iRacing – 2021 Season 3 Release Notes

iRacing has published an initial version (Pre-Release Notes) of all the new features that will be included in the new season 3 on iRacing. This season release includes new cars, Red Bull Ringnew tracks layouts, and plenty more to keep you busy! Look for the final version after the build is deployed!

Official notes:

iRacing 2021 Season 3 is here! This Release features three brand new cars (Formula Vee, Porsche 911 GT3 R, and VW Beetle Lite), two brand new tracks (Red Bull Ring, and Nashville Superspeedway), and 34 new pieces of content for AI Racing. We’ve updated the SCCA Spec Racer Ford to its Gen3 evolution, added new features to the iRacing UI, and have reinvigorated our visual effects engine. There’s also some important changes to the New Damage Model that will improve competition and fairness for all. Welcome to iRacing 2021 Season 3!

Season highlights include:

  • Formula Vee
  • Porsche 911 GT3 R
  • SCCA Spec Racer Ford (fully updated)
  • VW Beetle Lite
  • Red Bull Ring (3 configs) [Currently Pending Approval]
  • Nashville Superspeedway
  • Custom Paints displayed in the iRacing UI on car thumbnails
  • Ability to Edit Declared Drivers for a team session
  • Ability to Find Sessions for Car or Track within the car or track modal
  • New iRacing Forums
  • AI Racing with 2 new cars, and 32 new track configs
  • Area-Specific Off Track Four-Tire Detection System
  • Smoke, Dust, Sparks, and more visual effects updates
  • New Damage Model adjustments to reduce debris estimate latency incidents
  • New Damage Model for the Formula Vee and the Street Stock
  • Post Season 2 Initial Release Items included: NASCAR Next Gen Series Class Cars, and Chicago Street Circuit

Visit our 2021 Season 3 features page here: https://www.iracing.com/2021-season-3/

Full 2021 Season 3 Release details are below.

iRACING UI:

Find Sessions for Content

  • Each Car and Track info window now features a new tab, Find Sessions. To get to the Car or Track info window from anywhere in the UI, click the three dots icon next to a content and select “Car/Track Info”
  • – – This tab is separated into three sections which each display a list of all available sessions that use this piece of content. This includes: Official Sessions, Hosted Sessions, and Time Attack.
  • – – From this window, you can browse all available sessions, navigate directly to the associated Series to learn more, or even join the sessions right away! You may also use select Filters and Tags to curate the list of available sessions to your tastes.
  • – – This tab is available for ALL pieces of content, even items you do not own. This makes it very easy to learn how a piece of content is used before you purchase it, and it allows you to jump right into events using a favorite piece of content.

Interface Images

  • All images in the iRacing UI that previously showed a Member’s in-Sim paint scheme will instead now show any available custom paints present on the file system.
  • – – This applies to cars, suits, and helmets.
  • – – This should work for a Member’s own paints as well as displaying other Members’ paints. For example, seeing another Member’s custom helmet on their profile.
  • – – As a reminder, custom paints should be placed in the “My Documents/iRacing/paints” folder. Helmets and suits are in the base directory and cars are in their respective subdirectories.
  • Car images will automatically be loaded when the iRacing UI launches.
  • – – This should minimize the appearance of car images “popping in” when a large number are shown on a page at once.

Series Racing

  • Fixed an issue where the Time of Day setting was not being correctly preserved when creating Test Drive events or Hosted Sessions from a Series event.

Team Racing

  • For the Declare Drivers feature for events using the “Drive Fair Share” rules, Teams may now update their pending Declared Drivers list prior to the start of the Race Session.
  • – – Drivers in the list must still be team members that are eligible to drive for the session.
  • – – The Declared Drivers can only be altered for sessions which have not launched and are currently open for registration.
  • – – The list cannot be changed for Practice or Hosted Sessions, or Race Sessions after the Session starts.
  • – – Any team admin or the team member who registered the team can update the list of declared drivers.

Hosted Racing

  • For Open Practice Only events, multiple setups may now be selected for use. For example, this allows users to select both Qualify and Race setups for practicing.
  • Filtering the available Hosted Sessions to achieve no results now correctly displays the warning “No Data”.

Paint Shop

  • Textures for driver heads with ponytails have been updated.
  • The McLaren MP4-30 interface model has been updated to better match the in-Sim version.
  • The RYCO logo has been updated.

General

  • Fixed an issue where new users could load into an empty user interface.

MEMBERSITE:

Auto-Launching The UI

  • The home page no longer half-loads when you select to cancel opening the iRacing UI.

Promotions

  • Fixed a button layout issue.

FORUMS:

New Forums

  • New iRacing Forums: https://forums.iracing.com/
  • All new posts, discussions, and announcements from iRacing will only be made in our new forums.
  • The original Membersite forums will remain available through June 23rd. Then they will enter a read-only state for the foreseeable future.
  • The Private Message system will also remain intact until further notice.
  • We will be providing an OAuth2 API for third-party development in the near future as well.

SIMULATION:

Connectivity

  • Improved the reporting and handling of dropped connections.
  • – – These changes will NOT fix bad network connections, but the messages shown as a result of these changes may give a bit more detail as to what went wrong. In some situations the amount of time it takes for a dropped connection to be cleared will be reduced, so a user may be allowed to reconnect more quickly.

Cars

  • Engine oil cooling has been adjusted to increase temperatures at lower engine RPM. Higher engine speeds are not impacted by this change.

Tracks

  • All track collision meshes have been regenerated.
  • A variety of visually updated tire stacks and tire wraps have been added throughout iRacing tracks. This rhyme was unintentional.

Race Control

  • A new mode of off-track detection has been created, “Four-Tire Detection”.
  • – – Our current off-track detection system checks for whether or not half or more of your vehicle has traveled beyond a racing surface boundary. The new four-tire detection system checks for whether or not all four of your vehicle tires have traveled beyond a racing surface boundary. Since the four-tire detection system requires more of your vehicle to be off of the racing surface before administering a penalty, this system is more forgiving.
  • – – The four-tire detection system will be deployed on a case-by-case basis. With this initial release, the four-tire detection system is currently active at some areas of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Red Bull Ring. The four-tire detection system will be applied to additional tracks and areas as we continue to collect feedback and data from our members.
  • – – Any track that is utilizing the four-tire detection system will feature a new “Rules” tab in the in-Sim interface. This new tab will detail where the four-tire detection system is active at the track.
  • Fixed an issue where closed pit exits could cause a black flag for drivers on a parade lap when the field starts in pit lane.

Dirt Racing

  • Opponent tires on dirt surfaces should appear to be touching the ground better, particularly for slopes, bumps, and divots.
  • All dirt versions of stockcar tires have been reverted to an earlier version.
  • – – This change affects the following vehicles:
  • – – – – ARCA Menards Chevrolet Impala
  • – – – – NASCAR Cup Series Class Cars
  • – – – – NASCAR Gander Outdoors Series Class Cars
  • – – – – NASCAR Next Gen Series Class Cars
  • – – – – NASCAR Xfinity Series Class Cars
  • – – – – [Legacy] NASCAR Cup Series Class Cars
  • – – – – [Legacy] NASCAR Nationwide Chevrolet Impala – 2012
  • – – – – [Legacy] NASCAR Truck Chevrolet Silverado – 2008
  • – – – – [Legacy] NASCAR Xfinity Series Class Cars

Rallycross Racing

  • Fixed an issue where the high rpm launch rev limit in the rallycross cars would prevent the gearbox from downshifting lower than 3rd gear when stationary.

AI Racing

  • AI Drivers are now able to pilot the following additional vehicles:
  • – – Porsche 911 GT3 R
  • – – Street Stock
  • AI Racing is now available on the following additional track configurations:
  • – – Lanier National Speedway – Asphalt
  • – – Lime Rock Park – Chicanes
  • – – Lime Rock Park – West Bend Chicane
  • – – Lucas Oil Raceway – Oval
  • – – Okayama International Circuit – Short
  • – – Oran Park Raceway (ALL except North B)
  • – – Oulton Park Circuit (ALL)
  • – – Red Bull Ring (ALL except North)
  • – – South Boston Speedway
  • – – Southern National Motorsports Park
  • – – Summit Point Raceway (ALL except Oval and School)
  • – – Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
  • – – Tsukuba Circuit (ALL)
  • AI Drivers have improved their racing techniques with the following cars:
  • – – GT3 Class Cars
  • – – GT4 Class Cars
  • – – NASCAR Cup Series Class Cars
  • – – SCCA Spec Racer Ford
  • – – Skip Barber Formula 2000
  • AI Drivers have improved their racing skills at the following tracks:
  • – – Lime Rock Park – Grand Prix
  • – – Long Beach Street Circuit
  • – – Okayama International Circuit (ALL)
  • AI Drivers have completed the following specialized quarterly curriculum classes:
  • – – TURN ONE: Horror Stories and What you can Learn
  • – – Alex Foster’s Guide to Pit Stall Entry & Exit
  • – – How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Parade Lap
  • – – The Sides of your Car and the Things that are There, A 2021 Treatise on Lateral Perception
  • – – Handle With Care – Preventing Rollovers at Low Track Temperatures
  • – – Three Essential Steps for Recovering your Race-Line
  • – – Locating Pit Lane Entry and Exits in the Wild
  • – – Translating Track Corners to Wheel Rotation
  • AI Vehicle parameters have been updated to improve their correlation to a user vehicle for the following vehicles:
  • – – NASCAR Cup Series Class Cars

Race Admins

  • A new race admin command has been added that can modify the number of laps a Caution or Parade will be:
  • – – !pacelaps (or !p for short) <+n|-n|n>
  • – – – – Add +n laps to caution length, or remove -n laps from caution length, or set caution to “n laps to green” at next crossing.
  • – – – – The caution lap length can’t be adjusted until the first full caution lap is completed, since the caution length is not finalized until then.
  • – – – – The number of parade laps may be adjusted immediately, just as cars start driving.
  • – – !yellow is primarily intended for throwing a caution, but can still be used to delay an upcoming start/restart by 1 lap if used during the 1 to Green lap, which would be equivalent to !pacelaps +1.

New Damage Model

  • The New Damage Model has been enabled for the following vehicles:
  • – – Formula Vee
  • – – Street Stock
  • The duration during which detached parts from opponent vehicles are collidable has been shortened significantly.
  • – – This should help reduce the possibility of hitting debris generated from local estimates of collision damage in a high latency environment.
  • – – The duration for yourself and your own car parts has not been reduced.
  • Tire side-wall properties for some vehicles have been adjusted to differ from tire tread properties. These changes should allow more realistic tire-to-object and tire-to-tire contact based on the part of the tire(s) making contact.
  • – – These tire property changes have been enabled for the following vehicles:
  • – – – – ARCA Menards Chevrolet Impala
  • – – – – Audi RS 3 LMS
  • – – – – Dallara IR18
  • – – – – Indy Pro 2000 PM-18
  • – – – – Skip Barber Formula 2000
  • Fixed an issue where some cars were getting repeatedly reset in the pits, and appeared to be bouncing around as a result.
  • – – When a spring damper was broken it was possible the wheel could hit the hyper extension limit if it was set fairly low. Whenever the hyper extension limit was exceeded the code was resetting the car while in the pits, without fixing the hyper extension, resulting in a bouncing-reset loop.
  • Some curbs used on Rallycross tracks have been updated to prevent devastating blows to cars utilizing the New Damage Model.

Original Damage Model

  • Fixed an issue where vehicles that have the capability to run the New Damage Model were not having damage scrape textures appear when running with the Original Damage Model.

Rendering

  • Fixed an issue where specular highlights were not rendering brightly enough, especially on the track surfaces and cars.
  • Fixed an issue where the illumination of the world often flickered in brightness as the sun moved, especially during sunsets.

Visual Effects

  • Smoke may no longer be disabled via the graphics options.
  • Tire smoke and dust have received an overhaul!
  • – – Smoke and dust volumes and sizes have been tuned based on the moisture levels in the environment.
  • – – Smoke blending has been improved.
  • – – More lingering dust should be visible towards the end of a dust-cloud’s life cycle.
  • – – Dust particle volume has been increased during dirt racing events.
  • Spark effects have been updated.
  • Backfire and exhaust effects have been optimized.
  • The average track temperature for generating heat haze has been updated to utilize data from the dynamic track system.
  • Water shaders have been updated for more realistic behaviors including slower speeds along the shores and improved roughness. Water reflections have also been improved
  • Fixed an issue where smoke effects were not appearing for the player car during Lone Qualify Sessions.

Audio

  • Road debris sound levels and variations have been improved.

Pace Car

  • The Sedan Pace Car may now be selected for use at any and all track types.
  • – – The pace car driver has completed a rigorous course in stunt driving with this vehicle, and has passed all final exam maneuvers with flying colors.
  • After some extensive tutoring on the states of matter, the Pace Car driver is now less apt to drive through solid walls.
  • Fixed an issue where the Sedan Pace Car’s headlights would incorrectly be lit while parked at night tracks.
  • Backfire effects have been removed from the Sedan Pace Car. :’(

Spotter

  • The Italian spotter packs has been updated, thanks to Renzo A. Olivieri and Marco Arcidiacono.

Cameras

  • More camera tool controls can now be mapped to an analog axis on a joystick.
  • The “show camera” mode is no longer persistent, and will now turn itself off on the next restart of the Sim.
  • Blimp camera option minimum allowable values have been reduced to nearly 0.
  • Fixed an issue with cameras’ “aim at group” logic that could sometimes cause a camera to shake or shudder.

Controls

  • Joystick calibration routines have been updated so that all control types should be able to calibrate, including combined pedals that operate in the opposite direction of the industry norm. Mapping separate functions to each half of a joystick’s axis should be greatly improved as well.
  • Support for the display on the new Thrustmaster SF1000 wheel has been enabled. You can turn this on and off with the “Control LCD wheel displays” checkbox in the Sim Options menu. Tire data is not sent to the wheel, other than core temperatures and wear being updated when you stop in your pit box. This matches the rest of the Sim where no real time tire info is displayed. To make this work you will need to be on the latest version of the Thrustmaster driver (2.TTRS.2021 rc29), and you will need to update your drivers and firmware to enjoy the full support of SF1000 in iRacing.
  • Logitech keyboard back-light support has been re-enabled.
  • – – You will need the latest version of Logitech GHub or Logitech Gaming Software.
  • Support has been added for the Razer Chroma RGB Controller and other Chroma Link enabled devices in the Razer Chroma keyboard lighting effects.
  • Fixed an issue where the second brake and second throttle controls were disabled for some vehicles.
  • Fixed an issue where some analog controls could never achieve a “0 input” value.

Telemetry

  • A new session string value, “CarClassEstLapTime” has been added.
  • – – This value indicates the estimated lap time for every car in the session. This value matches the existing value, “DriverCarEstLapTime” entry for the player’s car.
  • New telemetry values, “CarIdxFastRepairsUsed” and “PlayerFastRepairsUsed” have been added.
  • – – These values log how many fast repairs each participant has used in the current session. These only report on sessions where there is a limit on the number of fast repairs.
  • ABS brake engagement is now logged to telemetry as the boolean, “BrakeABSactive”.
  • – – This value is true if either the car physics ABS is active or the Driving Aid ABS is active. The car physics ABS now drives the LFE bass shaker just like the driving aid did previously.
  • – – NOTE: This is currently only available on the following vehicles:
  • – – – – Audi R8 LMS
  • – – – – Audi RS 3 LMS
  • – – – – BMW M4 GT3
  • – – – – BMW M4 GT4
  • – – – – BMW Z4 GT3
  • – – – – Cadillac CTS-V Racecar
  • – – – – Ferrari 488 GT3
  • – – – – Ford GT GT2/GT3 (ALL)
  • – – – – Ford Mustang FR500S
  • – – – – Global Mazda MX-5 Cup
  • – – – – Kia Optima
  • – – – – Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO
  • – – – – McLaren 570s GT4
  • – – – – McLaren MP4-12C GT3
  • – – – – Mercedes-AMG GT3
  • – – – – Pontiac Solstice (ALL)
  • – – – – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR
  • – – – – Ruf RT 12R (ALL)
  • – – – – VW Jetta TDI Cup
  • – – – – [Legacy] Mazda MX-5 Cup & Roadster – 2010 (ALL)
  • Simulator performance meters may now be displayed via telemetry:
  • – – FPS = FrameRate
  • – – R = CpuUsageFG
  • – – G = GpuUsage
  • – – L = ChanLatency, ChanAvgLatency
  • – – Q = ChanQuality, ChanPartnerQuality
  • – – C = CpuUsageBG
  • – – S = ChanClockSkew
  • – – P = MemPageFaultSec
  • – – F = SteeringWheelPctTorque
  • – – – – You can find more information on these values here: https://support.iracing.com/support/solutions/articles/31000133494-meter-box-f-key-in-game-
  • New telemetry messages have been enabled that allow a remote program to start/stop video capture and take screenshots.
  • – – New telemetry value: “VidCapEnabled” that is true if the video/screen shot system is enabled.
  • – – New telemetry value: “VidCapActive” that is true if the video system is currently recording a video to disk.
  • Fixed an issue with variable, “CarIdxP2P_Status” where all 64 entries were not showing up correctly.

Screenshots

  • CARS:

    ARCA Menards Chevrolet Impala

    • For the New Damage Model, tire side-wall properties have been adjusted to differ from tire tread properties. These changes should allow more realistic tire-to-object and tire-to-tire contact based on the part of the tire(s) making contact.
    • For the New Damage Model, spring damper hyper extension limits have been increased to prevent the car from hopping when in a specific damage state.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Audi R8 LMS

    • Vehicle weight has been increased by 10kg.
    • Aerodynamic properties have been adjusted slightly.
    • Steering rate speed has been increased.
    • Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Adjusted the parameters for the front collision area of the vehicle.
    • Fixed an issue with ABS, adjusting pedal feedback.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Audi RS 3 LMS

    • For the New Damage Model, tire side-wall properties have been adjusted to differ from tire tread properties. These changes should allow more realistic tire-to-object and tire-to-tire contact based on the part of the tire(s) making contact.
    • For the New Damage Model, longitudinal wheel strengths have been increased slightly.

    BMW M4 GT3 – Prototype

    • Some car physics adjustments have been made with the help of a real-world driver.
    • – – Yaw and pitch inertia have been decreased.
    • – – Anti-dive and anti-lift have been removed from the suspension.
    • – – Aerodynamic properties have been updated to better match the vehicle’s measurements.
    • – – Yaw-dependent aerodynamic side forces have been added.
    • Engine power has been decreased slightly.
    • Fuel consumption rate has been increased slightly.
    • Differential build and high speed damping slopes have been improved.
    • Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Rear camera portal size has been updated.
    • The BMW M4 GT3 has received an audio overhaul, with new sounds for the engine, gears, ignition, transmission, turbo, and rev limiter.
    • Backfire effects have been updated.
    • Wing cap design has been updated.
    • The IMSA racing decal has been updated.
    • Fixed an issue with IMSA numbering boards not rendering correctly.
    • Rear wing supports have been retextured.
    • Some adjustments have been made to paint patterns and paint pattern templates.
    • Interface images have been updated.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    BMW M4 GT4

    • Adjusted some collision parameters for the front portions of the car.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    BMW M8 GTE

    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Minimum weight has been increased by 20 kg.
    • Yaw-dependent aerodynamic sideforces have been adjusted.
    • Aerodynamic drag has been increased.
    • Tire wear rate has been reduced.
    • Fuel consumption rate has been increased slightly.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Cadillac CTS-V Racecar

    • Tire spec has been updated.

    Chevrolet Corvette C8.R GTE

    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Minimum weight has been reduced by 15 kg.
    • Aerodynamic downforce has been increased slightly.
    • Aerodynamic drag has been increased.
    • Yaw-dependent aerodynamic sideforces have been adjusted.
    • Tire wear rate has been reduced.
    • Suspension geometry has been updated.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Rear camera portal size has been updated.
    • In-car engine sounds have been improved.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

    • Pit stop refueling now uses two cans instead of four.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dallara F3

    • For the New Damage Model, damage textures, decals, and visual effects have been updated.
    • For the New Damage Model, vehicle stability has been improved with upgraded mount hinges, break limits, and yield limits.
    • Fixed an issue where backfire effects were appearing at the wrong location.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dallara iR-01

    • Tire parameters and compounds have been updated.
    • The aerodynamic model has been updated.
    • An aero calculator is now available for this vehicle in the garage.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dallara IR18

    • For the New Damage Model, tire side-wall properties have been adjusted to differ from tire tread properties. These changes should allow more realistic tire-to-object and tire-to-tire contact based on the part of the tire(s) making contact.
    • For the New Damage Model, wheel mount properties have been updated.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dallara P217

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dirt Midget

    • Tire compound and tread pattern have been updated.
    • Vehicle weight distribution has been adjusted.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dirt Modified

    • (ALL) – Opponent vehicle properties have been adjusted for an improved correlation with the real car.

    Dirt Sprint Car

    • (ALL) – iRacing setups have been updated.

    Dirt UMP Modified

    • All chassis changes have been reverted to 2021 Season 1 versions, while maintaining the tire updates.
    • Opponent vehicle properties have been adjusted for an improved correlation with the real car.

    Ferrari 488 GT3

    • Aerodynamic drag has been increased slightly.
    • Adjusted the parameters for the front collision area of the vehicle.
    • Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Backfire effects have been improved.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Ferrari 488 GTE

    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Aerodynamic downforce has been reduced slightly.
    • Aerodynamic drag has been increased.
    • Yaw-dependent aerodynamic sideforces have been adjusted.
    • Tire wear rate has been reduced.
    • Suspension geometry has been updated.
    • Adjusted the parameters for the front collision area of the vehicle.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Backfire effects have been improved.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Ford Fiesta RS WRC

    • Mirror tethers have been added.

    Ford GTE

    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Aerodynamic downforce has been reduced slightly.
    • Aerodynamic drag has been increased.
    • Yaw-dependent aerodynamic sideforces have been adjusted.
    • Tire wear rate has been reduced.
    • Suspension geometry has been updated.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Adjusted some collision parameters for the front portions of the car.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Ford GT GT2/GT3

    • (Ford GT GT3) – Aerodynamic properties have been adjusted slightly.
    • (Ford GT GT3) – Final drive has been shortened slightly, and fuel consumption rate has been reduced to suit.
    • (Ford GT GT3) – Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • (Ford GT GT3) – Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • (Ford GT GT3) – Packer gaps have been adjusted to prevent the front tires from protruding through the fenders.
    • (Ford GT GT3) – Adjusted some collision parameters for the front portions of the car.
    • (Ford GT GT3) – iRacing setups have been updated.

    Formula Renault 2.0

    • Tire spec has been updated.
    • Tire wear rate has been reduced significantly, and minimum psi has been increased.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Formula Renault 3.5

    • Packer thickness has been unified for all wing angles.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Formula Vee

    • NEW, FREE CAR!
    • – – A new road car, the Formula Vee, is now available!
    • – – – – We revealed it on April Fool’s Day 2021, but it’s no joke: one of the most legendary junior open-wheel racing formulas is indeed a part of iRacing! The Formula Vee is based on the stock parts of a pre-1963 Volkswagen Beetle, combining them with a tubeframe chassis and fiberglass or carbon fiber open-wheel body. Part of the SCCA Runoffs since 1964, the cars have also proven highly popular around the world, with iconic names from Niki Lauda to Keke Rosberg starting their careers in these venerable machines.
    • – – The Formula Vee has been added as part of the iRacing Membership default content, and as such, all iRacing Members receive the new Formula Vee for free!
    • The New Damage Model is enabled for this vehicle!

    Global Mazda MX-5 Cup

    • A sequential shifter has been added to this vehicle.
    • The digital display has been updated to better match the real-world car, including a pit speed limiter.
    • Downshift blips have been adjusted.
    • Pit speed limiter now correctly only works while in 1st, Neutral, or Reverse gear.

    Indy Pro 2000 PM-18

    • For the New Damage Model, tire side-wall properties have been adjusted to differ from tire tread properties. These changes should allow more realistic tire-to-object and tire-to-tire contact based on the part of the tire(s) making contact.
    • For the New Damage Model, suspension damage limits have been increased to prevent breakage while using oval setups.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO

    • Vehicle weight has been increased by 5kg.
    • Aerodynamic properties have been adjusted slightly.
    • Steering rate speed has been increased.
    • Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Rear camera viewport settings have been updated.
    • Adjusted the parameters for the front collision area of the vehicle.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Lotus 49

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Lotus 79

    • Autoblip has been updated to use more revs.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Lucas Oil Off Road Pro Trucks

    • (Pro 4 Truck) – iRacing setups have been updated.

    McLaren 570s GT4

    • Adjusted some collision parameters for the front portions of the car.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    McLaren MP4-12C GT3

    • Vehicle weight has been increased by 10kg.
    • Aerodynamic properties have been adjusted slightly.
    • Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Adjusted the parameters for the front collision area of the vehicle.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    McLaren MP4-30

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Mercedes-AMG GT3

    • Aerodynamic properties have been adjusted slightly.
    • Handling has been updated slightly, with adjustments to anti-dive and anti-lift suspension geometry.
    • Spring perch adjustment increment has been set to 0.5 mm.
    • Allowable camber ranges have been reduced on all GT3 cars. Front camber adjustment limit is now -4.0 degrees. Rear camber adjustment limit is now -3.5 degrees.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Modified – SK

    • (ALL) – Fueling procedure has been updated to be more accurate to the real-world.
    • (ALL) – Backfire effects have been updated.
    • (ALL) – iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Chevrolet Monte Carlo – 1987

    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Brake parameters have been adjusted.
    • Aerodynamic properties based on damage states have been adjusted.
    • Drafting parameters have been updated.
    • Stagger parameters have been adjusted.
    • Vehicle setup adjustment ranges have been adjusted.
    • Fixed an issue where force feedback could cause shakes at low speeds.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    • Tire properties have been updated for when this car is running at a track with a dirt surface.
    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Aerodynamics and drafting properties have been updated.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Cup Series Ford Mustang

    • Tire properties have been updated for when this car is running at a track with a dirt surface.
    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Aerodynamics and drafting properties have been updated.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Camry

    • Tire properties have been updated for when this car is running at a track with a dirt surface.
    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Aerodynamics and drafting properties have been updated.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Ford Thunderbird – 1987

    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Brake parameters have been adjusted.
    • Aerodynamic properties based on damage states have been adjusted.
    • Drafting parameters have been updated.
    • Stagger parameters have been adjusted.
    • Vehicle setup adjustment ranges have been adjusted.
    • Fixed an issue where force feedback could cause shakes at low speeds.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Gander Outdoors Chevrolet Silverado

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Gander Outdoors Ford F150

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Gander Outdoors Toyota Tundra

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Drafting parameters have been updated.
    • Fuel amount and toe adjustment compliance have been updated.
    • Improved gear shift audio levels.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Next Gen Ford Mustang

    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Drafting parameters have been updated.
    • Fuel amount and toe adjustment compliance have been updated.
    • Improved gear shift audio levels.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Next Gen Toyota Camry

    • Engine braking has been adjusted.
    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Drafting parameters have been updated.
    • Fuel amount and toe adjustment compliance have been updated.
    • Improved gear shift audio levels.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Xfinity Chevrolet Camaro

    • Adjusted the garage arrangement for right-rear coil-bind, and range has been increased.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Xfinity Ford Mustang

    • Adjusted the garage arrangement for right-rear coil-bind, and range has been increased.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    NASCAR Xfinity Toyota Supra

    • Adjusted the garage arrangement for right-rear coil-bind, and range has been increased.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR

    • Vehicle weight has been increased by 15kg.
    • Adjusted some collision parameters for the front portions of the car.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (991)

    • An engine restrictor will now be in place while this car is running at Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans and Daytona International Speedway – Road Course.
    • Tire parameters have been adjusted slightly to reduce thermal degradation over long runs.
    • Fine-tuned the aerodynamic model so roll and yaw effects are more accurate, and have a greater effect on side-forces and the center-of-pressure.
    • Aerodynamic drag has been reduced for improved real-world correlation.
    • Front tender springs have been removed so the car now runs on single coil springs at all four corners.
    • Dampers have been tuned, particularly for bumpy tracks.
    • Differential has been tuned.
    • Toe adjustment increment has been adjusted to allow more fine-tune adjustments.
    • Rear suspension has been adjusted to reduce bump steer.
    • For the Original Damage Model, rear wing damage now increases aerodynamic drag until the wing comes off. If the wing is removed, aerodynamic drag decreases. The downforce loss due to rear wing damage has also been increased to discourage intentional removal of the wing.
    • Fixed an issue that could cause pedals to vibrate constantly when driving this car.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Porsche 911 GT3 R

    • NEW CAR!
    • – – A new road car, the Porsche 911 GT3 R, is now available!
    • – – – – GT3s have proven to be some of the most popular road racing cars in the world in recent years, and few brands have quite the road racing pedigree of Porsche. It should stand as no surprise, then, that the Porsche 911 GT3 R is both a beloved and successful piece of kit. Immediately successful out of the gate thanks to a win in its first attempt at the Bathurst 12 Hour, you can find the 911 GT3 R running at the front of the field everywhere from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The 4.0-liter flat-six boxer engine produces a whopping 543 horsepower, more than enough to propel you to the front of the pack!
    • – – Add the Porsche 911 GT3 R to your digital garage by purchasing it from the iRacing Store, here: https://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/CarDetail.do?carid=137

    Porsche 911 RSR

    • Tire parameters have been updated.
    • Tire wear rate has been reduced.
    • Aerodynamic drag has been increased.
    • Yaw-dependent aerodynamic sideforces have been adjusted.
    • Suspension geometry has been updated.
    • Caster adjustment limits have been standardized.
    • Shift lights have been updated to align better with optimal shift points.
    • Hardware-supported shift lights have been updated.
    • Adjusted the parameters for the front collision area of the vehicle.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Radical SR8

    • Aerodynamic draft effects have been significantly reduced.
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Ruf RT 12R

    • (C-Spec) – Fixed an issue with rattling brake pedals.

    SCCA Spec Racer Ford

    • FULLY UPDATED FREE CAR!
    • – – The SCCA Spec Racer Ford has been fully updated to the Gen3 version!
    • – – – – This change includes a brand new tire spec, new digital dashboard, increased horsepower, reduced vehicle weight, and a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
    • – – – – The notion of competing in a class of identical race cars so that driving skill is paramount and the size of one’s checkbook doesn’t matter is second nature to iRacers – it’s a central theme of the iRacing.com community. But the concept, originally borrowed from one-design sailboat racing, is rapidly gaining currency in motorsport with classes ranging from Spec Miata to Star Mazda and even to IndyCar, where every team races the same chassis/engine combination. The original successful one-design auto racing class, first introduced a quarter-century ago in Sports Car Club of America amateur racing and still going strong today (after a few universally-applied modifications along the way), is Spec Racer Ford. Manufactured and marketed by SCCA Enterprises (a subsidiary of SCCA, Inc.) the Spec Racer Ford is a purpose-built sports/racing car. With more than 850 cars manufactured, it is one of the most prolific dedicated racing cars in the world, and has served as the launching pad for a number of drivers who have gone on to substantial success in motorsport, including racer-turned-broadcaster Dorsey Schroeder. The car was developed and originally manufactured by Renault/Jeep Sport USA. An initial proof-of-concept was assembled using the longitudinal engine-transmission package from the Renault LeCar, but that vehicle was written off in testing at Road Atlanta and a more practical successor was then developed using the transverse Renault/AMC four-cylinder Encore powertrain. Known as the Sports Renault, that vehicle, which looks virtually identical to today’s SRF, made its debut in SCCA club racing in 1984. The car was sold to competitors in kit form, but to facilitate technical support and give buyers a turn-key option, SCCA established a regional network of sales and service dealers, a concept that under the name Customer Service Representatives, remains a key element in the success of the class today. With AMC sold off to Chrysler and Renault sponsorship withdrawn in 1989 after a fleet of hundreds of cars had been put into service, the class was renamed Spec Racer and the club took over responsibility for manufacturing and supporting the car. Five years later, with the original Renault engines and transmissions growing scarce, SCCA began a program to gradually shift the fleet to a 1.9-liter four-cylinder Ford engine and five-speed transmission, and for several years the club supported two classes racing alongside one another, the original SR and for newly manufactured cars and ones that had been converted, SRF with 105 horsepower (10 more than the Renault) and a top speed of 135 mph. Today only the SRF is raced in SCCA.
    • – – The SCCA Spec Racer Ford remains part of the iRacing Membership default content, and as such, all iRacing Members receive the new Gen3 SCCA Spec Racer Ford for free!

    Silver Crown

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Skip Barber Formula 2000

    • For the New Damage Model, tire side-wall properties have been adjusted to differ from tire tread properties. These changes should allow more realistic tire-to-object and tire-to-tire contact based on the part of the tire(s) making contact.

    Sprint Car

    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Street Stock

    • The New Damage Model has been enabled for this vehicle!
    • iRacing setups have been updated.

    Subaru WRX STI

    • Mirror tethers have been added.

    Super Late Model

    • Pit stop refueling now uses two cans instead of four.
    • Steering wheel stitching textures and ambient occlusion maps have been updated.
    • Fixed an inconsistency with the appearance of the left-front wheel on opponent vehicles.

    USF 2000

    • For the New Damage Model, suspension damage limits have been increased to prevent breakage while using oval setups.

    VW Beetle

    • Mirror tethers have been added.

    VW Beetle Lite

    • NEW FREE CAR!
    • – – A new Rallycross car, the VW Beetle Lite, is now available!
    • – – – – A little buggy that packs a big punch, the Volkswagen Beetle Lite crosses asphalt and gravel effortlessly. An adaptation of the Beetle, that dominated rallycross in North America for most of the past decade, the Beetle Lite’s engine has been reduced to 300 horsepower to enable drivers to learn the skills that will make them quick in rallycross without being overpowered by the turbo power of the Supercar. This Volkswagen Beetle features a retro form that pays homage to the original Volkswagen Type 1, the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single platform ever made.
    • – – The VW Beetle Lite has been added as part of the iRacing Membership default content, and as such, all iRacing Members receive the new VW Beetle Lite for free!For taking watermarked screenshots, the backspace key is now accepted as a substitute for the keypad Enter key for users working on a laptop without easy access to the number pad.

    TRACKS:

    Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari

    • Gain-time checkpoints have been added to prevent cutting the chicane.
    • Some track limits have been relaxed slightly in heavily contested areas.

    Bristol Motor Speedway

    • (Dirt) – Camera set has been updated.

    Chicago Street Circuit

    • The visibility of the Turn 10 exit outer wall has been improved.
    • The visibility of Turn 7 has been improved.
    • Brake markers have been updated.
    • Some tirestacks have been updated.
    • Some track seams have been stitched up.
    • Track cameras have been updated.

    Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

    • (Rallycross) – Start/Finish position has been adjusted.
    • Adjusted the specular texture map on the timing tower.

    Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

    • (ALL) – Some additional gain-time checkpoints have been added.
    • (ALL) – Some track limits have been relaxed slightly in heavily contested areas.
    • (ALL) – The four-tire detection system is active for parts of this track. You can find the details for this in the new “Rules” tab once you have loaded into the track!

    Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle

    • Water depth mapping has been improved for increased resolution.

    Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg

    • Some gain-time checkpoints have been added to the drag-strip area to prevent any advantages during Qualifying.

    Lånkebanen (Hell RX)

    • Some gain-time checkpoints have been added to prevent course cutting.
    • Patched some seams around the track.

    Las Vegas Motor Speedway

    • (Oval) – Track surface properties have been adjusted slightly.

    Lime Rock Park

    • Patched some seams around the track.

    Long Beach Street Circuit

    • Fixed the draw order for all fence tarps.

    Martinsville Speedway

    • Track surface properties have been adjusted slightly.

    Nashville Superspeedway

    • NEW TRACK!
    • – – A new concrete oval, Nashville Superspeedway, is now available!
    • – – – – In 2001, national-level NASCAR racing returned to Nashville when the 1.333-mile Nashville Superspeedway opened and played host to what are now known as the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series for the first time. Over its first decade, the track became a staple of the schedule for both series, expanding each to two events, while also adding IndyCar racing for the first eight years of its existence. However, without a NASCAR Cup Series date on its calendar, 2011 proved to be the track’s final season, and it would shut down after choosing not to seek NASCAR sanction for 2012. How times have changed. In June 2020, NASCAR awarded Nashville Superspeedway a Cup Series date for 2021, effectively bringing the track back to life. For the first time, it’ll host all three national NASCAR series in June 2021. Like Dover International Speedway, its sister track, Nashville features a concrete racing surface that will present a unique challenge to the many real-world racing stars who will take it on for the first time. You’ll find yourself facing those same obstacles as you attempt to handle the track’s high speeds on iRacing!
    • – – Add the Nashville Superspeedway to your digital landscape by purchasing it from the iRacing Store, here: https://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/TrackDetail.do?trkid=400

    Pocono Raceway

    • Track surface parameters have been adjusted.

    Red Bull Ring

    • NEW TRACK!
    • – – A new asphalt road course, Red Bull Ring, is now available!
    • – – – – The Red Bull Ring is currently pending approval on track signage by the owners of the real world track. It is possible that this process could delay the release of this content.
    • – – The Red Bull Ring features three configs; Grand Prix, National, and North.
    • – – – – The Red Bull Ring’s origins date back to 1969, when the Österreichring opened to replace the Zeltweg Airfield as host of the Austrian Grand Prix and attempt to draw the Driver’s World Championship back to the country. That mission was successful just one year later, and the event became a staple of the series until 1987. The track was completely rebuilt in the mid-1990s and rechristened the A1-Ring, which enabled it to return to the circuit from 1997 to 2003. After a period of uncertainty that followed the demolition of the grandstands and pit buildings in 2004, circuit owner Red Bull began its reconstruction of the track in late 2008 and gradually added both modern and vintage events over the years, culminating in the return of the Austrian Grand Prix in 2014. In 2020, with the COVID-19 forcing a rework of the schedule, the Red Bull Ring became the first circuit to ever host back-to-back rounds to open a Formula 1 season, as well as the first European venue to host the opening round of the season since 1966.
    • – – Add the Red Bull Ring to your digital landscape by purchasing it from the iRacing Store, here: https://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/TrackDetail.do?trkid=403
    • (ALL) – The four-tire detection system is active for parts of this track. You can find the details for this in the new “Rules” tab once you have loaded into the track!

    Road America

    • Gain-time checkpoints have been adjusted near the entry of Turn 5 to prevent taking an extremely wide entry for an advantage.

    Silverstone Circuit

    • (Grand Prix) – Gain-time checkpoints leading into the final corner have been updated.

    [Legacy] Phoenix Raceway – 2008

    • (Rallycross) – Gain-time checkpoints have been updated to prevent course cutting.

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