It’s September again. This means two things: the start of the new NEO Endurance Series (NES) season is close and a new build for iRacing. The developers at iRacing have worked hard to roll out another great update for its members.
New content
In this build iRacing releases four new pieces of content: two cars and two tracks. On the road side we welcome the GT3 spec Ferrari 488. At a first glance there is not a lot of differences between the GT3 and GTE cars. Besides the performance is the color of the headlights the most notable difference. The GT3 class has a nice variety of cars now with the addition of the Ferrari 488.
British circuit Snetterton will be released this build as well. Snetterton is located in Norfolk, England, and opened in 1953. However this circuit doesn’t host international events, it a fairly well known circuit. It is mainly well known for hosting the BTCC, British GT, British Superbike, and British Formula 3.
On the oval side there is new dirt content. In the real world Lanier National Speedway does not exist anymore. Luckily the spirit of LNS lives on in iRacing. This build iRacing brings this short track back to its roots, by releasing a dirt version of the track. The first five years, after it opened in 1982, LNS was a dirt track. Together with this dirt oval, iRacing also releases a new dirt car: UMP Modified.
Updates
This build also has a handful of fixes to the simulator. Here are the most notable ones.
• Race Sessions can now include up to six different vehicles
• Fixed a significant Dynamic Track update issue occuring after Lone Qualifying
• Dirt Track Initialization v2.0
• Improvements to the event-based audio system
• An update to the New iRacing UI Preview and Time Attack
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Read the full release notes below.
Change log:
Updater
The iRacing updater will no longer ask if you want to create a desktop shortcut if it already exists.
Race Sessions
Race Sessions can now use up to six different vehicles in the same event.
Garage
Bar end displacement has been adjusted for some cars in the Garage UI.
Dynamic Track
The visuals for marbles have been improved.
Fixed an issue whereby a Lone Qualifying session would trigger an error that made some parts of the track on a client unable to send all updates to the server in any sessions which followed, such as an attached race.
Rendering
The number of fixed cubemaps rendered per frame has been reset to 0.
- All tracks now have at least one fixed cubemap so the rendering cost per frame will be high. Be sure your system can handle this option.
The option, “forceCrowdVisible” has been added to the [Graphics] section of the “app.ini” file.
- forceCrowdVisible = 0 (Default iRacing.com crowd behavior)
- forceCrowdVisible = 1 (The grandstands are always full, regardless of event type)
Camera
Fixed a bug that accidentally allowed the track camera option “Limited Acquire” to be toggled on for on-car and driving cameras.
Audio
New Rumble Strip tire sounds have been created for saw tooth, ramped slabbed, and fine tooth curbs for all vehicles.
A new sound event script system has been implemented that allows for more customization of sounds. This is the new base for all event driven sounds in the SIM, and will allow us to add in environmental sounds in the future, including linking sounds directly to animations.
Re-tuned engine and transmission sound parameters for drivetrain loads for all cars. This gives a more dynamic sound with throttle changes as you modulate the delivery of power. Even slight throttle movements will yield more informative sonic responses.
Tuned the rumblestrip and grass rolling volumes for quieter vehicles. Tire surface sounds have also been adjusted and are likely a little on the loud side. This is to cater for users with speaker combinations and those soundcards that play them quiet. Reduce the tire volume slider to taste. The cars affected include the following:
- Ford Falcon FG V8
- Ford Mustang FR500S
- Formula Renault 2.0
- Global Mazda MX-5 Cup
- Holden Commodore VF V8
- HPD ARX-01c
- Kia Optima
- Legends Ford ’34 Coupe
- Legends Ford ’34 Coupe Dirt
- Lotus 49
- Lotus 79
- Mazda MX-5 Cup circa 2015
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster circa 2015
- McLaren MP4-12C GT3
- Pontiac Solstice
- Pro Mazda
- Ruf RT 12R
- Ruf RT 12R Track
- SCCA Spec Racer Ford
- Skip Barber Formula 2000
- V8 Supercar Ford Falcon circa 2012
- VW Jetta TDI Cup
Fixed a bug in the particle sounds and visor dirt sounds that could cause them to be too quiet for some cars.
Pace Car
The pace car’s line for entering and exiting its pit stall has been improved.
Dirt
Dirt Track Initialization v2.0
- The creation of initial track state for dirt ovals has fundamentally changed. We now initialize dirt tracks using data gathered from sessions, rather than an algorithm that simulates track activity. This takes advantage of feedback we have received: our dirt tracks progress realistically when run in by drivers turning laps. Variance is achieved by using multiple starting states and wear histories, created by different sets of drivers and cars, to generate the final track state. This means that even for the same initial usage value, the resulting track may not always be the same!
- In addition, the default starting usage percentage for dirt oval sessions is now adjusted based on the types of cars in the sessions. Essentially, cars that would normally run earlier at a race weekend and/or are aimed at beginners or rookie drivers will see tackier tracks on average. As drivers move up in car class, they are also considered to be racing later in the event and will typically experience a more worn-out track. Overall, the tracks for race sessions for the upper-end Dirt Sprint Cars and Dirt Late Models will be noticeably slicker than before, but rookies running the Street Stock will still have mostly tacky conditions.
Fixed an issue where some dirt areas along walls could look patchy.
Replay
Several small replay processing and playback enhancements to increase the accuracy of the dynamic track in a replay.
When playing a replay, the play speed will remain unchanged when playing a frame where the player steps into the car, or is the start of a new session. Previously this would trigger an event that would drop the replay out of fast-forward and into regular play speed.
Paint Kit
Four new sponsors have been added.
Chat
Fixed a bug that caused the right-click menu to not work on small chat window.
Virtual Reality
Fixed an issue causing a white flash when transitioning out of a session.
Telemetry
New irsdk variable “CarLeftRight” that outputs a irsdk_CarLeftRight enum indicating if a car is on your left or right. This can be used to replicate our high/low spotter calls.
New irsdk Session String parameter WeekendInfo:TrackDirection: that indicates if the track is a left or right (or neutral) handed track. Use this to detect that you are at a reversed oval so you can properly call high when the car is on your left rather than right side.
Fixed the output of car setup to telemetry to not strip numbers from the key names.
New iRacing UI Preview
UI Scale: You can scale the entire UI up to 200%.
You are now able to “Star” cars, tracks, Series, and Time Attack Competitions.
Cart: You can add cars and tracks to a new shopping cart located in the top right corner. Clicking “continue” lets you check out at the Classic Membersite.
A host of Series Racing upgrades, including:
- Sessions have been cleaned up and split into tabs: Race, Qualify, Open Practice, Time Trial.
- Open Practice sessions now show the server location and country flag.
- Time Trials will allow you to join the single next available time trial.
- New “Trending” label appears based on the total racers participating in a series.
- New “Hot” label appears when a session has at least 10 registered drivers.
Time Attack now includes both Fixed Setup and Adjustable Setup competitions.
When you try to Register for a Series with multiple cars or classes without first selecting a car, the UI should force you to download the content first.
- This should mostly eliminate the “Error 23” that has been showing up.
CARS:
Aston Martin DBR9 GT1
Season setups have been updated.
Audi R8 LMS GT3
Fixed an issue with opponent car weight distribution.
BMW Z4 GT3
Fixed an issue with the side mirrors disappearing.
Fixed an issue with opponent car weight distribution.
Fixed an issue with skid sounds.
Dallara DW12
Season setups have been updated.
Dirt Late Model
(ALL) – Improved left-rear shock compression click adjustment behavior.
(ALL) – Season setups have been updated.
Dirt Sprint Car
(ALL) – For fixed setups, the top wing fore/aft location is now adjustable.
(ALL) – Season setups have been updated.
Dirt Sprint Car Non-Winged
(ALL) – Season setups have been updated.
Dirt Street Stock
Season setups have been updated.
Dirt U.M.P. Modified
NEW CAR!
- The Dirt U.M.P. Modified has been added to the iRacing.com garage of vehicles!
- The UMP Modified cars are specifically built for dirt oval racing. Featuring 750 horsepower these cars race all around the United States. Built to the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) specifications these are some of the most popular dirt oval cars in the country. The car design is a unique hybrid – open wheel in the front, stock car in the back. Over 3,000 drivers are registered to compete in the UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified class, which continues to grow with each passing season. The division’s unique style, affordability, standardized rules and competitiveness make it a popular choice for veteran weekend warriors and young racers on the rise.
Ferrari 488 GT3
NEW CAR!
- The Ferrari 488 GT3 has been added to the iRacing.com garage of vehicles!
- The Ferrari 488 GT3 race car is powered by a twin-turbo, 3.9L, V8 engine that produces over 550 horsepower. Raced in multiple series around the world including the IMSA Weathertech Series, Blancpain GT and Endurance, and Pirelli World Challenge. This classic mid-engine car from Ferrari is known for incredibly well balanced handling, superb brakes and raw power – nothing else sounds quite like a Ferrari V8 engine at full throttle.
Ford Falcon FG V8
Improved backfire and ignition cut sound levels.
Ford GT
Fixed an issue with opponent car weight distribution.
Ford GT – 2017
Fixed an issue where the nose of the car would disappear when viewed in mirrors at certain distances.
Ford GT3
Fixed an issue with opponent car weight distribution.
Formula Renault 2.0
Tire warmers have been added in response to feedback from members that the car can be difficult to drive before the tires come up to temperature in cold ambient conditions.
Season setups have been updated.
Global Mazda MX-5 Cup
Improved asphalt scrub and skid sounds for tires.
Improved engine, gear, and backfire sounds.
Holden Commodore VF V8
Improved backfire and ignition cut sound levels.
HPD ARX-01c
Fixed an issue where the right and left suspension cameras were inverted.
Kia Optima
This vehicle has been updated to use PBR shaders.
Improved engine and backfire sounds.
Lotus 49
Correcting some of the vehicle data specifications, which means time judgements for penalties, cutting corners etc. could have previously been incorrect.
Lotus 79
Improved asphalt scrub and skid sounds and for tires.
Mazda MX-5 Cup circa 2015
Improved engine, gear, and backfire sounds.
Mazda MX-5 Roadster circa 2015
Improved engine, gear, and backfire sounds.
McLaren MP4-12C GT3
Fixed an issue with opponent car weight distribution.
Mercedes-AMG GT3
Improved drivetrain and brake sounds.
Fixed an issue with opponent car weight distribution.
Modified – SK
Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR Camping World Chevrolet Silverado & Toyota Tundra
Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR K&N Pro Chevrolet Impala
Rear gear options have been adjusted.
Fixed an issue with some tachometer lights displaying incorrectly.
Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion, & Toyota Camry
– Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR Nationwide Chevrolet Impala circa 2011
Sharing setups between the NASCAR Nationwide Chevrolet Impala circa 2011 and the other B Class stockcars has been removed.
Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Chevrolet Impala COT circa 2013
Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified
Season setups have been updated.
NASCAR XFINITY Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, & Toyota Camry
Season setups have been updated.
Nissan GTP ZXT
Fixed a typo in the rear wing adjustment text.
Pontiac Solstice
Improved engine sounds.
Pro Mazda
Fixed some Level-of-Detail issues with this vehicle’s tires.
Radical SR8
Front dive planes are now fitted.
Season setups have been updated.
Ruf RT 12R Track
Season setups have been updated.
SCCA Spec Racer Ford
Improved engine sounds.
Season setups have been updated.
Silver Crown
Season setups have been updated.
Super Late Model
Season setups have been updated.
VW Jetta TDI Cup
Improved engine sounds.
TRACKS:
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Advertisements have been updated.
Auto Club Speedway
Advertisements have been updated.
Bristol Motor Speedway
Advertisements have been updated.
Logos have been updated.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Advertisements have been updated.
Logos have been updated.
Chicagoland Speedway
Advertisements have been updated.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The gain time checkpoint at the chicane has been adjusted.
Darlington Raceway
Advertisements have been updated.
Logos have been updated.
Eldora Speedway
The dust color has been adjusted.
Lanier National Speedway
NEW TRACK CONFIGURATION!
- A new Dirt track configuration has been added to this track!
- Although the iRacing version of Lanier has long been on asphalt, Lanier actually started out as a dirt track when it opened in 1982. In a throwback to those days, we have created a dirt configuration of this great 3/8-mile short oval.
All major trackside objects have been visually upgraded for both the new Dirt configuration and the original asphalt configuration.
Lanier National Speedway is an iRacing.com base content track, and this update is provided to all our Members without any additional cost.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Logos have been updated.
New Smyrna Speedway
Pit stall 1 and 2 have been adjusted.
Nürburgring
The 1x penalty on the concrete/grass grid to the outside of T12 has been eased.
Phoenix International Raceway
Advertisements have been updated.
Pocono Raceway
Logos have been updated.
Snetterton Circuit
NEW TRACK!
- The Snetterton Circuit has been added to the digital landscape of iRacing.com!
- Located in Norfolk, UK, Snetterton Circuit was first opened in 1951. Built on a former WWII RAF airfield, the original circuit was constructed on the old runways and taxi ways left but the track has undergone many renovations and upgrade with the most significant changes having been completed in 2011.
There are three configurations of Snetterton Circuit available in iRacing – the 300 Circuit, 200 Circuit and 100 Circuit. The 300 Circuit is the longest, 2.98 miles with 13 corners and hosts various international championships including British Formula 3, British GT and the British Touring Car Championship. Several of the corners on the track pay homage to famous drivers including Hamilton, Brundle and most recently, the Montreal hairpin was renamed Wilson in honor of the late IndyCar and F1 driver Justin Wilson. Circuit 200 is 2 miles in length and features eight corners while the Circuit 100 measures just under a mile at .95 miles with just six corners. - Snetterton Circuit includes the following track configurations:
– Snetterton Circuit 100
– Snetterton Circuit 200
– Snetterton Circuit 300
Sonoma Raceway
Logos have been updated.
Talladega Superspeedway
The pace car driver has been retrained on this track, and should no longer clip the tri-oval grass on pit entry, obey the pit road speed limit, and should no longer park sideways in the pit stall.
Adjusted the level-of-detail distances for flags and fences to reduce visibility popping.
Logos have been updated.
Texas Motor Speedway
The pace car driver has received additional training on this track and should enter pit lane with a better line and park in a better location.
Logos have been updated.
Watkins Glen International
Logos have been updated.