With the 2024 Season 3 release for iRacing, even more cars are now able to use the new-for-2024 Tempest system that brings wet-weather racing to the iRacing platform. In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into every rain-enabled car in the simulator and, building on that, which series offers wet-weather racing.
- If you’re looking to get up to speed with wet-weather racing quickly in iRacing, why not check out our 5-point guide to nailing the rain in iRacing?
GTP
Acura ARX-06 GTP
The Acura ARX-06 GTP is known to be the best car in its class when it comes to acceleration and attacking tight corners. At tracks such as Road Atlanta, for example, it’s often the weapon of choice for many prototype racers.
This behaviour carries across in the wet as well, which can inspire confidence in a driver new to wet-weather racing. However, the car is more prone to oversteer than its rivals, which can be made worse if a driver is too aggressive on the throttle and not entirely smooth with their steering inputs.
BMW M Hybrid V8
iRacing’s first foray into the modern GTP class, the BMW M Hybrid V8 launched on the platform in 2022 prior to its real-world debut in 2023. It is known to be a favourite car of the pros, providing a balance of strong turn-in and consistent straight-line speed. As a result, it is often a popular car at tracks such as Sebring.
In wet-weather racing, it is a dependable car which needs to be set up right to preserve its handling characteristics. Otherwise, it can be more prone to understeer but that does make it a safe choice in the GTP class.
Cadillac V-Series.R GTP
General Motors’ GTP entry is the best car in a straight line, although it tends to struggle more in turn-in than its rivals in class. This usually makes it a good choice at tracks such as the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, which rewards cars that have a great engine underneath them.
Unlike its rivals though, which tend to have different handling characteristics in the wet and the dry, this car tends to handle very similarly in both conditions. This could make it a competitive choice of car for a driver looking to invest in a GTP.
Porsche 963 GTP
Porsche’s return to the top class of prototype racing was a very popular one. With a host of different privateer and manufacturer-backed entries, it is loved by both drivers and fans and is often the preferred choice for drivers starting out in GTP.
It is typically seen as an all-rounder within the GTP class, meaning that it performs best at tracks such as the Daytona International Speedway which features a blend of low-speed, medium-speed, and high-speed corners as well as flat-out sections on the oval. This is the same again in the wet, where it doesn’t have the aggressive turn-in properties as the Acura or the BMW nor the more cumbersome properties of the Cadillac.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
The hallmark series that uses the GTP class is the IMSA iRacing Series, which has both a fixed-setup and open-setup variant that run on alternate hours. The sprint format features a pitstop, meaning that a driver who has to pit on Lap 1 after an unfortunate incident isn’t completely out for the count.
The other series that use this class is the two Endurance series. The IMSA Endurance Series and Global Endurance CONSPIT Tour run on alternate weeks, with the former running 2-hour-40-minute races and the latter stepping up from 6-hour races to 24-hour races for 2024 Season 3.
- You can pick up setups for the entire GTP class with our iRacing Setup Subscription now
LMP2
Dallara P217
The Dallara P217 is a staple of iRacing’s sportscar series. In a class of its own, the car first added in 2020 is very adaptable and usually a great choice of car for a first prototype as it carries similar aerodynamics to the GTP but without the complexities of the hybrid motors. This can make it a competitive option for overall wins in the rain, especially in heavier rain where the GTPs aren’t able to use the hybrid to their advantage so much.
It’s a relatively easy car to learn to drive in the rain as a result, and the techniques that you use to get the LMP2 up to speed could potentially be used with the faster GTPs.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
Along with the series that the Dallara P217 shares with the GTP class, the LMP2 also features in the single-make LMP2 Prototype Challenge that features shorter, 20-minute-long sprint races.
LMP3:
Ligier JS P320
One of the classes that was rewarded with wet-weather racing in the Season 3 build, the Ligier JS P320 is a popular amateur-level prototype in the real world and is a great way to learn the basics of prototype racing in the sim. With fewer aerodynamic elements and traction control settings, it puts more of the focus on driving technique instead of setup and rewards drivers with close-quarters racing that frequently becomes wheel-to-wheel clashes.
This is the same when the track gets slippy, as the lower power and lesser reliance on aerodynamics means that the drivers are more dependent on mechanical grip and less likely to encounter oversteer.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
Both series that carry the Ligier JS P320, the single-make LMP3 Trophy and the multiclass Falken Tyre Sports Car Challenge, are rain-enabled. Whilst the former is a fixed-setup series, the latter shares the rostrum with the GT4 cars. This comes with unique challenges, but it also helps sim racers gain valuable experience that will only help you when you make the next step up to the top-tier IMSA-backed series.
GT3
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R
One of the newest additions to the GT3 class in iRacing’s Season 3 build, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R comes to the class fresh from its exemplary winning record in the GTE class.
It joins the competitive mid-engined group of GT3 cars and, with an emphasis on its 50-50 weight balance being the motivation for moving the engine behind the driver, one of the leading reasons to pick the V8-powered car from the famous yellow bowtie is its aerodynamic balance that makes its handling very predictable. This is the same in the wet as it is in the dry, with the aerodynamic grip seemingly endless in comparison.
Ford Mustang GT3
In contrast to the Chevrolet, the Blue Oval’s new GT3 is part of the breed of legendary front-engined V8 muscle cars. This car can handle the kerbs incredibly well and is predictable though more prone to understeer than the Chevrolet due to its heavy front-end.
Coming to the platform after its release in Assetto Corsa Competizione, its handling characteristics carry well across both sims and from the dry conditions to the wet. Whilst you’re less likely to use kerbs in the wet, what it does mean is that any driver who elects to use the Mustang should expect similar handling characteristics in both conditions without worrying about any sudden changes in car behaviour.
Audi R8 LMS EVO II GT3
The newest V10-powered GT3 on the platform, the Audi R8 LMS EVO II GT3 has a unique rear-wing design amongst iRacing’s GT3 roster that served as part of the car’s aerodynamic overhaul. The effect of that is that it performs better in the mid-to-high-speed corners, but is more prone to oversteer than its rivals due to the increased reliance on aerodynamic grip.
This can have a knock-on effect in the wet too, as lower cornering speeds mean that the car can be more prone to oversteer if not set up correctly.
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BMW M4 GT3
The BMW is the tried-and-tested formula in GT3 racing, the front-engined machine joined recently joined by the Ford Mustang GT3 having served iRacers loyally since its debut on the service in 2020.
Less prone to peaks and troughs than its rivals, it performs similarly in both the wet and the dry. What you can expect, as with the Mustang and the Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020, is a car that is more likely to struggle on turn-in but will be the most consistent and dependable car regardless of the conditions.
Ferrari 296 GT3
The Prancing Horse’s newest GT3 is designed with the amateur driver in mind. With a V6 twin-turbo engine, it provides an excellent blend of mid-engine weight distribution and a user-friendly engine which means that it’s not as prone to oversteer as other mid-engined cars.
That is especially helpful when it comes to wet-weather racing, meaning that if you’re new to GT3 racing then the Ferrari continues to serve as a useful transition after being used in the one-make series further down the iRacing ladder.
- To understand more about how the iRacing ladder works, you can check out our guide here.
Ford GT GT3
Now mostly consigned to the iRacing history books after the introduction of the Blue Oval’s newest GT3, the Ford GT is also rain-enabled. Often coming in as the slowest car in the GT3 roster, the mid-engined car was actually a blend of different Ford GT GT3 models rather than one particular build.
It doesn’t lose much in the rain and ends up being a bit closer to the rest of the pack, but at the same time, the car still has the same struggles with speed in the corners and acceleration under traction compared to the rest of the class.
Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO
The Italian bull is often compared to the Audi R8 LMS EVO II GT3, which, given that they both share the same platform, isn’t particularly surprising. However, the previous-generation Huracán GT3 EVO does behave slightly differently to the Audi.
Whilst it might not be as strongly in its element in the faster corners, in return it performs slightly better than the Audi in the lower-speed corners. It’s also less extreme in the wet than the Audi, meaning that it’s easier to get to grips with if you’re a newcomer.
McLaren MP4-12C
First debuted in 2011, the McLaren MP4-12C has received fantastic longevity on the iRacing platform since it debuted well over a decade ago. It’s even outlasted the car that replaced it in the real world, with the 650S GT3 being replaced by the 720S, which has itself been surpassed by the Evo version before iRacing received a more recent McLaren GT3 car.
However, whilst this car is often found towards the rear of the field, it is a dependable option that performs very well through complex sections that feature gradients and camber such as at Mount Panorama. It has the same characteristics in the wet, being dependable and consistent where many of its rivals can be tricky.
Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020
The Mercedes-AMG’s GT3 is front-engined, much like the BMW M4 GT3 and Ford Mustang GT3, but it’s also a car that sits lower than its fellow front-engined cars. That usually means that it doesn’t handle the kerbs as well as its rivals, which isn’t as much of an issue in the wet as you usually try to avoid them. What it also means is that there’s less air going under the car, which can make the car slightly faster through the corners but it also means that it can be more prone to oversteering in the wet.Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
The Porsche is the only car in the class that has its engine at the very back of the car. And whilst that sounds like an inherent disadvantage, because having a heavy rear-end might make the car more unstable than a car with a more even weight distribution, in the wet it isn’t as bad of an issue as you might think.
Whilst the car can be more prone to oversteer if you’re too aggressive on the throttle, if you can manage that then the innate benefit on turn-in with the rear-engined car is potentially even stronger than it is in the dry.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
In addition to the IMSA iRacing Series and the Endurance series that feed off of it, there are some bespoke series for just the GT3s and some that are even single-make.
The Ferrari GT3 Challenge and BMW M Power Tour could potentially run wet-weather racing even though they are not slated to in Season 3, whilst the Rain Master series is a single-make series for the Ferrari 296 in which, 100% of the time, it rains every time. Outside of this, the GT3-only series can all feature the chance of rain in an event: the fixed-setup GT3 Fanatec Challenge, the open-setup GT Sprint Simucube Series, and the 3-hour Endurance series that is the GT Endurance Simucube Series.
GT4
Aston Martin Vantage GT4
Aston Martin’s Vantage GT4 is often seen as the best starter car for the GT4 class. It’s front-engined, one of three in iRacing’s GT4 class, but it also doesn’t ride as high as the BMW M4 GT4 nor as low as the Mercedes-AMG GT4. That means that it has a blend of good aerodynamic performance and good stability in the wet, which is further boosted by the fact that it isn’t as tall as the BMW.
BMW M4 GT4
The M4 GT4 was the favourite GT4 for a long time on the platform, aided by having a one-make series of its own after it initially launched. Its high ride height helps it get over kerbs in the dry, but it also has its benefits in the wet. This is because the aerodynamics of the car shouldn’t be affected as much since there isn’t as much aerodynamic grip generated by the ground clearance as the M4’s rivals, meaning that the handling qualities shouldn’t change as much for the BMW as it does for other GT4s.
McLaren 570S GT4
Despite being the only mid-engined car in its class, the McLaren 570S GT4 is typically the least popular car in the GT4 class. This is due to it historically having poorer performance statistics than its rivals, though in recent seasons the Balance of Performance deficit has been decreased substantially.
It’s a good car in a straight line and it is as aerodynamically efficient as you would expect from a McLaren car. Whilst that’s not necessarily something that you will be able to make the most of in wet-weather racing, it’s a strength that isn’t entirely lost when the track starts to get slippy.
Mercedes-AMG GT4
The Mercedes-AMG GT4 arrived on the platform as part of a deal with the manufacturer alongside the updated GT3 and two single-seater Grand Prix-winning cars in the F1 W12 E Performance and the F1 W13 E Performance.
The GT4 is the most reserved of the four, mostly production-derived and boasting straight-line strength from a setup that is more aerodynamically-limited by design. That means that it isn’t particularly affected by the conditions turning wet, with the natural understeer that comes from a heavy front end not changing profoundly with the conditions.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR
The only rear-engined car in its class, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR is the fan-favourite in the GT4 class. It boasts the strong turn-in that a rear-engined car has, but without the extreme handling characteristics that the GT3 cars can have. The smaller, production-derived formula doesn’t take aerodynamics to the extreme and means that the car can be very plug-and-play for a driver looking to jump straight into a race – come rain or shine.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
Aside from the multiclass Falken Tyre Sports Car Challenge that we mentioned earlier, the GT4 Falken Tyre Challenge and occasional appearances in the one-make BMW M Power Tour and one week in the Ring Meister Ricmotech Series could see the potential for wet-weather racing in the future.
Other GT Cars
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992)
The Porsche Cup series is one of the most competitive single-make series on the iRacing platform. And you can trust us when we say that, as it’s Coach Dave Delta who sponsors the Porsche Cup Series!
The Cup car offers a raw driving experience, with no trick driving aids out there to save you from spins or lock-ups. This can make it more challenging to drive the car in the wet, as you will have to show more restraint on the throttle and make sure to brake early whilst avoiding the kerbs or even the painted lines on the track, but it also makes the experience all the more rewarding when you put it all together!
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
The only series that includes the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) that are rain-enabled is the iRacing Porsche Cup By Coach Dave Delta series – both open-setup and fixed-setup. To get the racing edge over your rivals, why not check out our setups and guides for this series?
Production Cars
Global Mazda MX-5 Cup
One of the newest additions to the rain-ready cars, the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup is probably the most well-known car on the iRacing platform. It’s the car that you drive to get out of Rookies in Sports Car Racing, and it’s the car that teaches you the very basics of iRacing.
From how to hold a racing line to how to nail a race start, from how to avoid an out-of-control rival to, now, how to handle a car in the wet. It’s a great way to get up to speed with wet-weather driving, especially as it’s the car that’s probably the closest to the car that you drive on the road in the real world.
Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 is the next logical step up from the Mazda. It comes with some extra downforce thanks to carrying a splitter and a rear wing, acting as a wonderful halfway house between the Mazdas and the born-and-bred GT racers that sit the next wrung up the ladder.
The GR86 encourages you to push the limits in both the dry and in the wet as you try out the kerbs and turn in more and more aggressively, but it doesn’t carry the risk of spinning and crashing that the faster and more aerodynamically dependent cars do.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
Whilst these two cars do share a roster, the only series where you are likely to find wet-weather racing for them is their standalone series: the Global MX-5 Fanatec Cup is unlikely to feature changeable conditions, and the same goes for the GR Buttkicker Cup. However, the Advanced Mazda MX-5 Cup Series does have some wet races slated for its 2024 Season 3 calendar.
Formula Cars
FIA F4
You could argue that the FIA F4 is the most competitive car on the iRacing platform right now. With regional series spanning the globe, topped up with high-entry open-setup and fixed-setup series, it’s a great way to figure out how aerodynamics and downforce are affected by a change in conditions.
You may find that the racing line changes more profoundly in the rain than one of the Sports Cars, with the line depending on how much speed you can carry through the corner rather than the closest that you can drive to the apex.
Ray FF1600
The Ray FF1600 is one of the entry-level Formula Cars on the platform, building on from what you learn in the Formula Vee. The Ray FF1600 brings karting-style driving to the Formula Car roster, and that is replicated in the handling model.
You get the most out of the car by carrying good speed through a corner entry and the way that you do that changes in both the wet and the dry. This means that you might need to consider your racing line, as the V-shaped line that may have been quickest through that hairpin may now be slower than a U-shaped line that carries on through the corner.
Super Formula Lights
One step down from the ever-popular Super Formula series, the Super Formula Lights is a spec series that carries some of the extra bells and whistles that you might expect if you’re stepping up from the FIA F4. It’s based on the Dallara F324 chassis, a Formula 3-level car with more aerodynamics than the F4 car to begin with.
It also boasts a turbocharged engine, meaning that the power delivery is also noticeably different than the lower-level rain-ready Formula Cars. This means that you don’t have to carry as much speed through the corners as the other Formula Cars, and it means that nailing the racing line isn’t critical to making the car quickly, but it does reward sim racers handsomely that can transfer the skills successfully from the lower steps on the Formula Car ladder.
Rain-enabled series that use this class:
The various FIA Formula 4 Challenge series on the iRacing platform are slated to include the chance of rain in Season 3 of 2024, as are the Formula C – Super Formula Lights races. The Formula 1600 Rookie Sim-Motion Series could feature changeable conditions in the future, but in Season 3 you can expect to see changeable conditions in the Formula 1600 Thrustmaster Trophy.
