First patch for 2022 iRacing Season 2 adds AI Racing for Formula iR-04

Just over a week ago, the latest iRacing build dropped for the upcoming 2022 Season 2. As it usually is, the first patch for the build has dropped during Week 1 of the season, and with it brings a bunch of general updates.

The leading addition in this patch is the inclusion of the all-new iRacing Formula iR-04 to their list of AI-capable vehicles. In the build release, the Hyundai Veloster and Aston Martin Vantage GT4 released with the ability to compete on the AI side, along with the previously released Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance. Now the iR-04 joins them.

Other improvements to the sim include some general updates to some NASCAR vehicles. Namely, the NEXT Gen cars got some texture updates, the Camping World Trucks have the right decals, and the 1987 Buick Lesabre and the other 1987 cars are no longer bottoming out as much.

Both new track at Winton and Federated Auto Parts Raceway received some post-release updates and for those racing the Brazilian Stock Cars, the Push to Pass, or Extra Power System as it is, now displays properly when implemented by opponents. Also, there’s a section in your black box for it now as well.

Check out the full release notes below. What are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

iRACING UI:

Series Racing

• Added an entry to “Series Details” to indicate if the use of multiple tire compounds is required while participating in the series.

Create a Race

• The validation flow for the option to enforce the use of multiple tire compounds when creating a race has been updated.

AI Racing

• For creating AI Races, the option to require racers to begin the race with the tire compound used to set their best Qualifying lap has been added.

Time Attack

• Fixed an issue with Time Attack modal windows erroring out if a retired car was previously preselected but had been replaced with a newer version.

Paint Shop

• A new sponsor, CarQuest, has been added to the Paint Shop!

SIMULATION:

AI Racing

• AI Racing is now available with the iRacing Formula iR-04.
• These AI Drivers have improved their racing skills at Winton Motor Raceway, particularly in the Esses.
• Fixed an issue where some AI Drivers would attempt to leave the grid before the car ahead of them had begun to move.
• Reduced the CPU demand of AI Drivers when running with Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance.

Display Mode

• A confirmation dialog box will now display when a user chooses to auto-config their graphics if they already have a “renderer.ini” file and do not have a display mode .ini file.

Spotter

• The low fuel warning message upon gridding is now disabled if you haven’t generated any fuel data.

Interface

• Fixed an issue where if the Dash Box was open, mouse-inputs for other Black Boxes were being ignored.
• Fixed an issue where the Dash Box would not keybind correctly.

CARS:

<Car Class> NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Trucks

• Updated some older contingency decals to their 2022 versions.

<Car Class> NASCAR Classic 1987 Cars

• External drivetrain audio levels have been reduced.
• Fixed an issue where opponent cars could appear to be scraping at high banked tracks.
• Fixed a slight off-center issue with the art for wheel hubs and pivots. This issue had no effect on car physics or performance.

<Car Class> NASCAR Next Gen Cars

• Updated the windshield braces.
• Several texture files have been updated.
• Fixed a cyclic modulation in the upper RPM engine sound for in-car mics.

<Car Class> Stock Car Pro Series Cars

• Information for the Extra Power System (status and uses remaining) has been added to the Black Box for these vehicles.
• Fixed an issue where the windshield lights for the Extra Power System were not working correctly on opponent vehicles.

Aston Martin Vantage GT4

• Fixed some issues with the rear wing, including the pivot angle, a texture issue, and having it visually disappear at certain camera distances.
• Fixed an issue with the steering wheel shift LEDs.
• The IMSA leaderboard is now present in the interface model of this car.

Audi RS 3 LMS

• Fixed an issue with the Dash Box for this vehicle where the RPM range did not match the shift lights.

Ford GTE

• Fixed an issue where the steering wheel was being incorrectly removed when the option to only show a steering wheel if it has a display was enabled.

Hyundai Elantra N TC

• Fixed some ambient occlusion issues with the trunk area.

Hyundai Veloster N TC

• Dashboard specular texture has been improved.

iRacing Formula iR-04

• Paint textures have been updated and some details have been moved into the decal stamp layer so they may be customized.

Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO

• Closed a visible gap above the driver’s side door.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

• Fixed an issue with a rear vent visually disappearing at certain camera distances.

Mercedes-AMG GT3

• iRacing setups have been updated.

NASCAR Buick LeSabre – 1987

• Fixed an issue where custom driver helmet textures were not displaying properly.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet Silverado

• Removed a duplicate set of pedals.
• Stamped decals have been updated.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford F150

• Rear license plate decal has been updated.
• Fixed an issue where a side logo was mirrored.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

• Fixed a texture mapping issue on the vehicle body texture.

Pontiac Solstice

• The roll bar camera view is no longer blocked.

Stock Car Pro Series Chevrolet Cruze

• iRacing setups have been updated.

Stock Car Pro Series Toyota Corolla

• Fixed an issue with a rear hose.
• Fixed an issue where a paint pattern was not rendering correctly for this car.

TRACKS:

Circuit Zolder

• The threat level of the turtles in this environment has been reduced.
• – – A geometry error was causing curbs here to be nearly lethal in some cases for cars using the New Damage Model.

Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55

• Pit speed limit has been reduced.
• Fuel tanks have been grounded.
• Updated the grandstands specular texture map.

Winton Motor Raceway

• Some missing trees have been planted.
• Fixed an issue where some brake markers would disappear at certain graphics settings.