Pole is not in the way unless you have large muscle like legs or something then it might be a problem, haha. It's pretty stiff as well. Once I get a larger house and perhaps a dedicated entertainment room I might build my own cockpit based on my Prelude or my future NSX-R
Just same dimensions, I'm not going to bring in a parts car and use the center console and dashboard haha, although I have seen some like that and does look pretty neat.
Before the play seat I made my own cockpit out of PVC piping. Screwed it all together so its sturdy and just mounted an old OEM Honda seat I had. It laid on the flat on the floor so I left like a low rider
It was pretty easy to make as well.
I might have some photos of it somewhere, I'll check.