iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations is a subscription based PC racing simulation game. One of the OGs in racing simulators, iRacing offers simulated racing across multiple facets of motorsports, including racing series such as Formula 1, NASCAR, World of Outlaws, Australian Supercars and more.
WHO MAKES iRACING?
The iRacing simulation is made in-house by iRacing, who develops and publishes their own content. Before they were iRacing, many of the iRacing executives came from what used to be the Papyrus Racing Design group, which developed titles such as Grand Prix Legends and NASCAR Racing 2003 Season.
WHEN DID iRACING RELEASE?
While iRacing began to develop in 2004, it wasn’t until 28th August 2008 that iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations became available to the public.
WHAT PLATFORMS CAN YOU PLAY iRACING ON?
iRacing is only available for PC gamers. You don’t need Steam to access iRacing, but you can link your iRacing account to your Steam account if you’d like to.
iRACING IS A SIMULATION
While all racing games can be classified as a video game, iRacing is one of the few that can be considered a simulation.
As opposed to other games that may have official content but not the full simulation aspect – a sim-cade, if you will – iRacing goes beyond titles like F1 22 and World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing (a game that iRacing produces) and brings that full simulation aspect.
HOW MUCH DOES iRACING COST?
iRacing is a subscription-based service with added paid content in the form of additional tracks and cars.
Subscriptions come included with base content, and they can be purchased for one month, three months, a full year or two years at a time, and when purchased, subscriptions will add time on to existing subscriptions if you choose to re-up during sales like the iRacing Black Friday sale.
1 Month
3 Months
1 Year
2 Years
Cars
Tracks
$13.00
$33.00
$110.00
$199.00
usually $11.95 per car
usually $11.95 or $14.95 per track
WHAT IS THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE ON iRACING?
Racing online on iRacing comes in three variations – officially scheduled series with lobby splits, hosted sessions and leagues. The latter two are sessions that need to be purchased by a host and can be set up and customized with different rules and conditions, with hosts also able to provide some race control if desired.
As for official racing, these lobbies are not monitored live, usually, and competitors will need to follow the guidelines of the iRacing Sporting Code in those races. These races, however, if part of the ranked list of series, will help iRacers work towards advancing their iRating and license level.
WHAT OFFICIAL ESPORT SERIES COMPETE ON iRACING?
Currently, there are four active official esports on the iRacing World Championship schedule. Each license level has one specific world championship at this time.
Top oval racers have the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, a NASCAR-based series which features the NASCAR NEXT Gen and many of the tracks on the NASCAR calendar.
For road experts, the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup (PESC) is the top level for the road license, a tin top, fully-fendered series which features the Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 Cup car at many historic racing venues across the globe.
Dirt oval masters technically have two series, but both are sanctioned by the World of Outlaws. They are the World of Outlaws Buttkicker Late Model Series and the World of Outlaws CARQUEST Auto Parts Sprint Car Series, which alternate seasons on opposite ends of the calendar.
Finally, dirt road specialists are currently enrolled in the iRacing Off-Road World Championship Series, utilizing the Pro 4 Trucks on the limited number of short courses available on the iRacing title. Each World Championship requires a pro-level license to compete within them.
WHAT ARE SPECIAL EVENTS?
iRacing has a Special Events calendar that coincides with the official season schedules, but it can slightly vary depending on the event at hand. Races such as the iRacing Daytona 24, the iRacing Chili Bowl, the SCCA Runoffs, and longer NASCAR races like the iRacing Coke 600.
These events may have a license requirement to partake in, but usually they are open to most drivers. They are meant to simulate some of the most legendary races in the real-world.
ARE THERE OFFLINE RACES, OR RACES AGAINST COMPUTER OPPONENTS ON iRACING?
iRacing does offer iRacing AI, which is still a work in progress, but is quickly becoming an increasingly popular way to enjoy the physics and features of iRacing, without the added pressure of racing real people.
You do, however, need to be connected to the internet and do need to have an active iRacing subscription to access iRacing AI, it’s not like many other games where the internet is not required.
We share all the latest updates on iRacing news. Discover updates, in-depth reviews and expert advice to drive you to success.
Hot on the heels of the deployment of the 2021 Season 1 update just a few days ago is the first patch. It’s a fairly minor one to be completely honest. There are some minor quality-of-UI updates and a couple of issues causing the new 3D car viewer to crash but the biggest updates are…Continue reading “The first patch for 2021 Season – iRacing”»
Hidden away in the release notes of iRacing’s 2021 Season 1 build is a little nugget of information that will please supercar fans. The Lamborghini Huracán GT3 comes to iRacing with the new build published today. There was a distinct lack of hyped up Facebook posts, Tweets or articles from the developers. A strange choice…Continue reading “In case you missed it, there’s a Lambo in iRacing now”»
As always with iRacing there’s been a big update to the service as they move into the next year of racing. This update is absolutely jam-packed with new content and physics changes that are sure to have a significant impact on the simulation as week 1 of the 2021 season approaches. If you haven’t got…Continue reading “iRacing 2021 Season 1”»
A lot of love for dirt fans from iRacing at the moment. Last week it was the announcement of a double-deal with the Big Block Modifieds and now a brand new circuit is coming to town and joining the service. Cedar Lake Speedway will definitely be recognised by fans of the World of Outlaws series….Continue reading “Cedar Lake Speedway dirt oval joining iRacing”»
In a fully of news recently, iRacing have announced that the BMW M4 GT3 will be coming to the service. The car itself has created plenty of controversy in automotive circles with its pretty beefy front-grille. Ultimately though, the performance is going to be what matters on iRacing. Who cares about a grille when you…Continue reading “BMW M4 GT3 “early release” comes to iRacing”»
For anyone that likes getting down and dirty with rallycross in iRacing can celebrate today as the service announced two new track configurations. Both Brands Hatch and Charlotte Motors Speedway already exist in iRacing in road and oval forms but this latest update will add the possibility of high-octane rallycross racing for drivers. Although both…Continue reading “iRacing – Brands Hatch and Charlotte rallycross layouts added”»
Online simulation platform iRacing today announced a collaboration with chassis builder Dallara. This partnership has given birth to the Dallara iR-01 – a new open-wheel single-seater car that will be coming to the platform this month. The vehicle will be available to purchase and race at the start of 2021 Season 1 (which actually starts…Continue reading “New single-seater for iRacing following team-up with Dallara”»
Honestly, Long Beach Street Circuit is coming imminently to iRacing. It’s expected to join at the beginning of 2021 Season 1 (9th December 2020). It’s not the first time that the track has joined the service though. All the way back in 2013, the circuit was released as a “Tech Track”. At the time, that…Continue reading “Long Beach is coming soon™”»
Reported today, the iRacing platform is expanding its European road course content with the scanning, licensing and development of four new circuits for their customers to enjoy. Occasionally criticised for their attention to the oval racing scene, adding dirt and additional speedways recently, this will be welcome news for the service’s road racing fans. The…Continue reading “Hockenheim, Red Bull Ring, Knockhill and Hungaroring in iRacing development”»