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

How to Not Get Crashes in Iracing

Straightforward steps to avoid on-track crashes in iRacing. For iRacing drivers who want cleaner races, higher Safety Rating, and a fast, practical fix today.

If you’re dealing with how to not get crashes in iracing, the fix is to drive predictably, leave space, and be extra cautious on lap one. You’re in the right place—here’s a simple plan you can use today.

Note: If your game is crashing to desktop, that’s a different iRacing problem (graphics/drivers). This guide is about avoiding on-track incidents.

Quick Answer: how to not get crashes in iracing

Focus on survival first: brake earlier than you think, hold a steady line, use your mirrors and spotter, and give others racing room—especially on lap one. Clean laps raise Safety Rating (SR) and keep incidents low.

What’s Really Going On

Most “crashes” come from surprises: late lunges, missed braking points, unsafe rejoins, and first-lap chaos. iRacing rewards clean driving with Safety Rating (SR), which tracks how few incidents you have. iRating measures your competitive skill, but you can’t gain it if you keep getting caught in wrecks. The goal is simple: be predictable so others can race around you.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Start with a plan
   Decide before the grid: “I’ll survive lap one.” If needed, start from the pits or the back to avoid turn-one pileups.

2. Brake earlier and straighter
   Move your braking points 10–20 meters earlier in races than in practice. Brake in a straight line; turn only when you’ve released most brake pressure.

3. Hold your line in traffic
   Pick a lane and stick to it. Don’t weave to block. If someone is alongside, leave a car’s width. Predictability prevents side-by-side contact.

4. Use your tools
   Turn up spotter volume, enable virtual mirrors, and keep the Relative box visible. If the spotter says “inside/outside,” leave room and exit the corner a car-width off the apex.

5. Rejoin safely
   If you spin, both feet in (clutch and brake) to stop rolling. Wait until the track is clear, then rejoin parallel to traffic. A patient rejoin saves your race.

6. Drive for exits, not dives
   Enter a bit slower and focus on clean exits. Better traction out of corners avoids rear-end taps and gives you safer passes on the next straight.

Extra Tips / Checklist

• Prep the track: 10–15 clean practice laps with race fuel so braking points match the race.
• iRacing settings:
  • Options > Display: enable virtual mirrors.
  • Options > Sound: spotter volume high.
  • Options > Controls: calibrate pedals; add a small brake deadzone if you get “phantom” brake.
• Stability over speed: if setups are open, choose a stable iRacing setup (more rear wing, slightly higher front brake bias, lower brake pressure).
• First lap rule: leave an extra car width and lift early. You’ll pass crashed cars later.
• Choose your battles: defend once, cleanly. If a divebomb is coming, live to fight the next corner.

FAQs

Q: Is it better to start from the pits to avoid wrecks?
A: If your splits are messy, yes. You’ll lose a few seconds but often gain positions as others crash.

Q: How do I raise SR quickly without being slow?
A: Prioritize zero-contact races. Brake a touch earlier, avoid side-by-side in risky corners, and finish clean. SR (Safety Rating) climbs fast with incident-free laps.

Q: Which iRacing settings help avoid crashes?
A: Loud spotter, virtual mirrors on, correct field of view (FOV), and calibrated pedals. These improve awareness and braking control.

Q: My pace is fine, but I still get hit. What now?
A: Be more predictable: hold lines, signal intentions early, and give space. Starting deeper in the field or skipping turn-one dives also reduces risk.

Short Wrap-Up

Clean races come from predictability: earlier braking, steady lines, safe rejoins, and smart first laps. Try the six-step plan in your next session and aim for a zero-incident finish before pushing pace.