GTP Cars in Focus: iRacing Responds to Community Criticism
iRacing’s GTP car class has been a fan favorite, offering a taste of modern endurance racing. However, discrepancies between these virtual cars and their real-world counterparts have sparked criticism within the sim racing community. In response, iRacing developers have confirmed plans to address these issues with significant updates to the GTP cars, starting in 2025.
The Problem: Unrealistic Performance
Since the introduction of the BMW M Hybrid V8 in late 2022, iRacing has added four other GTP cars: the Cadillac V-Series.R, Acura ARX-06, Porsche 963, and Ferrari 499P. While popular among players, these cars have faced backlash for their unrealistic cornering speeds and an inaccurate hybrid system, stemming from a reworked tire model.
The community voiced concerns about the GTP cars being overly quick in corners and failing to replicate the hybrid systems' behavior in real life. This prompted Christopher Lerch, Vehicle Dynamics Manager at iRacing, to address these issues directly on the iRacing forums.
The Plan: Comprehensive Fixes
Lerch outlined a two-phase plan to revamp the GTP class:
Tire Model Updates:
The tire model for the GTP cars will undergo a complete redevelopment, focusing on physical composition and performance to align better with real-world data. These updates are expected in time for 2025 Season 2, which begins in early March.
Hybrid System Overhaul:
The hybrid systems will be redesigned to reflect real-world specifications, including proper energy deployment rules and pit-stop replenishment. However, this overhaul will take longer, with a tentative release in 2025 Season 3, slated for early June.
Lerch emphasized the importance of setting realistic expectations, stating that these updates aim to recalibrate how players approach the GTP cars at their limits.
What’s Next for GTP?
While the updates won’t arrive in time for the Daytona 24 in January, they promise to bring the GTP class closer to real-life standards. Additionally, there’s speculation about new cars joining the service, including the Lamborghini SC63 and Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, which could benefit from these planned updates.
A Step Forward for Sim Racing
iRacing’s commitment to improving the GTP class reflects its dedication to realism and player feedback. By addressing key issues and introducing future-ready systems, these changes aim to enhance the experience for sim racers while maintaining the platform’s status as a leader in the genre.
Whether you're gearing up for the Daytona 24 or looking forward to the revamped GTP cars, the 2025 updates signal an exciting year for iRacing enthusiasts.
