middlemen, the simulator costs nearly half of comparable commercial units. Apart from the steering wheel and pedals, every component was built by Dahlen himself.
Plans to bring the experience to the community
Dahlen envisions placing these simulators in local businesses, eventually opening a dedicated venue in Hawley. “We could be looking at actually opening up a venue in town. It would probably serve food, like a driving range but with racing simulators,” he explained.
He believes the immersive experience will keep patrons engaged: “Once you’re in, it’s going to be hard to leave.” While no firm timeline has been set, Dahlen intends to roll out the simulators to the Fargo‑Moorhead area soon and will announce updates via his Facebook page.
Local impact and entrepreneurial spirit
This project highlights the ingenuity of small‑town entrepreneurs who leverage personal passion to create affordable entertainment options. If successful, Dahlen’s model could inspire similar ventures across western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, offering families and racing enthusiasts a new, cost‑effective way to enjoy high‑tech motorsport experiences.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
