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How to Set Up Shared Cockpit in Iracing

Learn how to set up shared cockpit in iRacing. We explain what’s possible, show team driver swaps and live spotter setup, and help iRacing drivers fix it fast today.

If you’re stuck on how to set up shared cockpit in iracing, here’s the deal: you can’t have two people drive the same car at the same time. The “shared” experience is done two ways—Team Sessions with driver swaps, or a friend joining as a live spotter/crew to ride along in your cockpit view. This guide shows both, step by step.

Quick Answer: how to set up shared cockpit in iracing

You can’t co-drive simultaneously. To “share,” create or join a Team Session for driver swaps, or have a friend join as a Spotter/Crew to ride along and help. Both are built into iRacing and take just a few minutes to set up.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing doesn’t support true dual-control cockpits. The closest options are:

  • Team racing: multiple drivers share one car across a stint, swapping during pit stops.
  • Spotter/crew: a friend joins your session, sees your cockpit/TV cams, talks to you, and helps with strategy. Only one person actually drives.

This is how leagues, endurance races, and coaching sessions are typically run.

Step-by-Step Fix

Follow one of these two paths.

  1. Team Session (driver swaps)
  1. Create or join a Team: In the iRacing UI, go to Teams, create a team, and add your friend(s).
  2. Pick a session: For Hosted, create a new session and check “Team” (set min/max drivers). For official team events, register your team in the series.
  3. Everyone joins as the Team: Make sure all teammates have the required car/track. Enter the session under the team name.
  4. Start the stint: One person clicks Drive. Others join as Spectator/Crew.
  5. Prep the swap: The next driver clicks Drive to show “Ready to get in” while spectating.
  6. Swap in the pits: The car stops in its pit box. After service, iRacing automatically swaps to the ready driver. The outgoing driver is moved to spectator.
  1. Spotter/Crew ride-along (coaching/assist)
  1. Driver joins any session: Official or Hosted.
  2. Friend joins as Spotter: In the UI, go to Watch, find the session, click Spot, and select the driver. In Hosted, you can also set a Spotter password when creating the session.
  3. Talk and assist: Use in-sim voice or Discord. The spotter sees your view and can guide you. Only you drive.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Everyone needs content: All team members must own the car and track to enter the session.
  • Check licenses: Official team events may require certain licenses; Hosted sessions can be more flexible.
  • Practice the swap: Do a test stop so the next driver knows when to click Drive and confirm “Ready.”
  • Use clear comms: Count down pit entry, pit stall, and swap timing over voice chat.
  • Set fuel/tires early: Decide on pit strategy before the stop to avoid rushed changes.

FAQs

  • Can two people drive the same iRacing car at the same time? No. Only one driver can control the car. Use Team Sessions for driver swaps or add a live spotter.

  • Do I need a special iRacing setting for shared cockpit? No special iRacing settings. For “shared” use cases, enable Team in a Hosted session or have your friend join as a Spotter from Watch.

  • How do we trigger a driver swap? The incoming driver clicks Drive to be “Ready,” the car stops in its pit stall, and iRacing swaps drivers after service automatically.

  • Can a spotter change my pit settings? In team sessions, crew can assist with strategy. In regular sessions, the driver controls black boxes; use voice to coordinate.

Short Wrap-Up

There’s no true dual-control cockpit in iRacing. The practical solution is Team Sessions for driver swaps, or a live spotter riding along to coach and assist. Set up one of these paths, test a swap, and you’ll be good to go next session.