Join hundreds of racers just like you! We love to help answer questions and race together.

How to Manage Tires in Long Iracing Races

Answers how to manage tires in long iRacing races for drivers. Clear, fast steps to reduce wear, keep lap times, and fix tire-related pace loss now.

If you want a quick win for how to manage tires in long iracing races, the core fix is simple: drive smoother, monitor temps/wear, and adjust setup/pressure in small steps. You’re in the right place to fix tire problems fast and keep consistent lap times for long stints.

how to manage tires in long iracing races (Quick Answer)

Keep lap time versus tire life balanced: avoid aggressive steering and throttle inputs, use a setup that doesn’t overload one tire, and plan pit stops around the point where lap times drop. Monitor tire temps and wear in practice, make small setup or pressure changes, then test long runs.

What’s Really Going On

In iRacing, tires lose grip as they heat, wear, or get loaded unevenly. Excess slip (wheelspin or sliding) heats the rubber and increases wear. Bad camber/pressure or an aggressive driving style will wear one edge or corner faster. Over a long stint that small loss adds up and you’ll lose consistent lap time or risk spins. Fixes are a mix of driving, setup, and strategy.

Step-by-Step Fix

Check baseline in practice: do a 10–20 lap run at race pace to see how temps and wear move. Use that to set realistic stint length.
Watch tire temps: aim for even temperatures across the tread. If one edge is much hotter, reduce camber or redistribute load with setup changes.
Adjust pressures in small steps: raise or lower pressures by 1–2 psi and test; small changes affect contact patch and wear more than you’d expect.
Smooth your inputs: lift slightly earlier into corners, avoid throttle dump on exit, and reduce mid-corner steering correction to limit sliding.
Tune balance, not extremes: if the car understeers, add front grip; if it oversteers, reduce rear bite—both reduce erratic tire loading.
Plan your pit windows: pit before lap times collapse. It’s often faster to take an extra stop than to limp on worn tires and lose consistent pace.

Extra Tips / Checklist

Do long-run practice sessions, not just qualifying laps. Tire behavior over time is what matters.
Use telemetry or the in-sim tire page to see wear % and temps by corner; don’t guess.
If inner tire temp is much higher, reduce negative camber; if outer is higher, reduce positive camber or lower pressure.
Short shifts and gentle throttle application reduce wheelspin and save rear tires.
In multiclass or traffic, avoid aggressive defensive moves that scrub tires.

FAQs

Q: How often should I pit to preserve tires in iRacing? A: Pit when lap times start to rise consistently. Use practice long runs to find the point (stint length) when wear makes you slower than a fresh-out lap after a stop.

Q: Should I lower tire pressures for longer stints? A: Not by a lot. Lower pressures increase contact and grip but can increase wear and overheating. Change pressures in small increments and test.

Q: How do I know if the problem is my driving or the setup? A: If all four tires wear evenly but fast, it’s likely driving (too much slip). If one corner or edge wears faster, it’s setup (camber, toe, or load).

Q: Can I manage tires without changing setup mid-race? A: Yes—drive more conservatively, short-shift, and avoid riding the curbs. Adjusting pace and lines can buy several laps without a setup change.

Short Wrap-Up

Tire management in long iRacing races is mostly discipline: smooth driving, informed setup tweaks, and realistic pit planning. Start with one long-run test, make one small setup or pressure change, and repeat until your lap-time decay is predictable. Try that next race and measure the improvement.