IRacing.com

Infobox VG| title = iRacing.com


developer = iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations
released = June 11, 2008 (first subscribers)
August 26, 2008 (general launch)
genre = Racing simulation
platforms = PC (Win)
media = Internet download
input = Gaming wheel and pedals

iRacing.com (iRacing for short) is an online, subscription-based racing simulation service created by iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. In addition to a simulator, the service provides sanctioned oval and road racing with series for several different car classes.

The service had a gradual launch. The first subscribers, former testers of iRacing.com, gained access to the service on June 11, 2008, and the general launch followed on August 26, 2008.

Development

The company behind iRacing.com was established in September 2004 by David Kaemmer and John W. Henry after the demise of Papyrus Design Group, which Kaemmer had also co-founded. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/contact/company.php?lc=1 |title = Company Overview |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-13] The iRacing service has been in development for about four years since then, using code from Papyrus' NASCAR Racing 2003 Season as a starting point. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/contact/faq.php#q9 |title = I am familiar with NASCAR Racing: 2003, is this a mod of NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season? |work = iRacing.com FAQ |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-13] The company plans to constantly expand and enhance the product after the public launch. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/contact/faq.php#q17 |title = Will development of iRacing continue beyond your public launch? |work = iRacing.com FAQ |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-13]

Reception

Overview of the service

The iRacing company aims to cater both to real-world racers and racing simulation enthusiasts, [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/contact/faq.php#q2 |title = Is this a game? |work = iRacing.com FAQ |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] so they are trying to offer a realistic simulation of motorsport with accurate track, vehicle and physics modeling, [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/technology/track.php?lc=1 |title = Track Tech |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/technology/car.php?lc=2 |title = Car Tech |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] and all of the cars and tracks are officially licensed. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/contact/faq.php#q18 |title = Will iRacing feature only licensed products? |work = iRacing.com FAQ |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14]

iRacing can only be driven online on servers run by iRacing.com, and participation requires a subscription to the service. There are several different subscription options available ranging from a monthly $20 fee to a year-length subscription for $156. The subscription packages include a basic set of tracks and two cars with which to practice and race, as well as a certain amount of iRacing credit that can be used, in addition to money, to buy additional car and track content, all of which is subject to charge. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/membership/subscriptions.php?lc=2 |title = Subscription Packages |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14]

iRacing manages sanctioned series for the different car types. Each calendar year is divided into four 12-week seasons for standard series, and all driving sessions in a series take place only on one track each week. [cite web |url = https://members.iracing.com/membersite/FIRST_Sporting_Code_042408.pdf |title = 4.2. Sanctioning |work = FIRST Sporting Code |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] On a given track, the drivers can participate in practice, qualifying, time trial and race sessions. [cite web |url = https://members.iracing.com/membersite/FIRST_Sporting_Code_042408.pdf |title = 4.5. Sessions |work = FIRST Sporting Code |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] There can also be non-standard series, examples of which are the four-week Rookie series. [cite web |url = https://members.iracing.com/membersite/FIRST_Sporting_Code_042408.pdf |title = 4.2.5. Rookie series |work = FIRST Sporting Code |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14]

The series are divided into two main categories, oval and road, which are further divided into several license levels from Rookie to Pro, and a driver must earn each license to be eligible to participate in race week sessions on that level. [cite web |url = https://members.iracing.com/membersite/FIRST_Sporting_Code_042408.pdf |title = 2.9. Series Eligibility |work = FIRST Sporting Code |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] Earning a higher license involves both participation in competitions on a driver's current highest license level and achievement of a minimum safety record. 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. [cite web |url = https://members.iracing.com/membersite/FIRST_Sporting_Code_042408.pdf |title = 2.2. Earning a FIRST License |work = FIRST Sporting Code |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14]

In addition to driving in the different race week sessions in sanctioned series, a player can use a test mode to drive alone on any track with any car, assuming he has purchased the license to use the content. [cite video |title= Preview - iRacing |url= http://insidesimracing.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=148&Itemid=206 |publisher= SRT Media Productions |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] However, private races or leagues aren't supported yet, [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/contact/faq.php#q14 |title = Will iRacing.com support private leagues, allowing groups of friends to run invitation-only races? |work = iRacing.com FAQ |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] and racing with other people is currently possible only within the sanctioned series and according to their predetermined weekly schedules.

Features in detail

Driving simulation

At the core of iRacing is the driving simulation. The company has stated that their goal has been to create the most realistic simulation of racing to date. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/newsEvents/article.php?id=37 |title = iRacing.com Simulation Service Announced: FIRST to Sanction "Arrive and Drive" Internet Racing |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-13] Expand-section|date=June 2008

anctioned racing and FIRST

FIRST is the sanctioning body that manages all the races and different series within the service. Expand-section|date=June 2008

Web interface

The game is launched through a website, and there is no standalone offline client. Expand-section|date=June 2008

Cars

Vehicles in iRacing are divided into six classes: Rookie, Advanced Rookie, Class D, Class C, Class B and Class A. [cite web |url = https://members.iracing.com/membersite/FIRST_Sporting_Code_042408.pdf |title = 2.10. Vehicle Classes |work = FIRST Sporting Code |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14] They correspond to the identically named driver license classes except for the two different Rookie car classes, which can both be driven with the same Rookie driver license.

Currently the service features the following cars:cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/carsTracks/cars.php?lc=1 |title = Cars |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14]

*Late model
*Ford '34 Coupe (Legends car racing)
*Formula Mazda
*Skip Barber Formula 2000
*Pontiac Solstice
*Radical SR8 V8
*SK Modified (Modified racing)
*C&R Racing Silver Crown Car (United States Automobile Club)

On September 26, 2008, iRacing.com announced Chevrolet's three primary stock car racing vehicles: Silverado racing truck (to be released October 15, 2008), and Monte Carlo SS and Impala SS stock cars (to follow in 2009).cite web |url=http://www.iracing.com/newsEvents/article.php?id=82&lc=1 |title=Chevrolet's Racing Stock Cars iRacing Bound: Silverado Available to Members in October, Monte Carlo SS and Impala SS in 2009 |publisher=iRacing.com |date=2008-09-26 |accessdate=2008-09-26]

The Sports Car Club of America have confirmed that their Spec Racer Ford will eventually be included in the simulation. cite web |url=http://www.scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=1&news=3277 |title=SCCA Club Racers to Compete for iRacing.com Cup |date=2008-02-09 |accessdate=2008-06-13]

iRacing has also announced that Sprint cars, the Riley Daytona Prototype, [cite web |url = http://iracing.com/newsEvents/article.php?id=65&lc=1 |title = iRacing to Model Riley Mk XX Daytona Prototype: Most Successful Grand-Am Prototype Racer to be Included in the Racing Simulation |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-07-25] and Lotus 79, [ [http://www.iracing.com/newsEvents/article.php?id=79 iRacing Goes Vintage With Lotus 79 F1 Car ] ] will be available soon.

Tracks

iRacing creates each track using proprietary exactrac laser mapping technology to replicate the personality, eccentricities and challenges of the track with mathematical precision. [cite web |url = http://www.iracing.com/technology/track.php?lc=1 |title = Track Tech |publisher = iRacing.com |accessdate = 2008-06-14]

The following track venues are confirmed to be in the game.

"Note: a yellow background denotes that a track is not yet available"

Notes

References

*" [http://www.simhq.com/_motorsports4/motorsports_121a.html iRacing] ", preview by Jens "McGonigle" Lindblad at SimHQ, June 9, 2008
* Shaun Cole " [http://www.insidesimracing.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=148&Itemid=206 Preview - iRacing] " at "insidesimracing.tv" an SRT media production, June 6, 2008
*Jack Roush Jr. " [http://www.grand-am.com/koni/news/index.cfm?cid=16952 Roush: A Look Back at Lime Rock] ", at KONI Challenge Series website, May 28, 2008
*" [http://www.insidesimracing.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=181 iRacing interview with Scott Mckee] " by Darin Gangi and Shaun Cole at "insidesimracing.tv" an SRT media production, April 15, 2008
*" [http://www.autosimsport.net/index.php Autosimsport] " Volume 4, Issue 2, 15.Apr.2008, pp. 8-9, 19-30
* [http://www.autosimsport.net/backissues.php#vol4 Autosimsport Vol 4 Issue 1] , Feb 15, 2008, pp. 22-34

External links

* [http://www.iracing.com/ iRacing.com] - official website