Several exciting updates are coming in the 2024 Season 4 of iRacing. Highlights include the debut of the BMW M4 G82 GT4 and the Mini Stock car for oval racing, alongside the rescan of Spa-Francorchamps and the addition of Cadwell Park. The new Spotty Rain weather and a revamped multiclass splits algorithm enhance the iRacing experience.
As usual, Coach Dave Academy’s team will continue to work on the setups and bring weekly tutorials, lap guides and previews for special events scheduled for the upcoming months.
New BMW M4 G82 GT4
The first new addition is the BMW M4 G82 GT4, the latest generation of BMW’s customer race cars. This new GT4 will participate in real motorsport championships starting in the 2025 season with the upgraded M4 GT3.
It replaces the previous F82-based M4 GT4, the last BMW with the old-school front grille in the active iRacing roster of GT cars. The M4 G82 GT4 features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-6 engine with 518 horsepower, depending on the Balance of Performance. As with any new vehicles in iRacing, the BMW M4 GT4 will be rain-ready.
Key upgrades compared to the previous M4 GT4 model include improved aerodynamics, suspension, chassis and electronics. The car has enhanced downforce due to a new aero package, including a new front splitter, diffuser and rear wing. ECU, traction control and ABS were updated with more refined settings for varied track conditions.
New Stock Car
Oval racing fans also received a new Mini Stock car for asphalt and dirt oval racing as a part of the base iRacing subscription. These cars are typically modified compact cars, often based on models like the Ford Pinto, Honda Civic, or Ford Mustang, with engines ranging between 4 to 6 cylinders. In real motorsport, Mini Stocks are known for being affordable and accessible, making them a favourite for grassroots racers.
McLaren 720s GT3 Evo Delayed
Besides, iRacing planned to release the new McLaren 720S GT3 EVO for Season 4 and replace one of the oldest active GT3 cars, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3. But it appears this release will be postponed until the 2025 Season 1.
New and Updated Circuits
The 2024 Season 4 includes one new circuit (Cadwell Park), Spa 2024 rescan and Zolder art upgrade.
Cadwell Park Circuit, located in Lincolnshire, England, is a popular motorsport venue known for its challenging layout. The track has tight, technical corners, steep elevation changes and narrow sections.
The circuit was established in 1934 and was originally designed for motorcycle racing. Despite hosting car races, Cadwell Park is best known for motorcycle events, like the British Superbike Championship.
One of the defining characteristics of Cadwell Park is elevation changes, particularly at “The Mountain” section, where vehicles often lift off the ground. The track is notably narrower than other circuits, which adds a layer of difficulty to overtaking and demands precise driving.
The iRacing team also completed the rescan of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. It underwent significant redevelopment before the 2022 season to enhance safety and infrastructure. Key changes included expanded run-off areas at several corners (Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Blanchimont and La Source), reprofiling of Eau Rouge and Raidillon, and new gravel traps at several corners.
Zolder’s update include only art and graphical updates. Spa and Zolder will be available in iRacing for free to all current owners of these circuits.
Updates for the Tempest weather system
A new weather type, Spotty Rain, is now available in Timeline Weather Mode. Spotty Rain simulates scattered rain showers of varying intensity, ranging from heavy to light, occurring throughout the selected time. Like real-life scattered showers, this mode creates a dynamic mix of sun and clouds, with intermittent rain of varying levels. Watch your weather radar closely when using Spotty Rain to anticipate changing conditions during your race.
In addition, more cars are rain-ready for Season 4, including all TCR Class Cars, Mustang FR500S, Renault Clio and BMW M4 G82 GT4.
Other changes
iRacing has developed a new multiclass splits algorithm to improve manufacturer diversity while ensuring balanced competition. The algorithm will be introduced selectively, with indicators showing which series and events use it.
The new algorithm promotes more diverse car selections within each class and better competitive grouping across all classes. Previously, events featuring GTP, LMP2 and GT3 cars had large disparities in the Strength of Field between classes.
The old system placed drivers by class from the top split down, but the new algorithm focuses on grouping drivers closer in iRating across all classes, resulting in fairer races overall.
GT3 cars received a large balance pass:
- The turbo boost curve has been adjusted for BMW M4 GT3 and Ferrari 296 GT3;
- Increased overall downforce and updated fuel economy for Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R;
- Increased engine torque and aerodynamic drag, engine braking data, setup values and other parameters for Ford Mustang GT3;
- Increased downforce and aerodynamic drag significantly, updated fuel economy and engine cooling for Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020;
- Increased engine power, updated fuel economy and engine cooling for Porsche 911 GT3 R (992).
Coach Dave Academy’s plan for 2024 Season 4
Our professional drivers and engineers will continue to develop the best setups for popular series in iRacing. The coverage of the Sports Car series includes IMSA, GT Sprint, Sportscar Challenge, Porsche Cup, Sim Lab Production and Advanced Mazda. In Formula championships, we will cover Super Formula and Formula Lights, Formula 3, Formula 4 and Formula 1600.
Team 53 returns for the third season, covering five series in short oval racing, including the Advanced Legends Cup and NASCAR Tour Modified Series.
In addition, we will produce Delta reference laps and hot lap data for popular fixed series and in-depth lap guides for GT Sprint, Sports Car Challenge, Porsche Cup and Super Formula Lights. To learn more about what we will be up to throughout 2024 Season 4, check out our blog post here.
