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How to Get Into Dirt Racing in Iracing

Clear steps for how to get into dirt racing in iRacing. This guide explains setup, license rules, and practice tips for iRacing drivers — fix the confusion fast.

If you want to know how to get into dirt racing in iRacing, the short answer is: enable or buy the dirt content, pick a dirt discipline in the Series menu, join a beginner dirt event (or a hosted session) and practice with the default setup. You’re in the right place to fix the confusion and start dirt laps today.

Quick Answer — how to get into dirt racing in iracing

Open iRacing, make sure you have access to the dirt cars/tracks (buy or enable them), then in the Series tab filter by “Dirt” (Dirt Oval or Dirt Road/Rallycross). Join a Rookie or low-license event or a hosted race, use the default baseline setup, and focus on throttle control and counter-steer until you build experience and Safety Rating.

What’s really going on

iRacing separates content and disciplines. Dirt racing uses different cars, tire behavior and often different licenses. If you don’t see dirt races in your Series list it’s either because the dirt content isn’t purchased/installed, your filters don’t show dirt, or you’re looking at road/oval only. Dirt driving feels loose: the car slides, you need early throttle, weight transfer timing, and different setups than asphalt. Your safety rating (SR) and license level determine which official dirt series you can enter, so start in lower-level events to gain clean-lap experience.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Check content: In the iRacing website or simulator, open the Content & Downloads page and confirm dirt cars/tracks are installed or purchased.
  2. Filter Series: In the iRacing UI go to Series → Change Discipline → select “Dirt Oval” or “Dirt Road/Rallycross.” Apply filters for Rookie or lower-license series.
  3. Join a session: Pick an official Rookie dirt race or a hosted session. Hosted races let you practice with less pressure and different safety rules.
  4. Use the default setup: Start with the official baseline setup — it’s tuned for consistency. Don’t chase advanced setups until you’re comfortable.
  5. Practice specific skills: Work on throttle modulation (early, smooth throttle), steering corrections (small, quick counter-steer), and finding the loose line (higher on the track or lower depending on track condition).
  6. Build SR and progress: Drive clean laps to raise your Safety Rating; that unlocks higher-series eligibility. Repeat practice, use replays to spot mistakes, and enter more races when your SR and confidence grow.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Turn off advanced driving assists and use a wheel if possible — it gives better feedback on slides.
  • Calibrate pedals and steering before a session; small input errors cost control on dirt.
  • Warm up tires: run a few practice laps before qualifying to get grip and feel.
  • Use evening or hosted sessions if you want less competitive fields for learning.
  • Watch a short onboard video of the car you’ll race — brake and throttle timing differs a lot from asphalt.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to buy dirt cars and tracks?
A: Some dirt content is free with your license; other cars/tracks are purchasable. Check your Content & Downloads and the Series list — if an event requires content you don’t own it will show as unavailable.

Q: How do I find dirt races in iRacing?
A: In the Series tab choose the discipline filter for “Dirt” (Dirt Oval or Dirt Road/Rallycross). You can also search hosted sessions for “dirt” in the session name.

Q: Will my road/oval license work for dirt?
A: Your iRacing license covers multiple disciplines, but official dirt series may require a minimum safety rating or license level; start in Rookie/entry events to progress.

Q: How fast can I improve on dirt?
A: With focused practice (30–60 minutes per session) you’ll notice improvement in 3–5 sessions if you focus on throttle control and replay review.

Short wrap-up

Get access to the dirt content, pick a dirt discipline in Series, join a Rookie or hosted race, and use the default setup while you practice throttle and counter-steer. Next session: warm up, run the baseline setup, and focus on clean laps to build SR.