Fanatec iRacing Settings Guide

This guide covers: The CSL DD (5/8Nm), ClubSport DD (12/15Nm), DD1 (20Nm), and DD2 (25Nm) settings for iRacing.

Fanatec is to Direct Drive wheelbases what Windows is to Operating Systems. They’re probably the first brand that comes to mind, and they have a little bit of everything for every user on the sim racing market.

The Landshut-based brand has over 25 years of experience in the sim racing scene, and its recent acquisition by Corsair has enabled even more future expansion as the world of sim racing continues to grow.

There are very few other brands on the market that are as big as Fanatec that offer you everything you need to get up and sim racing. From your first wheelbase to full-size cockpits and real-world wheel rims, there is genuinely something for everyone on the Fanatec store.

They were the first of the big brands to exclusively offer Direct Drive wheels with the release of the CSL DD in 2021, and as their rivals have continued to innovate, they have kept pace with the introduction of multiple new technologies at every price point.

What To Expect In This Guide

In this article, we are exploring the best iRacing Fanatec settings at each price point in the range. Whilst it might seem pretty straightforward to set up your wheelbase for iRacing, there are often many elements of fine-tuning that you will want to carry out.

You may want a heavier steering wheel if the car does not have power steering, for example, or you may want to feel the forces going through the tyres more than the suspension. As iRacing is a simulator that tends to only feed you the forces that you would feel through the steering wheel, (unless you install an extension such as iRFFB,) these little tweaks can make all the difference.

Here is our guide on setting up your Fanatec Direct Drive wheel base on iRacing.

Setting up your Fanatec Direct Drive Wheelbase in iRacing

This is a three-step process:

Step 1: Make sure your Fanatec wheelbase and all other Fanatec peripherals are connected to your computer, either by USB or through the wheelbase itself, and that the wheelbase is switched on.

Step 2: Make sure you have the correct software and drivers installed for your Fanatec base to work properly. Through Fanatec’s website, you can install the basic Fanatec Control Panel as well as the FanaLab software that allows you to set bespoke settings for different wheel rims as well as different cars.

Step 3 (optional): If you are using FanaLab, you should make sure that it is working and able to detect iRacing. It will usually detect it automatically, but if it doesn’t, then you can use the “plus” icon in the top-right corner to “Add a custom game” and direct it to your iRacingSim64DX11.exe file.

Fanatec Software (Base Settings for All)

Set these in your Fanatec software through the basic and advanced settings before launching iRacing. You can do this through the Wheel Base section of the Fanatec Control Panel or through the Tuning Menu in FanaLab. These should work for all three models:

iRacing In-Game Settings (Per Wheel Base)

Here’s where things get tailored per model – mainly based on wheel torque and how strong you want the force feedback to feel.

Fanatec CSL DD (5/8Nm) iRacing Settings

The CSL DD has less headroom, so lower your Max Force for more punch, but be careful of clipping. You may wish to raise the Max Force to have more resistance if you are driving a car without power steering such as a NASCAR Next Gen Cup Car.

Fanatec ClubSport DD (12/15Nm) iRacing Settings

The ClubSport DD and the DD+ variant represent a new mid-point in the market between entry-level Direct Drive wheelbases and the full-fat killswitch-mandated bases at the high end. With nearly double the output of the CSL DD at the high end, there is the opportunity for some more detail and fidelity as you have more of a range to play with.

Fanatec DD1 (20Nm) iRacing Settings

The oldest Direct Drive wheel still in Fanatec’s range, the DD1 is often seen as the “old reliable” choice in the range. It still sees regular updates, the most recent of which carries the QR2 switch to Fanatec’s range that enables quicker and easier switching of wheel rims, and is a tried-and-tested formula that is still as effective today.

Fanatec DD2 (25Nm) iRacing Settings

The punchiest of the bunch, the Fanatec DD2 is the flagship model of the German brand’s line. It’s the one you’ll see a lot of top streamers and racers use, and even one that you might find in the simulator of some of the leading brands out there! 

Additional Tips

• Always use “Use Linear Mode” ON for best accuracy. This means that iRacing knows that you are using a Direct Drive wheel.
• Have the “Use custom controls for this car” box ticked once you’ve set up a good default profile. This allows you to dial in the perfect Max Force for each car to avoid clipping and maintain feel, and also allows you to customise your buttons in case you use different wheel rims with different cars. You might want a Rallycross car to feel different to an F1 car!
• If you see clipping (force meter maxed out), either lower in-game Max Force or reduce the Force Feedback Strength in FanaLab.

Final Thoughts

The settings provided for these Fanatec wheelbases in iRacing are based on a combination of official recommendations, community-tested configurations, as well as in-house confirmation. These settings aim to deliver a balanced and immersive force feedback experience tailored to each wheelbase’s capabilities.