iRacing has been around for 12 years now, and continues to stay alive on PC thanks to a community of die-hard veteran racers. Since quarantine started interest in sim racing has been on the rise, and some people recommend iRacing as the best simulator. iRacing has been quoted to have the best online play and realistic car physics, while its competitors, F1, Gran Turismo, and Assetto Corsa have all been downgraded for slipping too much and not having realistic vehicle physics. Even professional racers have praised iRacing on the game's physics.
When it comes to racing simulators, things like suspension, tire physics, and price all play a factor in which one players decide to pick up. When someone has already bought a steering wheel and pedals, they need to find a realistic simulator to go along with it. iRacing, to professional racers, is what Microsoft Flight Simulator is to pilots, with some racers even using iRacing as practice during their downtime. Many enjoy the cars and the tracks that iRacing offers to players, even though some content costs extra money to experience.
Realistic features, competitive racing leagues, and a variety of official racecars is a great attraction to both first-time and veteran racers. Players can race on over 70 tracks against other players, or just set personal records in timed laps. iRacing is also attractive to competitive gamers, with the current eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series prize pool sitting at $300,000. However, this comes with a very expensive price, with a monthly subscription fee of $13 per month. However, if somebody were to purchase all of the content available in iRacing, they could be spending well over $1,000.
How iRacing Sets Itself Apart From Other Racing Games
iRacing took on a very unique approach to the world of sim racing by letting the player experience a "virtual racing career." iRacing features different classes, or ranks, that allow players to race against others with their similar skill level. From Rookie to Pro, everybody will have a fair race once they get in their virtual car. iRacing also prioritizes being a safe driver and not having accidents, which is showcased by iRacing's Safety Rating. The safer a driver is, the better licenses they can obtain and the more they can progress.
Players can hop right into the game after they set up their driving rig and purchased an iRacing subscription, and can start ranking up. Fast Track allows players to get to the class they want quickly, but also requires skill and effort from the driver. However, the dedication and incestment that comes with being a serious sim racer might make some players drift away from the idea of spending so much on a virtual environment. For people who want to simply experience casual racing, they might have more fun in an arcade-like racing sim such as F1 or Gran Turismo.
Over its development, iRacing has managed to become one of the most praised and most played racing sims in the community. Even after all these years, iRacing is still releasing many updates to make the game even more realistic and improve the experience for sim racing fans. Even though iRacing may be overpriced for many players, putting in that time and investment into sim racing could allow players to discover a new interest they never knew they had. A lot of enjoyment could come out of iRacing.