Unveiling the long-awaited iRacing Season 1 2025 update is a joyous moment for many avid racers. With an exciting array of new cars, tracks and groundbreaking technological innovations, iRacing is ready to take the virtual driving experience to unprecedented heights. This update promises to enrich the sim racing community with improved realism and dynamic gameplay. It introduces advanced new features such as the new tyre models, lifelike AI behaviour and a dynamic debris refresh. Whether you are an experienced racer or a newcomer looking to explore the world of sim racing, iRacing Season 1 2025 is packed with exciting content and makes the game even better.
In this article, we dive into the upcoming Season 1, 2025 build, which is due on Tuesday 10 December will be released. The season is packed with great new cars and tracks across multiple racing categories. Let's start with a preview of the five cars that will make their debut. Are you ready for the new iRacing Season 1 2025 update yet? Read all about the new features in this article.
Highlights of iRacing Season 1 2025
Dynamic Debris Refresh
The latest update to iRacing introduces the Dynamic Debris Refresh, a giant leap forward in track reality. Based on the robust Dynamic Track Dynamics system, iRacing now simulates the accumulation of gravel, mud and tyre debris along track edges. This feature significantly changes race strategy, as drivers must now navigate these obstacles to maintain optimal tyre adhesion and handling. Super cool! I personally think this is one of the coolest updates lately. I am very curious to see how this looks in practice.
Improvements in AI behaviour
The iRacing Season 1 2025 update also introduces significant improvements in AI behaviour, making virtual races more competitive and engaging. One notable feature is headlight flashing by the AI, especially useful in multi-class races.
When a faster car approaches a slower vehicle, the AI now flashes its headlights to indicate its intention to overtake, reflecting the etiquette of real racing. This addition enhances the reality of sim racing by bringing the AI drivers closer to human behaviour.
Revolution in Tyre Models
iRacing's Season 1 2025 update also brings a transformative change to tyre models, significantly improving the driving experience. This revision introduces a tyre model that is more dynamically responsive. Tyres now respond more intuitively to driver input and adjust more realistically to load. The update also introduces a realistic weartage mechanism, where tyres gradually lose grip with weartage, not just due to temperature changes.
Mechanics of Tyre Weartage
The 2025 iRacing Season 1 update introduces advanced mechanics for tyre weartage that bring sim racing even closer to reality. Traditional models often relied heavily on simple factors such as temperature, but the new system more accurately reproduces tyre weartage in real life. Tyres now gradually lose grip over time, reflecting the complex interplay of factors such as friction, pressure and material fatigue.
Graphic Engine Improvements
The iRacing 2025 update brings significant improvements in graphics, making the virtual racing environment more immersive than ever. Central to this upgrade is the refinement of the graphics engine, with a particular focus on the specular lighting model. This adjustment aligns with Physical Based Rendering (PBR) techniques, resulting in more accurate reflections and lighting effects.
Exciting New Cars and Circuits
Supercars: The Chevrolet and Ford Gen 3
In Season 1 of 2025, iRacing makes room for the all-new Supercars Chevrolet Camaro Gen 3 and Ford Mustang Gen 3. Developed in close collaboration with Supercars, Chevrolet and Ford, these vehicles promise an unparalleled racing experience.
Thanks to the latest physical and tyre modelling, these cars offer increased realism and handling dynamics that will appeal to drivers. The addition of these models also marks a shift in the supercar class, with previous models, such as the Supercars Ford Mustang GT and Holden ZB Commodore, being classified as [Legacy] content.
New buyers of the older models within the past year will receive compensation. This generation of Supercars promises not only to be aesthetically pleasing, but also to impress with their performance on the virtual track. With these updates, iRacing sets a new standard for sim racers who crave authenticity and excitement.
BMW M2 CSR: Free for all iRacers
The BMW M2 CSR makes its debut in iRacing as an exciting addition for novice racers. Equipped with a powerful 365hp Club Sport engine, this car offers a perfect blend of challenge and fun. The M2 CSR is designed to serve as an intermediate step between traditional rookie stock cars and more advanced GT4 cars. With its short wheelbase, the M2 delivers a responsive and sometimes challenging driving experience.
To increase accessibility, the BMW M2 CSR will be offered for free as part of the basic content for all iRacers. This means everyone will have the chance to explore this exciting new addition at no extra cost. Moreover, iRacing is adding a BMW M2 safety car to their fleet, offering additional opportunities within AI and Hosted iRacing races. This initiative highlights iRacing's commitment to offering quality and diverse racing experiences to their community.
Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22: An Endurance Acquisition
The introduction of the Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22 in iRacing brings a powerful new dimension to the GT3 and endurance series. Developed with the expertise of HRC, Gradient Racing and Racers Edge Motorsports, this car is equipped with an impressive 520hp 3.5L DOHC twin-turbocharged engine.
The NSX GT3 Evo 22 joins an elite group of endurance cars sponsored by IMSA, enriching the competition with a tenth GT3 model. Besides its powerful performance, iRacing's graphics and art department has paid special attention to the material rendering, so the car not only drives powerfully, but also looks stunning.
This addition offers sim racers the chance to experience the intensity and complexity of endurance racing with a vehicle that is both technically and visually impressive. The NSX GT3 Evo 22 promises to be a valuable asset for those looking for new challenges in endurance racing.
Ferrari 499P LMH
The iRacing Season 1 2025 update also introduces the Ferrari 499P LMH, a two-time Le Mans winner. This hypercar is - finally - making its debut in iRacing. This car marks the first entry built to Le Mans Hypercar rules within the platform, expanding the racing classes available.
iRacing Season 1 2025: New Circuits
The new update also brings a number of new tracks to the popular sim.
Thruxton Circuit: The Fastest in the UK
The Thruxton Circuit, often labelled as the fastest circuit in the UK, is an exciting new addition to iRacing's range. At 3.79km long, this circuit offers a wide range of racing experiences, ranging from BTCC to TCR UK, and even British F3 and GT. What makes Thruxton unique is the high speeds cars can reach, often exceeding 190 mph.
The track has visual similarities to Silverstone, both former RAF airfields from the 1940s. The iRacing art team has done an exceptional job in bringing Thruxton to life in the sim, using advanced photogrammetry techniques. This provides unprecedented detailing of the landscape and infrastructure, including a fully drivable indoor track. Thruxton promises to be a challenging and exciting addition for sim racers looking for speed and precision on an iconic British circuit.
Huset's Speedway: History in South Dakota
Huset's Speedway, a legendary dirt oval in Brandon, South Dakota, is now available in iRacing, adding a rich history to the sim. Since its opening in 1953, the track has played a pivotal role in the US racing scene. After a revival in 2020 with new owners, Huset's regained its place in All Star competition and now once again provides a platform for exciting dirt racing.
This 3/8-mile track has been carefully recreated in the sim, retaining the authentic features and challenges of dirt driving. For iRacers, Huset's Speedway offers a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of dirt racing with an immersive and realistic representation of this historic venue. Moreover, Huset's is preparing for release as DLC in World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24, further increasing the appeal and reach of this iconic track.
NASCAR Refresh: New Hampshire and Las Vegas
The NASCAR Refresh initiatives in iRacing bring significant improvements to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. New Hampshire, close to iRacing headquarters, has always held a special place with the staff and was one of the first tracks in the sim.
The latest updates bring the track up to current quality standards, offering an enhanced racing experience for users. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is also undergoing a significant overhaul. Although work here is slightly behind, the update, once complete, promises to be a stunning visual and functional improvement.
The NASCAR Refresh includes free and automatic track updates for current owners, and underlines iRacing's commitment to innovation and quality. These improvements ensure that sim racers can experience the most realistic and immersive racing experiences at these iconic NASCAR venues.
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What More Can We Expect in the Future of iRacing?
New Sim UI: A First Look
The development of an all-new user interface (UI) for iRacing marks an exciting step forward for the sim. This modern UI is designed to provide an enhanced user experience, with a clear layout and improved functionality. While the new UI will feel familiar to existing users, it also introduces significant improvements, such as the ability to open and customise multiple black boxes.
The interface will also offer dynamic maps and a more modern look and feel, making navigation more intuitive. The aim is to provide a solid and stable experience, while laying the groundwork for future enhancements and customisations. This UI is currently in its alpha phase and is being thoroughly tested to ensure it meets iRacing's high standards. When the new UI debuts in March, users will discover a renewed and improved sim experience ready for further innovations.
Physics and tyre developments
Within iRacing's future plans, physics and tyre development are central. The team is working to improve core physics systems, with a special focus on force feedback (FFB) and tyre modelling. Efforts are focused on the introduction of V10 tyres, which will be a significant step forward in simulation precision. These tyres will benefit from double-precision calculations, resulting in better FFB and a more accurate contact patch.
This includes improved heat build-up and slijtage over tyre shape, as well as more advanced compound and grip designs. In addition, tyre design tools are being developed, allowing engineers to conduct and optimise thousands of tests for the best performance. These developments will result in race cars that drive more accurately and realistically than ever before. iRacing remains focused on delivering the most authentic driving experience, leveraging both new technologies and expertise from the real world of racing.
Career Mode and Saving Games
One of the most anticipated features in iRacing's future is the introduction of an expanded career mode and the ability to save games. The career mode will be rolled out in two stages, starting with "AI Championships", which will lay the foundation for a full career experience. This mode will give racers the chance to develop their skills and progress in a simulated racing career.
In addition, iRacing is working on a storage system for AI races, allowing players to save their progress in races and resume it later. This is a rare feature in racing games, but offers significant flexibility for players who want to pause long events without losing their position. Together, these developments will significantly improve iRacing's engagement and playability, making the platform more attractive to racers looking for in-depth and immersive experiences.
Conclusion
With the impressive array of new cars, tracks and technological innovations introduced by iRacing in Season 1 of 2025, the platform is poised to usher in a new era of sim racing. The additions of vehicles such as the Ferrari 499P and the Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22 offer exciting new challenges to beginners and experienced racers alike. Meanwhile, impressive track updates such as Thruxton Circuit and Huset's Speedway provide exciting racing environments that will put every driver's skills to the test.
Ongoing improvements in simulation features, ranging from the innovative Debris Refresh to advanced AI interactions and an increasingly realistic tyre model, underline iRacing's commitment to authenticity and top-quality racer experience. Moreover, prospects for a new user interface, improved physics and the long-awaited career mode give an exciting glimpse into the future of this leading simulation racing platform.
As 2025 begins, iRacers can prepare for a year brimming with dynamism, innovation and the most immersive racing experience yet. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of sim racing, iRacing's ongoing evolution ensures there is always something new and exciting to discover. Prepare for a season that will further push the boundaries of digital racing, and let the excitement of each race weekend rekindle your passion for speed.
