How to use the Thrustmaster TH8A or TH8RS Shifter as Analog Handbrakes (ISR)

With the growing popularity of the recently released rally games such as Dirt Rally by Codemasters and WRC5 by Kylotonn Racing Games, many of the fans have been on the lookout for some dedicated handbrake hardware.

While there are a few nice sim racing handbrake products on the market such as the Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake, or DSD Hydraulic Handbrake, there is also the possibility to use a Thrustmaster shifter to perform the task.

Darin Gangi from Inside Sim Racing shows you how to use the Thrustmaster TH8A or TH8RS shifter unit as an analog handbrake. Besides being useful in rally games, the drift fans might want to use the same trick for some added fun on the virtual drift tracks.

Keep in mind that this will only work on PC systems and will not work on the gaming consoles.

1. Download the driver for the shifter at the Thrustmasters site. Once you’ve downloaded it, install it. It won’t work unless you have the driver loaded. I also noticed there’s an updated version of the firmware and I applied that as well.
2. While waiting for the driver to download and install, you can move the shifter plate so the neutral position is up and down versus side to side. Just loosen these 4 screws and move it. No need to take them all the way out. You’ll need to put it so 1st and 2nd gear is up top so that you move the shifter down through the neutral position towards 7th and reverse. This won’t work using the sequential shifter plate.
3. Next thing you’ll need to do is change it to the analog mode in the driver or Thrustmaster profile.
4. Once in the shifter properties, you’ll check the box to switch the shifter to analog mode.
5. Test the shifter out and you’ll see the axis bar moving.
6. Currently, WRC 5 does not accept an axis or analog control in the handbrake position, but Dirt Rally does.
   a. Go in game and map the TH8A as your handbrake.
7. Finally, go in-game and test it out.