Being a sim racer is a bit like being a member of a secret community. Unless you’re one of us, you probably have no idea what it’s like being part of it.
We’re a passionate bunch, and we love to talk about racing. But no matter how much we nerder out about gear ratios and tire compounds, we often don’t notice how big our world has become.
So to help you understand just how far sim racing has come, I’ve put together this fanatical list of iRacing facts that should take your speechery to the next level!
How many people use iRacing?
By 2021, iRacing stated that they’ve had over 160.000 active members.
Isn’t that number insane?
That’s actually more than the population of some tiny countries!
The CFO Anthony Gardner stated in an interview with Cnet that at the beginning of 2020 they hhad around 110k members and in matter of few weeks that number skyrocketed to an astonishing 160k!
While those number seem really impressive, I’d be surprised to see those numbers declining in the future.
I think 5 years from now they could even double if you think how much interest the industry has raised recently.
And now having eSports being included in the Olympics, I see only a brighter future for iRacing and sim racing in general.
How realistic is iRacing?
iRacing prides themselves on being the most realistic racing simulator in the market.
The physics engine, the car dynamics, and the laser scanned track reproductions have all been meticulously crafted to make sure that the experience is as close to reality as possible.
Since I’m also an iRacer, let me explain to you one thing that only sim racers understand.
iRacing is far more realistic than any other simulator out there also due to the fact it’s run completely online.
While games like Project Cars, Assetto Corsa are also close in terms of realism, iRacing is still the king when it comes to online sim racing.
Of course you can play online with them too, but not quite as effectively as you do with iRacing IMO.
By racing online you’re always competing against real people who are racing at the exact same time, are on the exact same track and with the exact same weather and track conditions.
This also eliminates any chances of cheating which is a big issue in other sim racing games.
Can you cheat on iRacing?
Cheating in iRacing is almost impossible and that’s why they’ve got such a great reputation in the racing community.
I say “almost” because I can’t know whether some shady individuals have managed to “crack the code” and got themselves a way to circumvent the cheating policy.
Yet, I can confidently say that cheating is pretty much impossible on iRacing.
One thing that’s for certain is that iRacing are constantly updating their anti-cheat system. So if you do manage to cheat, expect a ban very soon after.
Can I play iRacing with a controller?
While sim racing with a controller may seem like fun at first, it will quickly become frustrating.
iRacing is built for drivers using racing wheels and pedals, so if you don’t have those controllers, I suggest you stick to games like Forza Horizon or Gran Turismo.
What are the best iRacing tracks?
This is a question that has been debated by sim racers for years now, and I guess there will never be a unanimous answer.
While many would argue that the Nordschleife of iRacing is one of the best tracks out there, not everyone will agree on this.
Silverstone, Spa, Kyalami, and Brands Hatch are also some great tracks to race!
Even though I personally do enjoy racing on the legendary ‘Ring, there are some other amazing tracks on iRacing that I love just as much.
What are the best cars on iRacing?
Some people may say that the Mercedes AMG Gt3 and the Ferrari 488 GT3 are the best cars to race on iRacing while others may disagree.
It’s fair to say that also the Audi R8 LMS is pretty awesome to drive.
All the cars are so realistic and well made that it really comes down to personal preference.
iRacing is constantly improving and adding new cars and tracks every now and then, so stay tuned for more updates!
Can I play iRacing for free?
Actually not, I’m sorry.
You need to purchase a subscription in order to play iRacing.
This such realistic driving comes at a premium.
Of course, if instead you’re planning to just have fun in sim racing and paying like once a month, then you may want to check some other great games, yet cheap, like Project Cars 2 or Assetto Corsa.
iRacing has the most realistic racing experience out there IMO.
Can I trial iRacing?
While you can technically download iRacing for free, the account won’t be activated and so you’ll have no chance to drive.
So if you want to actually experience what the game has to offer, I suggest you get a monthly subscription ASAP.
How much does the iRacing monthly subscription cost?
iRacing is admittedly the most expensive sim racing software in the market.
A single month of service will set you back $12.99. However, the longer the subscription plan you choose, the less it costs per month.
For example, a two-year plan usually costs $199, or roughly $8.29 per month.
While this may seem like a lot, I can assure you that it’s well worth the price.
Just think about all the amazing races you can have with people from all over the world!
What cars and tracks come with iRacing?
Once you’ll subscribe to their monthly subscription you will get instant access to respectively 16 free cars and 22 laser scanned tracks.
Moreover you’ll be able to join and compete into 80 different racing series including Indycar and Nascar.
In case you then wanted to upgrade for more add ons, you’ll have the chance to purchase 200 extra laser scanned tracks and cars.
This makes iRacing one of the most complete racing experience you can find out there!
iRacing constantly updates their software with new cars and tracks, so make sure to check their website regularly for more information!
What racing series does iRacing provide?
iRacing provides a range of different racing series that you can join and compete in.
This includes the likes of Indycar, Nascar, V8 Supercars, Blancpain GT Series, and even some Formula 1 cars like the McLaren Honda MP4-30 and the Williams FW31.
As stated previously, there are so many different series to choose from (80+) that there’s something for everyone!
Can you play iRacing on PC?
If you prefer sim racing on PC instead of Console, I’ve got great news for you: iRacing is only compatible with PC to this day.
That’s because the comapny believes racing on PC gives you a much more accurate and realistic experience than racing on Console.
That’s of course a bad news for all the Xbox and Playstation enthusiasts out there, but that’s what the situation is right now.
Maybe that will change in the future as iRacing might expand their software’s comaptibility towards console but right now it doesn’t seem like it’s possible.
Is iRacing better than Assetto Corsa?
And there comes the great question: which is the best racing simulator out there?
I’d say that it really depends on your personal preference.
Both Assetto Corsa and iRacing offer extremely realistic driving experiences, so it’s hard to make a definitive statement as to which one is better.
That being said, I would personally say that iRacing takes the lead as it delivers a more complete and polished experience for those who want to get the most out of professional sim racing.
If you’d like to know more about the differences between iRacing and AC, make sure to check our iRacing vs AC review.
Assetto Corsa is also great, but if you really want a proper realistic racing experience, it’s worth investing in iRacing.
Does iRacing have single player?
Actually yes. To access the single player mode you’ll need to click the “single race” button in the top-right corner and then you’re ready to go.
This featured was implemented back in 2018 to allow users to practice and perfect their driving skills without having to join other people’s lobbies.
Practicing will help you stay sharp for your upcoming races against your friends, or even other iRacers from around the world.
I’ve personally used this feature a lot as it allows me to test cars and car setups before I take them into live online races.
Bottom Line:
iRacing is one of the most popular racing simulators in the world. It provides an extremely realistic driving experience that rivals some of the best racing games available today.
While it may seem like a pricey investment at first, I can assure you that the monthly subscription is well worth it.
With 16 cars and 22 tracks coming with the monthly subscription, as well as a ton of different racing series, you’ll be racing around the clock.
Make sure to check out some of our other articles on sim racing games on our website!
If you have any further questions regarding iRacing or would like to know more about their software, leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you soon!
See you on the track! 😉
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