iRacing: iRating Doesn’t Guarantee Etiquette

When I first joined the world of online racing, I came in with my eyes wide open and heart full of excitement. After all, sim racing promised realism, competition, and a sense of camaraderie built around a shared passion for motorsport. But as the green flags dropped and the laps began ticking down, a quiet thought started creeping in—I expected a bit more.

It wasn’t the simulation itself. The software, physics, tracks, and cars were all beautifully detailed. What caught me off guard was something less technical, more human—the behavior of the drivers around me. I had assumed, perhaps naively, that once you climbed into the virtual cockpit, the unspoken rules of racing etiquette would naturally follow.

But sim racing, as I would quickly learn, is its own kind of jungle.

The “Expected a Bit More” Mentality

This feeling—expecting more—seems to be a rite of passage in online racing. Most new drivers arrive with a baseline expectation that others will race clean, respect the track, and share the same desire for fair competition. And to be fair, many do. There are moments of sportsmanship, courtesy, and real racing magic.

But then come the dive bombs, the brake-checks, the intentional wrecks. There’s nothing quite like spending 15 laps defending a position cleanly, only to be punted off track in a braking zone by someone who believes “move or be moved” is the golden rule.

The gap between expectation and reality becomes painfully obvious—and that gap is where most of us learn our first real lesson: online racing is just as much about managing expectations as it is about managing tire wear.

iRating Doesn’t Guarantee Etiquette

One thing that throws many new drivers off is the belief that the higher the rating, the better the behavior. While rating systems do help organize competition by skill level, they don’t always filter for courtesy or sportsmanship. In fact, some of the worst experiences I’ve had on track were with drivers who clearly had pace—but zero patience.

At the lower levels, races can feel like lawless chaos. It’s not uncommon to witness late braking carnage, erratic lane changes, or people rejoining the track like they’re pulling out of a parking spot. And while it’s tempting to dismiss it all as “rookie behavior,” the truth is more nuanced.

In the mid-tiers, you find a sweet spot: drivers skilled enough to race clean, but humble enough to know mistakes happen. This is where racing begins to feel like racing. Yet, climb high enough, and you might encounter a different kind of beast—one where egos inflate and overtakes become personal. It’s not always better at the top; it’s just different.

The Wreckfest Mentality

Every now and then, you’ll encounter someone who drives like it’s a demolition derby. They don’t just make mistakes—they make decisions. Dangerous ones. They’ll nudge you in a corner, block aggressively, or retaliate if you pass them cleanly.

At first, it’s infuriating. You start to wonder, Why are they even here? But eventually, you come to realize this: some people treat sim racing as an escape, a power trip, or simply a place to act without consequence. They’re not here for the same reasons you are—and that’s okay.

What matters more is how you choose to respond. You can rage, retaliate, and ruin your own race—or you can learn, adapt, and survive.

Survival Isn’t Just a Strategy, It’s a Skill

The phrase “racing is about survival” may sound cynical, but there’s wisdom in it. When you’re racing at the entry levels, you’re not just competing for position—you’re competing to make it to the checkered flag in one piece.

Survival means staying out of trouble, learning how to spot the signs of reckless drivers, and developing the awareness to avoid unnecessary risks. It’s not about being passive—it’s about being smart.

As I learned, the best racers aren’t the ones who never get involved in incidents—they’re the ones who minimize them, adapt quickly, and don’t let their emotions drive the car.

Looking Inward: Growth Through Accountability

There’s a pivotal shift that happens when you stop asking “Why are others like this?” and start asking “What could I have done differently?”

Maybe you didn’t cause the contact—but could you have predicted it? Could you have positioned yourself more defensively? Could you have just backed out?

It’s not about blaming yourself. It’s about taking ownership of your experience. That mindset shift—from external frustration to internal growth—changed the way I race entirely.

I stopped expecting better from others and started expecting better from myself.

Finding the Experience You’re Looking For

Despite all the chaos, there’s still a way to find the racing experience you dreamed of when you first signed up. It might not be in the open lobbies or random splits. Sometimes, you need to seek out the communities that value clean racing as much as you do.

Private leagues, Discord groups, and organized series can provide an environment where respect is the norm, not the exception. You get to race with the same group regularly, build relationships, and hold each other accountable.

Even in public races, choosing the right series and time slots can make a difference. Some series are magnets for aggressive driving; others attract more disciplined racers. Over time, you’ll figure out where you belong.

The Truth About Sim Racing Expectations

The truth is, online racing reflects real life more than most expect. It’s a mix of talent and temperament, chaos and control, kindness and carelessness. You’ll meet drivers who restore your faith in the racing community—and others who challenge your patience every lap.

But through it all, one thing remains true: you control your experience. You can’t control the guy behind you with a twitchy brake pedal, but you can control your reaction. You can’t force better behavior—but you can model it.

So yes, maybe I expected a bit more when I started. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate the journey—every bump, every battle, every lesson. Because in the end, sim racing isn’t just about lap times.

It’s about learning to race well, even when others don’t.

Happy Racing!