If there is one thing that has historically been a headache for those of us who enjoy multiclass racing, it is the starts. Until now, chaos was almost guaranteed. We all know that the slower category would almost always cause trouble in those critical opening metres. However, it looks like the new iRacing season is bringing a radical change that promises to solve this problem at its root.
The big addition coming to the simulator is the implementation of independent safety cars for each category in multiclass races. That means no more seeing fast prototypes and slower GTs bunched up behind a single pace car.
From this update onwards, each class will begin the race with an appropriate time and space gap relative to the group ahead. This separation is designed specifically to prevent the classic funnel effect and first-corner accidents that occur when speed differences and braking points are so extreme. Personally, I will admit I had a soft spot for that tension of everyone starting packed tightly together, but it is hard to argue against a system that is so much more logical, clean and safe for surviving the opening lap.
Independent Green Flags
Another outstanding detail in this update is how the moment to floor the throttle will be handled. With different groups separated by their respective safety cars, each group will receive its own green flag completely independently.
In other words, the race will begin for each class at its own precise moment, mirroring the procedures we see in real-world multiclass competitions. It is a giant step forward in the immersion and realism the simulator offers, a quality touch that is genuinely great to see implemented at last.
Tailored Regulations and the Future of the Simulator
Being completely honest, my general expectations for this new season were on the low side, so finding such deep adjustments to race dynamics is a welcome surprise. On top of the safety car change, they are also making sporting regulations series-specific. This means pit stop procedures, such as whether tyres can be changed at the same time as refuelling, will match exactly how that series operates in the real world.
That said, there is still one item left on the wishlist. For now, this multiple safety car system appears to be designed only for the start procedure. My biggest hope is that we eventually get this same safety car format throughout the entire race whenever an incident occurs. Even so, it is an excellent move that completely changes how we approach the opening strategy. See you on track to put these new rules to the test.
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See you on the track!
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