The IMSA Sports Car Championship, similar to the FIA World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours, is experiencing a rapid rise in popularity.
The introduction of the new GTP class has attracted a significant number of fans due to its thrilling close racing and intense action.
Sim racing enthusiasts often immerse themselves in the excitement they witness on TV.
As a result, replicating real racing series in their favorite sim racing titles becomes an enjoyable experience.
If you’re looking for the best racing games to simulate IMSA events, check out our top 5 recommendations.
Table of Contents
What are the top IMSA games in 2023?
- iRacing
- Assetto Corsa
- Gran Turismo 7
- rFactor 2
- Forza Motorsport
- Project Cars 2
Automobilista 2
Automobilista 2 brings excitement with its new top class, but it doesn’t limit itself to the current form of IMSA racing. This game takes you on a journey through different eras in history, featuring cars and tracks from various time periods.
One of the impressive aspects of Automobilista 2 is its collection of Group C cars and the GT1 selection, allowing players to experience the glory days of ALMS. But what truly stands out is the game’s ability to simulate the previous era of IMSA racing.
Before GTP, the championship consisted of three main classes: DPi, GTLM, and GTD. The battles between the top-class prototypes and LMP2 cars were intense, while the interaction between GTE and GT3 cars created a chaotic atmosphere.
In addition to its diverse car roster, AMS 2 features several iconic North American tracks. Daytona, Watkins Glen, VIR, and Indianapolis offer a mix of high-speed roval courses and natural circuits, providing a thrilling racing experience.
What sets Automobilista 2 apart is its attention to detail and immersion. The game’s stunning graphics and realistic lighting create a visually impressive environment.
Furthermore, the dynamic track conditions and weather system accurately replicate historical forecasts, allowing players to recreate races with precision.
The ability to recreate specific racing scenarios, down to the weather conditions, adds tremendous value to the gameplay.
Reiza has also announced plans to release more cars from both the history and present era of Le Mans racing, including the highly anticipated LMDh class.
These additions will further enhance AMS 2’s position as an immersive IMSA simulator.
Experience the thrill of IMSA racing like never before with Automobilista 2!
Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is undeniably one of the most popular sim racing games on the market, thanks in large part to its modding capabilities. It offers a range of experiences, from out-of-the-box IMSA competition simulation to a title that relies solely on third-party content. With a decade of existence, the game has transformed into a modern king, with an extensive collection of cars and tracks available through third-party additions.
Moreover, the level of detail in Assetto Corsa is remarkable.
The skins available are practically infinite, allowing for the inclusion of race-specific decals, individual driver suits and helmets, and even interior stickers, enabling a perfect recreation of the racing experience.
The same level of authenticity applies to the circuits as well. Each and every 2023 IMSA track is available in some form for AC, and it’s even possible to replicate the tracks as they appeared on race day.
Now, you might be wondering why Assetto Corsa doesn’t rank higher on this list. The simple reason is that, being an older game, recreating an entire series takes a considerable amount of effort.
From scouring the internet for cars, tracks, and liveries, to fine-tuning each vehicle for competitive racing, it requires many hours of dedication.
Furthermore, the game has some drawbacks, such as subpar AI and a few limitations, which may deter some players from fully embracing it.
Overall, Assetto Corsa remains a beloved choice among sim racing enthusiasts, offering a diverse and immersive experience that can be customized to match the excitement of IMSA racing.
Forza Motorsport
The new top class in the North American sports car series, known as the GTP class, has contributed to the series’ growing popularity.
This year, IMSA collaborated with FIA WEC to welcome LMDh prototypes to the series. Although no manufacturer has joined with LMH models yet, the introduction of GTP runners is a crucial aspect of any game aiming to recreate IMSA racing in 2023.
For Xbox racers, there is exciting news as the highly anticipated game, Forza Motorsport, is just a month away.
One of the cover cars for the upcoming release is the Cadillac V-Series.R, an LMDh prototype with a powerful V8 engine.
This inclusion makes the game an excellent candidate for an IMSA simulator. Additionally, players can expect to see other classes like GT3 cars and LMP2 models in the game in the future.
Console racers will also be pleased to know that renowned circuits such as Road America, Daytona, and Watkins Glen will be featured in the game at its launch.
However, some circuits like Lime Rock and Mid-Ohio will not be included, while VIR, Indianapolis, and Laguna Seca are part of this year’s calendar.
Unfortunately, circuits like Sebring and Road Atlanta from the Michelin Endurance Cup have been dropped between Forza Motorsport 7 and this new release.
In summary, while Forza Motorsport may not offer the same level of accuracy as other games in recreating precise grids from this year’s IMSA racing, it will undoubtedly provide console fans with hours of endurance racing enjoyment.
Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo 7 has made a notable impact in the realm of IMSA simulation racing. Although precise statistics are under wraps, it’s known that a significant percentage of the player base participates in IMSA-based racing events regularly.
Furthermore, the game’s car roster, which is kept under constant expansion, includes multiple IMSA favorites, showcasing the game’s commitment to providing a realistic IMSA racing experience.
Its immersive gameplay and state-of-the-art graphics add to its appeal, making it a popular choice for fans of IMSA simulation racing.
rFactor 2
rFactor 2 may not have as much third-party content as Assetto Corsa, but it still offers a decent selection of circuits and cars.
From GT3 to LMP2 and LMP3, there are plenty of options to choose from. The only downside is the lack of first-party LMDh racers, but you can always rely on the previous generation of top-class DPi cars.
And if you’re into mods, there’s a good chance you’ll find something with a GTP flavor.
When it comes to circuits, rFactor 2 has a strong lineup, thanks to its connection with the WEC. From Sebring to Daytona, Laguna Seca to Indy, you’ll find many iconic tracks to race on.
And if that’s not enough, there are third-party creations for almost any circuit you can imagine, although their quality may vary.
With the upcoming Le Mans Ultimate on the horizon, rFactor 2 is continuously improving its multiclass AI.
The AI performs well in long races where traffic management is crucial.
Although the base game doesn’t include a full car list, the impressive AI and the ability to add mods make rFactor 2 a great choice for IMSA enthusiasts.
iRacing
iRacing is undoubtedly the ultimate racing game for simulating IMSA events. With an official license and a close partnership with the series, this title has solidified its position as the go-to choice.
In fact, it offers the entire IMSA calendar as first-party content, showcasing the high-quality tracks from smaller venues like VIR and Lime Rock to iconic locations like Daytona and Road Atlanta.
Not only does iRacing provide a comprehensive selection of GT3 cars, but it also includes the Dallara LMP2 model and Ligier LMP3, allowing for a complete IMSA grid.
You can even find full AI rosters of IMSA cars on Trading Paints.
One of the standout features of iRacing is its exceptional AI for multiclass racing. Despite being primarily known for online racing, the sim has developed an algorithm that offers an immersive and enjoyable experience for solo races.
The AI demonstrates impressive racecraft, traffic management, and strategic decision-making.
For the best IMSA sim racing experience, look no further than iRacing.
Its realistic representation of IMSA events, wide range of cars, and advanced AI capabilities make it a top choice for racing enthusiasts.
Conclusion
So there you have it, six of the top racing games for simulating IMSA events.
Whether you prefer console or PC gaming, each game offers unique features and content to provide an immersive experience for fans of endurance racing.
From beloved classics like Assetto Corsa and rFactor 2, to highly anticipated releases such as Forza Motorsport, there’s something for every racing enthusiast to enjoy.
But for those looking for the most comprehensive and realistic IMSA simulation, iRacing remains the top choice with its official license and advanced AI capabilities.
So pick your game, hit the track, and experience the thrills of IMSA racing from the comfort of your own home.
