iRacing has announced that WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will no longer be part of the simulator’s free base package. Instead, the legendary California road course will transition to paid content beginning with the next patch on Thursday, September 25th.
The update was confirmed in an official forum post by Greg West, iRacing’s Global Director of Operations.
What This Means for Members
- Existing Members: Anyone who created an iRacing account before this change will keep the track at no cost. This includes players whose subscriptions may have lapsed but later reactivated. Essentially, if Laguna Seca was already in your account, nothing changes.
- New Members: Beginning September 25th, new signups will no longer receive Laguna Seca as part of the base content. Instead, it will need to be purchased separately like most of iRacing’s licensed circuits.
Alongside the pricing update, iRacing also confirmed they have secured a long-term licensing renewal with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. That ensures the track will remain part of the service for years to come, even as its status shifts from base to paid content.
Why the Change?
iRacing did not provide a direct explanation for why Laguna Seca is leaving the base package. However, speculation in the sim racing community points to several possible factors:
- Licensing Costs: Many Reddit users suspect the long-term renewal with Laguna Seca came with increased licensing fees, making it impractical to continue offering the track for free.
- Content Restructuring: Some commenters noted this could be part of a broader strategy where iRacing rotates which tracks and cars are included in the base package, potentially refreshing the “starter set” for new members.
- Value Balancing: Others speculated that iRacing may want to standardize its content library, ensuring that all highly popular or heavily used tracks are part of the paid ecosystem rather than locked to base content forever.
Community Reaction
The news sparked a lively discussion across forums and Reddit, with mixed opinions:
- Veteran Players Largely Unaffected
Many existing members pointed out that since they get to keep Laguna Seca for free, this change doesn’t hurt them directly. “Grandfathered in” status has softened the blow for long-time sim racers. - Concerns for New Players
Newer iRacers worried this makes the entry-level experience a little less appealing. Laguna Seca is one of the most iconic tracks in the world and often a draw for new drivers. Some felt removing it from the base package makes iRacing’s initial offering look weaker compared to other sims. - Speculation About What’s Next
Several users wondered if other base content tracks could eventually follow the same path. Rumors floated that iRacing might rotate tracks in and out of the free package to keep licensing agreements flexible. - Business vs. Player-Friendly Decisions
A recurring theme in the comments was the balance between iRacing’s licensing obligations and keeping the platform accessible. Some defended the move as a necessary business step to secure a long-term license. Others criticized it as “nickel and diming” new members, particularly given iRacing’s already steep subscription costs.
What It Means Going Forward
For most existing racers, nothing will change—Laguna Seca stays in your library, free of charge. But for new members joining after September 25th, one of the most famous road courses in North America becomes another item on the shopping list.
The good news is that iRacing’s renewal with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca ensures that the track won’t disappear from the service anytime soon. The less exciting news is that accessibility for new players takes a small step backward, and the move raises questions about what other base content could be on the chopping block in the future.
