One of the most striking improvements in this update is the way sunlight interacts with the environment. Gone are the dull, flat lighting effects that made even the most scenic tracks feel lifeless. Now, the sun isn’t just a bright spot in the sky—it’s a dynamic source of light that changes how you perceive depth, color, and movement.
Take Sebring, for example. Before the update, the morning sessions felt sterile, almost clinical. But now? The track bathes in a warm glow, with long shadows making each turn feel more defined.
The reflections on the cars aren’t just bright—they shimmer with realistic intensity, capturing the subtleties of different surfaces. The improvement is so dramatic that I found myself pulling over mid-race just to take a few screenshots.
But this isn’t just about making the game look pretty. The enhanced lighting also improves depth perception, making it easier to judge distances and apexes. It’s a subtle but powerful change that makes driving feel more intuitive and natural.
Performance and Smoothness: A Surprise Bonus
As with any graphical update, my biggest concern was performance.
Somehow, the developers managed to improve frame-time consistency. Butter smooth. No stutters, no hiccups—just a seamless experience. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what changed, but it seems that the way light is rendered now puts less strain on the system. And for someone who values performance just as much as visuals, this was a game-changer.
The HDR Debate: Beautiful or Overexposed?
Of course, not everyone is having the same experience. While many are praising the update, some users report that their screens now look overly bright and washed out. This seems to be especially true for those who haven’t activated HDR in their settings.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) can make a massive difference in how light and color appear.
If you’re finding that the game looks too bloomy or overexposed, try enabling HDR and adjusting your gamma settings.
For me, tweaking these made a world of difference. Without HDR, the new lighting can feel a bit aggressive, especially during sunrise and sunset races.
There’s also the issue of windshield reflections. While I love the added realism, I have to admit that sometimes they feel a bit too intense—almost distracting. I found myself squinting at certain angles, which, while immersive, isn’t exactly ideal when you’re trying to nail a perfect lap.
What the Community is Saying
One of the best things about iRacing is the passionate community, and they have plenty to say about this update. Many content creators are thrilled, noting that the new lighting makes for stunning screenshots and videos. And I have to agree—this update makes iRacing look better than ever.
But not everyone is sold. Some users have described their experience as “a blurry, bloomy, and overexposed mess.” Others have pointed out that certain tracks, like Sachsenring, have asphalt that looks overly sharpened, making it appear almost pixelated.
It’s clear that while the update is a step forward, there are still a few kinks to work out.
There are also some practical concerns. VR users, for example, have reported that the sun glare is almost blinding in certain situations, —realistic, maybe, but not exactly comfortable for a long stint.
How This Affects Racing Experience
Beyond the visuals, this update fundamentally changes how racing feels. The dynamic lighting means that depending on the time of day, visibility can shift dramatically. During sunrise races, the glare can make it harder to spot your braking points.
In the afternoon, long shadows might obscure the track’s edge. And at night? Well, let’s just say headlights have never been more important.
Brake lights are another area where this update shines (literally). In previous versions, they often felt muted, blending too much with the surrounding environment. Now, they pop with a clarity that makes night racing much more manageable.
Future Expectations and Areas for Improvement
While this update is a huge step forward, it’s not perfect. The biggest issue remains the occasional overexposure, which could be addressed with more refined brightness and bloom controls. The windshield reflections could use a slight tweak to make them less overpowering.
And of course, there’s always the elephant in the room—iRacing is still running on DirectX 11. Many players, myself included, are wondering when we’ll see a full engine overhaul.
That said, this update proves that even with an aging engine, iRacing can still innovate.
The lighting system now feels more in line with modern racing sims, and with a few adjustments, it could be near-perfect.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend jumping into a session at Sebring at sunrise. Drive a lap, take it all in, and see the difference for yourself. Whether you love it or find it frustrating, there’s no denying that iRacing’s new lighting model has changed the way we experience the game.
For me, it’s a win.
What’s been your experience with the new lighting? Let me know in the comments, and let’s figure out the best settings together!
- Remember, you can join iRacing clicking here.
See you on the track!
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