iRacing’s GT3 roster is a who’s who of blasts from the past and cutting-edge current contenders. With standalone series such as the VRS Sprint series and VRS Endurance series on offer as well as weekly multiclass racing in IMSA and the IMSA Endurance series and the infrequent Nürburgring Endurance Series and Creventic Endurance Series, there’s always a bit of GT3 racing available for every enthusiast on the platform.
In this article, we will look at the current iRacing GT3 lineup as well as some of our favourites here at Coach Dave Academy.
The Current Crop
iRacing currently hosts series for eight GT3s, and they couldn’t be more different from each other if they tried. Aside from the legacy content of the legendary BMW Z4 GT3, which is no longer in circulation but is still a fan-favourite in league racing, and the recently-replaced Porsche 991.2 GT3 R, the GT3 rostrum is a mixture of old and new, with an array of engine configurations to boot.
- Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
- BMW M4 GT3
- Ferrari 296 GT3
- Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 GT3
- Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo
- Porsche 992 GT3 R
- Ford GT GT3
- McLaren MP4-12C GT3
If you’re not huge a fan of GT3 cars though, there are a whole host of other cars available on the iRacing platform and you can check them all out in our iRacing car list, here.
The oldest active GT3 on the platform, the Ford GT GT3, comes as part of a bundle that also allows you to race the GT2 variant of the car in the Heusinkveld GT Challenge. A blend of the multiple GT3s that ran off of the Ford GT platform, it might have a cult classic status, but it certainly isn’t fast.
Up next is the McLaren MP4-12C GT3. A GT3 that’s so old that it’s been replaced three by McLaren: first by the 650S, the 720S and more recently the 720s Evo – we still don’t know why iRacing hasn’t got the new McLaren! – the car that Top Gear claimed “sounds like a fax machine” but spits flames better than any old office appliance should. Where the MP4-12C GT3 struggles in lower-speed corners, it makes up for in medium-speed, where it still holds its own against the newer and faster cars in its class. Plus it is usually fantastic for special events due to a favourable BOP.
After that, you have the new Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 GT3. A car which has seen two evolutions in its design since, the screaming V10 and fantastic car balance are still much-loved today even if the car itself has fallen out of favour with fans over recent years.
From here, it’s time to look at our top picks for the best iRacing GT3 cars.
Where to find a setup
Extracting the most from your favourite GT3 cars couldn’t be easier with Coach Dave Academy’s iRacing Setup Subscription. Updated every week with new setups for a wide variety of series, tracks and cars, that are all developed by professional iRacing drivers and engineers, our iRacing Setup Subscription allows you to focus purely on your on-track performance. And, with access to our free Coach Dave Delta app, installing them couldn’t be any easier.
- Race setups
- Qualifying setups
- Onboard laps
- Data packs
- All crafted by professionals
A Good All-Rounder: Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO
This 2020 upgrade from the older Mercedes-AMG GT3 was a must-have when it first launched on the platform for 2022 Season 3. It has since found its advantages reduced thanks to BoP, however, it is still a competitive choice and one which is much-loved on the sim.
Where does the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo excel?
- It has a strong front-end
- Can easily ride Kerbs
- Is forgiving both dynamically and to contact due to its well-balanced nature
Something that has to be seen to be believed is the strength of the front end on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. Not only does it take kerbs like no other, but it is also often slightly more resistant to knocks and scrapes than other GT3 cars.
The aerodynamic effect of damage isn’t as pronounced as on mid-engine and rear-engine cars such as the Lamborghini or Porsche, and the mechanical effect isn’t as pronounced as on its front-engine rival, the BMW M4 GT3. It’s forgiving nature and well-balanced behaviour make it an excellent choice in the rough-and-tough world of tin-tops.
- You can pick up setups for the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO now for both the VRS GT Series and the IMSA Series on the iRacing platform, which are also included in our iRacing setup subscription.
One Of The Favourites: BMW M4 GT3
First launching on iRacing as a prototype the year before it first turned a corner in anger at a race event, the M4 GT3 is arguably the most popular GT3 on the platform.
Why is the BMW M4 GT3 so strong?
- It has a large frame that easily takes kerbs
- It boasts a forgiving traction control system
- It can be set up to suit a variety of needs from pointy and on-edge, to more mundane
With a big build that loves kerbs and a relatively forgiving traction control system, the BMW M4 GT3 is a fun car to drive on a fixed setup as well as a formidable foe in open-setup racing.
On top of its presence in series such as the IMSA iRacing Series, VRS GT Sprint Series and the Fanatec GT3 Challenge, the M4 GT3 is also one of two GT3s to feature in iRacing’s popular Nürburgring Endurance Championship. Featuring 9 rounds across the calendar year, this multiclass endurance series sees cars from the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup face off against TCRs, GT4s, Porsche Cup cars and GT3s.
On top of this, the M4 GT3 is also a one-way ticket to competing in the BMW Sim GT Cup in one of its 10 races hosted across the year. Replacing the older and bigger M8 GTE in this series, the BMW Sim GT Cup sees teams of up to four drivers race for two hours on a select track.
- If you want to find some more lap time in the BMW M4 GT3, why don’t you consider booking a coaching session with one of Coach Dave Academy’s professional coaches?
The Fastest Overall: Ferrari 296 GT3
How could we not include the Italian Stallion on our list? The Prancing Horse’s 296 GT3 offering has been a favourite on the platform since its introduction, not least because of the popular single-make series that runs the car in the Ferrari fixed D class series.
What makes the Ferrari 296 GT3 special?
- It offers confidence and a good balance between the front and rear ends
- Its mid-engined layout allows for good rotation without being too unstable
- It’s forgiving enough for new drivers, but it can also be fast on the edge
The Ferrari 296 GT3 is as adaptable as ever; forgiving for the newbie and challenging enough for the seasoned sim racing expert. Put simply, it’s a Ferrari. Because it’s a Ferrari, its greatest asset is the mid-engined layout that invites a good balance of front and rear aerodynamics and confident weight transfer.
Whilst it isn’t as pitch-sensitive or easy to spin as the rear-engine Porsche 991.2 GT3R, the Ferrari 296 GT3 can be as challenging as the likes of the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO and take a good fight to the rest of the GT3 roster.
iRacing’s most fun GT3: Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO
A charging bull bolting out of Italy, Lamborghini’s latest GT3 offering is a newer and more improved version of the chassis. Offering improved traction and stability, as well as a beautiful V10 engine, it’s hard not to love this car.
Where is the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO best?
- It sits on the less forgiving side of the GT3 class, but doesn’t require huge experience to handle
- Its naturally aspirated V10 engine delivers good driveability
- It boasts strong cornering ability and acceleration
- Is very stable over kerbs for a mid-engined car
Perhaps the greatest feature that this GT3 has is its cornering. Racing mid-engine GT3s can take a while to get used to, especially if you are used to the different physics engine of Assetto Corsa Competizione, however, the Lamborghini lends itself well to iRacing.
Whilst it isn’t necessarily a missile in a straight line, it more than makes up for it in cornering speed and an unbelievable level of stability over kerbs that wouldn’t be expected of a mid-engine car. A difficult car to handle for sure, but when tamed, the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo is an incredibly fun challenger.
- If you want some help fine-tuning your Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo’s setup, then make sure to check out one of our Live Setup Sessions, such as this one at Jerez.
iRacing’s most challenging GT3: Porsche 992 GT3R
Stuttgart’s finest were able to deliver the latest evolution of a beloved formula with the 992 GT3 R. The only rear-engine GT3 on the platform, the Porsche handles like no other.
Why is the Porsche 992 GT3 R so popular?
- It has incredibly strong cornering ability and acceleration
- It’s fast when driven on the edge
- Doesn’t falter at high speeds
Whilst the Porsche 992 GT3 R excels in the corners – particularly at slow speed – the means by which iRacing models its GT3 cars means that the Porsche isn’t a slouch in a straight line when compared to its counterpart from Assetto Corsa Competizione. The cornering prowess of the 992 GT3 R certainly does carry across, though.
The best way to push this car to its limit is smooth inputs, being ready to allow the car to slide slightly on turn-in but having it in a controlled state so that it’s not easy to lose control of the car through undulations and compressions.
- If you need some extra help getting to grips with the Porsche 992 GT3 R, why don’t you check out one of our iRacing Track Guides, such as this one at Daytona Road Course with Yuri Kasdorp?
Coach Dave Academy
Here at Coach Dave Academy, we’re here to help you get the most out of both yourself and your car. Our iRacing Setup Subscription brings you professionally developed setups every single week and the free-to-download Coach Dave Delta app that installs everything in just a few clicks is not all that we offer.
From Track Guides that walk you around a lap of some of iRacing’s most challenging circuits to Hotlaps and Live Setup Sessions, the Coach Dave Academy and Coach Dave Hotlaps YouTube channels will help you find that extra tenth of a second.
