Top 10 Most Popular Cars In iRacing You Should Try

Getting started with iRacing can be a lot of fun, but with so many cars, it can feel overwhelming. You will see a large garage filled with sports cars, open-wheelers, and stock cars, and it may be hard to know which one to choose. The car you start with can make a big difference in how much you enjoy sim racing. In this guide, you will find the most popular cars in iRacing. You will know which ones to try first, and this can help you get into races with a lot of competitors. That way, you have a good time and get the most out of the sim racing experience.

The Top 10 Most Popular Cars in iRacing You Should Try

Choosing a car in iRacing often depends on what people like the most. If you drive one of the most popular cars, you will always find a race with strong drivers. This is true no matter the skill level you have. The cars on this list are favourites because they give good races, feel fair, and are a big part of sim racing for many.

From quick rookie cars to speedy ones with lots of downforce, these are some of the best cars in iRacing. Many drivers love driving them every day. Let’s look at the top 10 best cars you should try in iRacing.

Mazda MX-5 Cup – The Iconic Rookie Favourite

If you spend any time in iRacing, you will likely be familiar with the Mazda MX-5. This car is included with your membership, allowing every rookie to use it for free. The Global Mazda MX-5 Cup is one of the most popular racing groups on the service. Thousands of people from different backgrounds join in each season. This means you can always get a full group of racers and be part of close racing.

What makes it perfect for beginners? The MX-5 is very easy to drive. It lets people practice important skills, such as where to brake and how to maintain their speed. The car is not too hard to control, so new sim racers feel good behind the wheel. If you are just starting as a sim racer, this car is great for learning the basics and helps you feel more sure on the track.

Its relevance extends beyond the rookie series. You can find this car in higher-level series such as the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. The skills you get in the rookie series will help you as you move up the iRacing license ladder. What you learn now stays useful as you progress to new levels.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) – For Pure Road Racing Thrills

If you’re looking for a real challenge in iRacing, try driving the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992). This Porsche stands out because its engine is located at the rear. You need to be very careful and steer with a gentle touch. The car does not have traction control or ABS. This means you need true skill to drive it well on the iRacing tracks. If you learn how to handle this Porsche, people will respect you a lot.

The car is used in a well-known single-make series at the C-level license. You can join races with either a set setup or one that you can change. Since this is a spec series, there are no Balance of Performance changes to worry about. It comes down to how well you drive.

Learning to drive this Porsche well can help you reach the top of esports racing. This car stands out in the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Super Cup. In this event, the world’s top sim racers compete to win substantial prizes. If you want to get serious about racing and be with the best racers, you need this Porsche in your garage. There is no better way to show your skill among sim racers than with this car.

Dallara F3 – Single-Seater Action for All Skill Levels

Are you ready to try high-downforce open-wheel racing? The Dallara F3 is a good start. This car strikes the perfect balance between speed and grip. Many people choose it because it works well for all drivers, regardless of their skill level. It is quick enough to feel exciting, but not too tough to handle. This makes it a great step before moving up to even faster formula cars.

Driving the Dallara F3 in the simulator helps you understand the importance of aerodynamics and downforce. You will experience how downforce enables the car to remain steady in corners and how much you can rely on its grip when driving at high speeds. If you’re looking for a good challenge, this is one of the more rewarding cars to try in the sim. To succeed, you must be precise and give it your full attention.

The series featuring the Dallara F3 always attracts a large number of drivers. You can go with a fixed setup or an open setup. This allows you to compete effectively in close races, whether you’re a beginner learning the car or an experienced racer focusing on every aspect of the car’s handling.

Mercedes-AMG GT3 – A Staple in Competitive Series

When discussing racing in the GT3 class, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 stands out as a car that many enthusiasts appreciate. It has the engine in the front, and that helps the car feel steady on the track. Because of this, it is good at going over curbs. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 handles tough turns exceptionally well. This shows why it is one of the best cars for racing in the GT3 class. You will find that both new and experienced racers choose this car, as they know it will perform well.

This car is ideal for enthusiasts who enjoy racing and endurance events. You can see the Mercedes at the top in major races, such as the IMSA Endurance Series and the Global Endurance Tour. Many people participate in it, so you can always join or challenge a good team. This makes it fun for everyone who wants to be part of the IMSA and other endurance racing.

Even when there are Balance of Performance (BoP) changes each season, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 still stays strong on many tracks. It is easy to handle and also has good speed. This mix makes it a car that every serious iRacing driver wants to have in their garage.

careful with your moves, or the tyres will spin out. This is crucial if you want to improve and drive faster cars later on. The rookie setup in its series is always the same, so you can just think about your driving and not worry about changing things.

While this Ford is designed for beginners, the skills you learn in it are invaluable. It provides a solid foundation for anyone looking to transition to faster cars, such as NASCAR stock cars or top-performing GTs.

Radical SR8 – The Prototype Experience

The Radical SR8 gives you a real feel of what it is like to be in a racing car. This car is lightweight, features a V8 engine, and generates a significant amount of downforce. It is built for high speeds and quick moves, so when you drive it, you feel the rush. The SR8 is very fast and easy to turn, making it feel exhilarating every time you get behind the wheel. Many people like this car because it is all about having fun. It is racing at its best, with nothing held back.

Stats show that many people like the Radical SR8 series. Many drivers choose it in races like the Falken Tyre Sports Car Challenge. In this event, the Radical SR8 goes up against other types of cars. It is suitable for individuals who want to participate in racing events with multiple car classes. It also helps them learn more about racecraft, as the concept of race is always evolving.

The Radical SR8 is not as complex to drive as an LMP2 or GTP car, but it is the best way to get started in racing with high downforce cars. This car is quick, requires drivers to work hard, and feels great when driven properly.

NASCAR Xfinity Chevrolet Camaro – Oval Racing Classic

For people who enjoy oval racing, the NASCAR Xfinity Chevrolet Camaro is a key car in iRacing. This car is the next level after you use rookie stock cars. It has more power and needs you to know more about racing strategy and take care of your tyres. The Xfinity car is a popular choice for those with a B license, and many people opt for it for oval races. Racing with this Chevrolet is popular in the iRacing world and helps you advance in your racing career.

These cars give you close racing with high excitement. You can often see this, especially at large tracks like Daytona International Speedway. In iRacing, learning how to use the draft and work with other drivers is really helpful. The series shows up often in the iRacing schedule, so you can join a race any time.

Driving the Xfinity Chevrolet Camaro helps you get ready for the big challenge. When you race in NASCAR, you learn many skills that matter. In the Xfinity car, you practice saving your tyres for longer runs. You also learn how to plan your pit stops just right. All these skills will be useful when you move up to the top racing level in NASCAR.

Audi RS 3 LMS TCR – Touring Car Excitement

The Audi RS 3 LMS TCR is ideal for enthusiasts who love racing and enjoy cars competing side by side. This car is designed for touring car racing, a type of competition where drivers fiercely battle for position and often come very close to each other on the track. The Audi RS 3 LMS TCR features front-wheel drive, which makes the racing experience distinct. You need to adjust your use of the gas pedal and your turning technique.

Many people appreciate the Audi as a car. You can see it in its own races and in other events too. The car plays a significant role in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, where it competes against GT4 cars. This speeds up the races and gives you a lot to see. There are a large number of cars on the track, so drivers must contend with a high level of traffic and activity.

Statistics from community sites that keep track of iRacing data can tell you how often people drive cars like the Audi. These sites show the series and cars that get the most drivers. The TCR class is popular among enthusiasts who enjoy close, intense racing.

Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo – Exotic and Accessible

Driving a Ferrari is something many people aspire to do. In iRacing, you can feel what it’s like with the famous Ferrari 296 GT3. This car follows the beloved 488 and is well-known in racing. People like the Ferrari for its prestigious name, high speed, and because many can afford it. You will see this Ferrari in the fixed-setup Ferrari GT3 Challenge. It is a D-class series in iRacing. Many drivers start learning GT3 racing in this series.

This mid-engine V6 Ferrari is a strong and steady performer. It performs well on many tracks, making it a great choice for racing. The car is not just good for its one-make races. It is also a top car in multiclass racing. This includes the IMSA Challenge and some other big events. Many people race this Ferrari, so there are numerous drivers in the community. They share setups, tips, and advice with each other.

While iRacing does not disclose the number of cars it sells, the large number of people driving in the Ferrari Challenge series suggests that the Ferrari is one of the most popular cars on the site. This car is a good choice. It helps drivers move from beginner races into the top GT racing series. If you want to enjoy iRacing and improve your racing skills, choosing the Ferrari can be a smart move.

Formula Vee – Grassroots Open-Wheel Challenge

Along with the Mazda MX-5, the Formula Vee is one car every rookie should have for racing. It is where you start if you want to race open-wheel cars. The Formula Vee provides a simple racing experience that is authentic and straightforward. The car is not very sturdy and does not grip the road well. You must maintain your speed and learn how to position yourself right behind others to utilise the slipstream.

The Formula Vee teaches you to be very smooth and careful with your movements. It does not have a lot of power. Therefore, if you make an error, you will lose a significant amount of time. This makes it a good way for people to learn basic driving skills. These skills are necessary as you obtain your next license and drive faster cars.

The racing in the rookie Formula Vee series was close and full of excitement. This is a good way for people to learn racecraft. You get to practice and race in a group that competes, but also helps if you make mistakes. If you want to climb up the open-wheel ladder, spending time in Formula Vee is a must.

What Makes These Cars Stand Out in iRacing?

So, what is the main thing that connects the most popular cars in sim racing, such as iRacing? It is the way these cars provide a fun driving experience, as well as the number of people who participate in the various series they compete in. These cars do not just become popular by luck. They are at the centre of the busiest sim racing communities in iRacing.

Whether it is beginner’s cars or high-level GT vehicles, their popularity demonstrates that they are well-suited. The next sections will discuss why being part of an official series and being easy to use help them stand out from others.

Popularity in Official Series and Events

A car gets popular because of the series it races in. The best cars are often seen in championships where there are numerous racers. It means you can join a good race most of the time of the day. This goes for all types of racing. You can see it at road tracks and dirt ovals, such as with the World of Outlaws series. A series with high participation stats also means you will not have to race just against AI or get stuck in a race with only a few drivers.

You can use tools like iracingdata.com to check live stats on racing and race participation. These sites demonstrate, with clear numbers, that the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup and the IMSA Endurance Series consistently attract thousands of drivers. If you pick a car from one of these series, you get a good chance of having a great racing and endurance experience with IMSA and strong stats.

Here’s a quick look at some of the cars on our list, plus the popular series where you can race them:

Accessibility for New and Experienced Drivers

Accessibility is a big reason people love these cars. For a rookie, the best way to start is with free content. When you get the base iRacing subscription, you get the Mazda MX-5 and Formula Vee. A new sim racer can jump in and race right away without any extra cost. This makes these two cars the best first cars for sim racers.

For individuals looking to purchase their first car, there are certain vehicles in iRacing that offer significant value. A few cars are used in different series with both open and fixed iRacing setups. The Ferrari 296 GT3 is one of the best choices. This car is part of an easy D-class fixed series, making it suitable for learning. After that, you can move up to harder open-setup championships with the same car when you feel ready for more of a challenge.

This mix of easy access means people of many skill levels drive these cars. Whether you are new to racing or a seasoned veteran, you’re welcome to join in. There is a spot for you to race and feel like you fit in with these well-liked cars.

Conclusion

Whether you are new to iRacing or have spent many years with it, the cars we’ve discussed here will enhance your experience. The famous Mazda MX-5 Cup and the exciting Porsche 911 GT3 Cup are standouts. Each car has its own unique feel and options, so anyone can find what suits their driving style best. These top ten cars are highly regarded by many in various racing series, so people feel confident about using them. You can enjoy them for big races or just for fun. So, don’t feel shy about joining iRacing with any of these cars!

If you’re preparing to race, consider testing several of these cars to determine which one suits you best. There is a perfect one out there for your style of racing. We hope you like your time on the track!

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