We´ve already seen plenty of reality check videos for various simulations, comparing simulation with real life footage.

Here comes a new approach as iRacing subscriber Sam Hazim has put together a series of very interesting comparison photos, showing how close the laser-scanned virtual version of the Indinapolis Motor Speedway comes to the real venue.

Nicknamed the “Brickyard”, the 2.5 mile oval was opened in 1909 and is able to accommodate up to 400.000 spectators who flock to Indianapolis for the annual Indy 500 race each May. The virtual version of Indinapolis is available to iRacing subscribers. for $14,95

 

Pete Ness has released iSpeed, a clever piece of software for iRacers that have a second screen to display data on. iSpeed displays detailed info on your laps such as speeds, splits and more – Everything you need to find out where to improve your laps.

The software is designed to work on a second display, it can also be used on the same screen when running iRacing in windowed mode. Follow the download link to find detailed info and instructions.

 

Download iSpeed for iRacing Here

A week ago, iRacing added Mosport Raceway to the lineup of tracks in their online racing simulation. As with all their laser-scanned tracks, the virtual version of the famous Canadian track is very accurate.

You can check for yourself by watching the official track comparison video below, showing the virtual and the real-world version side by side.

Located north of Bowmanville, Ontario, Mosport is one of Canada’s most famous motorsport venues. The 4 kilometer track layout includes 10 turns and is one of the very few classical racetracks that remained almost completely unchanged over the years.

iRacing.com has released a new build of their online racing simulation, adding the much anticipated Dallara Indycar and the Corvette C6.R GT1 race car to their simulation.

The Honda-powered Dallara Indycar is the sole car used for competition in the Indycar series, home of the famous Indianapolis 500 held each may. Introduced in 2005, the Corvette C6.R was Corvette Racing’s weapon of choice in the American Le Mans Series and at Le Mans, clinching several championships and class wins. iRacing subscribers can now buy both cars for $11.95 each.

Another important change in the new build is the introducing of Hosted Racing, opening up iRacing’s platform for interested leagues and clubs that want to host their own races. The very detailed release notes of the new build can be found below, you might have to click “Read More” to see them. The two videos below show the two new cars in action, the Dallara at Indianapolis and the Corvette racing at Mosport.

Read More

iRacing has added the Mospot International Raceway to their online racing simulation as the track can now be purchased by iRacing subscribers for $14.95.

Located north of Bowmanville, Ontario, Mosport is one of Canada’s most famous motorsport venues. The 4 kilometer track layout includes 10 turns and is one of the very few classical racetracks that remained almost completely unchanged over the years. The track has a rich history both in terms of Formula One and sports cars, hosting the Canadian Grand Prix until 1977 and still being a very active sports car racing venue today.

 

The guys over at Panogames.com have released an impressive collection of 360-degree panorama screenshots, showing off iRacing’s online racing simulation.

Eight shots show various cars and tracks in full detail, the panorama shots can be rotated and zoomed to catch every single detail.

Visit iRacing Panorama Screenshot Gallery Here

iRacing.com has released various new preview shots, showing the Corvette C6.R, the Dallara Indycar and the Canadian Mosport track in an almost complete state.

All three content items are due to join the simulation in the newest build that is planned to be released ahead of the new iRacing season that starts in early November.

 

iRacing.com has released the first screenshots of the Corvette C6.R that is due to join the simulation in the coming weeks.

After receiving a batch of needed data from Pratt&Miller a few weeks ago, the iRacing staff is hopeful to include the Corvette in the new build of the simulation that is coming up in early November.

The C6.R made it’s competition debut in 2005, fighting countless battles against the Aston Martin DBR9, the Saleen S7R and other GT1 class machinery ever since. The car is the first American Le Mans Series car to join iRacing, another ALMS car is in the pipeline as the GT2 class Ford GT will be added to the simulation in a few months.

 

Back in July, iRacing added a comprehensive camera editing tool to the newest build of their online racing simulation, allowing screenshot makers and video editors lots of artistic freedom for creating iRacing material.

Due to the fact that the editor comes with lots of features and settings, many subscribers have probably not taken full advantage of it. This changes now as Ray Bryden has put together a comprehensive guide, explaining the tool and its settings in full detail.

Click Here to Visit the Camera Editor Tutorial

iRacing.com continues to give sim racing high-profile media exposure, following TV appearances on NBC and a sponsorship deal in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the software and sim racing in general was now featured in the New York Times.

The “Gray Lady” is not just the United States’ biggest metropolitan newspaper but also operates the country’s most popular news website that is visited by 18 million readers each month. The article focuses on iRacing and some of its famous subscribers but also explains sim racing in general and does not fail to mention other titles such as rFactor, GTR and Grand Prix Legends.

Click Here to Read The New York Times Sim Racing Article

iRacing.com has announced several very interesting news today, the most interesting being a significant price drop that reduces the costs of both membership and content.

The price for an annual membership has been lowered by 37%, other membership options have also been lowered between 26% & 33%. The price for new cars has been dropped from $15 to $11.95, long tracks now sell for $14.95 while short tracks are available for $11.95.

But iRacing isn’t just lowering the prices, it will start paying their stalwart members as busy racers will be able to receive up to $10 per 12-week racing season. To qualify for the race participation program, iRacing subscribers have to compete in eight different race weeks during the cause of a season, activity that can earn subscribers up to $40 each year.

Starting with the new season on November 3rd, iRacing will also be introducing hosted racing, opening their simulation to private leagues and racing clubs. Hosted iRacing turns regular iRacing subscribers into Series Hosts, all that’s needed is a PQR (Practice/Qualifying/Race) package that is available for $3 per package.

The package allows the host to open a session that can be customised to any need with various settings including car, track, type of race, min/max iRating/safety rating and more. Each session consists of practice, qualifying and race of adjustable length. Private sessions can be started by any subscriber who has purchased such a package, other subscribers can join these sessions free of additional costs.

Back in July, iRacing announced the addition of the Zandvoort Circuit park to their online racing simulation, making it the first track from mainland Europe to be included. Now, the iRacing crew has completed scanning the Dutch track, releasing the following two high-resolution scan data images for us to enjoy.

Modeling of the track will start next week, joining two other tracks which are currently in development. The team has made nice progress on the Canadian Mosport Raceway which might make it into the next build release. Meanwhile, the staff has finished modeling the track surface of Brands Hatch, another European track in the development pipeline.

Opened in 1948, Circuit Park Zandvoort has hosted 30 editions of the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix, today’s layout is 4.18 kilometers long and consists of 11 turns.

Located in the near-beach dunes, the track is notorious for sand being blown on track. The layout is made up of slow and quick corners as well as many elevation changes that make Zandvoort a rather tricky place to drive. Even though Formula One is long gone, the track still hosts many major events, including DTM & WTCC touring car racing as well as an annual A1GP event.

 

Every new iRacing season, a new build of the online racing simulation is released, usually introducing several new features and content additions.

iRacing’s Steve Meyers has shared some details about what changes are coming up in the next build. Content-wise, players can expect the Indycar Dallara chassis that will be available both in oval and road course specification. There’s also some hope that the much anticipated Corvette C6.R will make this built as the iRacing staff has recently received much needed data from Pratt&Miller.

In terms of tracks, the Canadian Mosport International Raceway will be making the new build, adding another high-profile road course to the simulation. The new build will also introduce some new features, including opponent tire smoke and skids, adjustable break bias and other setup changes straight from the cockpit as well as a feature that will allow racers to trade setups during a session.

One of the most important changes in the new build will be the addition of private racing that will make iRacing attractive to leagues who like to organise their own events. A few weeks ago, iRacing outlined  the concept that will allow regular subscribers to turn into a race host for a little charge per race.

While that’s a pretty impressive list of changes for the next build, the iRacing staff is already working on future updates. The next car in the development pipeline will be the recently-announced Ford Falcon FG01 V8 Supercar, another novelty that will be introduced in the future are night racing events.

iRacing.com has released two early previews of the upcoming virtual version of Mosport International Raceway, showing the track at the 50% completition stage.

Located north of Bowmanville, Ontario, Mosport is one of Canada’s most famous motorsport venues. The 4 kilometer track layout includes 10 turns and is one of the very few classical racetracks that remained almost completely unchanged over the years. The track has a rich history both in terms of Formula One and sports cars, hosting the Canadian Grand Prix until 1977 and still being a very active sports car racing venue today.