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How to Disable Ghost Car in Iracing

Learn how to disable ghost car in iRacing: quick, step-by-step fixes for in-sim replay or time-trial ghosts. For iRacing drivers who want to fix this issue fast.

If you’re dealing with how to disable ghost car in iracing, the core fix is simple: stop or hide the replay/ghost overlay for the session, or turn off “show ghost” in the session/options menus. You’re in the right place — below are plain steps to find and remove the ghost car fast.

Quick Answer — how to disable ghost car in iracing

A “ghost car” is usually a translucent replay of a lap (your best lap or someone else’s). To remove it, exit any replay, and disable the replay/ghost display in the session toolbar or Options menu. If it’s a time-trial ghost, turn off the ghost in the time-trial controls or clear the saved personal-best ghost.

What’s really going on

iRacing shows ghost cars when a replay or a “ghost lap” is active. You’ll see them in hotlap/time-trial modes or after loading a replay. They are visual only — they don’t affect physics or your SR (safety rating). Ghosts can also come from saved “personal best” laps or from third-party overlay tools that replay laps on screen.

Common causes:

  • You’re still watching a replay or have replay playback enabled.
  • Time-trial/hotlap session has ghost mode enabled.
  • A third-party app is overlaying lap ghosts.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Exit the replay: If you’ve just watched a replay, press Esc and choose “Exit Replay” or “Resume Session” so playback stops.
  2. Toggle ghost in the session toolbar: Look at the in-sim session toolbar (timing panel). There’s usually a small ghost/replay icon or a “Show Ghost” toggle — turn it off.
  3. Check Options if it persists: Open the Options menu, look under Display/View or Replays, and uncheck anything labeled “Show replays,” “Show ghost cars,” or similar. Apply and restart the session if needed.
  4. For time trials/hotlaps: Open the time-trial controls (on-screen or in the session UI) and disable the “Run against ghost” or clear the stored personal best ghost.
  5. Check third-party tools: If you use overlays (telemetry apps, local timing tools), close them and confirm the ghost disappears. Reconfigure the tool to stop drawing ghosts if necessary.

If the ghost remains after these steps, restart iRacing — some replay flags stick until a full session restart.

Extra tips / checklist

  • If the ghost is only your previous lap, clearing your local replay or personal best in the session will remove it.
  • Official races don’t normally show ghost cars for other drivers; ghosts are mostly a solo/session feature.
  • Restart the session after changing Options to ensure the setting takes effect.
  • If you race with friends, confirm they aren’t streaming a ghost overlay that you’re subscribing to.
  • Keep iRacing updated — UI changes occasionally move these toggles.

FAQs

Q: Why am I seeing a ghost car in a race?
A: Ghost cars typically appear in practice/hotlap or replay modes. In official live races you shouldn’t see other drivers as ghosts unless you’re in a replay or spectator mode.

Q: Can the ghost car affect my SR or lap physics?
A: No. Ghosts are visual only. They don’t change how the car behaves or your safety rating.

Q: Where is the “Show Ghost” option in iRacing?
A: Menu locations can vary by update. Look in the session toolbar (timing overlay) first, then Options > Display/View or Replays. Search for “replay,” “ghost,” or “personal best.”

Q: A third-party app shows ghosts — how do I stop that?
A: Close the app, or disable any “ghost” or “overlay replay” features inside that program. Then reload iRacing.

Short wrap-up

Ghost cars are almost always a replay or time-trial feature and are easy to remove: exit replay, toggle off the ghost in the session UI or Options, and restart the session if needed. Next session, confirm the ghost is gone before you hotlap.