IRacing run several different official series, but members are also free to organize their own online sessions that are hosted on servers run by iRacing. The detailed rules for official competition are published in the FIRST Sporting Code, which registered members of the service are expected to read. Racing within the service is managed by a sanctioning body called FIRST.
The requirements for advancing and the licenses themselves are category-specific - in other words, a driver has a separate license for road and oval categories. Earning a higher license involves both participation in competitions on a driver's current highest license level and achievement of a minimum safety record.
If not qualified for the correct license for a series, drivers can still participate in practice sessions. The series are divided into two main categories, oval and road, which are further divided into several license level series from Rookie to Pro, and a driver must earn each license to be eligible to participate in official race week sessions at their license level. Races that are organized by members do not have to follow any official schedule.
There are also non-standard series, examples of which are the four-week Rookie series, Ind圜ar, Skip Barber and Grand-Am Premier series, and Pro series. Week 13 is often plagued with server issues, as the purpose of the week is for the implementation of software updates. Week 13, in general, has a more relaxed attitude, with an emphasis on fun, rather than competition. During Week 13 drivers cannot complete time-trials, and so cannot add to their licence level. The week between each season is referred to as "week thirteen", and has its own set of series which change track each day. Drivers can participate in practice, qualifying, license time trials, and race sessions. As the user achieves the higher-level licenses, they qualify to compete in different official series.įor the standard official series managed by iRacing, each calendar year is normally divided into four 12-week seasons, with all driving sessions in a series taking place on one track for each week during the 12-week seasons.
In order to advance onto the "D"-level license and beyond, the user must complete a number of races with little to no accidents, off-track incidents, or losses of control.
When a user begins their iRacing "career," they start with a Rookie-level license in Oval, Dirt Oval, Road, and Dirt Road categories. The gameplay is developed to mimic auto racing in as much detail as possible. A gamepad can be used, though it is discouraged and puts the user at a competitive disadvantage. Most users use a force feedback steering wheel with gas, brake, and clutch pedals, as well as H-pattern shifters and/or sequential shifters. IRacing only allows the use of a realistic cockpit view in official racing, but will allow for other camera views in test sessions or other sessions if the host or organizer allows. The service simulates realistic cars, tracks, and racing events, and enforcing rules of conduct modeled on real auto racing events. Official races, special events, league races, and practice sessions are all hosted on the service's servers.
IRacing, previously is a subscription-based racing simulation released by Motorsport Simulations in 2008.