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How to Load Ghost Car in Iracing

Learn how to load ghost car in iRacing: quick steps to create and show a ghost, troubleshoot why ghosts disappear, and get back to improving lap time fast.

If you’re dealing with how to load ghost car in iRacing, the quick answer is: create or record the lap you want (replay enabled), save it as a ghost from the replay or compare menu, then load that ghost in your next on-track session using the Compare/Ghost option. You’re in the right place to fix this fast.

Quick Answer — how to load ghost car in iracing

To load a ghost: make sure replays are enabled, run the lap you want, open the replay, choose the lap and export/create a ghost, then in your next practice/qualify session open the on-screen driver/compare menu and select the saved ghost to display on track.

What’s really going on

A “ghost” is a replayed car that follows the exact position and timing of a saved lap so you can race against it. iRacing doesn’t show ghosts automatically unless a recorded lap/replay exists and the session type and settings allow ghosts. Ghosts also require the same car/track combination and a compatible replay file. If a ghost won’t load, it’s usually because replays weren’t recorded, the ghost wasn’t created, or you’re in a session that doesn’t support loaded ghosts.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Enable replays: Before running laps, open Options → Gameplay/Graphics and ensure “Make replay” or “Save replays” is on. If it wasn’t on, you’ll need to re-run the lap.
  2. Run and save the lap: Do a clean lap you want to use as a ghost. End the lap normally and let the replay write (don’t alt-tab or crash).
  3. Open the replay: From the Results or Sessions screen, pick the session, click “Replays” and open the replay file for that session.
  4. Create or export the ghost: In the replay, find the lap and use the comparison or export tool to create a ghost object (labels may read “Create Ghost” or “Create Reference”). Save it with a clear name.
  5. Load it in a session: Start a Practice or Qualify session with the same car and track. Open the on-screen Driver/Compare menu (or the HUD compare tool) and choose “Load Ghost” or select the saved reference from the ghost list. The ghost should appear on track.
  6. Adjust visibility if needed: If the ghost is hard to see, change ghost color or transparency in the HUD or graphics settings.

Note: UI labels vary with iRacing updates — the flow (record → create ghost in replay → load ghost in session) is the constant.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Make sure the ghost and your session use the same car build and track layout (including direction and configuration).
  • If a ghost doesn’t show, restart iRacing; occasionally the ghost list needs a refresh.
  • Ghosts won’t work in official wheel-to-wheel races — use Practice/Qualify or Time Attack-type events.
  • Keep a naming convention (Track_Car_Date) so you can find ghosts quickly in the list.
  • If you can’t find the replay file, enable “Save local replays” and check Documents/iRacing/replays.

FAQs

Q: Why can’t I load someone else’s ghost? A: You can only load ghosts created from replays you have access to. To use another driver’s ghost, they must share the replay file you can open and export as a ghost.

Q: Ghost disappears after a few corners — why? A: That usually means the ghost was recorded on a different lap length or the replay timing mismatches. Recreate the ghost from a full clean lap.

Q: Do ghosts affect car handling or SR (safety rating)? A: No. Ghosts are visual references only and don’t interact with physics or affect safety rating.

Q: Where are saved ghosts stored? A: Ghosts are stored inside replay files managed by iRacing; export settings may save them to your iRacing folders. Use the replay manager to find them.

Wrap-up

The core flow is record → create ghost → load ghost. Check replay settings first, then create the ghost in the replay and load it in a practice/qualify session. If it still won’t appear, confirm car/track match and restart iRacing — then try again.