Join the Discord! →

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


How to Join Ai Races in Iracing

New to iRacing? Learn how to join AI races in iRacing with a simple, step-by-step guide for iRacing beginners. Build confidence, practice safely, and improve fast.

If you’ve opened iRacing, looked at the menus, and felt a little lost, you’re not alone. Many new to iRacing think AI is buried or complicated. Good news: it’s straightforward—and a perfect way to learn without pressure. This guide shows you how to join ai races in iracing in minutes.

Quick Answer

In iRacing, AI Racing is a single-player mode found under Go Racing > AI Racing in the UI. Pick an AI-supported car and track, set race length and AI difficulty, choose the number of opponents, and click Race. It’s ideal for iRacing beginners to learn how iRacing works safely.

how to join ai races in iracing

  1. Open the iRacing UI and sign in.
  2. Go to Go Racing > AI Racing.
  3. Click Create Race (or Single Race). Choose a car and track with the “AI” badge.
  4. Set sessions (Practice/Qualifying/Race), race length, start type, and weather.
  5. Choose AI Strength (start low) and number of opponents.
  6. Save as a preset if you like, then click Race to launch.

Pro tip: If you want a mini-championship, use Create AI Season instead and add multiple races.

Why This Matters for Beginners

AI races let you practice real starts, traffic, and race craft without affecting iRating or Safety Rating. For anyone new to iRacing, that means you can experiment—lines, braking points, even pit stops—without the stress of online penalties. You’ll get a feel for how iRacing works before jumping into official races.

Common Mistakes

  • Choosing unsupported content: Not every car/track supports AI. Fix it by filtering for AI-ready content or looking for the “AI” tag in the picker.
  • Setting AI too strong: If the field vanishes into the distance, it’s hard to learn. Begin around 70–80% strength, do a 5-lap test, then adjust.
  • Skipping Practice: Jumping straight to Race hides setup and driving issues. Run a short Practice first to confirm controls, braking points, and FPS are stable.

Quick Pro Tips

  • Calibrate difficulty with a 5–10 lap Practice, then tune AI Strength up or down by 2–5 points until your pace matches the midfield.
  • Use fewer cars at first (10–15). It keeps frame rates smooth and traffic manageable while you build confidence.
  • Turn on the racing line only where needed (corners). It’s a guide, not a rule—start weaning off it quickly.
  • Practice one skill per session: race starts today, overtakes tomorrow, pit entry later. Focus brings faster improvement.
  • Stuck on settings? A quick question in an iRacing Discord community often gets you the exact toggle or tip you need.
  • Save presets for your favorite car/track combos so you can launch a practice race in seconds.

FAQs

  • Do AI races affect my license or iRating?
    No. AI racing is offline single-player. It’s great for learning without risking Safety Rating or iRating.

  • What AI strength should I start with?
    Start around 70–80% for most tracks. If you’re beating the field easily, increase by 5–10. If you’re struggling to keep up, reduce by 5.

  • Can I use any car and track?
    Only AI-enabled content works. In the UI, look for the “AI” tag or filter for AI-supported cars and tracks.

  • Is setup work required?
    No. Use the baseline setup to start. As you improve, try the “Fixed” option or small changes like brake bias and tire pressures.

Final note: If you’re brand new to iRacing, treat AI as your training ground. Pick one car you enjoy, one familiar track, run short races, and nudge the difficulty upward. With these iRacing tips, you’ll be race-ready online much sooner—and with far less stress.