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How to Make a Driving Plan for Iracing Races

How to make a driving plan for iRacing races — simple, calm steps for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing. Build consistency and race with more confidence.

If opening iRacing made your head spin and you didn’t know where to start, you’re not alone. Many new drivers treat races like free-for-alls and end up frustrated. This short guide shows exactly how to make a driving plan for iracing races so you have a calm, repeatable process to follow on race day.

Quick Answer: how to make a driving plan for iracing races

A driving plan is a short checklist you create before each session: target lap time, braking and turn-in cues, overtaking strategy, tyre and fuel management, and a behavior plan for traffic. It turns confusion into consistent actions you can follow under pressure.

Why this matters for iRacing beginners

When you’re new to iRacing or learning how iRacing works, it’s easy to react randomly. A plan removes guesswork and reduces panic in close racing. For iRacing beginners, that means fewer mistakes, better finishing positions, and faster improvement because you practice the same controlled decisions every lap.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Pick one realistic target: set a qualifying time or lap window you can hit consistently (not your fastest ever).
Identify three corners to focus on: note braking point, apex, and exit plan for each (visual cues work best).
Traffic and overtaking rule: draft and pass on straights only when safe; don’t force moves into blind corners.
Resource check: decide when you’ll pit or conserve tyres/fuel—write the lap range for pushing vs saving.
Behavior rule for incidents: if unsure in a four-car pack, lift and stay out of damage. Prioritize finishing.

Each step should fit on a single line—easy to review on the grid or during practice.

Common Mistakes

Trying to do too much: rookies overload their plan with numbers. Fix: limit to 3 focus points.
Chasing fastest lap every corner: leads to inconsistency and crashes. Fix: aim for a target lap window.
Ignoring traffic strategy: passing without a plan causes contact. Fix: pick safe zones and stick to them.

Quick Pro Tips (calm, coach-like)

Use one reference: a braking mark or background object you trust every lap.
Practice your plan in short stints (5–10 laps) before a full race.
Write the plan on a sticky note or digital notepad—review it between sessions.
When iRacing updates change physics, re-check your plan; small tweaks matter.
For community advice, quietly read race recaps or ask on iRacing-focused Discords for setup-friendly tips.

FAQs

Q: How long should my driving plan be? A: Short—3–6 bullet points. It’s a mental script, not a spreadsheet.

Q: Do I need a different plan for each car? A: Yes. Different cars have different braking and corner behavior. Keep the same structure, change the specifics.

Q: Will a plan make me slower? A: Initially it may feel cautious, but it builds consistency and fewer mistakes. That quickly becomes faster race pace.

Q: Can I adapt the plan mid-race? A: Absolutely. Note one trigger (e.g., tyre wear, big traffic) that lets you switch from “push” to “manage.”

Final takeaways

A simple, repeatable driving plan removes panic, reduces crashes, and accelerates learning for anyone new to iRacing. Next session: write a one-page plan, practice it for 5 laps, and review. Small plans, steady laps, better results.