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

How to Handle Restarts in Iracing

Learn how to handle restarts in iRacing — a calm, beginner-friendly guide for iRacing beginners. Clear steps, fixes, and quick pro tips, and build confidence.

If restarts make your hands sweat, you’re in the right place. Restarts are a tiny, repeatable part of racing that beginners often overthink — but with one simple routine you’ll stop losing positions and start gaining confidence. This guide explains how to handle restarts in iRacing in a calm, coach-like way.

Quick Answer: how to handle restarts in iracing

A restart in iRacing is when the field goes from the safety/pace laps back to racing. To handle them: line up, match the leader’s pace, time your throttle smoothly, pick a clean lane, and accelerate at the leader’s call — don’t gamble on overly aggressive moves.

Why This Matters for Beginners

For iRacing beginners, restarts are where races are won or lost. New to iRacing drivers often panic, brake too soon, or stagger the throttle, causing crashes or lost spots. Understanding a simple plan removes confusion about how iRacing works during restarts and turns a chaotic moment into a consistent advantage.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide

1. Watch the leader: Maintain formation speed and mirror what the leader does — they control the restart zone.
2. Prepare your line: Decide inside or outside based on your car and track; stick to that lane to stay predictable.
3. Get on the throttle early but smooth: Roll on progressively a fraction of a second before the green, avoiding wheelspin.
4. React, don’t guess: If the leader hesitates, stay ready — sudden acceleration by others is where incidents happen.
5. Settle back into rhythm: Once clear of the pack, re-establish braking points and car balance quickly.

Common Mistakes (and how to fix them)

• Mistake: Yanking the wheel or stomping the throttle at green. Fix: Practice gentle, steady inputs — treat restarts like exiting a slow corner.
• Mistake: Chasing gaps instead of protecting position. Fix: Defend predictably; sudden moves invite contact.
• Mistake: Watching only the mirrors. Fix: Keep eyes on the leader and track ahead; mirrors are for backup.

Quick Pro Tips

• Use a brief one-lap practice session to rehearse restarts—do 3 clean ones then review.
• If you’re rolling in single file, don’t overheat the tires; ease throttle to keep temp and grip even.
• Know your car’s torque curve: some cars spin easily on early throttle — be gentler.
• Stay light on the wheel: oversteer during launch is often from too much steering input.
• Record replays after races to see where you lost ground — learning from one restart is huge.

FAQs

Q: When should I accelerate on a restart?
A: Match the leader’s cue. Begin a smooth throttle application the moment the leader commits to accelerate — not before, and not with a sudden floor.

Q: Is it better to start inside or outside?
A: It depends on the track and your car. Inside usually shortens distance; outside can offer more grip. Pick one and be consistent.

Q: Do I need a special setup for restarts?
A: No special setup is required. Tire pressures and gearing matter race-wide, but focus on smooth inputs and line discipline.

Q: Where can I ask more beginner questions?
A: Official iRacing forums, setup guides, and iRacing Discord communities are friendly places to get help and quick tips.

Keep this plan simple and practice just a few restarts each session. Next session: pick a short oval or a controlled short oval test in a private session and run three clean restarts—focus on timing and smooth throttle. You’ll see progress quickly.