iRacing News

A new Patch has been deployed for iRacing 2023 Season 4.
Read the full Release Notes below, or on the iRacing Forums here:
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/48081/2023-season-4-patch-1-release-notes-2023-09-08-05#latest


========================================================================


This Patch includes a variety of updates and fixes for the 2023 Season 4 Release.


[h2]iRACING:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
Paint Shop
Fixed an issue where the Paint Shop could freeze or run very slowly upon switching cars.


[h2]SIMULATION:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
Race Servers
Fixed an issue where a driver could crash the Simulator when transitioning from an Open Practice race server to a Race race server if their video memory usage would exceed the video memory slider’s limits.

Tires
Off-track surface parameters have been rebalanced for tire interaction.

Audio
Removed the "disableWindowsCoreAudio" entry from the “app.ini” file, as WindowsCoreAudio is essential for XAudio2.9.
- - This will automatically be removed after restarting the Simulator.


[h2]CARS:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
GTP Cars
Fixed an issue where some rear view camera portals were using the incorrect aspect ratio.

Aston Martin DBR9 GT1
For the New Damage Model, the break limits for the hood have been reduced.

Acura ARX-06 GTP
Updated the UI images for this car.

Ferrari 296 GT3
Mirrors have been updated when viewing from farther camera distances.
Several artwork updates and fixes have been completed, including:
- - Fixed an issue where tires could flicker or render in front of other objects incorrectly.
- - Fixed an issue where the cockpit glass was turning white at certain viewing angles.
- - A missing windshield wiper has been found and attached.
- - The hue for white colors on the vehicle chassis have been updated.
- - The UI image for this car has been updated.
- - Ambient occlusion textures have been updated.

Global Mazda MX-5 Cup
Fixed an issue where the driver of this car could “T-pose” when the steering wheel was turned to its maximum rotations.

Modified - SK / NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified
For the New Damage Model, fixed an issue where the front bumper was made of ghost-metal. It is now a solid object, and will impact things in front of it correctly.

Porsche 963 GTP
Fuel economy has been adjusted slightly for improved class balance.

Super Formula SF23
Car Rules information has been added for this car.
Fixed an issue where this car was refueling during pit stops.
Fixed an issue where the rear wing lights could appear to detach from the car at far camera distances.


[h2]TRACKS:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
Circuit de Lédenon
Many artwork updates and fixes have been completed, including:
- - Improved some visual popping as a camera changed distances from some objects, including trees and trucks.
- - Fence adverts have been added.
- - Some retaining walls have been added and the terrain has been molded to fit them.
- - The central trees have been updated.
- - Terrain detail textures have been updated.
- - The track marshal shed has been updated.
- - A floating tree has been relocated.

Circuit Zandvoort
Fixed an issue where some curbs were making incorrect sounds.
Pit entry bollards have improved physics.
Many artwork updates and fixes have been completed, including:
- - Fixed an issue where the pit garage building could appear to be floating in the air.
- - Fixed an issue with the pit wall surfaces flickering.
- - A variety of track surface, dirt, and terrain edge textures have been updated.
- - Fixed an issue with flickering pit wall textures.
- - Some catch fences have been updated.
- - Fixed an issue where the pit entrance fence was cutting through a wall.
- - Fixed some issues with the appearance of grandstands at certain camera distances.
- - Flagpoles have been updated.
- - Marshal hut safety cages have been installed and the numbers and signs for them have been relocated.
- - An embankment platform has been added.
- - Street lights have been added to the tunnel entrance and surrounding areas.
- - Waste bins have been updated.
- - A variety of dumpsters have been deployed to keep the track clean.
- - Some floating environment objects have been grounded.
- - Fixed an issue with the bloom on the roof of the pit building.
- - Various buildings outside the track area have been updated.

Kern County Raceway Park
Barney, Legendary Flagman, has brought his flagging booths over to the Dirt Track!
Catch fences have been added near the pit area.
Various walls near Turn 3 have been updated.

The iRacing 2023 Season 4 Release is here! This release contains a boot-load of both content and upgrades for 2023 Season 4, which officially starts on September 12th at 0000 UTC! The iRacing garage expands by FIVE bays to include: Acura ARX-06 GTP, Ferrari 296 GT3, NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix - 1987, Porsche 963 GTP, and Super Formula SF23. In addition, the iRacing map plants TWO new flags and updates a long-awaited third to include: Circuit de Lédenon, Kern County Raceway Park (Asphalt Track, Dirt Track, Legends, and Dirt Mini Oval), and a complete rebuild of Circuit Zandvoort using 2023 data (Grand Prix, Grand Prix w/ Chicane, Nationaal, and Oostelijk).

Our senior software engineers have continued their mission to squeeze every bit of optimization they can into the Simulator, and have further improved load times from last season as well as reduced the memory required to run iRacing. This has enabled us to allow up to TWELVE different car models to be in the same Session at a time without disrupting performance. Our Spotter system has also continued training from the previous season, and is ready to assist you with a variety of new calls, including: incidents or off-track events are ahead or behind you, reporting on damage taken and repair time estimates, reporting on the Strength of Field for the Session, and warning you when you’re on your last laps or time is running out for the event. A brand new audio feature has been added which can simulate the driver wearing ear protection or the effect of a helmet, adding to the immersion on-track. The Results page has received an overhaul for improved usability, including a fully featured “Find Past Results” button, which provides a bevy of selectable fields and filters to help you find exactly the sessions you want to see.

The New Damage Model has been put into practice on ALL FIVE brand new car models, and it has also been enabled for SEVEN existing car models. Our artificial intelligence trainers have given the green flag for ALL FIVE brand new car models, and for THREE existing car models, as well as all SEVEN non-dirt new race track configs, and ELEVEN existing race track configs. We have also added brand new top-notch vehicle setups for nearly every car in the service. Welcome to iRacing 2023 Season 4!


Season highlights include:

• Acura ARX-06 GTP
  
• Ferrari 296 GT3
  
• NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix - 1987
  
• Porsche 963 GTP
  
• Super Formula SF23
  
• Circuit de Lédenon
  
• Kern County Raceway Park (Asphalt Track, Dirt Track, Legends, and Dirt Mini Oval)
  
• Circuit Zandvoort, 2023 rescan and full update (Grand Prix, Grand Prix w/ Chicane, Nationaal, and Oostelijk)
  
• SIM Optimizations (Improved loading times, & reduced memory usage footprint)
  
• Ability to load 12 car models per Session
  
• Rolling drag improvements for tires on off-track surfaces
  
• Additional Spotter Calls (Incidents & off-track ahead/behind, damage report, time/laps remaining, and Strength of Field report)
  
• Driver Audio Filters (ear protection and helmet effects)
  
• Results Page overhaul and Search function
  
• New Damage Model for 12 vehicle models [Acura ARX-06 GTP, Dirt UMP Modified, Ferrari 296 GT3, Ford Mustang FR500S, Modified - SK / NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified (both models), NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix - 1987, NASCAR Xfinity Class Cars (all 3 models), Porsche 963 GTP, and Super Formula SF23]
  
• AI Racing for 8 vehicle models [Acura ARX-06 GTP, ARCA Menards Chevy / Gen 4 Cup (Gen 4 Cup Car), Audi 90 GTO, Ferrari 296 GT3, NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix - 1987, Nissan GTP ZXT, Porsche 963 GTP, Super Formula SF23]
  
• AI Racing at 18 track configurations [Circuit de Lédenon, Circuit Zandvoort (ALL 4 Configs), Kern County Raceway Park (Asphalt Oval & Legends), The Milwaukee Mile, Nürburgring Grand-Prix-Strecke (Grand Prix w/out Arena, Kurzanbindung w/out Arena, Sprintstrecke), Road Atlanta (Club, Short), and [Legacy] Silverstone Circuit - 2008 (ALL 5 Configs)]
  
• Hundreds of professionally crafted iRacing vehicle setups
  

Visit our 2023 Season 4 features page here: https://www.iracing.com/seasons/2023-s4/


Read the full 2023 Season 4 Release Nots on the iRacing Forums here: https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/47512/2023-season-4-release-notes-2023-09-05-03

2023 Season 3 Patch 3 has been deployed.

You can read the release notes for this update below, or on the iRacing Forums here:
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/45070/2023-season-3-patch-3-release-notes-2023-07-12-02#latest


========================================================================


This Patch includes a variety of updates and fixes for the 2023 Season 3 Release.


[h2]iRACING:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
General
Fixed an issue where the iRacing window would appear to load, but could not be found anywhere on the screen.

Paint Shop
A new sponsor has been added to the Paint Shop, Screen to Speed!


[h2]SIMULATION:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
Steam Users
The Store purchase prices for both Cars and Tracks for iRacing Members with accounts through Steam have been raised by up to $1.00 each. iRacing Members that subscribe through iRacing directly have no change to pricing for all Cars and Tracks.
- - While direct iRacing purchases add the End-User Vat/Taxes to the price before completing the purchase, currently for Steam members, the End-User Vat/Taxes are built into the Steam price and purchase system. Therefore, some direct iRacing customers may have been paying more than some Steam customers. Because of this, Steam content pricing has increased by up to $1.00 to bring the content prices closer to identical for all Steam/iRacing customers.
- - Content pricing changes are as follows for iRacing Members with accounts through Steam:
- - - - $14.95 content is now $15.95 content.
- - - - $11.95 content is now $12.95 content.
- - - - $4.95 content is now $5.25 content.
- - - - $2.95 content is now $3.25 content.
This update is in effect as of today’s 2023 Season 3 Patch 3 deployment, July 13th, 2023.
This pricing change was announced on the iRacing Forums here:
- - https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/44791/steam-content-pricing-update#latest

Connectivity
The use of IPv6 "Unique Local" addresses is now allowed.
- - Such addresses are intended to be used only inside private networks (see RFC-4193), similar to the IPv4 private address space.

Optimization
For users with hybrid CPUs, the worker thread pool algorithm will now be restricted to a maximum number of four Enki threads at any time.
- - Based on our testing and helpful feedback from our Members, this appears to be an optimal setting while we continue to investigate and test for additional hybrid CPU solutions.

Race Control
Race Admin commands are now fully disabled during Time Attack and Time Trial Sessions.

AI Racing
AI Drivers have improved their racecraft at roval-type tracks and should no longer attempt passes on the aprons of oval corners
AI Drivers have improved their skills at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Full Course.

Dirt Racing
For Dirt Road racing, tire sinkage has been adjusted slightly to increase grip.
The starting state for track dirt is more varied than before, providing a slightly different experience each time you run the same track.

New Damage Model
Object parameters for cone objects have been updated. Cones should be stiffer, and slightly less likely to get lodged inside other objects and cars.

Graphics
Fixed an issue where SpeedTrees appeared extra dark at night.
Fixed a crash-to-desktop error that could occur when switching to SPS when FSR was enabled.
Fixed an issue where headlights were super effective at illuminating SpeedTrees regardless of distance.

Virtual Reality
Fixed an issue with the appearance of low resolution particles while AMD FSR was enabled.


[h2]CARS:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
Dallara iR-01
Some incorrectly named and duplicate iRacing setups have been removed.

Dallara IR18
Fixed an issue with the appearance of the vinyl wrapped suspension after taking damage.

Dirt Late Model
For the New Damage Model, the recent stiffness adjustment to the right-rear panel has been reverted.

Ford GT GT2 / GT3
(GT3) - The accuracy of the garage aero balance calculator has been improved.

Indy Pro 2000 PM-18
A New Damage Model tuning update has been completed which stiffens sidepods, lowers friction on sidepods and chassis panels, and lowers the break limits for the nose and sidepods.

Late Model Stock
iRacing setups have been updated with new fuel levels.

Ligier JS P320
A New Damage Model tuning pass has been completed which reduces the ease for scrape damage to appear on body panels, and slightly lowers the break limits for the nose and engine cover.

Lucas Oil Off Road Pro 2 Lite
Center-of-gravity location has been adjusted slightly.
Tire tread pattern has been adjusted.

Lucas Oil Off Road Pro Trucks
(ALL) - Center-of-gravity location has been adjusted slightly.
(ALL) - Tire tread pattern has been adjusted.

Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020
The accuracy of the garage aero balance calculator has been improved.

Mercedes-AMG GT4
The valve stem is no longer visible on tires when they are spinning.

Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
The accuracy of the garage aero balance calculator has been improved.

USF 2000
A New Damage Model tuning update has been completed which stiffens sidepods, lowers friction on sidepods and chassis panels, and lowers the break limits for the nose and sidepods.


[h2]TRACKS:
[/h2]--------------------------------------------------------------
Willow Springs International Raceway
Fixed an issue where no slowdown penalty was applied for cutting the entirety of Turn 5.

2023 Season 3 Patch 2 has been released!

Read the Release Notes below, or on the iRacing Forums here:
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/44074/2023-season-3-patch-2-release-notes-2023-06-21-03#latest


===========================================

This Patch includes a variety of updates and fixes for the 2023 Season 3 Release.


[h2]iRACING:[/h2]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Hosted Sessions
Hosted sessions using Fixed setups now display the setup names in the Session Info tab of the modal.


[h2]SIMULATION:[/h2]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Optimization
Improved the Enki worker thread pool allocation algorithm.
- - This allocation adjustment should greatly improve performance for Enki threads on Intel 12th Gen CPUs.

Options
Helpful text has been added to the voice chat notification dropdown menu.

Dirt Racing
For the Dirt Refresh Project, reduced the variance in the amount of water in the track on dirt road courses.
For the Dirt Refresh Project, dirt displacement from tires on dirt road tracks has been reduced slightly.

AI Racing
AI Drivers now classify cars in lower classes more as obstacles rather than other drivers, which should allow for much more decisive passing. They are also hard-coded to think slower drivers are pathetic, so up your game!
AI Drivers have improved their passing techniques for cars at very different speeds. They should move laterally to pass at a more optimal distance from the target.
Further improved AI Drivers’ lateral positioning alongside other cars while racing on Road tracks.

Spotter
The spotter message for setting the overall fastest lap will now only play for Open Practice or Race Sessions. In lone sessions, the personal best message may play instead.

Graphics
Fixed an issue in Windows 11 where VSYNC could not be disabled when running the Sim in a window. This also fixes an issue in Windows 11 where the graphics auto-config always detected high-end GPUs as low-end GPUs, due to the test getting locked to the refresh rate and messing it up. This change also allows VSYNC to be toggled for windowed modes for the first time, and also now VSYNC setting changes take effect immediately without restarting the sim.
- - NOTE #1: there are cases due to Windows and device drivers where VSYNC settings don't work still, where VSYNC won't turn on. For instance, usually it doesn't work if running using NVIDIA Surround, etc.. Also device driver settings may be overriding the Sim's application settings.
- - NOTE #2: When launching in full-screen mode with VSYNC off, if you Alt+Enter or Alt+Tab out of full-screen into a windowed mode, VSYNC will usually automatically enable until you Alt+Enter back into full-screen. It seems to be a DXGI limitation.

Force Feedback
Fixed an issue that could cause the wheel force slider in the Options tab to fail to auto-detect your wheel if you had not yet entered a car.
Some additional wheel models have been added to the force feedback auto-detect routine.


[h2]CARS:[/h2]
--------------------------------------------------------------
GT3 Cars
For the New Damage Model, a tuning update has been completed which lowered the stiffness of rub blocks.

Audi R8 LMS GT3
Fixed an issue where some mirrors would appear at the incorrect location when the New Damage Model was in use.

BMW M Hybrid V8
For the New Damage Model, fixed an issue where heavy damage to only body panels could erroneously cause a Meatball flag.

Cadillac V-Series.R GTP
For the New Damage Model, aerodynamic model penalties have been updated.
For the New Damage Model, fixed an issue where heavy damage to only body panels could erroneously cause a Meatball flag.

Dallara IR18
Fixed an issue where vinyl wheel wraps were being duplicated.

Dallara P217
For the New Damage Model, strengthened the rear wing and rear body panels.
For the New Damage Model, fixed an issue where heavy damage to only body panels could erroneously cause a Meatball flag.

Dirt Late Model
(ALL) - For the New Damage Model, a tuning update has been completed which increased friction on the right side-panels and tire sidewalls, stiffened the right rear corner, and lowered the break limit on the front wheels to make wall riding more dangerous.

Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020
Fixed an issue where suffering critical damage to only a very small area of the car could cause an unauthorized moon launch.

Ligier JS P320
Downshifting has been made smoother, especially 3rd to 2nd gear.

Lucas Oil Off Road Pro 2 Lite
Center of Gravity height has been adjusted slightly.

Lucas Oil Off Road Pro Trucks
(ALL) - Center of Gravity height has been adjusted slightly.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992)
For the New Damage Model, fixed an issue where the nose panel was substantially heavier than it should have been, and adjusted the yield limits for the pieces.
Fuel Pressure warning label has been updated to Fuel Level warning.

Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
2023 Season 3 Balance of Power Adjustment: Engine torque has been reduced slightly.
Fuel Pressure warning label has been updated to Fuel Level warning.
Fixed an issue where the fuel hood cover would not be present at some tracks unless the car had taken damage.
iRacing setups have been updated.


[h2]TRACKS:[/h2]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Fixed an issue where the caution lights were not using the proper lightmap settings.

Chicago Street Course
Track logo has been updated to the latest version from NASCAR.
A variety of signs have been updated to match the current real-world track.

An update for 2023 Season 3 has been deployed!

Read the Release Notes for this Patch below, or on the iRacing Forums here:
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/43562/2023-season-3-patch-1-release-notes-2023-06-13-02#latest

===========================================


This Patch includes a variety of updates and fixes for the 2023 Season 3 Release.


SIMULATION:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Security
In the Season 3 release on June 6th, 2023, changes were rolled out to improve the security of the iRacing update processing. We would like to thank Stephen Shkardoon (ss23) for the responsible disclosure of the reported issues.
- - As a reminder, security issues can be reported at [email protected].

Optimization
For the newly added Enki loading optimizations for 2023 Season 3, we have reports of stuttering from users with 12th and 13th generation Intel CPUs as well as AMD 7900X3D and 7950X3D. This Patch limits the maximum number of allowable Enki worker threads for iRacing to use to 10.
- - With our internal testing, this seemed to alleviate the stuttering issues, and no other negative impacts were found for any other users.
- - This update also allows users to manually adjust the maximum number of allowable Enki worker threads for iRacing to use. To do this, create a new entry in the “core.ini” file, “[Task] max_num_default_worker_threads=10”. Adjusting this value will control the maximum number of Enki worker threads iRacing is allowed to use for the default thread pool.
- - - - We would like to hear from you with regards to this issue! If you have a system that utilizes Enki worker threads, please let us know how these changes work for your system, and how changing your maximum allowable Enki worker threads changes your performance.

AI Racing
AI Drivers have improved their braking techniques.
Fixed an issue where the BMW M Hybrid V8 and Cadillac V-Series.R GTP AI Drivers would fail to load into Sessions.

Graphics
The way in which we check for GPU memory has been updated. This impacts how the Graphics Auto-Config sets the memory slider for users.
- - Now, the iRacing Auto-Config tool should set your memory sliders to about 80% of available memory.
Fixed an issue where some car tires did not have ambient occlusion working correctly.

Replays
Fixed an issue that could cause the Simulator to crash while watching Replays with AI Drivers. AI Drivers are less shy now.

Controllers
The shift light behavior for Thrustmaster T128 and T248 devices has been updated to better match that of other wheels.
The amount of time we suppress data collection for the Force Feedback (FFB) Auto Button has been reduced when an incident is detected. This may help the Auto Button work more consistently at some tracks.
The Force Feedback (FFB) Auto Button will now continue to collect data when driving under Caution or on the pace lap.


CARS:
--------------------------------------------------------------
NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Cars
Fixed some inconsistencies with how the New Damage Model impacted aerodynamics.
iRacing setups have been updated.

NASCAR Truck Series Trucks
The cooling parameters for Race Tape have been updated.
Fixed an issue where the engine was not allowed to be repaired to 100% durability.
Fixed an art issue where duplicate spoiler rods could be seen from cockpit cameras.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Cars
The cooling parameters for Race Tape have been updated.
Fixed an issue where the engine was not allowed to be repaired to 100% durability.

Stock Car Pro Series Cars
iRacing setups have been updated.

BMW M Hybrid V8
Fixed an issue where the Brake Bias knob for opponent cars rotated around the incorrect axis.

Cadillac V-Series.R GTP
Improved the limiter sounds.
Fixed an issue where the dashboard box RPM turns red too early and does not match the in-car shift lights.
Fixed an issue where the shift lights in the Simulator do not match a user’s wheel shift lights.
Fixed an issue with misalignment of the digital display.
Fixed an issue where the Brake Bias knob for opponent cars rotated around the incorrect axis.

Dallara P217
Fixed an issue when scrape textures were mysteriously appearing on the sides and roof of the car.

Dirt Late Model
(ALL) - Front tire tread pattern has been updated.
(ALL) - For the New Damage Model, a tuning update has been completed which strengthens the front wheels.

Dirt Midget
Fixed an issue where the rock screen selection option remained in the garage page for this car.
- - As of the 2023 Season 3 Release, the display and hiding of this feature is controlled by a Graphics Option.

Dirt Sprint Car
(410) - Gearing ratio has been updated.
(410) - Driveline gearing and rev limit have been updated.
(410) - Removed a very high pitched artifact from the in-car high RPM sounds.
(ALL) - iRacing setups have been updated.

Dirt Sprint Car (Non-Winged)
(410) - Driveline gearing and rev limit have been updated.
(410) - Removed a very high pitched artifact from the in-car high RPM sounds.
(ALL) - iRacing setups have been updated.

Late Model Stock
Fixed a visual texture issue with tire treads when they were spinning near maximum speed.

Ligier JS P320
The Auto Fuel system has been enabled for this vehicle.
Draft parameters have been updated.
A new non-zero minimum fuel amount has been added to the garage.
Radio now turns on when the master switch is on.
Fixed an issue where the brake bias was not editable in the garage for a fixed setup race.
Fixed an issue where the Brake Balance display on the Pit Limiter page was rounding up to the wrong decimal place.
Fixed an issue where this car could not be fueled to 100% from the Black Box controls.
Updated the in-car sounds for ignition cut backfires.
Updated some speed digits on the digital display.
IMSA Leaderboard is now present on the interface model for this car.
Fixed an issue where the Brake Bias knob for opponent cars rotated around the incorrect axis.

Lucas Oil Off Road Pro 2 Lite
Tire degradation parameters have been updated.

Lucas Oil Off Road Pro Trucks
(ALL) - Tire degradation parameters have been updated.

NASCAR Classic Buick LeSabre - 1987
Fixed an issue where dashboard gauges were blank when the Old Damage Model was in use.

Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
Fixed an issue where the fuel port cover could disappear when these cars were viewed at certain camera distances.
Fixed an issue where mirrors would disappear when the Old Damage Model was in use.

Radical SR10
Shift lamp lights have been adjusted.
Windshield artwork has been updated to better match the real world car.


TRACKS:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Street Course
Some advertisements have been updated.
Some fence textures have been updated.

Daytona International Speedway
Fixed an issue where airplanes would come in for a landing on the airstrip at supersonic speeds.

Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
Fixed an issue with a monster-green fence.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
(Open Wheel Oval - 2009) - Fixed a loading error at this track configuration.

MotorLand Aragón
Fixed an issue where some large terrain specular maps were misaligned.
Adjusted some visual popping that could be seen on objects in the distance as a camera changed distances from them.
A variety of curb textures have been improved.