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Does Iracing Have Karting

Does iRacing have karting? A calm, beginner-friendly guide that explains the current status, simple alternatives, and first steps so you can start racing today.

If you’ve been hunting the menus, wondering “did I miss the kart option?”, you’re not alone. Many new to iRacing feel stuck here. Good news: you don’t need guesswork. In two minutes, you’ll know exactly where karting stands—and what to drive today to build the right skills.

does iracing have karting (Quick Answer)

Short answer: not yet in the main iRacing service. As of now, there are no official kart cars or kart series you can race online. iRacing did acquire KartKraft and has said they plan to bring karting to iRacing, but there’s no public release date. In the meantime, there are great kart-like alternatives.

Why This Matters for Beginners

Karts teach precision: fast hands, clean lines, smooth weight transfer. That’s gold for iRacing beginners. The confusion happens because iRacing owns KartKraft and people assume karts are already inside the sim. Here’s how iRacing works today: you progress through licenses using the cars/series available now, and you can train the same core skills without a kart.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide: What to Drive Instead

  1. Start with Mazda MX‑5 (Rookie)
    It’s stable, forgiving, and rewards smooth inputs—the same habits that make fast karters. Run Test Drive first to settle controls.

  2. Add a lightweight formula car
    Try the Formula Vee or Ray FF1600. They’re low-power, momentum-focused, and demand tidy cornering like a kart.

  3. Pick short, flowing tracks
    Lime Rock, Okayama Short, and Oran Park (if owned) sharpen rhythm and exit speed—perfect for “karting-style” laps.

  4. Train consistency before speed
    Do 10 clean laps within 0.5–0.8s of each other. Consistency beats hero laps for Safety Rating and racecraft.

  5. Use AI or Time Attack
    Practice race craft with AI or lock in muscle memory in Time Attack. Then hop into Rookie races when you’re steady.

Quick Pro Tips

  • Calibrate brakes carefully; aim for confident trail-braking into apex.
  • Lower FOV and use a fixed seat view to read slip earlier.
  • Map a “Look Left/Right” button—vital for close pack racing.
  • Run 10–12 lap stints with 1–2 minute breaks to avoid overdriving.
  • Save and review one clean lap replay; copy braking markers and steering traces.

When to Ask for Help

If setup screens and license rules feel murky, ask early. The official forums and friendly iRacing Discord communities can check your wheel settings, share beginner setups, and suggest series that match your pace. A 5‑minute screen share can save hours of frustration.

FAQs

  • Will karting come to iRacing?
    iRacing has publicly indicated interest after acquiring KartKraft, but there’s no confirmed timeline. Expect updates via iRacing patch notes and news posts.

  • What car feels most “kart-like” right now?
    The Ray FF1600 and Formula Vee are closest in spirit: light, momentum-dependent, and responsive to small inputs.

  • Do I need a separate game for karts today?
    If you want dedicated karting physics now, try KartKraft (standalone). Inside iRacing, focus on MX‑5 and entry formula cars to build transferable skills.

  • I’m new to iRacing—how does iRacing work with licenses?
    You start in Rookie, earn Safety Rating by driving clean, then unlock higher licenses and series. Clean laps matter more than outright pace early on.

Final Takeaways

No karts in iRacing yet, but you can train the exact skills that make kart drivers fast. Today’s next step: run a 20‑minute session in the Mazda MX‑5 at Lime Rock, chasing 10 consistent laps. That foundation will pay off—karting or not—every time you hit the track.