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How to Load Default Setups Iracing

New to iRacing? Learn how to load default setups iracing with simple steps. For beginners: avoid common mistakes, gain consistency, and feel confident fast today.

Quick Answer

how to load default setups iracing means selecting the built‑in “iRacing Setups” (baseline/track‑specific) from the Garage once you’re in a session. For beginners, it gives a stable, predictable car without guesswork. Knowing this helps you avoid risky tweaks, build consistency, and focus on driving clean laps.

What This Guide Covers

What “default setups” mean in iRacing and where to find them
Why beginners struggle with setups at first
Step-by-step guidance to load the right default setup
Common mistakes to avoid
A quick practice drill you can run today
When to ask other iRacing drivers for feedback

What “Default Setups” Mean in iRacing

Simple definition: A setup is a saved collection of car settings (ride height, springs, aero, gears, etc.). iRacing includes its own baseline setups for each car—think of them as the “factory settings” made to be safe and usable almost everywhere.
Analogy: It’s like using the “auto” mode on a camera. You can still take great photos before you learn manual settings.
Where it shows up: Once you’re in the sim, click Garage. You’ll see tabs like “iRacing Setups” (the defaults) and “My Setups” (anything you’ve saved). Choose from the iRacing Setups list and load one.

Why This Matters for Rookies

Default setups let new iRacing drivers skip engineering and focus on learning tracks, braking points, and clean racecraft. That means fewer spins, more consistent laps, and better Safety Rating. If you’re still learning how iRacing works, the default setups are stable, predictable starting points that help you build confidence instead of fighting a twitchy car.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Default Setups

Problem 1: “I can’t change the setup in this series.”

Why it happens: You’re in a Fixed Setup series. The setup is locked so everyone runs the same baseline.
How to fix it: Don’t worry—this is normal. Use the fixed setup and focus on technique. If you want to experiment, open a Test session with the same car and track to learn how setups feel.

Problem 2: “I loaded a setup but the car still feels weird.”

Why it happens: You may have loaded a qualifying or low‑downforce option, or you’re overdriving (braking too late, too much throttle).
How to fix it: In Garage > iRacing Setups, pick a “Baseline” or “Race” setup for the track. Drive a few calm laps to temperature. If it still feels off, reset by reloading the baseline and slow your inputs.

Problem 3: “I don’t see any iRacing setups for my car.”

Why it happens: You’re looking in the wrong tab or the file view is filtered.
How to fix it: Open Garage, click the “iRacing Setups” tab. If still empty, switch to a Test session with that car/track combo. The game stores official setups under Documents\iRacing\setups[Car Name], but load them from the in-sim Garage.

Problem 4: “I messed up the car and can’t get back to default.”

Why it happens: You changed values and hit Save over the current setup.
How to fix it: Go to Garage > iRacing Setups and load the baseline again. When you tweak, always use “Save As” with a new name so the baseline stays untouched.

Step-by-Step Guide: how to load default setups iracing

Start a Test session: In the iRacing UI, choose Test Drive with your car and track. This avoids hurting Safety Rating while you learn.
Enter the sim and open the Garage: Click Garage at the top of the screen.
Select “iRacing Setups”: Switch to the iRacing Setups tab (not My Setups).
Pick the right baseline: Choose a “Baseline” or “Race” setup. If there are track-specific options (e.g., “Okayama – Race”), pick that one.
Click Load: This applies the setup to your car. Then click Done to close the Garage.
Roll out gently: Do 2–3 calm laps so tires and brakes come up to temperature before judging the car.
Optional tweak: If allowed (not fixed series), adjust only simple items first—like brake bias one or two clicks—then re-test.
Avoid this mistake: Don’t mix qualifying setups for races; they’re often lower fuel and less stable. Stick with Base/Race for learning.

Extra tip: If you join an Open Setup practice, you can still run the iRacing Baseline. It’s a great benchmark before trying shared custom setups.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

Loads a random setup or leaves a half-edited file from last week.
Car feels snappy on throttle; spins on corner exit.
Frustration grows, confidence drops, Safety Rating suffers.

After (Correct Approach)

Opens Garage > iRacing Setups and loads the track’s Baseline/Race file.
Car feels planted; understeer is mild and predictable, braking points are consistent.
Finishes more laps, improves racecraft, gains SR and enjoys racing more.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

Load a Test session: Mazda MX‑5 Cup at Okayama Short.
Garage > iRacing Setups > “Baseline” or “Okayama – Race,” then Load.
Run 10 laps focusing only on smoothness: brake in a straight line, turn once, and roll on throttle progressively.
Target: Consistent lap times within 0.7s, no wheelspin on exit. Ignore raw pace—feel for stability and repeatability.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

If the car feels too twitchy, try the Race/Baseline setup, add one click of brake bias forward, and slow your corner entries.
Practice in Test sessions first—no pressure, no SR risk.
Use replays: Watch from cockpit and chase cam to spot abrupt steering or throttle stabs.
Watch one onboard lap from a fast driver of your car; notice braking markers and minimum corner speed.
Save any tweaks as a new file name (e.g., “Baseline +1BB”) so you can revert instantly.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

Everyone struggles with setups at first. If you’re unsure whether you’ve loaded the right default or the car still feels odd, ask for a second opinion. Many new iRacing drivers hang out in beginner-friendly Discord communities where they can share replays and ask quick questions. A few friendly tips on your lines and inputs can speed up your progress.

FAQs About how to load default setups iracing in iRacing

Do I need to load a default setup every time? Not necessarily. Once you’ve loaded and saved a setup you like, you can reuse it. But loading the iRacing Baseline is a safe reset whenever the car feels off.
How do I know if I picked the right default? Choose “Baseline” or a “Race” setup for your track. If the car feels stable after a few warm-up laps and you can lap consistently, you’ve made the right choice.
Can I do this in a Fixed Setup race? No—fixed series use a locked setup that loads automatically. Focus on driving technique. Practice in a Test session if you want to feel other defaults.
Do I need special hardware to load setups? No. Any PC that runs iRacing is fine. A wheel and pedals help you feel the car better, but the loading steps are the same.
Can I practice this offline or with AI? Yes. Use Test Drive or AI sessions to load defaults and practice without affecting your Safety Rating.
How long until I’m comfortable with this? Usually a session or two. After you’ve loaded a few defaults and done short runs, the Garage flow becomes second nature.

Final Takeaways

Default (iRacing) setups are safe, stable starting points—perfect for learning.
Load them from Garage > iRacing Setups, choose Baseline/Race, and go drive.
Test calmly, make tiny tweaks if needed, and save changes with new names. Next session: Open a Test at your next race track, load the iRacing Baseline, and run 10 controlled laps. Improvement comes from consistency, not chasing magic settings.

Optional Next Steps

Next: Fixed vs. Open Setup Series—What Rookies Should Run First
Or read: Beginner iRacing Setup Tips—Small Changes That Actually Help