iRacing Review: Is PC Sim Racing’s Benchmark the Closest You Can Get to Real Racing?

My conclusion is simple: even in 2026, iRacing remains a rare simulator that delivers what may be the closest game experience to real racing, standing at the top of serious PC sim racing. Its subscription model, strict iRating / Safety Rating (SR) system, and exceptionally unforgiving tyre behaviour are all built around one principle: “what you should not do, you simply cannot get away with doing.” It sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from an approachable simcade such as GT7. This is a title for sim racers who genuinely want to get faster, and advanced players with esports ambitions.

In this article, I draw on iRacing coverage across 360 Picar Channel videos. Primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced drivers who already own a direct-drive wheel, I cover the realities of the subscription model, what iRating / SR mean, my impressions of F1 and rallycross, and recommended wheel setups.

The verdict in 30 seconds

Based on what I have covered across 360 Picar Channel videos, iRacing is “a rare simulator that delivers what may be the closest game experience to real racing, standing at the top of serious PC sim racing.” Its “what you should not do, you simply cannot get away with doing” strictness sacrifices some of the safety net that makes a game broadly accessible, but in return it works as a place to develop real racing technique. It requires investment in a subscription and a recommended wheel setup (from around ¥68,000 with a CSL DD), but if you are serious about esports or proper sim racing, it is difficult to think of another title that makes as much sense.

What is iRacing? PC sim racing at its peak

iRacing is a PC-only racing simulator operated by iRacing.com in the US. Since launching in 2008, it has been a central platform in global sim-racing esports, and it is also known for being used by F1 and WRC drivers for real-world driving training.

If you want to explore the alternatives as well, see my Gran Turismo 7 (GT7) review: Ver. 1.70, FFB and VR and Fanatec GT DD Extreme examined through past videos: current 18 N·m model.

At a glance

“What you should not do, you cannot get away with doing”: the essence of its strictness

The comment below, from my comparison video with F1 games, captures iRacing’s design philosophy most clearly.

“The first thing that surprised me after moving to iRacing was how completely different the tyres felt. The behaviour over surface bumps and kerbs in particular was incredibly unforgiving—so much so that it felt as if the car was bouncing unnaturally. That is likely a sign of how realistically the car’s suspension and tyre behaviour are being reproduced. In contrast to F1 2020, iRacing has this strict characteristic: what you should not do, you cannot get away with doing. For example, downshifting at the wrong time or using too much steering input immediately unsettles the car and can send you off track or into a spin.”

— From Picar Channel: “Which is the ultimate F1 simulator? F1 2020, iRacing and rFactor 2 compared in depth”

“What you should not do, you cannot get away with doing” is the most important phrase for understanding iRacing. It is the opposite of a design such as GT7’s, where the car can hang on at the edge of losing control. iRacing consistently works on the premise that, just as in a real racing car, a mistake quickly becomes a failure. That comes at the expense of some game-like fun, but it also makes it a place to build real racing skills.

Where it sits against F1 2020 / rFactor 2

That same F1 comparison video clearly showed the different design philosophies of the three titles.

An in-depth comparison of F1 simulators! What makes F1 2020, iRacing and rFactor 2 appealing in their own ways? Hello to all F1 fans and simulator racers. This time, I am taking three popular titles focused on the F1 experience—F1 2020, iRacing and rFactor 2—and comparing them in depth to explore their characteristics. “Which is the ultimate F1 simulator?” To answer that question, I drove the same circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, in cars as close to F1 machinery as possible, and shared detailed impressions of the handling, vehicle behaviour and game design in each title.

— From the same video

A direct comparison of three titles on the same track—Spa-Francorchamps—and in the same category of car is exceptionally valuable for sim-racing video coverage. F1 2020’s “balance of game feel and realism,” iRacing’s strict “what you should not do, you cannot get away with doing” nature, and rFactor 2’s depth of physics engine each come into clear focus.

The subscription model and getting started: “the first step into esports”

Here is how I got started with iRacing, including its defining monthly subscription model.

“Ah, I can’t see ahead! I can’t see ahead!” This race began with that sudden shout. Hello, I’m Pica. I decided to take on the globally popular online racing simulator iRacing as my first serious step into the world of esports. How seriously can I commit to this as a hobby? This time, I will show you what happened when I entered a race. Some of you may be interested in iRacing but have no idea where to start. In an earlier video, I also covered the tools and costs required.

— From Picar Channel: “[iRacing] How to get started in esports!”

Beginners should start with fixed races

The challenge of choosing a race, and an unexpected turn of events: now it was finally time to choose a race. iRacing offers a huge range of races. For beginners, I recommend a type of race called “fixed.” Because the car setup is fixed, the advantage is that you can start racing straight away without complex adjustments. I decided to go with a fixed race myself. It is often said that, to raise your iRating efficiently, it is best to focus on driving one specific car. But if you become too obsessed with rating, some people may end up hating racing altogether. Personally, rather than getting carried away by every change in rating, I want to prioritise coming away thinking, “That was a fun race,” or, “I had a good battle.”

— From the same video

My view that it is better to prioritise enjoyable racing than obsess over iRating is a warning against the rating-first mindset that iRacing newcomers can easily fall into.

What iRating and Safety Rating (SR) mean

iRacing’s distinctive rating system evaluates both “ability” and “safe driving,” much like real racing.

• iRating: A skill rating that changes based on race results
• SR (Safety Rating): A safety-driving rating based on how few incidents you have

Its skill-based matchmaking pairs you with drivers at a similar level, so beginners are not thrown in with professionals and discouraged immediately. This is a system built around the rules of serious esports, unlike GT7’s Sport Mode.

Rallycross support: a serious sim praised by F1’s Norris

iRacing covers more than tarmac circuits—it also supports dirt surfaces. It has the kind of authenticity praised by F1 driver Lando Norris.

Introduction: taking on unfamiliar dirt racing in iRacing! Hello, everyone. This time, I took on a different kind of challenge in iRacing, known as a serious racing simulator. The setting was rallycross, charging over unpaved dirt surfaces. I experienced the intensity of WRC-style racing behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza. Tarmac racing is the mainstay in iRacing, but car behaviour on dirt is something else entirely. The sense of the tyres finding grip, the car sliding, and the jump sections built into the circuit—every part of it was a fresh experience.

— From Picar Channel: “iRacing rallycross is incredibly realistic! A serious sim praised by F1’s Norris”

I took the chequered flag after a hard-fought rallycross race. The result was far from satisfying, but I learned a great deal through the challenge. “I thought I was good on dirt, but I’m not—at all.” The fleeting confidence I felt in practice did not stand up to race pressure and the depth of dirt driving. The unique behaviour of dirt, the difficulty of weight transfer, and the strategic element of the joker lap are completely different from tarmac racing. Together, they make rallycross exceptionally deep.

— From the same video

My honest reaction—“I thought I was good on dirt, but I’m not”—shows just how deep iRacing rallycross is. The difficulty recognised by professional drivers is a challenge in a completely different realm from tarmac F1 or GT3 racing.

Recommended wheel setup: CSL DD for a “near-pro-level environment”

The wheel setup I recommend for iRacing centres on the Fanatec CSL DD.

For anyone who wants to race seriously on PC: if you want to enjoy proper sim racing in PC simulators such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione and rFactor 2, the CSL DD is my top recommendation. The CSL DD wheel base costs around ¥47,000, a steering wheel starts at around ¥10,000, and CSL Pedals without a clutch cost around ¥10,000. Combined, these parts let you build a near-pro-level environment for roughly ¥68,000.

— From Picar Channel: “New DD PRO wheel review roundup”

The idea of a “near-pro-level environment for ¥68,000” substantially lowers the perceived barrier to entering iRacing. Even alongside the monthly subscription, we are now in an era where an individual can build a serious, world-class sim-racing environment at home.

¥50,000 vs ¥400,000 wheel test

For wheel suitability in iRacing, I also directly compared the CSL DD with the Simucube, a high-end option costing more than ¥400,000.

Introduction: a no-sponsorship, self-funded, in-depth wheel comparison. Hello, everyone—Pica here. This time, I am thoroughly comparing two high-performance racing wheels that many sim racers are likely curious about. The comparison is between Fanatec’s relatively affordable direct-drive (DD) wheel, the CSL DD, at around ¥50,000, and the highly regarded high-end Simucube, at around ¥400,000. With roughly an eightfold difference in price between them, this is an attempt—perhaps recklessly—to compare the two properly.

— From Picar Channel: “No-sponsorship wheel test: the remarkable result of a serious ¥50,000 vs ¥400,000 comparison”

In the end, there were situations in iRacing where I found the CSL DD “natural and easy to drive.” The fact that the Simucube, at eight times the price, does not automatically win is an encouraging message for beginners and intermediate drivers.

Choosing between simcade GT7 and serious sim iRacing

I draw a clear distinction between iRacing and GT7 / ACC / AC EVO.

The world of simulators pursuing realism: which is the best? In racing simulators, titles including Gran Turismo 7 (GT7), Forza Motorsport, iRacing and Assetto Corsa are all competing intensely. Players constantly debate, “Which one is the most realistic?” But there is no single clear answer to that question. Each simulator has areas where it excels and areas where it does not, and their characteristics are wide-ranging. Still, once you understand each simulator’s particular strengths and the ways it pursues realism, you will be able to find the title that suits you best.

— From Picar Channel: “[GT7] [acEVO] [iRacing] Simulator comparison: I rank which is the most realistic”

There is no definitive “realism ranking,” but iRacing has established its position as a platform for esports competition and real-world driving training through its uncompromising character: “if it falls apart, it spins,” and “what you should not do, you cannot get away with doing.” It is best understood as a different world from simcade GT7.

Who it is for—and who should look elsewhere

✅ Recommended for

• Intermediate to advanced drivers who want to try a serious PC sim
• Anyone who wants to commit seriously to sim-racing esports
• Drivers who want to experience the sim used by professional F1 / WRC / IndyCar drivers and others
• Competitive drivers attracted to the strict iRating / SR rating system
• Owners of a DD wheel (CSL DD or above) and serious pedals (CSL Pedals LC / Heusinkveld, etc.)
• Drivers who want to cover a wide range of disciplines, from rallycross to F1, in one title

❌ Not recommended for

• Anyone without a PC, or without plans to build a serious PC → GT7 (PS5)
• Anyone uncomfortable with a monthly subscription model
• Drivers looking for “game-like fun” and a safety net when things go wrong → GT7 / Forza Motorsport
• Drivers who want to play in VR → GT7 (PSVR2) offers a more polished VR experience (iRacing also supports VR, but requires an exceptionally powerful PC)
• Anyone content with entry-level hardware such as the HORI Apex / Logitech G29 → serious sims require hardware investment

Related videos

• Which is the ultimate F1 simulator? F1 2020, iRacing and rFactor 2 compared in depth
• [iRacing] How to get started in esports!
• iRacing rallycross is incredibly realistic! A serious sim praised by F1’s Norris
• [GT7] [acEVO] [iRacing] Simulator comparison
• No-sponsorship wheel test: a serious ¥50,000 vs ¥400,000 comparison

Frequently asked questions

Q1. Should I choose iRacing or GT7?

A. Your platform is the deciding factor. Choose GT7 if you are on PS5; choose iRacing if you are on PC and have esports ambitions. GT7 offers the accessibility of a simcade, while iRacing offers the uncompromising strictness that comes closest to real racing. I use both for different purposes, and I have consistently said that getting used to the differences between simulators matters.

Q2. How much does the monthly subscription cost?

A. Check the official pricing structure. In addition to the base subscription, available monthly and annually, tracks and cars need to be purchased separately as DLC. If you plan to play long term, an annual subscription is more economical.

Q3. Can beginners play it?

A. Its iRating-based matchmaking puts you against drivers at a similar level, so beginners do not need to worry about immediately racing against professionals. “Fixed races,” with fixed setups, are a standard recommendation for beginners. That said, you will feel the “what you should not do, you cannot get away with doing” strictness from day one, so it is safer to take it on after getting used to GT7 or Forza.

Q4. Can I drive rallycross and F1 cars as well?

A. Yes. There is a wide variety of cars, from tarmac disciplines such as F1 / GT3 / IndyCar to dirt rallycross, with the kind of authenticity praised by F1’s Norris. Being able to experience “every kind of racing category” in one title is a distinctive iRacing appeal.

Q5. What wheel do I need?

A. To play seriously, I consider a DD wheel such as the Fanatec CSL DD (from around ¥47,000) paired with CSL Pedals (around ¥10,000) the minimum starting point. You can build a “near-pro-level environment for ¥68,000.” If you want to take the next step, load-cell pedals such as CSL Pedals LC or Heusinkveld Sprint are realistic upgrades.