Sim Racing — news

Kunos Simulazioni and Supernova Games Studios have announced version 0.6 for Assetto Corsa Rally, a substantial update introducing three legendary rally machines to the simulator. The new vehicles are the Audi Quattro Gr. 4 (1980), Peugeot 206 WRC (1999), and Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 (2018). Beyond the car roster, the update brings a built-in photo mode, private online lobbies for multiplayer racing, and support for custom liveries. The livery system marks the first phase of a planned modding framework, though no timeline for full mod support has been announced. The editor and multiplayer systems receive significant improvements across the board. Physics simulation receives a major overhaul. Developers have implemented a tyre temperature model, reworked gravel surfaces on the Welsh and Greek stages, retuned tyre characteristics, wheel slip vibration, and suspension dynamics. These changes will require an online rating reset. The update also includes 18 new single-player events, revised engine audio, UI refinements, co-driver system fixes, and removal of the 60 fps frame-rate cap during replay playback.

Playground Games has rolled out the British Automotive update for Forza Horizon 6, introducing a permanent Drift Attack mode at Shimanoyama Circuit. Players can now drive directly from the open world to the circuit and initiate drift runs through a designated start gate at any time. The objective is to accumulate the highest score possible over a single lap, with unlimited attempts. The mode centres on Clipping Zones—designated track sections that award bonus points when navigated while drifting. Success therefore depends not only on drift angle and smoke generation, but also on line precision through these scoring areas. The British Automotive series runs from 10 September through 8 October. Standard rewards include access to British vehicles: the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed, 2019 Ginetta G40 Junior, Vauxhall Astra VXR, and others. Players with the paid Car Pass receive additional vehicles: McLaren W1, Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, Renault Sport Spider, and Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.

CarX Technologies has unveiled CarX Rally, a new rally simulator set to enter early access on Steam in the coming months. No specific launch date has been confirmed yet. The developer describes the project as a realistic rally simulation built on a proprietary physics engine. The studio promises detailed modelling of multiple surface types—dirt, asphalt, and gravel—alongside accurate traction simulation, sliding dynamics, pace notes, and weather effects that influence vehicle handling. A trailer released by the studio showcases gravel and asphalt stages, a damage system, and several unlicensed vehicles styled after the Lancia Delta Integrale, BMW E30 M3, and VW Polo R WRC. A built-in stage editor will allow players to create custom rally stages and environments, with community sharing functionality integrated into the game. The simulator will support steering wheels, sequential shifters, and triple-monitor configurations.

iRacing has released its first content patch ahead of the 2026 Season 4 launch, introducing a substantial roster of new vehicles and overhauled circuits. The update adds the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, two variants of the Caterham, the Gen 4 Grand National, alongside revised versions of the MX-5 and Sprint Car. Three major circuits have been completely rebuilt: Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Milwaukee Mile now feature updated layouts and environments. Summit Point and Road Atlanta have received visual refreshes. For IMSA racing, developers have implemented multi-pace car starts, enabling more authentic safety car restart procedures. The user interface gains a new Pit Summary tool displaying detailed pit stop analytics, a vehicle damage tracking widget, and a redesigned multi-driver team registration system. On the technical side, the physics engine has been upgraded with multithreading support and improved object interaction modelling. While a dedicated career mode has not yet launched for the season, AI racing has been significantly expanded. The new vehicles and a selection of classic models are now available for AI-driven events, with support added for 19 track configurations.

iRacing has released its 2026 Season 4 build, introducing four new vehicles and three re-scanned circuit layouts alongside a range of interface and quality-of-life improvements. The new car roster includes the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, making its debut in the simulator with rain capability enabled from launch. Two Caterham models—the 420R and Academy—arrive as a paired release, also rain-ready. A Gen 4 Grand National stock car rounds out the new machinery, offering early-2000s oval racing nostalgia. On the track side, Road America has been fully rescanned and rebuilt, now offering four total configurations including two new Short layouts. Milwaukee Mile gains an infield road course layout alongside its oval, while all five Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course configurations have received updated scans and rebuilds. Existing vehicles—the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup and paved Sprint Car—have undergone major physics and visual overhauls. Summit Point Raceway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta have also received cosmetic updates. The new build introduces expanded pit summary and car damage widgets, a reference car UI for time trial and test drive modes, minimal and pinned UI options, and an improved fuel calculator. Multi-class pace car starts are now available at more than 50 track layouts. Backend improvements include multi-threaded physics updates, expanded car rule sets, and full UTF-8 character support. All four new cars and every configuration of the three rescanned tracks are immediately available for AI racing, alongside several additional classic vehicles and track variants.

iRacing and World of Outlaws have confirmed the return of the iRacing World of Outlaws Pro Series for the 2026–27 season, with $25,000 in prize money available to top competitors. The series will operate under a traditional qualifying model, split into two separate championships for 410 Sprint Cars and Super Late Models, each featuring five races across premier dirt oval venues during the winter months. Qualifying events begin Monday, September 21. The Sprint Car Qualifying Series runs on Mondays at 8PM ET from September 21 to October 19, featuring 30-lap races at each track. The Late Model Qualifying Series follows on Thursdays at 8PM ET from October 22 to November 19, with 40-lap features. All iRacers holding a Class A Dirt Oval license are eligible to enter the qualifying rounds, which will determine the championship rosters. The 410 Sprint Car Championship takes place from November 16 to December 14, visiting Volusia Speedway Park, Huset's Speedway, Williams Grove Speedway, Eldora Speedway, and Knoxville Raceway, with 35-lap races at each stop. The Super Late Model Championship runs from January 4 to February 1, with events at Federated Auto Parts at I-55, Cedar Lake Speedway, Eldora Speedway, Fairbury Speedway, and The Dirt Track at Charlotte, featuring races of 50 to 100 laps depending on venue. All races will be streamed live on Monday nights at 8PM ET across iRacing's social media channels and DIRTVision.

iRacing has announced a significant expansion to its single-player AI Racing mode for the 2026 Season 4 update, introducing eight newly AI-enabled vehicles and 19 additional track configuration unlocks across eight circuits. The new car roster includes four recently released vehicles receiving immediate AI support: the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, Caterham Academy, Caterham 420R, and Gen 4 Grand National. The Valkyrie and both Caterham models will also feature rain-enabled AI capabilities, allowing drivers to practice wet-weather racing against the artificial intelligence. Four additional legacy road racing cars round out the update: the Chevrolet Corvette C7 and Riley MkXX Daytona Prototypes, the BMW Z4 GT3, and the Formula Renault 2.0. On the track side, iRacing's newly scanned versions of Road America, The Milwaukee Mile, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will launch with full AI support across all available layouts. Existing circuits receiving new AI-unlocked configurations include Auto Club Speedway (Competition, Interior, and Moto layouts) and Kansas Speedway (Road Course and Infield Road Course). Dirt oval racing expands with AI availability at USA International Speedway, Oswego Speedway, and Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for the first time.

A guide to how iRacing's Week 13 season structure affects driver progression metrics has been published, clarifying the relationship between ranked and unranked race sessions and their impact on Safety Rating and iRating. The article addresses common questions among iRacing competitors about which sessions contribute to rating calculations during Week 13, and how the distinction between ranked and unranked events influences driver statistics and progression through the platform's competitive tiers.

iRacing has unveiled a rebuilt version of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, featuring updated laser-scan data from 2026 and enhanced visual assets. The circuit now includes full AI support for single-player and practice sessions. Existing owners of the track will receive the upgrade at no additional cost.

iRacing has unveiled a rebuilt version of The Milwaukee Mile featuring updated laser-scan data from 2026, refreshed artwork, and a newly added road course configuration. The update is available at no additional cost to existing owners of the oval circuit. The rebuild represents iRacing's ongoing effort to maintain accuracy across its track roster through modern surveying techniques and visual improvements.

Kunos Simulazioni has announced that the next major update to Assetto Corsa Rally will bring three significant features to the simulation. Version 0.6 will introduce an in-game photo mode, private lobby functionality for multiplayer sessions, and support for custom livery designs. The update represents continued development of the rally-focused title, which has been in early access. Photo mode will allow players to capture and share moments from their driving sessions, while private lobbies will enable closed-group racing without public server restrictions. Custom liveries expand the cosmetic personalisation options available to the community.

Three major names in sim racing hardware and esports have confirmed their attendance at SimRacing Expo Frankfurt, scheduled for 16–18 October. Nürburgring eSports, Thermaltake and SensitHaptics will all have a presence at the event. Thermaltake, known for PC cooling and peripherals, and SensitHaptics, a specialist in haptic feedback technology for racing simulators, join the Nürburgring's esports division in what is shaping up to be a significant gathering for the European sim racing community.