Before delving into the specifics of how to test drive a car in iRacing, it’s important to understand the overall process and prerequisites.
iRacing provides a unique opportunity to test drive cars during server downtime. This requires the car to be downloaded to your PC.
The test drive is available on the iRacing test drive server and is accessible even if you don’t own the car, but only during server downtime.
Normally, users would access iRacing through the desktop app, but for test driving, a separate procedure is followed through an internet browser.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Understanding iRacing’s Test Drive Feature
Download the Car
To commence a test drive in iRacing, the very first step involves downloading the desired car to your PC. This must be done prior to the server’s scheduled downtime.
By doing so, you ensure that the content is available on your system, ready to be accessed once the server goes offline.
Know the Server Downtime
iRacing periodically schedules server downtimes for maintenance or updates. This is the golden window for test driving.
Keep an eye on the iRacing community forums or the official schedule to know when these downtimes occur.
Step 2: Accessing the Test Drive Server
During the server downtime, open your internet browser and go to testdrive.iracing.com. This is the dedicated portal for all test driving activities in iRacing and is separate from the usual iRacing UI.
Log In
Once you’re on the test drive site, you’ll need to log in with your iRacing credentials. Ensure that these details are handy and that you’re ready to enter them as soon as the server goes down to maximize your test driving time.
Step 3: Understanding Limitations
Server Dependency
It’s crucial to note that the test drive server is only accessible when the main iRacing servers are down. If the main servers are live and operational, the test drive feature will not be available.
This limitation requires users to be proactive and plan their test drive sessions around the server downtime schedule.
Exclusive Access
While the test drive server offers an excellent opportunity to try out cars that you might not own, it’s a feature exclusive to times of server downtime.
As such, frequent users and enthusiasts should plan accordingly to take full advantage of this unique feature.
By following these steps and understanding the limitations, you can effectively utilize iRacing’s test drive feature to enhance your racing experience and make informed decisions about future car purchases within the simulation.
