Join the Discord! →

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

How to Select Car Setup in Iracing

Learn how to select car setup in iRacing, step-by-step. Perfect for new iRacing drivers. Pick the right setup, avoid rookie mistakes, and feel confident fast.

If you’re new to iRacing, the setup screen can feel like cockpit switches in a jet. This guide shows you exactly how to select car setup in iRacing, what each choice means for a beginner, and the simplest way to pick a safe, stable setup so you can enjoy clean, confident laps.

Quick Answer

how to select car setup in iracing means choosing and loading a saved configuration for your car (tire pressures, aero, suspension, gearing, etc.). For beginners, it mainly affects stability and tire life. Pick the stable “Race” or “Baseline” setup, test in a session, and avoid qualifying or “aggressive” sets until you’re consistent.

What This Guide Covers

  • What “how to select car setup in iRacing” means in plain English
  • Why beginners struggle with setups
  • Step-by-step guidance to choose and load a setup
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • A quick practice drill you can run today
  • When it helps to ask other iRacing drivers for feedback

What “Selecting a Car Setup” Means in iRacing

  • Simple definition: A setup is a saved collection of car settings that control how it drives—think tire pressures, wing angle, spring rates, and sometimes electronics like ABS/TCS maps.
  • Analogy: It’s like choosing “comfort,” “sport,” or “eco” modes in a road car, but more specific. A “Race” setup is usually stable; a “Qualifying” setup is fast but twitchy.
  • Where it lives in the UI: In any session (Test, Practice, AI, or Official), click Garage. You’ll see tabs like “iRacing Setups,” “My Setups,” and “Shared.” Click a setup name and hit Load. Then click Done and Drive.

Note: Some series are Fixed Setup. In those, the core setup is locked. You can still adjust allowed in-car items (e.g., brake bias, ARB adjusters, traction/ABS maps) but not the main setup.

Why This Matters for Rookies

  • Stability builds confidence. A calm car lets you focus on lines, braking points, and racecraft, not catching slides.
  • Cleaner races = better Safety Rating. Spinning or overheating tires hurts SR and iRating. A safe setup helps you finish more races.
  • It saves time and frustration. Instead of chasing tenths with a “knife-edge” qualifying setup, you’ll learn how iRacing works and improve steadily.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Setups

Problem 1: Picking a Qualifying or “Aggressive” setup

  • Why it happens: The name sounds fast! But these sets are tuned for one or two laps and can be unstable.
  • How to fix it: Choose “iRacing – Race” or “Baseline” for your car. These are designed to be predictable and tire-friendly.

Problem 2: Loading a setup but not actually using it

  • Why it happens: In the Garage, some racers forget to click Load, then Done, before clicking Drive.
  • How to fix it: In Garage, highlight the setup, click Load, confirm values change, click Done, then Drive. If you re-enter the Garage, confirm it’s still loaded.

Problem 3: Using the wrong setup for the session type

  • Why it happens: Qualifying vs. Race setups often have different fuel and balance.
  • How to fix it: For practice or racing, start with Race/Baseline. Use Qualifying only in qualy, and only after you’re consistent.

Problem 4: Joining a Fixed Setup race expecting to change parts

  • Why it happens: Not noticing “Fixed Setup” in the series info.
  • How to fix it: Check the series card. If “Fixed Setup” is listed, the main setup is locked. Focus on in-car adjustments (brake bias, TC/ABS maps) and your driving.

Step-by-Step Guide: how to select car setup in iracing

  1. Open a Test or Practice session: From the UI, pick your car and track, then click Test Drive (ideal for beginners).
  2. Enter the Garage: Once loaded, click Garage at the top of the screen.
  3. Pick a stable starting point: Go to “iRacing Setups” and select “Race” or “Baseline.”
  4. Load the setup: Click the setup name, then click Load. Watch the numbers (e.g., tire pressures) change.
  5. Click Done: This applies the setup to the car for your next run.
  6. Drive a few laps: Focus on smooth inputs. Note if the car understeers (pushes) or oversteers (rear steps out).
  7. Make small in-car tweaks: If allowed, try +1–2% brake bias forward for stability under braking, or a milder TC/ABS map in high-power cars.
  8. Avoid big changes: Do not dive into springs or dampers yet. Tire pressures and brake bias are the safest early adjustments.
  9. Save your progress: If you tweak something that helps, click Garage > Save, and name it clearly (e.g., “MX5_Race_Stable_LRP”).
  10. Before official races: Finalize the setup in your pit box. In most sessions, major changes are locked once gridding or once you leave pits for the race.

Extra tip: If the track is fast and flowing with long straights (e.g., Monza), some cars offer “Low Downforce” race sets. If it’s tight and twisty (e.g., Okayama Short), a “High Downforce” race set can feel easier. Start with Race/Baseline either way.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

  • Loads a Qualifying setup for practice. The car feels lively but snaps on corner exit. They keep spinning, get frustrated, and avoid races.

After (Correct Approach)

  • Loads the “iRacing – Race” setup. Adds 1–2% forward brake bias. The car rotates a bit less but is predictable. They can run 10–15 clean laps, learn braking points, and enter races confident.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

  • Load a Test session: Mazda MX-5 at Lime Rock Park Classic.
  • Step 1: Load “iRacing – Race” (or Baseline).
  • Step 2: Run 5 laps focusing on smooth braking and mid-corner balance.
  • Step 3: If the rear wiggles under braking, add +1% brake bias forward and run 5 more laps.
  • Goal: Feel the difference in stability. Ignore lap times—prioritize clean, repeatable laps.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

  • If the car feels loose (oversteer) on entry, try +1–2% brake bias forward first.
  • If the front won’t turn (understeer) mid-corner, try a tiny tire pressure change (–0.5 psi front) in practice, then retest.
  • Practice in Test/AI before official races to protect Safety Rating.
  • Use replays (chase cam) to see if you’re over-slowing or turning in too early.
  • Watch one onboard lap from a fast driver to copy braking points and gears before tuning setups.
  • Don’t download random “alien” setups yet; many are too on-edge for beginners.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If setup selection still feels murky, you’re not alone—everyone starts here. Many new iRacing drivers hang out in beginner-friendly Discord communities where they can share replays and ask quick questions. A couple of pointers on brake bias or lines can save hours of trial and error.

FAQs About how to select car setup in iracing in iRacing

  • Is setup selection important for beginners?
    Yes. You don’t need to tune every part, but loading a stable Race/Baseline setup makes the car easier to control, reduces spins, and helps you learn tracks faster.

  • How do I know I picked the right setup?
    You can turn 8–10 clean laps in a row without scary moments, and your lap times get more consistent. If you’re constantly saving the car, switch to a calmer Race/Baseline set.

  • Do I need special hardware to benefit from setups?
    No. A basic wheel and pedals are fine. What matters most is choosing a stable setup and practicing smooth inputs.

  • Can I practice this offline or with AI?
    Absolutely. Use Test or AI sessions to load and compare setups safely. No Safety Rating risk, and you can reset after spins.

  • How long until I’m comfortable with setups?
    Most new drivers feel the difference in one or two sessions. True confidence comes from repeating a stable routine: pick Race/Baseline, make tiny tweaks, and practice.

  • What if my series is Fixed Setup?
    Then the main setup is locked. Focus on lines, braking points, and allowed in-car tweaks (e.g., brake bias). You’ll still improve quickly.

Final Takeaways

  • Start with “iRacing – Race” or “Baseline” for stability.
  • Avoid Qualifying or aggressive sets until you’re consistent.
  • Make tiny, simple changes first (brake bias, tire pressures).
  • Practice in Test/AI, then bring that confidence to official races.

Next session action: Open a Test at your next track, load the Race setup, run 10 clean laps, then try +1% brake bias forward to feel the difference. Improvement comes from repetition, not perfection.

Optional Next Steps

  • Next: “Beginner’s guide to clean racecraft and Safety Rating”
  • Or read: “Wheel and pedal settings for smooth, consistent inputs”