iRacing: Why Racecraft Matters More Than Speed

iRacing Porsche GT3 911 R

It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of hot lapping. Setting a personal best or topping the leaderboard feels incredible, but it doesn’t always translate to race success. In lower splits, you’ll often see drivers who are lightning-fast in qualifying but fall apart during the race.

They might divebomb into corners, spin under pressure, or make reckless moves that cost them positions—or worse, ruin someone else’s race.

The iRating system exists to match you with drivers of similar skill levels, so there’s no need to obsess over being the fastest. Instead of fixating on lap times, focus on improving your racecraft. After all, consistency and smart decision-making will take you further than raw speed ever could.

Why Racecraft is More Important Than Speed

Racecraft is the art of racing intelligently. It’s about knowing when to push, when to defend, and when to back off to avoid incidents. It’s about understanding how to overtake safely, navigate traffic, and adapt to changing race conditions. While speed might win you a pole position, racecraft wins you races.

Think of it this way: in real-life racing, the fastest driver doesn’t always win.

The driver who makes the fewest mistakes, manages their tires and fuel, and outsmarts their opponents often comes out on top. The same principle applies in iRacing.

It’s natural to want to be the fastest, but sim racing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Let go of your ego and embrace the learning process. Set realistic goals, like finishing races cleanly or improving your consistency. Celebrate small victories, like a well-executed overtake or a clean stint.

Remember, speed will come naturally as you improve your racecraft and car control. By focusing on the fundamentals, you’ll not only become a better racer but also enjoy the experience more.

Check out our Hardware Guide 2024

See you on the track!


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1 COMMENT

  1. Mais quel plaisir de rouler avec des bœufs qui te rentrent dedans ? Heureusement qu’il y a mieux qu’Iracing. Iracing a perdu le monopole des jeux Simulation. Rouler sur les jantes n’a aucun critère de réalisme. Je suis d’ailleurs étonné que BoxThisLap parle aussi fréquemment d’Iracing.

    But what’s the pleasure of riding with oxen that crash into you? Fortunately there is better than Iracing. Iracing has lost the monopoly on Simulation games. Riding on the rims has no criteria of realism. I am also surprised that BoxThisLap talks so frequently about Iracing.

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