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How to Use Iracing Replay Controls

A friendly guide to how to use iRacing replay controls for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing — quickly review laps, find errors, and improve faster.

If you’ve opened a race replay and felt stuck—buttons everywhere, timelines, and camera angles—you’re not alone. As a calm coach: I’ll strip the confusion away. This article shows iRacing beginners exactly what each control does, why it matters, and one simple practice to get better fast.

Quick Answer

The phrase how to use iracing replay controls means learning the replay toolbar (play/pause, speed, scrub timeline), camera modes, and lap/event selection so you can watch, export, and analyze laps. Use the timeline to jump, change speed to slow motion, and camera angles to see mistakes.

why this matters for beginners

Replays are your best teacher when you’re new to iRacing. Watching your laps slowly or from different cameras makes errors obvious: late braking, bad line, or throttle mistakes. Many new to iRacing skip replays because the interface looks technical — but mastering a few replay controls gives immediate, practical feedback and faster improvement.

how to use iracing replay controls

Open a session replay (Garage > Sessions > Replays). Pick the run you want and click Play.
Use Play/Pause and the Speed selector (0.25x–2x) to slow down corners or speed up straightaways.
Scrub the timeline: click or drag the white playhead to jump to corners, incidents, or lap starts.
Change camera modes: Cockpit, Track, Chase, and Replay cameras show different perspectives—use Chase or TV for overtakes, cockpit for steering and pedal view.
Use the Player list to follow other cars, and toggle “Follow Car” to lock a camera to a driver.
Export a clip or take screenshots (Tools menu) to share on forums or Discord for feedback.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Mistake: Scrubbing too fast and missing the moment. Fix: Slow the playback to 0.25x and move frame-by-frame with the left/right arrow keys.
Mistake: Sticking to only one camera (usually cockpit). Fix: Check Chase or TV cameras to see how others pass you or where you run wide.
Mistake: Ignoring session filter (practice vs. race). Fix: Make sure you’re viewing the correct session replay to avoid analyzing a different run.

Quick pro tips

Use frame-step (arrow keys) to examine exactly when a wheel lifts or a lock occurs.
Turn on HUD telemetry overlays to see speed, throttle, and brake points while replaying.
Mark important laps: note the lap number and timestamp so you can return quickly.
Save short clips of problem corners to post in iRacing Discord communities for focused feedback.
Export replays (CSV or video) if you want to load them into analysis tools later.

FAQs

Q: Can I watch other drivers’ replays? A: Yes. If the replay includes other cars (most sessions do), use the player list to switch to any car and follow them.

Q: Will replay data affect my iRating or safety rating? A: No. Replays are for analysis only; they don’t change ratings.

Q: How do I record a separate video file? A: Use the Export or Record options in the replay toolbar, or use external capture software if you want higher-quality footage.

Q: Where can I get feedback on a replay? A: Post short clips or timestamps in iRacing forums or Discord channels — many iRacing beginners get actionable tips quickly from community members.

Want a quick drill? Replay your last race, slow to 0.25x, and study one corner for three laps: note entry speed, apex position, and throttle application. That focused loop is the fastest way to turn replay time into lap-time gains.