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

How Do I Use Crew Chief in Iracing

Answers ‘how do i use crew chief in iracing’ for iRacing drivers: install, set up PTT/voice, fix audio and spotter overlap, and get reliable race info fast.

If you’re asking “how do i use crew chief in iracing,” the short answer: install Crew Chief, set the game to iRacing, pick your audio devices, bind push‑to‑talk (or voice), and launch it before you join a session. You’re in the right place—follow the steps below to fix setup snags fast.

Quick Answer

Crew Chief is a free spotter/engineer app for iRacing. Install it (Windows), choose iRacing as the game, select your headset/speakers and mic, bind a push‑to‑talk button or enable voice commands, then click Start and join an iRacing session. Turn down iRacing’s built‑in spotter to avoid double calls.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing has a basic spotter. Crew Chief replaces it with smarter calls (gaps, fuel estimates, tire temps) and optional voice commands. Most issues come from audio routing (wrong output/mic), double spotter audio (both apps talking), or missing Windows speech packs. The fix is simple iRacing settings and Crew Chief setup: pick the right devices, bind a button, and start Crew Chief before you go on track.

Step-by-Step: how do i use crew chief in iracing

1. Download and install
   Get “Crew Chief V4” from the official site (thecrewchief.org). Install on Windows. Allow it through your firewall/antivirus. If blocked, run it as Administrator.

2. Pick iRacing and audio devices
   Open Crew Chief. Set Game to “iRacing.” In the Audio tab, choose your headset/speakers for output and your mic for input. Download a voice pack if prompted.

3. Bind push-to-talk or enable voice
   In Controls, assign a wheel/button to “Push‑to‑talk to Chief.” If you want voice commands, enable Voice Recognition and pick the right Windows language (often English US/UK).

4. Prevent double spotter
   In iRacing settings (Options > Sound), lower the Spotter volume to 0 or mute it. This avoids overlapping calls with Crew Chief.

5. Start it in the right order
   Click Start Application in Crew Chief, then launch iRacing and join a test/practice. You should hear a greeting. Drive a few corners to confirm clear spotter calls.

Extra Tips / Checklist

• Mic not heard? Check Windows privacy settings, mic level, and the correct input device in Crew Chief.
• Voice commands failing? Install the matching Windows Speech language pack for your mic language and do a quick mic calibration.
• VR users: set output to your VR headset device so calls are in the right place.
• Volume balance: keep Crew Chief loud enough over car/road noise in iRacing settings.
• Useful iRacing tips: use a clear PTT button you can reach in traffic; avoid mapping it to the same button as in-game radio.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to disable the iRacing spotter?
A: You don’t have to, but most drivers mute the iRacing spotter to stop overlapping calls. Set Spotter volume to 0 in iRacing.

Q: Can Crew Chief change my fuel or tires automatically?
A: Crew Chief reports and calculates, but it doesn’t press your in‑game buttons. You still set pit options in iRacing. Some third‑party tools attempt macros, but results vary.

Q: Why won’t voice commands work?
A: Usually the speech language doesn’t match, or the wrong mic is selected. Install the correct Windows Speech pack, pick the right mic, and speak clearly.

Q: Is Crew Chief free?
A: Yes. It’s free (donationware) and Windows‑only.

Short Wrap-Up

Install, select iRacing, set audio, bind PTT or voice, start Crew Chief, and mute iRacing’s spotter. That’s it. Next session, ask the Chief for fuel estimates and gaps, and keep your focus on driving.