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How to Save Best Lap as Ghost in Iracing

Answers how to save best lap as ghost in iRacing for iRacing drivers. Quick, step-by-step guide to store and replay your fastest lap as a ghost — fix this issue fast

If you’re dealing with how to save best lap as ghost in iRacing, the short answer is: record the session replay, open that replay, and use the replay tools to create a ghost from your fastest lap. You’re in the right place — follow the exact steps below to get it working fast.

Quick Answer: how to save best lap as ghost in iracing

Turn on replay recording, finish the lap you want, open the saved replay, scrub to the lap, then use the replay’s “Create Ghost” (or “Make Ghost”) option. That stores a ghost car you can show in future practice/time trial sessions.

What’s really going on

iRacing doesn’t automatically keep a persistent “best lap ghost” unless you save a replay and explicitly create a ghost. The replay is the source file that contains all your car telemetry. Creating a ghost copies the telemetry for a single lap into a ghost that iRacing can display during later sessions. If recording is off or you don’t export a lap as a ghost, you’ll only see temporary session ghosts that vanish when the session ends.

Step-by-step fix

Enable replay recording: In iRacing, go to Options > Replay (or Local Settings) and make sure “Save Replays” or “Automatically Record Replays” is ON. This makes the game keep the session data you need.
Run the lap you want: Complete the lap you want as your best lap in practice, qualifying, or time attack. Don’t quit the session until replay is saved.
Open the replay manager: After the session, click Results → Replays or open Replays from the iRacing launcher. Find the session you just ran and open it.
Find the lap in the replay: Use the replay timeline to jump to the start of your best lap. Use the lap markers or the lap select control so you’re exactly on that lap.
Create the ghost: Look for a “Create Ghost,” “Make Ghost,” or ghost/car icon in the replay toolbar or menu. Select it and confirm. The game will store the ghost for that car/track/config, making it available for future sessions.
Load the ghost next session: In a new practice/time trial session, enable “Show Ghosts” or pick the ghost from the ghost options menu so your saved best lap appears on track.

(Note: menu names vary slightly between iRacing updates; the workflow — record replay → open replay → export/convert lap to ghost — is consistent.)

Extra Tips / Checklist

Always enable replay saving before doing hot laps — it’s the #1 missed step.
If you don’t see “Create Ghost,” update iRacing to the latest build; older clients may label it differently.
Save replays with a unique name (date + track + car) so you don’t overwrite useful files.
Ghosts are session-specific: a ghost saved with one car setup may not line up perfectly with different setups.
If your ghost is invisible, check graphic options and HUD settings — ghost visibility can be turned off.

FAQs

Q: Why can’t I make a ghost right after a qualifying lap?
A: Only if you recorded the replay. If replay recording was off, there’s no data to convert. Turn recording on and repeat.

Q: Can I use a ghost in official races?
A: No. Ghosts are for practice/time trial. They won’t appear during sanctioned races with live cars.

Q: Where are saved ghosts/replays stored on my computer?
A: iRacing stores replays in your iRacing\replays folder. Ghosts are managed inside the sim and referenced from the replay files.

Q: My ghost is not matching the car — why?
A: A different setup, fuel, or damage state can change lap times and position. Ghosts copy the exact telemetry from that run.

Wrap-up

Saving your best lap as a ghost in iRacing is a two-part job: record the replay, then export that lap as a ghost from the replay viewer. Next time you practice, load the ghost and use it to pace or compare lines. If it still fails, double-check replay recording is enabled and your client is up to date.