1. A VR (virtual reality) headset.

  2. A PC that meets iRacing’s system requirements and the system requirements of your VR headset (check with your headset manufacturer).

  3. An active iRacing.com subscription.

  4. A working installation of iRacing on your PC.

 

Before running iRacing in VR


  1. Be sure you have followed all installation instructions from your VR headset manufacturer to set up your VR headset on your PC (typically, you will need to download and install drivers and follow a setup workflow).

  2. iRacing recommends using a wired connection between your VR headset and your PC, rather than running VR over a wireless method such as Wi-Fi.  Check with your VR headset manufacturer to find out if your headset requires a special cable connected to your PC in order to play games in VR.  Such a cable is not included with some VR headsets and must be purchased separately.  

  3. Check with your VR headset manufacturer to find out if your headset requires its proprietary software to be running on your PC in order to play games in VR.  If it does, and the software is not running, then VR in iRacing may not function.

  4. Finally, test your VR headset using the manufacturer-provided drivers or software suite.  Most headsets come with sample software you can run to determine if your headset is working properly. 

 

Set Up iRacing to Run in VR


  1. From the iRacing desktop app, locate the display mode selector in the upper-right area of the app.
  2. Click on the display mode selector to view a list display modes.  The VR display modes are indicated by a headset icon
  3. Select a display mode appropriate for your VR headset.  The landscape of VR devices is complex and always changing, but here is general advice to help you pick the best display mode:
    1. OpenXR is the newest and most universally supported display mode and should work well with most headsets. 
    2. Note you may need to install drivers to use the OpenXR display mode.  Refer to your headset manufacturer’s documentation or configuration software.
    3. Note that some 3rd party tools and mods that the fan community has developed for iRacing may require you to use OpenVR in order to function properly.
    4. Oculus is an older standard used for the first generation Oculus Rift headsets and may work for your Oculus Rift, Quest 2, or Quest 3 headset, but it’s recommended to try OpenXR first.
      If in doubt, contact your VR headset manufacturer about the best display mode to use for your headset.
  4. Launch the simulation to test if iRacing is running properly in VR.  iRacing recommends using the Test Drive feature to test your VR headset.


Fine Tuning Your iRacing VR Experience


  1. If your cockpit view in VR seems too high or low, first try the “Reset HMD” (head-mounted display) command.  By default, this is mapped to “ ; “ (semi-colon) on your keyboard.  This will re-orient your view.  For more details on this and other tips for adjusting your cockpit view in VR, please see this related support article: https://support.iracing.com/en/support/solutions/articles/31000141075-how-to-re-center-your-view-for-a-head-mounted-vr-display

  2. To minimize the risk of motion sickness while racing in VR, follow these tips:

  1. The simulation should maintain as high a frame rate (refresh rate) as possible while running in VR. 90 frames-per-second (90 Hz) is optimal, but lower frame rates may be acceptable depending on your tolerance to motion sickness.  You may need to adjust the iRacing graphics settings from within the simulation to optimize your frame rate.  Note that your VR headset software may have it’s own refresh rate, resolution, or super-sampling settings that can alter your headset’s performance.  Check your VR headset’s configuration software.
  2. Race in short sessions at first (5 - 10 minutes), especially if you are new to using VR, and gradually increase your session times over a period of time.
  3. Place a small fan to gently blow air on your face as you race in VR; this is known to reduce motion sickness in VR experiences.
  4. Some users find that closed-cockpit vehicles, like the Mazda MX5 and Street Stock, are less prone to inducing motion sickness because they feel more like a “normal” driving experience.  Open-wheel vehicles, such as Formula cars, or cars where your viewpoint is close to the ground, may be more prone to inducing motion sickness.