iRacing: Hot Tires, Cooler Heads

Standing starts used to be one of the most challenging aspects of sim racing. In many real-world racing series, drivers had the benefit of a formation lap, which allowed them to warm up their tires and brakes, ensuring they were in optimal condition for the start of the race.

However, in iRacing in some series, the warm lap was skipped, cold tires and brakes used to be the most significant issues, as they drastically affected the car’s performance and handling during the crucial first moments of the race.

Drivers faced challenges such as wheel spin due to lack of traction, difficulty slowing down in the first corners, and loss of grip, which caused understeer or oversteer, especially in the early stages of the race.

In response to challenges faced by drivers in previous seasons, the simulator now automatically completes a simulated parade lap for cars using standing starts.

This new feature allows the tires to be warmed and conditioned, while the brakes are heated during this virtual lap, addressing the long-standing issues of cold tires and brakes at the beginning of the race.

With this enhancement, the starting experience is now more realistic and consistent, closely mirroring real-world racing conditions. By pre-conditioning the car’s mechanics, the simulated parade lap ensures that drivers can focus on a smoother, more competitive start from the moment the lights go out.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you also noticed an improvement in your starts? Feel free to share your experiences and feedback!

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See you on the track!


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