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How to Enable Ghost Car in Iracing

This article answers how to enable ghost car in iRacing for drivers. Quick, step-by-step fixes so you can see or use ghost cars fast and get back on track.

If you’re asking how to enable ghost car in iracing, the short answer is: make sure you’re in a session that supports ghosts, record a reference lap, then turn the ghost display on in the session or replay controls. You’re in the right place — below are the plain-language checks and exact steps to get it working.

Quick Answer — how to enable ghost car in iracing

Ghost cars appear only in time-trial/hotlap or solo practice-style sessions (and in replays). To enable: record a lap, open the session or replay controls, and toggle “Show Ghost” (or choose your personal best as the ghost). If you don’t see the option, you’re likely in a live, multiplayer race or haven’t recorded a reference lap.

What’s really going on

A “ghost car” is a translucent replay of a lap you (or the system) use as a reference so you can compare lines and braking points. iRacing doesn’t automatically show ghosts in every session — they’re for solo comparisons (time trial/hotlap or replay viewing). Many people think ghost is always on, but it won’t appear if there’s no saved lap or the session type blocks ghosts.

Step-by-step fix

Confirm the session type: join a Time Trial, Hotlap, or Solo Practice session. Ghosts are not available in regular multiplayer races.
Set a reference lap: complete one full clean lap you want to use as the ghost — the sim needs a recorded lap to display.
Finish the lap and go to the garage or pause menu: this lets the game register the lap and expose replay/session options.
Enable ghost display: look for “Show Ghost,” “Use Personal Best,” or “Enable Ghost Car” in the session or replay controls and turn it on. If you’re viewing a replay, use the replay toolbar to overlay the ghost.
Reload or refresh if needed: if the ghost still doesn’t appear, exit to the pit/garage and rejoin the session or restart the session so the reference lap is recognized.
Verify in-car: you should now see a translucent car on track following the recorded lap for pace comparison.

Extra tips / checklist

Only your personal best or a selected lap can be used as your live ghost — make sure you chose the right lap in the replay/session controls.
If you’re in an online hosted race or official split, ghosts usually won’t work — switch to practice or time trial.
If ghosts show but are distracting, toggle them off in the same menu.
Replays are the fallback: if you can’t get a live ghost, record the session, open the replay, and enable ghost overlay there to analyze lines.
If nothing helps, restart iRacing; sometimes the session needs a full refresh to register new laps.

FAQs

Q: Why don’t I see a ghost car during an online race?
A: Ghosts are normally disabled for live multiplayer races. Use solo practice/time trial or a replay to use ghosts.

Q: Can I race against someone else’s ghost?
A: No. You can only use your own saved laps as live ghosts. Replays can show other cars, but in real sessions you’ll see only your reference.

Q: The ghost isn’t following the exact line — why?
A: The ghost uses the recorded telemetry from that lap. Differences are normal if you take a different line, brake at different points, or have different track conditions.

Q: Where do I find my recorded laps to pick a different ghost?
A: Look in the session or replay controls after the lap — you can usually select which recorded lap to use as your ghost.

Short wrap-up

Ghosts are a simple but powerful coaching tool when available. Confirm you’re in the right session, record a lap, and enable the ghost in session or replay controls. Next session: try running a clean reference lap, enable the ghost, and use it to shave tenths off your time.