iRacing

Updater

• A new updater selection mode has been added: Favorites. Using the Favorites selection mode will automatically select all content (Cars and Tracks) that are favorites of your account, including all cars, tracks, and all cars and tracks used within all upcoming events of your favorite Series.

Paint Kit

• New sponsors added: Asetek Racing, Good Ranchers, Holley Performance Brands, Holmatro, Jerky Boys, Larry Chen Photo, LVRY, Nova Motorsport, PAGID Racing, Penske Racing Shocks, PPG, Root Insurance, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, Safecraft
• Sponsors with updated logos: Ally, Anduril, Eibach, Fanatec, Horizon Hobby, MillerTech, Mobil 1, Ohlins, Pimax, Roto-Rooter, Schluter Systems, SKF, Sunoco, Trading Paints, WeatherTech
• Improved the Promo Code input box to accept criteria like capital letters, dashes, and spaces more gracefully.

Help & Support

• A new feature has been added to the “Help” section of the iRacing Launcher: Change Display Name. This feature opens a submission form to help with submitting a display name change request. All existing requirements and eligibility for a display name change remain in place.

Demo Drive

• The default time and weather conditions for Demo Drive Sessions have been adjusted to 11:00am local time with partly cloudy conditions and a moving sun.

Simulator

User Interface

• New: HUD Profiles: Create named profiles in Documents/iRacing/profiles/hud. Allows any number of profiles to be created and saved. You can assign profiles as a global or car-specific default. You can change profiles during a session without changing defaults. Additionally, changes can be reverted while in-Sim. You can share profiles by uploading/downloading to your iRacing/profiles/hud folder.
• New: Visual Spotter: A new accessibility feature for single-monitor users. Uses the same data as the regular audio and text Spotter system. You can enable or disable it in the Widget Editor while in-car.
• New: Throttle/Brake Timeline (in Driver Inputs Widget): Toggle the display of pedal inputs as a timeline graph, preserving input history.
• New Widget: Session Info: Displays laps to go, time remaining, current in-sim session time, and scoring end status.
• New Widget: Session Rules: Displays a quick reference for rules applied to the current race session including driver change requirements, joker lap counts, tire change rules, and more.
• New: Show Keybinding: In Settings > Keybind screen, press any key to see what it is mapped to.

Additional interface improvements include: text box focus retained after paste; optimized interface code libraries; Session Screen Laps Tab auto-changes to current session; Lap Timing Widget accuracy improvements; Lap Chart defaults to current session; end-of-scoring indicator added; F3 Black Box graphics optimized; confirmation dialogs added to Session Forward/Backward buttons; Confirm Overwrite popup for already-bound keys; improved HUD element drag behavior; widgets can be dragged by title area; Shared Setups button available only at valid times; mouse appears when car is slowing/stopped even with mouse-disable option active; “Ready to Race” button properly centered.

Physics

• Tire barrier stiffness reduced globally; energy transfer and friction values adjusted for more realistic crashes.
• Furthermore, fixed an issue where opponent vehicles at certain vertical distances would appear to teleport downward (opponents driving off jumps now maintain proper air).

Tires

• Improved vertical damping force and rolling drag torque applied to tires based on contact area fraction during multi-plane contact scenarios such as straddling curbs or track edges.

Race Control

• Connection Black Flag system updated with multi-layer detection for issues of various severities.
• In Lone Qualifying, Qualifying Scrutiny system is now disabled once the checkered flag is thrown.
• Fred, Flawless Wheelman, now uses an inside line when piloting the Pace Car at Ovals with one or fewer laps remaining.
• Pace car follows a better line when pulling out of pits.
• Pit stalls reoriented at various Dirt Oval tracks for improved ease of use.
• Also, fixed an issue where users could not rejoin a session after receiving a connection black flag.

Dynamic Track Model

• For asphalt racing, marbles born from rubber removal are more apt to stick to tires briefly rather than being immediately thrown.
• Additionally, a car driving slowly will accumulate marbles on a well rubbered-in track.
• As part of the Oval Refresh Project, vehicle tires may now accumulate and distribute rubber marbles during caution laps.

AI Racing

• New: Event Completion: For Solo AI Race events, AI Drivers’ completion of the event is now automatically simulated and scored if the player exits before all AI drivers finish. Works at any time, even if the player has not finished.
• AI Drivers fully trained on: Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR, NASCAR Truck RAM
• AI Drivers trained at new tracks: St. Petersburg Grand Prix, Barber Motorsports Park
• Improved AI driving skills for: GTE Cars, NASCAR Cup Series Cars, NASCAR O’Reilly Series Cars, TCR Cars, Audi 90 GTO, Dallara IR18, Lotus 49, Nissan GTP ZX-T, Williams FW31
• Improved AI racing at: Daytona Road Course, Indianapolis (Open Wheel Oval & Oval), Kansas Speedway, Las Vegas, Nashville Superspeedway, Phoenix Raceway, Richmond Raceway, Sonoma Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway)
• AI Drivers have new custom paint schemes for: NASCAR Cup Next Gen Cars, NASCAR Cup Series Cars, NASCAR Legends 1987 Cars, Audi 90 GTO, Dallara IR18, Nissan GTP ZXT, Porsche 911 Cup (992.2), [Legacy] Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (991 & 992.1)
• Additionally, fixed an issue where AI vehicle tire surface temperatures could stay unusually cool after sitting still for a long duration.

Graphics

• Speedtrees displayed in mirrors updated for improved visual performance.
• Fixed hangs that could occur for users with AMD GPUs.
• Fixed an issue with how campers and RVs were lit at night.

Connectivity

• Also, fixed an issue where the Simulator could continue running in the background after exiting a session.

Controls

• VNM Simulation API updated, fixing a 360Hz/Wheel LFE mode issue.
• Support added for the new Thrustmaster wheelbase and wheel rim combo.
• Improved processes for detecting USB device disconnects and joystick-type controllers.
• Furthermore, fixed an issue that prevented the driver from glancing up/down when Pitch Chassis was disabled.

Spotter/Crew Chief

• Fixed an issue where the spotter could advise on fuel fill amounts without accounting for fuel restrictions. Furthermore, the spotter is now aware of any fuel restrictions.

Cars

Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR, NEW CAR

Debuting in 2021, the second generation of the Audi RS3 LMS touring car builds upon the original car’s success. Making its debut at the 2021 World Touring Car Cup, the car scored TCR Model of the Year honors three years running. Furthermore, the Gen2 offers a visual refresh based on the fourth-generation RS3 road car, and a more ergonomic cockpit. Engine is mostly standard production-spec. Additionally, this car comes rain-ready and is available for AI Racing. As a result, the original Audi RS3 LMS TCR is moving to Legacy content.

NASCAR Truck RAM, NEW TRUCK

625 horsepower pushing 3,450 pounds. After a nearly 15-year absence following Chrysler spinning the RAM brand off from Dodge in 2010, the brand returned in 2026 as part of an all-new five-truck effort with Kaulig Racing, including Tony Stewart’s debut at Daytona and the Race for the Seat reality show (won by Mini Tyrrell). Additionally, this truck is available for AI Racing.

Car Class Updates

• ARCA 2025 Cars: Rear anti-roll bar removed per 2026 rules. Improved damage model collision hulls. Updated setups.
• GTE Cars: All-new slick tires with latest tire physics model. Rain-racing ready. Rub blocks added. Ride height rules updated (front splitter measurement). Aerodynamic balance adjusted for lower rake. Damper adjustments consolidated. New iRacing setups provided.
• NASCAR Cup Next Gen: Updated superspeedway package with flaps and deflectors. Updated rear window to 2026 specs. Improved drivetrain/transmission sounds.
• NASCAR Gen 4: Drafting parameters tuned. Pitch sensitivity tuned down.
• NASCAR Trucks: Rear anti-roll bar removed per 2026 rules. Minimum ride height reduced to 4.25″. Updated audio (engine, backfires, gears). Updated logos and branding.
• NASCAR O’Reilly Cars: Engine power and drafting parameters updated. 2026 rules package: 4.25″ minimum ride height, 2.2° rear camber. Collision hulls updated. Decals and branding refreshed.
• TCR Cars: Full suite of updates including new dry/wet tire parameters, updated engine parameters (power curves, boost, turbo, gear ratios), fuel level updated to IMSA 85-liter spec, reworked brake system, updated aero mapping, revised ride height limits, improved corner handling consistency.
• Audi 90 GTO: Now rain-ready. Full redevelopment of dry and wet tires. Updated brake system. Improved high downforce aero efficiency. Adjusted front differential and gearbox parameters.
• Lotus 49: Now rain-ready. Updated wet-capable tire parameters. Reworked suspension motion ratios, damper lengths, spring rates, ride heights, and brake system. Brake bias fully adjustable in Fixed Setup sessions.
• Nissan GTP ZXT: Now rain-ready. Various vehicle updates for improved 1989 performance correlation.
• [Legacy] Audi RS3 LMS TCR: Moved to Legacy. Price reduced to $2.95. Credits refunded: 0-180 days = 100%, 181-210 days = 75%, 211-365 days = 50%. No longer used in Official iRacing events.

Tracks

St. Petersburg Grand Prix, NEW TRACK

A brand new Road track. The 1.808-mile, 14-turn circuit uses sections of 1st Street SW and Bayshore Drive SE, with a runway of Albert Whitted Airport serving as the start-finish straightaway. Furthermore, CART organized a return to the city in 2003; INDYCAR made it its first event outside of an oval in 2005. AI-enabled.

Barber Motorsports Park, FULLY REBUILT

Rebuilt from the ground up with brand new laser scan data. The 2.3-mile, 16-turn circuit near Birmingham, Alabama. Additionally, all accounts with access to Barber get this new version free. As a result, the old version (including Short A and Short B configs) is retired. It is also AI-enabled.

Art Refresh Updates

• Lanier National Speedway (Asphalt): Major art overhaul, track surface, buildings, objects, scenery, trees, 3D foliage, textures, shaders, lighting. Pit road layout updated (enter Turn 4, exit Turn 1). Max cars increased to 60.
• Langley Speedway: Significant art overhaul, track surface, buildings, objects, scenery, trees, 3D foliage, textures, shaders, lighting.
• USA International Speedway (Asphalt): Significant art overhaul, track surface, buildings, objects, scenery, trees, 3D foliage, textures, shaders, lighting.

Additional Track Updates

Adelaide Street Circuit, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Circuit de Ledenon, Circuit of the Americas, Circuito de Navarra, Concord Speedway, Crandon International Raceway, Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Donington Park, Eldora Speedway, Fairbury Speedway, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, iRacing Superspeedway, Kentucky Speedway, Long Beach Street Circuit, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Lucas Oil Speedway, Miami International Autodrome, Mobility Resort Motegi, Mount Panorama Circuit, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, New Smyrna Speedway, Nurburgring, Red Bull Ring (new 3D curbs), Road Atlanta, Rudskogen Motorsenter, Sebring International Raceway (major art update), Slinger Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, The Bullring, Volusia Speedway Park, Weedsport Speedway, Williams Grove Speedway, Winton Motor Raceway, all received various bug fixes, art updates, and improvements. See full release notes for details.

The post 2026 Season 2 Initial Release Notes [2026.03.09.03] appeared first on iRacerHUB.com.

How iRacing AI Driver Coaching Will Work

A Large Action Model watches how a driver handles the car in real time. Furthermore, it observes steering inputs, braking points, and race craft decisions as they happen. Traditional AI coaching tools read telemetry logs after the fact and compare them to fixed reference data. A LAM can instead adapt to what the driver is doing in the moment and respond with context-aware feedback.

Where the Project Stands Now

Reaching the integration phase means the research work has progressed enough to connect the system to the actual sim. Furthermore, the team is now hooking the AI model into iRacing’s real-time data feeds and testing how it performs during actual driving sessions. This is not a third-party overlay. iRacing is building it natively into the product.

For iRacing members, the long-term payoff is significant. Furthermore, personalized coaching feedback could become part of the standard experience. You would not need a paid third-party service to get real-time driving advice. The system aims to understand individual driving patterns and offer targeted tips during sessions.

In addition, iRacing AI driver coaching represents a shift in how sim racing platforms approach skill development. Most competitors rely on external tools and third-party coaching services. By building the system directly into the sim, iRacing can offer real-time feedback that responds to what you are doing in the moment. This is fundamentally different from post-session telemetry analysis.

iRacing has not given a release timeline for the iRacing AI driver coaching feature. The team confirmed it is in active integration and testing. Further updates will come as the project progresses. For the full announcement, read the official February 2026 development update on iRacing.com.

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Two New Cars: Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR and NASCAR Truck RAM

Let’s start with the headline content. iRacing is adding two new cars to the garage this season.

The Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR is the successor to the original RS3 LMS, and it arrives with full rain capability and AI Racing support right out of the box. The Gen2 debuted at the 2021 World Touring Car Cup in real life. In fact, it went on to win TCR Model of the Year three years running and claim multiple championships worldwide. The visual refresh is based on the fourth-generation Audi RS3 road car, with a redesigned cockpit for improved ergonomics. As with all TCR machinery, the engine is largely standard production-spec. As a result, it replaces the original RS3 LMS in official iRacing events, which moves to Legacy status with a discounted price of $2.95. Additionally, customers who bought the Gen1 car recently receive iRacing Credits back: 100% if purchased within 180 days, 75% within 181-210 days, 50% within 211-365 days.

The NASCAR Truck RAM is the other headline arrival. RAM is making its return to NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series after a 15-year absence. Chrysler spun the brand off from Dodge in 2010, and it’s back in 2026 through a new five-truck effort with Kaulig Racing. The comeback story includes Tony Stewart making his debut in the RAM at Daytona. A reality show called Race for the Seat also brought Mini Tyrrell to the series, earning her a full-season drive. The truck also pushes 625 horsepower through 3,450 pounds around every surface NASCAR trucks race on. As a result, it completes a four-manufacturer Craftsman Truck fleet in iRacing. Moreover, the RAM supports AI Racing from day one.

New Track: St. Petersburg Grand Prix

St. Pete is in. The 1.808-mile, 14-turn street circuit ranks among INDYCAR’s most iconic venues. In fact, the series has used it as a season opener for years, with the start-finish straight running along a runway at Albert Whitted Airport. The opening chicane is a known chaos magnet at every real-world event. Moreover, Turns 4 through 9 make up one of the most technically demanding stretches on the INDYCAR calendar. Furthermore, the track supports AI Racing from launch. The track has CART roots going back to 2003, with INDYCAR taking it over as a season opener in 2005.

Rebuilt Track: Barber Motorsports Park

iRacing completely rebuilt Barber Motorsports Park from the ground up using new laser scan data. Additionally, iRacing recreated every aspect of the 2.3-mile, 16-turn circuit near Birmingham, Alabama to current art standards. Also, the track is known for its technical character, 80 feet of elevation change, blind apexes, and the world-class Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum directly adjacent. If you already own Barber, the new version is free. iRacing also retired the old version and its Short A and Short B configs.

HUD Updates: Layout Profiles, Visual Spotter, Throttle/Brake Timeline, New Widgets

The in-sim HUD is getting its biggest update package in a long time.

HUD Layout Profiles: Create, save, and assign named HUD layouts to specific cars or classes. Want a dedicated GT3 profile, a different one for NASCAR, or a rain profile you can switch to mid-session? Now you can. Profiles live in your Documents/iRacing/profiles/hud folder and can be shared with other drivers.

Visual Spotter: A new accessibility feature for single-monitor users. It uses the same data as your existing audio and text spotter, just displayed visually on screen. Enable it through the Widget Editor while you’re in-car.

Throttle/Brake Timeline: The Driver Inputs Widget now offers a timeline graph. It records your pedal input history so you can see what you were doing on the brakes two corners ago. A useful self-coaching tool.

Session Info Widget: Shows laps to go, time remaining, current session time, and an end-of-scoring indicator.

Session Rules Widget: A quick-reference display for the rules active in your current race session: driver change requirements, joker lap counts, tire change rules, and more.

Car Class Updates: GTE, TCR, Lotus 49, NASCAR O’Reilly

The GTE class now runs brand-new slick tires using the latest tire physics model and is rain-racing capable. iRacing updated the ride height rules, adjusted aero balance for lower rake setups, and reorganized the garage. Consequently, most old setups will fail tech.

The TCR class got a full-suite overhaul: new dry and wet tire parameters, revised engine specs including power curves and turbo settings, fuel capacity updated to IMSA-spec 85 liters, a reworked brake system, updated aero mapping, and improved consistency through corners.

The Lotus 49 is now rain-ready with updated tire parameters for wet weather capability. Additionally, iRacing reworked the suspension, dampers, and brake system. Notably, drivers can now fully adjust brake bias in fixed setup sessions.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Series class has updated engine power and drafting parameters, a 2026 rules package (4.25″ minimum ride height, 2.2 degree rear camber), and decal and branding refreshes.

Rain Racing: Four More Vehicles

iRacing’s rain racing roster is expanding by four this season. The Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR, the Audi 90 GTO, the Lotus 49, and the Nissan GTP ZX-T all support rain racing as of the Season 2 build.

AI Improvements: Event Auto-Completion and More

Furthermore, AI Racing gets a major quality-of-life feature: Event Completion. If you leave a Solo AI Race session before all AI drivers finish, iRacing now automatically simulates and scores the remaining results. Previously, leaving early meant losing the event entirely. Additionally, iRacing trained AI Drivers for both new cars and both new/updated tracks.

Art Refreshes: Lanier, Langley, USA International

Moreover, iRacing gave three short oval tracks significant visual overhauls this season. Lanier National Speedway (Asphalt), Langley Speedway, and USA International Speedway (Asphalt) all feature updated track surfaces, buildings, trackside objects, trees, 3D foliage, shaders, and lighting to current iRacing art standards.

What’s Next

That’s the Season 2 overview. Overall, iRacerHub is going deep on each major addition separately. Individual articles are coming for the Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR (release news, full guide, beginner tips, and launch video), the NASCAR Truck RAM (release news, full guide, beginner tips, and launch video), and the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. Stay tuned.

The post Here’s Everything Coming in iRacing’s Season 2 Update appeared first on iRacerHUB.com.

In particular, tthe Spark engine represents iRacing’s move from DirectX 11 to a modern rendering pipeline. Also, it has been in development for several years, and this update provides the most detailed status report to date. The engine also brings improvements to animations, car body movement, and visual presentation during replays.

What the iRacing Spark Engine Vertical Slice Means

In game development, a vertical slice is a demo that shows the full technology stack working together. Moreover, it proves the core systems function as intended before the team commits to building out every feature. Completing this milestone means iRacing’s Spark engine can now render a full scene with the new pipeline. The team can now focus on expanding content support and optimizing performance.

Moving into the next production phase changes the nature of the work. In particular, during the vertical slice phase, engineers solve fundamental rendering problems. In production, the team scales those solutions across all of iRacing’s tracks, cars, and conditions. This is where the project shifts from “can we do this?” to “let’s build all of it.”

iRacing Spark Engine: Night Lighting Is the Priority, and iRacing Calls It Transformative

iRacing’s current graphics engine handles night racing in a functional but visually limited way. Tracks like Daytona at night look flat compared to modern racing titles. The Spark engine aims to change that by rebuilding how the sim renders artificial lighting, headlights, reflections, and shadows in real time.

The word “transformative” in iRacing’s own update stands out. Additionally, iRacing tends to use measured language when describing upcoming features. Calling night lighting transformative suggests the team sees this as a major visual leap, not just an incremental upgrade. Night racing is one of the most visually demanding scenarios in any racing sim. Getting it right could redefine the look of endurance events and short track racing.

Animation Is Also Being Implemented

Indeed, tthe February update also confirmed that the Spark development includes animation work. This covers how cars visually react to bumps, curbs, and body roll during cornering. The current engine limits this kind of visual feedback. Spark should give cars more lifelike movement, making close racing look more dynamic on screen. For the iRacing Spark graphics engine, this is a defining milestone.

For members who spend time in replay mode, stream their racing, or care about visual presentation, these animation improvements matter. Moreover, better car body movement and more natural suspension travel make the sim look closer to broadcast-quality racing coverage. This directly benefits content creators and viewers.

Why Spark Matters for iRacing’s Long-Term Position

iRacing’s strength has always been its physics accuracy, official licenses, and competitive racing infrastructure. In particular, graphics have lagged behind for years. Spark targets that gap directly. A modern rendering engine brings iRacing closer to matching its own simulation quality with visual quality.

Naturally, tthe competitive context matters. The sim racing market has changed in recent years. Titles like Assetto Corsa Competizione, Automobilista 2, and Le Mans Ultimate continue to push visual fidelity. iRacing’s physics engine remains unmatched for competitive online racing, but its visuals increasingly fall behind. Spark aims to close that gap.

No Release Date Yet, But Progress Is Real

iRacing has not announced a release date for Spark. The February update did not change that. The vertical slice completion and on-schedule status are positive signals. However, a graphics engine replacement of this scope typically takes years of additional work after the vertical slice phase ends.

For the patient majority of iRacing’s membership, the update is encouraging. Spark will change how iRacing looks and feels. The confirmation that night lighting comes first gives members something specific to look forward to. Read the full details in the official development update.

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Road Course iRacing Track Upgrades and 3D Curbs

Long Beach is getting a visual upgrade in Season 2. Furthermore, this is notable because the track’s profile is also expanding. Truck Series and MX-5 Cup configurations are joining the existing schedule. Sebring receives the same treatment. Red Bull Ring’s update focuses on 3D curbs, replacing the old flat painted curbs with physically modeled versions that affect car behavior when you run over them.

Three Short Ovals Get Full Art Overhauls

Lanier National Speedway, Langley Speedway, and USA International Speedway are all receiving full art overhauls. Moreover, these are smaller oval venues that have been in the iRacing library for years. Their current visuals date back to earlier versions of the rendering engine. The overhauls bring them up to modern standards with improved textures, trackside objects, and lighting. For short oval racers, this is a welcome refresh of tracks that see heavy weekly use.

Overall, these iRacing track upgrades reflect a broader commitment to keeping the visual quality of the service competitive. Specifically, the road course improvements at Long Beach and Sebring address two of the most-raced circuits on the platform. Meanwhile, the oval art overhauls bring three popular short tracks up to modern standards. Additionally, the Red Bull Ring 3D curbs add physical depth that flat painted curbs cannot match. As a result, Season 2 delivers meaningful visual progress across multiple racing disciplines.

All six track visual upgrades arrive in iRacing with the Season 2 build on March 10, 2026. In particular, for the full list of changes, see iRacing’s official development update.

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iRacing Oval Physics: NASCAR Drafting Gets a CFD Upgrade

Additionally, the drafting model update for NASCAR O’Reilly Series cars uses CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) data. Side-drafting now produces more nuanced effects. Car-to-car variability in tight quarters feels more realistic. These changes matter most at superspeedways and larger ovals where pack racing is common. Drivers should notice a different feel when racing in close proximity to other cars.

Rubber Buildup Gets a Realistic Overhaul

In particular, the rubber improvements address a separate aspect of oval racing realism. Real oval tracks develop a distinct rubber layer on the racing line during green-flag runs. Tires then pick up less rubber during cautions and light running. iRacing is now modeling how much rubber accumulates under heavy use and how that buildup changes grip across the track surface. This affects strategy decisions around tire management and pit timing.

Furthermore, these iRacing oval physics changes set up a multi-season improvement path. Specifically, the rubber system will continue evolving in future builds. Additionally, the CFD drafting model could expand to other oval series beyond the O’Reilly cars. Meanwhile, the IndyCar aero and power updates should produce noticeably different racing at superspeedways. As a result, oval racers have a lot to look forward to beyond just Season 2. Indeed, this is the most significant oval physics investment iRacing has made in several seasons.

Specifically, the oval physics updates arrive in iRacing with the Season 2 build on March 10, 2026. See the full iRacing development update for more details.

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HUD Layout Profiles: Save, Name, and Share Your Setup

HUD Layout Profiles lead the list of iRacing HUD upgrades. Additionally, for the first time, members can save their current HUD layout as a named profile. Indeed, you can assign profiles to specific cars or use them globally. All profiles live in Documents/iRacing/profiles/hud and are shareable between drivers.

Members who run different car types will feel this change immediately. Furthermore, a road racing HUD needs different widgets than an oval setup. In fact, until now, switching between them meant manually rearranging everything. Profiles eliminate that friction. Save once, switch instantly.

Sharing profiles adds a social dimension to HUD customization. Moreover, content creators, coaches, and experienced members can now distribute their refined setups as files. Also, new members can skip hours of trial and error by importing a proven layout.

iRacing HUD Upgrades: Visual Spotter: On-Screen Position Awareness for Single-Monitor Users

A new Visual Spotter helps single-monitor users track nearby cars on screen. It uses the same positional data that powers the audio and text spotters. Also, unlike the radar, it shows spatial proximity without needing a second display. This is a significant addition for drivers who race on one monitor.

This distinction matters. Several third-party overlays already offer radar for iRacing. Also, some members use them as a shortcut for awareness. But the Visual Spotter works differently. It focuses on spatial proximity information rather than a minimap view.

iRacing HUD Upgrades: Throttle and Brake Timeline

Season 2 adds a Throttle and Brake Timeline toggle to the Driver Inputs Widget. When enabled, it shows pedal input history as a scrolling graph. This displays alongside the existing real-time pedal bars. You can see your braking and throttle patterns over time without external telemetry.

Drivers who use the Inputs Widget for coaching will appreciate the Timeline. The standard display shows what is happening right now. The Timeline adds context by showing what happened over the last several seconds. You can spot braking inconsistencies and throttle hesitations at a glance.

Session Info Widget and Session Rules Widget

Two new widgets join the iRacing HUD upgrades in Season 2. The Session Info widget puts general session data on screen. Previously, finding this information required navigating menus or checking the results page mid-session.

Session Rules solves a recurring problem in endurance and team racing. Swap requirements, minimum stint lengths, and tire rules vary by series. Drivers often miss these details during long events. This widget surfaces the rules directly in the HUD so you never have to guess.

A Broader Shift in How iRacing Handles the In-Session UI

iRacing also moved the Reference Car Offset tool into the UI. This feature places a ghost car a specific time gap ahead of you. It used to require editing buried config files. Now you can set it up directly from the in-sim interface.

None of these iRacing HUD upgrades require additional purchases. They ship with the Season 2 build on March 10 for all members. See the full iRacing development update for the complete list of changes.

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Lotus 49 iRacing Rain: Period-Correct Wet Tires

The all-weather period tire approach is historically accurate. Open-wheel cars of the Lotus 49 era did not use dedicated wet compounds. Period-correct wet tires were harder and less specialized than modern rain rubber. They offered far less grip on wet surfaces. iRacing models this distinction for members who want to race the Lotus 49 the way it would have handled in mixed conditions during the late 1960s.

Vintage IMSA Also Gets Rain Support

Vintage IMSA cars also gain rain capability in Season 2. Both the Audi 90 GTO and Nissan GTP ZX-T receive the latest dry and wet tire models. Together with the Lotus 49, these changes push rain support beyond modern and current-era content. Vintage racing fans get a new dimension at rain-enabled circuits. For the full list of physics changes across all classes, see our GTE and TCR physics overhaul breakdown.

Furthermore, the Lotus 49 iRacing rain capability opens up new event possibilities. Specifically, rain at classic venues like Spa and Silverstone adds unpredictability that perfectly suits the car’s era. Additionally, the all-weather tires require different driving techniques than modern compounds. As a result, drivers need to manage grip more carefully and brake earlier in wet conditions. Indeed, this is one of the most authentic vintage rain experiences available in any sim.

Moreover, the tire model refresh goes beyond just adding rain capability. The dry tire behavior also changed. Specifically, the Lotus 49 now responds more naturally to temperature changes and wear patterns. Also, the physics refresh updated braking feel, power delivery, and overall handling balance. This makes the car more rewarding even in dry conditions.

The Lotus 49 iRacing rain update and new tire model arrive with the Season 2 build on March 10. See the full iRacing development update for all the details.

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iRacing GTE Physics Updated to GT3 Standards

Additionally, five cars make up the TCR class in iRacing. Also, the Audi RS3 LMS Gen1, Gen2, Hyundai Elantra N, Honda Civic Type R, and Hyundai Veloster N all received the treatment. The overhaul includes full wet and dry tire rebuilds. iRacing redesigned the braking system with a rear proportioning valve. Fuel levels now match IMSA regulations. New splitter height tech and a fresh Balance of Performance round out the changes.

Additionally, existing setups will not carry over cleanly. The physics changes are fundamental enough that tuning baselines shift significantly. iRacing recommends saving your current numbers before the update drops. You can use them as a starting point, but expect to rebuild from there.

Rain Arrives for GTE and a New Ride Height Rule

Furthermore, all five GTE cars get the same depth of update. The Ford GTE, Ferrari 488 GTE, BMW M8 GTE, Corvette C8.R, and Porsche 911 RSR now match GT3 physics standards. A new 50mm minimum ride height rule means old setups fail tech inspection. iRacing rebuilt tires with realistic deformation and wear under sustained loads.

Furthermore, rain capability comes to both classes. GTE and TCR cars can now race in wet conditions for the first time. The tire models include specific wet-weather behavior. Grip levels, drainage patterns, and spray effects all factor into the rain experience. This opens up endurance events at rain-enabled circuits.

iRacing TCR Physics: A Full Ground-Up Rebuild

Moreover, the TCR rebuild took six months. iRacing calls it the most comprehensive single-class update the team has delivered. Every system was touched. Power units got updated boost control and equalized shift lights. Drivetrain behavior changed across the entire fleet. The result is a driving experience that feels more rewarding and authentic. See our full Season 2 development update breakdown for context on all the changes.

Moreover, iRacing rebuilt the braking system for TCR from scratch. A rear proportioning valve now mirrors the real-world TCR spec. Fuel levels match IMSA standards at 85L with 100L capacity. Splitter height tech passes “Garage” scrutiny checks. These details matter for competitive accuracy.

Rain Capability Across the Full TCR Lineup

In particular, gTE cars also received recalculated mass and inertia values. Balance of Performance figures are brand new for the entire class. The 70mm minimum ride height at Nordschleife is a separate rule. Every other track uses the 50mm standard.

Specifically, both classes now use iRacing’s latest tire model technology. Tire construction and compounds are fully updated. Wet and dry behavior reflects current simulation standards. Grip falloff, temperature sensitivity, and wear rates all changed.

What to Expect When Season 2 Goes Live

In particular, competitive drivers should plan for a reset. Old setups, tuning intuitions, and braking references will shift. iRacing designed these changes to raise the quality bar for both classes. The goal is a driving experience that matches the depth of recent GT3 updates.

Specifically, the iRacing GTE TCR physics updates arrive with the Season 2 build on March 10. Check the official iRacing development update for the full breakdown of every change.

The post iRacing’s GTE and TCR Classes Are Getting a Major Physics Overhaul in Season 2 appeared first on iRacerHUB.com.

Why the Barber iRacing Rebuild Was Necessary

Barber is one of the most popular road courses on the service. For example, IndyCar, sports cars, and production car series all race here regularly. Moreover, the sweeping turns and dramatic elevation changes make it a favorite across multiple disciplines. Because the track surface and facilities changed significantly since the original scan, iRacing chose to rebuild rather than patch.

Additionally, iRacing captured the updated runoff areas and facility changes in the new scan. However, the short configurations are not part of this rebuild. According to iRacing’s data, they accounted for less than 0.5% of all Barber racing. Therefore, the low usage did not justify the extra development time. The Barber iRacing rebuild addresses all of these changes in one comprehensive update.

Furthermore, the Barber iRacing rebuild reflects a broader commitment to keeping legacy tracks current. Indeed, many of iRacing’s oldest circuits were built with earlier scanning technology and rendering standards. Moreover, as the real-world facilities evolve, the sim versions fall further behind. Consequently, ground-up rebuilds like Barber set a new baseline for visual and physical accuracy. Additionally, this approach benefits the entire community since existing owners receive the upgrade automatically.

Overall, the rebuilt Barber Motorsports Park arrives with the Season 2 build on March 10. For more details, see the official development update. Also check our full Season 2 breakdown.

The post Barber Motorsports Park Gets a Ground-Up Rebuild in iRacing appeared first on iRacerHUB.com.