In this article, we share the thoughts of sim racing enthusiast F.G., who recently moved from iRacing to Le Mans Ultimate. His insights highlight not only the technical differences, but also how each simulator shapes the way we approach wheel-to-wheel racing.
If you’d like to share your own experiences, we will publish them with the utmost respect for your words and perspective.
For a long time, my home was iRacing, mostly in GT3, GT4 and Porsche Cup. I knew how licenses worked there, how the safety system behaved, and what to expect in each split.
When Le Mans Ultimate (LMU) started gaining traction, I gave it a try.
The first time, with an SR Bronze, the landscape was limited: one or two series available and not many options that fit my schedule. I drifted back to iRacing without much hesitation.
Months later, with the release of LMU 1.0, I set a goal: rank up. In about a week I climbed to SR Gold, and that changed everything. Suddenly I had access to one-hour multiclass races, short GT3 sprints, ELMS-style events, and more. Variety went up, and so did the intensity of on-track battles.
Racing in Gold feels different: the average racecraft is higher, mistakes are less frequent, and most importantly there’s greater mutual respect in tight maneuvers.
Netcode and On-Track Contact: Two Different Worlds
One of the most noticeable factors is wheel-to-wheel contact behavior. In iRacing, netcode and collisions can be a weakness: a light door rub can send two cars into the shadows in a blink. This heavily shapes your racecraft; you end up avoiding close-quarters situations that would be perfectly viable in real life.
In LMU, by contrast, the netcode feels very solid and lets you run extremely close without fearing that a micro-touch will ruin your race. Collision physics are also more permissive and realistic: no “sticky doors,” and you can fight for position with far more confidence.
FFB: Smoothness and Intensity
Force Feedback (FFB) is another point of contrast. iRacing stands out for FFB that is smooth, clean, and easy to read, clearly signaling when the car is losing grip or sitting on the limit. LMU, on the other hand, offers a more intense feel but sometimes a bit noisy, with sensations that can mask useful information if you don’t tune it carefully.
This isn’t necessarily bad: some drivers experience it as more immersive, while others used to iRacing’s clarity feel they need to “filter” more to understand what the car is telling them.
Track Limits and Confidence
LMU’s track limits system also shifts the dynamic: each cut translates into a proportional slow-down sometimes as little as a tenth and once you give it back, there’s no direct hit to your safety. This gives you more leeway to push the limits and hunt for the optimal line.
In iRacing, the rules are stricter and sometimes puzzling: half a car over a white line in one corner might be fine, while in another it’s a penalty. That uncertainty affects how aggressively you attack entries and exits.
Two Philosophies for Two Types of Driver
Moving from SR Bronze to SR Gold in LMU doesn’t just unlock content it transforms the experience: more variety, more intensity, and a greater sense of security when fighting for position.
iRacing still offers a mature ecosystem with strong matchmaking and crystal-clear FFB; LMU, meanwhile, leans into more realistic contact and closer racing.
In the end, it’s not about picking one and forgetting the other: each sim brings its own flavor. But if you’re seeking door-to-door battles without netcode fear, LMU at SR Gold is a place worth exploring.
See you on the track!
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Fair write-up.
I’m quite an iracing fanboy and have spent 100s and 100s on content. My current sub runs out in Nov 2027.
But I’m at bit with how iracing is being left behind by other sims. As highlighted, the netcode can be horrendous and I’m sick of people defending it. It’s not normal and doesn’t happen like that on other sims.
I read that LMU how has a solid reporting process as well and you know about the outcome. This is important. Iracing’s reporting is so frustrating.
I haven’t played LMU in many many months so might give it a go ago.
I’m a bit frustrated*
Iracings engine is now showing its age the whole thing needs redoing. The graphics engine goes back to 2003, the netcode is a shambles and I really don’t like the Ffb. For what it costs this should be far better
iRacing used to be the industry leader in innovation, but nowadays it’s playing catch up. iRacing really needs to start leading the pack again and not drag behind if they want to justify their price tag. The rain in iRacing is one field where they indeed did this, but in many other fields they need to step up their game.