Updates Coming to IndyCar on iRacing in June
When the Dallara IR18 INDYCAR hits the track at December’s PRI Hoosier 500, it will race with some improvements that bring the virtual car closer to its real life counterpart.
On May 19, iRacing announced a slew of updates coming to the service as part of the Season 3 build. This includes refinements to the current-gen INDYCAR chassis in operation today, which will likely shake up setups from the recently-contested iRacing Indy 500.
iRacing’s long-standing partnership with INDYCAR has allowed for a sweeping update to the Dallara IR18 – bringing it to 2025 specifications with an unmatched level of accuracy and immersion. In a project conducted alongside Dallara, INDYCAR, and real-world INDYCAR drivers, the update overhauls several major components on the car and introduces a wave of improvements that enhance both realism and driving experience.
ON-TRACK UPDATES
The modernization of the IR18 using iRacing’s newest development tools and processes is designed to bring the car closer to it’s real-world self. Multiple physics models have been adjusted to reflect the most current data and standards, with key updates including:
- Tire Model Revamp: Tires for this car have been refined for better feel, improved feedback, and more accurate heat and wear characteristics. While of course not used at the PRI Hoosier 500, the inclusion of a wet tire marks a significant addition to the IR18’s road racing environment.
- Aerodynamic Overhaul: iRacing has updated the aero modeling system with greater accuracy and now supports barge board options across all major configurations: road course, short oval, and large oval.
- Setup Range Precision: Setup range limits have been more closely tailored to reflect what teams run in real life on each track type, giving drivers and teams better control within realistic parameters.
New Looks, NEW SOUNDs
The audio and visual presentation of the IR18 has also been brought up to modern standards:
- New 3D Model Enhancements: The car now features the road course-specific aeroscreen, revised aero components, and a striking new Cosworth steering wheel – matching the real-world 2025 cockpit environment.
- Audio Redesign: In perhaps the most immersive update yet, the iRacing audio team traveled to record the IR18 using new state-of-the-art hardware. The result? A highly detailed sound model that brings the car to life from both in-cockpit and external camera views.
- A standout feature is the anti-lag system, which produces a guttural “Chewbacca-gurgle” between 6000–8000 RPM when under partial throttle. It’s one of those auditory touches that adds depth and realism for a better overall product.
Looking Ahead: Hybrid on the Horizon and IMS Update
While this 2025-spec update is extensive, one major feature has been intentionally held for a future release: the hybrid power unit. Debuting midway through the 2024 real-world season and marking its first full year in 2025, the hybrid system presents a complex challenge for the sim. iRacing developers are taking their time to get it right, currently rewriting the underlying architecture for hybrid modeling to ensure it’s accurate, scalable, and future-ready.
It is tough to tell whether or not the hybrid technology will be in play for this fall’s PRI Hoosier 500. There will be two additional build cycles that hit prior to race day – one in September, and one in early December.
Lastly, it is important to call out a nugget found in the larger iRacing Development Update for the coming season: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is in line for a refresh on the sim. IMS got some TLC in the not-so-distant past with an updated scoring pylon and track surface, but a variety of components from older iterations of the facility remain. This includes the penthouse grandstands on the frontstretch, which have not been converted to the new roofing and seating arrangement which came from the Project 100 renovations. We are excited to see what the Brickyard looks like when the updated version is released!