iRacing 2023 Season 4 Release Note Highlights

The iRacing 2023 Season 4 update has arrived. This release comes with an abundance of new content and upgrades for 2023 Season 4. The iRacing garage is expanding with the addition of FIVE new additions, which include the Acura ARX-06 GTP, Ferrari 296 GT3, NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix – 1987, Porsche 963 GTP, and Super Formula SF23. Furthermore, the iRacing map is proudly waving TWO new flags and providing a highly-anticipated update to a third one. This includes the introduction of Circuit de Lédenon, Kern County Raceway Park (featuring Asphalt Track, Dirt Track, Legends, and Dirt Mini Oval), and a complete rebuild of Circuit Zandvoort using 2023 data, featuring Grand Prix, Grand Prix with Chicane, Nationaal, and Oostelijk layouts.

Our dedicated senior software engineers have relentlessly pursued optimization, resulting in improved load times compared to the previous season and reduced memory requirements for running iRacing. This enhancement allows for up to TWELVE different car models to coexist in the same Session without compromising performance. Our Spotter system has also undergone further training from the previous season, now offering valuable assistance with new calls such as alerting you to incidents or off-track events ahead or behind you, providing updates on damage sustained and repair time estimates, offering insights into the Strength of Field for the Session, and notifying you when you’re down to your last laps or running out of time for the event. We’ve also introduced a brand new audio feature that can simulate the effect of a driver wearing ear protection or a helmet, enhancing the on-track immersion.

The Results page has received a comprehensive overhaul to enhance usability, featuring a fully equipped “Find Past Results” button. This feature offers a wide array of selectable fields and filters to help you locate the exact sessions you’re looking for.

The New Damage Model has been implemented across ALL FIVE of the brand-new car models and has also been activated for SEVEN existing car models. Our artificial intelligence trainers have given their approval for ALL FIVE of the brand-new car models, as well as for THREE existing car models and all SEVEN non-dirt new race track configurations, along with ELEVEN existing race track configurations. Additionally, we’ve added top-tier vehicle setups for nearly every car in our service.

Season highlights encompass:

1. New Vehicle Additions:
   • Acura ARX-06 GTP
   • Ferrari 296 GT3
   • NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix – 1987
   • Porsche 963 GTP
   • Super Formula SF23
2. Exciting Tracks:
   • Circuit de Lédenon
   • Kern County Raceway Park (Featuring Asphalt Track, Dirt Track, Legends, and Dirt Mini Oval)
   • Circuit Zandvoort (2023 Rescan and Full Update, including Grand Prix, Grand Prix with Chicane, Nationaal, and Oostelijk layouts)
3. Performance Enhancements:
   • SIM Optimizations (Improved Loading Times and Reduced Memory Usage Footprint)
   • Capability to Load Up to 12 Car Models per Session
4. Enhanced Spotter Calls:
   • New Spotter Calls for Incidents and Off-Track Events Ahead/Behind
   • Damage Report and Repair Time Estimates
   • Updates on Time/Laps Remaining
   • Strength of Field Report
5. Immersive Driver Audio:
   • Audio Filters Simulating Ear Protection and Helmet Effects
6. Results Page Revamp:
   • Comprehensive Overhaul of the Results Page
   • New Search Function for Easier Session Retrieval
7. New Damage Model Implemented 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
   • Super Formula SF23
8. AI Racing Introduced 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
9. AI Racing Available at 18 Track Configurations:
   • Circuit de Lédenon
   • Circuit Zandvoort (All 4 Configurations)
   • Kern County Raceway Park (Asphalt Oval and Legends)
   • The Milwaukee Mile
   • Nürburgring Grand-Prix-Strecke (Grand Prix without Arena, Kurzanbindung without Arena, Sprintstrecke)
   • Road Atlanta (Club, Short)
   • [Legacy] Silverstone Circuit – 2008 (All 5 Configurations)
10. Extensive iRacing Vehicle Setups:
    • Hundreds of Professionally Crafted iRacing Vehicle Setups for Your Racing Pleasure

iRacing UI Updates

The iRacing results page has undergone a comprehensive overhaul to enhance usability and make it even easier for you to access the information you need:

• Find Past Results Button: The Results page now boasts a fully featured “Find Past Results” button. When clicked, it opens a modal window equipped with an array of selectable fields and filters, allowing you to precisely locate the sessions you’re interested in.
  • For Official Racing: You can now search and filter results by participant type (Yourself, Friends, Follows, or Driver search), Date Ranges, specific Season(s) or Week(s), License Type, and Session Type (Race, Practice, Qualifying, Time Trial).
  • For Hosted Racing: The search and filter options include Participant Name, Session Name, Host Name, Team Name, Date Range, License Type, Car, Track, and configuration. Additionally, you can still employ valid Subsession IDs for pinpoint precision.
• Tabbed Results Display: The Results page now features two distinct tabs, one dedicated to Official Racing and the other for Hosted Racing. This division streamlines the presentation of results, making it easier than ever to navigate and access the information you seek.

iRacing Simulation Updates

Dirt Racing Fine Tuning

Following the 2023 Season 3 Dirt Refresh project, we’ve conducted an extensive round of adjustments to further enhance the Dirt Racing experience. These enhancements encompass:

• Enhanced Variability: Increased the variability of the starting dirt track state, introducing variations in dirt heights, density, and water content to add more unpredictability and challenge to your races.
• Increased Surface Wear: The dirt track surface wear rate has been slightly raised, intensifying the realism and adding to the dynamic nature of the racing surface.
• Improved Dirt Tracking: Our tracking and recalculation of the dynamic track, influenced by the dirt thrown around the track from tires, has been refined. This refinement contributes to an increment in the wetness of specific areas as more dirt accumulates, enriching the racing experience.
• Dirt Color Update: Made slight adjustments to the dirt coloring, aligning it more closely with the water content, creating a more authentic and visually immersive racing environment.

Additionally, for the associated vehicles, iRacing has updated the World of Outlaws 2023 contingency decal packages. These updates reflect our commitment to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date racing experience possible.

Car Updates

Dirt Late Model

• Enhanced the precision of opponent cars’ tire rotation direction.
• iRacing setups have been refreshed for all Dirt Late Models.

Dirt Midget

• Updated iRacing setups for the Dirt Midget category.

Dirt Modified

• iRacing setups have been updated for all Dirt Modified vehicles.

Dirt Sprint Car

• Corrected an issue where the roof wing on opponent cars could disappear or exhibit animation problems.
• iRacing setups have been refreshed for all Dirt Sprint Cars.

Dirt Sprint Car Non-Winged

• Updated iRacing setups for all Dirt Sprint Cars without wings.

Dirt Street Stock

• iRacing setups have received an update for the Dirt Street Stock class.

Dirt UMP Modified

• The highly anticipated New Damage Model is now active for this vehicle!
• iRacing setups have been refreshed for all Dirt UMP Modifieds.

Modified – SK / NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified

• The highly anticipated New Damage Model is now activated for both of these cars!
• iRacing setups have been refreshed for both the SK Modified and NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified vehicles.

Introducing the NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix – 1987

• The iconic NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix – 1987 is now at your disposal, ready for thrilling races!
• This historic beauty, driven by teams such as Petty Enterprises, Blue Max Racing, RahMoc Enterprises, and McDuffie Racing, graced the tracks during the 1987 NASCAR Cup Series season. Despite a relatively small driver lineup, the Pontiac Grand Prix left an indelible mark. Rusty Wallace led the charge, securing fifth place in the standings with two triumphant victories and an impressive nine top-five finishes. Legendary Richard Petty, in his final season, made a memorable mark, securing an eighth-place points finish with nine top-five finishes of his own.
• Secure the keys to your very own NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix – 1987 by acquiring it from the iRacing Store via this link: NASCAR Classic Pontiac Grand Prix – 1987
• Immerse yourself in the excitement of AI Racing with this car!
• Additionally, brace yourself for the added realism as the New Damage Model is now in action for this magnificent machine!

Introducing the Acura ARX-06 GTP

• The thrilling Acura ARX-06 GTP is now ready for purchase and action!
• Crafted to adhere to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s latest GTP regulations, the Acura ARX-06 made its debut at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, succeeding the ARX-05 that had served for five years under the previous DPi rule set. Acura maintained its partnership with constructor Oreca to bring this new marvel to life, and it hit the track with a bang as Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian and Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport clinched a stunning 1-2 finish at Daytona. Beneath its sleek exterior, the ARX-06 boasts a 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, slightly smaller than its predecessor but packing a powerful punch with over 670 horsepower. Like other GTP cars, it weighs in at 1,030 kg and features a standardized 50kW hybrid system.
• Secure the keys to your very own Acura ARX-06 GTP by acquiring it from the iRacing Store via this link: Acura ARX-06 GTP
• AI Racing is now available for this magnificent machine!
• Plus, experience the excitement of the New Damage Model, fully enabled for the Acura ARX-06 GTP!

Introducing the Ferrari 296 GT3

• The striking Ferrari 296 GT3 is now at your fingertips, ready for exhilarating races!
• Ferrari’s latest venture into GT3 racing, the 296 GT3, marked its grand debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and prominent global competitions for the 2023 season. It takes the reins from the 488 GT3 EVO, which made its premiere in 2020, aiming to build upon its predecessor’s triumphs. This new model offers simplified setup modifications for the crew and boasts significantly increased downforce compared to the previous iteration. Under its sleek exterior, the 296 GT3 packs a V6 engine, mirroring its road-going counterpart, generating a formidable 600 horsepower from its 2.9-liter powerplant. In its inaugural appearance at the 24 Hours of Daytona, four 296 GT3 cars graced the track across IMSA’s GTD and GTD Pro classes, with the car clinching its maiden victory in a grueling endurance race a few months later at the Nürburgring.
• Secure the keys to your very own Ferrari 296 GT3 by acquiring it from the iRacing Store via this link: Ferrari 296 GT3
• For customers who recently purchased the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 within the last 30 days, you will receive a full refund in iRacing credits. Those who made the purchase between 31 and 180 days ago will receive a 50% refund in iRacing credits.
• Experience the thrill of AI Racing with this car!
• Furthermore, the eagerly awaited New Damage Model is now operational for the Ferrari 296 GT3, enhancing the realism of your races!

Introducing the Porsche 963 GTP

• The extraordinary Porsche 963 GTP is now ready for your acquisition and racing adventures!
• Following a remarkable five-year hiatus from top-level prototype racing, Porsche marked its triumphant return in 2023 with the groundbreaking 963, designed for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP class. In collaboration with Multimatic, Porsche crafted the chassis that underpins the 963, and the car made its eagerly anticipated racing debut at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona under the banner of Porsche Penske Motorsport. As the season progressed, more teams across the globe embraced this remarkable machine. At Long Beach, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy secured the car’s inaugural victory in its third appearance in the IMSA season. Powering the 963 is Porsche’s formidable 4.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, known as the 9RD, producing an impressive 670+ horsepower. Following the GTP tradition, the car maintains a weight of 1,030 kg and incorporates a standardized 50kW hybrid system.
• Lay claim to your very own Porsche 963 GTP by acquiring it from the iRacing Store via this link: Porsche 963 GTP
• Dive into the excitement of AI Racing with this car!
• Moreover, experience enhanced realism as the New Damage Model is now active for this exceptional vehicle!

Introducing the Super Formula SF23

• The remarkable Super Formula SF23 is now available, awaiting your purchase and racing adventures!
• This car features an innovative Overtake system, exclusively accessible during Race Sessions.
• Debuting in the 2023 Super Formula season, the SF23 represents the third-generation open-wheel car meticulously crafted by the renowned Italian manufacturer, Dallara, for Japan’s premier open-wheel racing series. Visually, the SF23 showcases advancements in aerodynamics aimed at enhancing overtaking opportunities. On the sustainability front, the design incorporates new, eco-friendly materials, resulting in a remarkable 75% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions during raw material extraction and manufacturing. Even the Yokohama tires utilized on this car embrace a higher proportion of renewable raw materials while maintaining peak performance. Super Formula cars are driven by potent turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 engines, each capable of delivering over 540 horsepower. Furthermore, every SF23 is equipped with an Overtake System (OTS), permitting up to 200 seconds of additional fuel burn in each race.
• Secure the keys to your very own Super Formula SF23 by acquiring it from the iRacing Store through this link: Super Formula SF23
• Embrace the heightened realism with the New Damage Model now activated for this vehicle!
• Immerse yourself in the thrill of AI Racing with this car!

iRacing Track Updates

Introducing Kern County Raceway Park

• Prepare for an exciting new addition: Kern County Raceway Park, a versatile racing venue featuring both Asphalt and Dirt Oval tracks, is now open for purchase and racing!
• This track offers a total of four unique configurations: Asphalt Track, Legends, Dirt Track, and Dirt Mini Oval.
• Kern County Raceway Park, nestled in the heart of California, emerged in 2013 as one of the state’s most distinctive racing arenas. Situated roughly 30 miles west of the former Mesa Marin Raceway, a half-mile paved oval that hosted races from 1977 to 2005, including nine NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events, Kern County Raceway Park boasts a diverse range of racing surfaces. In addition to its paved oval, which regularly hosts events like the ARCA Menards Series West and other stock car competitions, the facility features a third-mile, asymmetrical clay oval ideally suited for sprint car and midget racing. The paved oval at Kern County is notable for its progressive banking in the corners, commencing at 12 degrees at the lower section and gradually increasing to 14 degrees at the top, while the straightaways maintain an eight-degree banking. Notably, Turns 1 and 2 sit at a slightly higher elevation than the straightaways and Turns 3 and 4. The corners on Kern County’s dirt oval also offer a unique challenge, with Turns 1 and 2 being tighter compared to the more open configuration of Turns 3 and 4.
• Make Kern County Raceway Park yours by acquiring it from the iRacing Store through this link: Kern County Raceway Park
• Engage in AI Racing on the Asphalt Track and Legends track configurations!

Introducing Circuit de Lédenon

• Get ready for a thrilling new addition: Circuit de Lédenon, a road racing track, is now open for purchase and racing!
• Pioneering its journey in 1970 and officially unveiling its gates three years later, Circuit de Lédenon stands as one of France’s most distinctive and demanding race circuits. Spanning a distance of 1.958 miles (3.151 km), this track ingeniously squeezes in 13 diverse corners and numerous changes in elevation within its compact confines. What sets it apart from the majority of other prominent French tracks is its counterclockwise layout. Over the years, Lédenon has been a regular host for French Formula 4 events since 2011 and is also known for hosting national GT races. A lap around Lédenon begins with a lengthy, high-speed frontstretch before delving into the challenging Triple Gauche section, comprising three left-hand turns leading into the tighter right-hander known as Virage du Pont. Following the slower La Carrierrasse left-hander, drivers embark on a thrilling descent through La Courmelle, entering the Virage du Camion, after which Le Cavalet presents a sharp right turn and an uphill challenge. Upon navigating La Servie, drivers sprint through one last straight stretch punctuated by smaller corners before La Cuvette propels them back onto the frontstretch.
• Secure your stake in Circuit de Lédenon by acquiring it from the iRacing Store through this link: Circuit de Lédenon
• Immerse yourself in AI Racing on this track!
• Furthermore, enjoy the lush 3D Foliage System, bringing this track to life in unprecedented detail!