Join hundreds of racers just like you. We love to help answer questions and race together.

How Do I Find Correct Gear in Iracing Corners

New to iRacing? This beginner guide teaches how to find the correct gear in corners with clear steps and a quick drill to build control, pace, and confidence.

If you’re wondering “how do i find correct gear in iracing corners,” you’re in the right place. This guide makes it simple: what “correct gear” really means, why it matters for new iRacing drivers, and exactly how to pick it—today—without getting lost in setup or engineering talk.

Quick Answer (Featured Snippet Style)

how do i find correct gear in iracing corners means choosing the gear that keeps the engine in its power band at apex, avoids limiter or bog, and stabilizes entry. Start from exit needs: select the tallest gear that still pulls hard off the apex so you can add throttle earlier.

What This Guide Covers

What “correct gear” means in iRacing
Why beginners struggle with it
Step-by-step guidance to do it correctly
Common mistakes and simple fixes
A 10‑minute practice drill you can run today
When to ask other iRacing drivers for quick feedback

What “Correct Gear” Means in iRacing

“Correct gear” is the gear that lets you carry stable speed through the corner and accelerate cleanly on exit. Too low a gear can upset the car (engine braking, wheelspin, limiter). Too high a gear can make the car “bog” and feel lazy off the apex.

Analogy: It’s like biking uphill. Pick a gear that isn’t so low you spin out or wobble, and not so high that you stall. You want smooth cadence you can build on.

Where you see it in iRacing:

Your dash/HUD shows current gear, RPM, and shift lights.
Most cars have shift LEDs; aim to avoid solid red mid-corner.
In replays, enable the HUD to review gear, speed, and RPM at the apex.

Why This Matters for Rookies

Fewer spins: Downshifting too early or running too low a gear can snap the rear. Safer, steadier gears protect your Safety Rating.
Better exits: Picking the right gear lets you add throttle sooner, which improves lap time more than late braking.
Confidence: Knowing which gear to use removes guesswork so you can focus on lines and braking points.
Clean etiquette: Consistent gearing makes you predictable to others, reducing avoidable incidents.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Gearing

Problem 1: Spinning when you downshift

Why it happens: Downshifting too early or too aggressively adds engine braking, unloading the rear tires.
How to fix it: Delay the final downshift until the car is slowed and straightening. In Options > Driving Aids, enable Auto Blip/Auto Clutch if you’re still learning.

Problem 2: Hitting the rev limiter before corner exit

Why it happens: The gear is too short; revs max out while you still need to accelerate.
How to fix it: Use one gear higher for that corner or upshift just after apex if the car stays stable.

Problem 3: Bogging on exit (car feels lazy)

Why it happens: The gear is too tall; RPM drops below the engine’s power band.
How to fix it: Use one gear lower or carry a touch more minimum speed. If throttle is flat and the car barely accelerates, you need a lower gear.

Problem 4: Mid-corner surging or engine braking tugging the car

Why it happens: Gear is too low; engine braking fights your roll speed and unsettles the chassis.
How to fix it: Try one gear up. You should be able to hold a steady 10–30% throttle mid-corner without the car lurching.

Problem 5: Copying gears from a video that don’t work for you

Why it happens: Different cars, setups, and driving styles change the best gear.
How to fix it: Use videos as a starting point, then run the “exit test” below to confirm your own best choice.

Step-by-Step Guide: how do i find correct gear in iracing corners

Load a Test Session: Pick your car and a familiar track (e.g., Mazda MX‑5 at Okayama). Use the default/baseline setup so variables stay simple.
Turn on HUD cues: Ensure gear, RPM, and shift lights are visible on your dash/HUD. Wear headphones so RPM changes are easy to hear.
Pick one corner: Focus on a single turn first. Brake as usual, then choose the gear you think is right by feel.
Mid-corner check: At the slowest point, hold a tiny steady throttle (10–20%). If the car surges or drags, your gear is likely too low.
Exit test: From apex, add throttle smoothly. If you hit the limiter before the exit, the gear’s too low. If the car feels lazy, the gear’s too high.
Adjust one step: Change just one gear (up or down) and repeat. Keep the same brake point and line so you’re testing the gear, not everything at once.
Confirm by time and feel: When the car lets you go full throttle earlier and doesn’t limiter before exit, that’s your gear. Note it down for memory.
Repeat for 2–3 key corners: Only then do a full lap, linking those gear choices.
Rookie mistake to avoid: Don’t chase perfect lap time yet. Target smooth exits and predictable car behavior. Pace follows stability.

Extra tip: In high-torque cars (NASCAR, GT3), short-shifting (using a taller gear) can tame wheelspin on exits. In low-power cars (MX‑5), favor slightly higher RPM to keep the engine lively.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

Corner: Okayama T1 in the Mazda MX‑5. Driver drops to 2nd early.
Feel: Rear gets light into the turn; mid-corner the engine tugs, and on exit it hits the limiter quickly.
Outcome: Nervous entry, inconsistent exits, and slower laps.

After (Correct Approach)

Change: Stay in 3rd. Delay downshift or skip it entirely.
Feel: Calm entry, steady mid-corner throttle, and clean pull to exit without bouncing the limiter.
Outcome: Earlier throttle, better stability, faster and more consistent laps.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

Load a Test Session: Mazda MX‑5 at Okayama Short (or Lime Rock Classic).
Pick one medium-speed corner. For 10 laps, do only this: test one gear higher than you think, then one gear lower, then pick the one that lets you apply throttle earliest without limiter or wheelspin.
Ignore lap time. Focus on: When can I go full throttle, and does the car stay calm?

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

If in doubt, choose the taller gear. Stability first; you can chase revs later.
Enable Auto Blip/Auto Clutch early on to prevent downshift-induced spins.
Use replays in chase or cockpit view to check RPM and gear at apex. Write down gears per corner.
Watch one onboard from a fast driver for your car/track. Copy gears as a starting point, then validate with the exit test.
Practice in Test/AI sessions before official practice to protect Safety Rating.
Most rookie series have fixed gear ratios; focus on driving. If final drive is adjustable, ensure you don’t hit the limiter on the longest straight.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If you’re still unsure about gearing, you’re not alone—every new iRacing driver wrestles with it at first. Many beginners join small, relaxed iRacing Discord communities where they can share replays, ask quick questions, and get feedback from more experienced racers. A few friendly comments on your corner exits can speed up your progress.

FAQs About how do i find correct gear in iracing corners in iRacing

Is gear choice important for beginners in iRacing?
Yes. Correct gears reduce spins, improve exits, and build confidence. It’s one of the quickest ways to feel in control without changing setups.
How do I know if my gear is too low or too high?
Too low: the car surges mid-corner, snaps on downshift, or hits the limiter before exit. Too high: it feels lazy off the apex and struggles to accelerate.
Do I need special hardware or telemetry to learn this?
No. Your standard wheel/pedals and the in-game HUD (gear, RPM, shift lights) are enough. Telemetry tools can help later, but aren’t required to get this right.
Can I practice this offline or with AI?
Absolutely. Test and AI sessions are perfect for experimenting safely without hurting Safety Rating or affecting others’ practice.
How long until it feels natural?
Usually a few sessions. Once you test gears corner-by-corner and write them down, muscle memory builds quickly.
Should I heel-toe or use driving aids?
Use Auto Blip/Auto Clutch while learning. Heel-toe is great but optional. Stability and clean exits matter more for beginners.

Final Takeaways

The “right gear” is the one that gives a calm mid-corner and strong, limiter-free exit.
Start from exit needs: pick the tallest gear that still pulls hard.
Test one corner at a time and adjust by feel and exit RPM.
Use aids like Auto Blip early to avoid spins.

Next session action: Pick one tricky corner, run the exit test with one gear higher and one lower, and lock in the best choice.

You don’t have to master everything tonight. Focus on just one corner’s gear, practice it for a few sessions, and enjoy how much more stable and fun your iRacing laps feel.

Optional Next Steps

Next: Braking and Downshifting Basics for iRacing Beginners
Or read: Simple iRacing Setup Tips—What to Change (and What to Ignore)