People still joke that iRacing has “PS2 graphics.” Okay, exaggerated… yes. But there’s a grain of truth. We’re not talking about just a couple of outdated textures; it’s the entire visual package that, on certain tracks, clearly feels from another era.
Let’s not forget: iRacing was released in 2008, but its graphics engine? It dates back to 2003—the very same used in NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. Since then, it’s been patched, enhanced, and stretched beyond recognition. But limits… they do exist.
Tracks Crying for Help
Some circuits have aged worse than others. Here are three that urgently need rescanning and full rebuilds:
- Interlagos
- Laguna Seca
- Sonoma
- Summit Point (arguably the worst of all)
In Summit Point, just move a few meters off track and you’ll find 2D trees, poor geometry, and paper-thin textures. Yes, it’s base content but we’re in 2025, and that shows way too much.
One of the most frustrating issues is the night lighting. It’s not just ugly. Sometimes, it’s barely usable. In crowded races, with multiple headlights flashing across the track, the visual noise and erratic lighting changes can genuinely affect your race performance.
And the night sky? Forget it. No stars, no moon, no ambient light. This was promised over a decade ago when night racing was first introduced. But to this day, absolutely nothing has been done.
What iRacing Still Does Best
To be fair, it’s not all bad. The engine, despite its age, powers some of the most realistic vehicle physics in simracing:
- Suspension behavior over curbs and bumps is hypnotically natural.
- Damage modeling is ahead of every other serious sim out there (excluding titles like BeamNG).
- Rain effects, puddles, and spray have been implemented far beyond what this engine was ever built for.
These are miracles on old tech, and credit must be given.
New tracks like Blend or Spa are visually impressive. The difference in geometry, texture quality, and lighting detail is massive. But even they are held back by the engine’s limitations.
And there’s something else—even on modern tracks, there’s still a lack of life: no animated pits, static grandstands, missing ambient lights, few moving elements. The world feels stiff and empty.
That said, none of this stops me from racing. Graphics aren’t even in my top 10 concerns in a simulator. But yes, I still enjoy good visuals. Who doesn’t?
And even with all these visual flaws, iRacing keeps breaking player records season after season. So, clearly, they’re doing something right where it counts.
- Remember, you can join iRacing clicking here.
Happy Racing!
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