2026 Season 1 Patch 2 Release Notes [2026.01.02.01]


This Patch Release contains updates and fixes for 2026 Season 1.





iRacing Simulator

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AI Racing

AI Drivers have improved their racing skills with the Mercedes-AMG W12 E Performance.

AI Drivers have improved their racing skills with the GTP Car Class.

Graphics

The shiny metallic tire shader has been applied to GTP car tires.

For a variety of NASCAR tracks, updated the Musco lighting near pit road so that they illuminate properly at night.

Telemetry

The secondary incident limit has been added to the session string as "IncidentWarningInitialLimit" and "IncidentWarningSubsequentLimit".

User Interface

Completed the conversion of the "iRacing" driver flag to the "Global" driver flag.

Fixed some issues with Timing column widths on Relative and Standings overlays.

Removed a duplicate spotter text message setting.

Fixed a few issues with the Widget Editor, including:

Licenses were not displaying in overlays when the main black box was collapsed.

Position saving behavior is now functioning when using a scaling override.

Fixed an incorrect display for Time Trial info in the Lap Timing overlay.

Fixed a visibility issue with the clock widget.



Cars

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<Car Class> GTP Class Cars

These cars now utilize the Vision tread tires that will debut next season.

Tire properties have been updated for the new Vision treads!

Learn more about this new breed of tire from our Executive Producer here:  

<Car Class> NASCAR Xfinity Series

For the damage model, stiffened the rear bumper hull and increased the rear bumper yield limits.

Acura ARX-06 GTP

A variety of vehicle changes for post-2026 Season 1 Release have been completed, including:

Aerodynamics have been adjusted slightly.

Vehicle weight has been reduced by 5 kg.

iRacing setups have been updated.

ARCA Toyota Camry

Fixed an issue where a paint pattern was always appearing 100% black.

Audi 90 GTO

Turbo and blow-off valve sounds have been improved.

BMW M Hybrid V8

Fuel burn rate has been increased slightly.

iRacing setups have been updated.

Cadillac V-Series.R GTP

The spinning tire texture has been updated.

iRacing setups have been updated.

Dallara IR18

Fixed a flipped driver's side aeroscreen decal.

Dallara P217

Fixed an issue where opponent cars could incorrectly appear to be grounding and throwing sparks.

FIA Cross Car

For the damage model, wheel breakage threshold has been increased.

Ferrari 499P

Vehicle and tire properties have been updated, including: aerodynamics, brake cooling, engine braking, MGU friction, brake pedal force demands, rear suspension geometry, and vehicle weight has been reduced by 10 kg.

Engine cooling, fuel burn rate, and aerodynamic parameters have been adjusted slightly.

iRacing setups have been updated.

Porsche 911 Cup (992.2)

The steering wheel is now off when "Static with Display" is the selected steering wheel mode in the Graphics options.

A slight adjustment has been made to the static car sounds.

Reduced some harshness and static/crackle frequencies in some engine and transmission sounds.

A slight static sound has been removed from the in-car deceleration sounds.

iRacing setups have been updated.

Porsche 963 GTP

iRacing setups have been updated.

Toyota GR86

Fixed an issue where opponent cars were missing their side mirrors.




Tracks

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Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez (Mexico City)

(Grand Prix) - Track Rules tab has been updated.

(Grand Prix) - At the stadium turns, a 1X will now be awarded for 4-wheels off at the center of the turns.

Fixed an issue where the pit wall could appear to vanish based on viewing distances.

A variety of track surface decals have been updated from both improved details and better graphics performance.

(EV Circuit) - 150m, 100m, and 50m marker boards have been added.

Daytona International Speedway

(Road Course) - The outside of Turn 1 is now both a 1X and a gain-time penalty zone.

(Road Course) - Track Rules tab has been updated.

Lånkebanen (Hell RX)

(Club) - Fixed an issue where lap times were sometimes not counting correctly.

(Club) -  Added "Rallycross" to the track name in the UI.

Sebring International Raceway

Fixed a visual issue that could occur with some light poles at certain camera distances.