Every 12 weeks there’s a new iRacing update. These updates bring quality-of-life improvements to the simulator, alongside optional paid-for new content. This can be in the form of new tracks, updates to existing car models, or even new cars.
It’s the update to existing models that we want to focus on here, however. While there is a plethora of cars to choose from on the iRacing platform, the problem is, we think some of these cars are out of date and need a refresh. So here is a list of cars that we think could use a much-needed update.
Before we get started, while we know there are many other cars that require a refresh to match their real-world counterparts, we can’t list every single one and it’s also not realistic for iRacing to make changes every year to these cars. That’s why in this list we tried to focus on cars that haven’t seen updates in a long time, especially compared to other cars in their classes.
Dallara F3
This is actually the car that made us think of this article idea. Ever since the iRacing Formula iR-04, or more commonly known as the F4, arrived in March 2022 the Formula 3 car looked out of date.
Released in 2018, the Dallara F3 is still one of the most popular open-wheel cars in terms of the number of people racing it. It has 220 horsepower and you’ll be hard-pressed to not find people racing in this series.
While the car is still a lot of fun, and at times tricky to drive, when you look at its little brother, that’s when you realize it’s in need of a refresh. In the real world, Dallara has an all-new Formula 3 offering that was introduced just one year later in 2019.
We also think that if the car does get updated, it could make a perfect series for iRacing esports as you would then have all updated F4, F3, (no F2 as of right now) and F1 cars, mimicking real-world motorsport progression.
USF 2000 and Indy Pro 2000 PM-18
Sticking with two more open-wheel cars, the Indy Pro 2000 PM-18 and USF2000 are other cars we think need a refresh too.
The two cars utilize the same chassis and are the feeder series to get into IndyCar. The reason we added this to our list, is because the real-world series had significant chassis enhancements in 2022 which included a wider monocoque with the addition of the halo, as well as new side pods, underfloor, body panels, air ducts, damper covers and the fuel cell.
With all these changes it’s hard to tell if iRacing would start from scratch and make this a whole new car, or if it would be able to utilize the existing platform to update the already existing model. We hope the new model could bring more people into the virtual series.
Audi R8 LMS GT3
Moving onto the beloved GT3 cars, the Audi R8 LMS is one that hasn’t received a lot of love from iRacing, but also from the community.
Drivers will typically steer more towards the Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini or Porsche when hopping into GT3 races. This is because while typically faster, they are also newer. The Audi was released in 2016 and while it has received BOP improvements it still needs an update.
With Audi releasing its updated version of the R8 in 2022 called the R8 LMS GT3 EVO II – which is also available for Assetto Corsa Competizione – it’s probably time for iRacing to revise this sports car and bring some people back to racing the car.
ARCA Menards Chevrolet Impala
This is one that oval fans have been asking for. The ARCA car was released in 2009 and hasn’t been updated since. Acting as another feeder series to get into the more common oval race cars like the NASCAR Trucks, Xfinity cars, and the top-of-the-line NASCAR Cup Cars, the current iRacing ARCA Impala runs the Gen 4 body style where its real-world counterpart now runs the Gen 6 body style.
With iRacing being really the only sim that runs oval racing, it would make sense for the platform to update the Impala to a more representative model to build upon its USP.
That rounds out our list of cars that we think need to be updated. Sometimes it’s a fine line between if a car needs an update or if it will be a whole new car, but we tried to walk it. Are there any cars that you think we missed? If so let us know in the comments or on socials so we can continue the discussion.
