This past August, iRacing Studios made the surprise announcement of iRacing Arcade that’s set to launch first on PC later this fall. Now, players will get their first impressions of the game with a free demo arriving on PC next Monday, October 13.
The demo will give players their first look at the “fast, fun, and approachable style of driving” of the title. What better way to do that than taking the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car and going around the Tsukuba Circuit, a locale many here at GTPlanet will be very familiar with. Tire wear, fuel burn, and damage will be enabled in the demo so don’t expect to take this lightly.
iRacing’s goal for the new racer is to broadest possible appeal, and as such it takes the approach of combining officially licensed cars and tracks with “playful art and fun physics”. While a wild departure from the staunchly simulation-focused aspect of its older brother, iRacing Arcade takes itself more seriously than one would expect.
Players will be responsible for building their motorsport legacy through weekly events to earn resources and boosts, which can then be used to unlock new cars, drivers, and customization options, among others — building your career from almost nothing and working up through the ranks.
iRacing also claims that the physics model, while easy to pick up, will be “endlessly rewarding” to master, as players continue to improve their racecraft and knock valuable tenths off their lap times.
To celebrate the release of the demo, iRacing Arcade logos are set to appear on the #85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963 GTP at this weekend’s Petit Le Mans event, driven by Max Esterson, and a digital version of the vehicle has already been teased for the game.
Esterson, who currently drives in Formula 2 as well as IMSA, started out as a sim racer in iRacing, winning several championships including the Road to Indy esports series in 2021. Of the partnership, he commented:
“I’m thrilled to continue my partnership with iRacing by representing iRacing Arcade at Petit Le Mans. GTP racing is some of the best competition in the world and a fun new challenge. iRacing Arcade will be the same for racing gamers of all ages and skill sets, with its unique aesthetic and ease of play. I can’t wait for people to get their hands on the demo!”
While PC players will get first crack at the game, iRacing Arcade will also make its way to consoles in early 2026 as well, making it the first game bearing the iRacing name to do so. We suspect a console demo will touch down before then as well, so stay tuned for more as it’s revealed!
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