Here at Coach Dave Academy, we’re well into admiring our new iRacing equipment. We’re especially excited for the latest cars to the service, with a newcomer and two, popular refreshes of road cars. Let’s get to know the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020, Mercedes-AMG G4, and Radical SR10, as we’ve had some time to really get to grips with them.
The Mercedes-AMG GT3, refreshed
The Mercedes GT3 has unsurprisingly seen a rejuvenation in popularity on the iRacing service in the past couple of weeks, as it became the newest car in the GT3 stable. The car’s performance in-sim has received positive reviews, suggesting it is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Under the hood, this German-engineered car possesses a 6.3-litre V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower with a sequential 6-speed transmission. This beast will take you from 0 to 100 km/hr in 3.0 seconds. Beast is the correct term, as the Mercedes has its much-loved engine roar both inside and outside of the car.
Visually, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is a pleasure; the trademark Mercedes grille is prominent, highlighted between headlights featuring wrap-around LED daytime illumination. The interior is familiar yet refreshed, with the simple but sharp Mercedes steering wheel ahead of the data screen giving crucial information to the driver.
Where it competes
In the real world, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 brings the fight in series globally. In North America, the car can be seen in the IMSA WeatherTech Series in both the GTD Pro and GTD categories, as well as in the SRO GT America Series. In Europe, the car can be seen in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, and notably at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa and Nurburgring.
In iRacing, we’ll be riding through the virtual paddock primarily in the IMSA Hagerty Series and VRS Sprint Series, the latter being an all-GT3 proving ground. The Coach Dave Academy engineers produce speedy setups each week for both of these series. The car will also certainly be a popular selection for one of the year’s most significant GT3 special events in iRacing, the Spa 24, in July.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT4
More Mercedes hype visited iRacing in the new season, with the addition of the Mercedes-AMG GT4. iRacing has really upped its GT4 game in 2022, and special events and custom road leagues on the service are starting to creatively cater to these cars.
The GT4 version of the Mercedes puts out 544 horsepower, with a 4.0-litre, V8 engine. With many GT4 cars, think GT3 but more compact; however, the Mercedes GT4 sacrifices nothing of the trademark of the brand. The prominent grille and LED light package are as sharp as ever, with a smaller rear wing ready to fade into the distance over the same growling engine sounds, shifting up through the AMG sequential 6-speed gearbox.
Where it competes
You can catch the Mercedes GT4 in real life worldwide in the SRO GT4 America, British GT Championship, GT4 Asia, GT4 European Series, and GT4 France. In North America, the car is a strong competitor in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Series, where GT4 cars are the main class.
The Coach Dave Academy engineers again didn’t miss a beat when iRacing introduced this car to the GT4 class; mastering and releasing setups for the new Mercedes GT4 right in week one of the latest season. In iRacing, we’re racing the Mercedes-AMG GT4 primarily in the iRacing GT4 Falken Tyre Challenge, a 30-minute open setup competition of all GT4 cars.
Going radical
The “surprise” new car of sorts turned out to be the refreshed Radical SR10 in the prototype category. With iRacer’s focus on which new GT car or slick, futuristic Le Mans prototype iRacing might get its hands on, this one snuck in there.
The SR10 weighs in at 725 kg and can power from 0-100 km/h in 2.6 seconds. Radical Motorsports boasts greater torque and power than previous editions of the car, with a new engine and drivetrain package in place. Drivers will paddle-shift through a Hewland 6-speed gearbox in this single-seater, open-cockpit prototype.
The SR10 visually resembles those top-level prototypes in its own ways, with tall, modern LED headlights and slick bodywork. Speaking of modern: the steering wheel has upgraded quite a bit from the previous SR8 on iRacing, now featuring a formula-style wheel with a data screen.
Where it competes
The Radical competes around the world in various Radical Cup Series, from Europe to the United States, Australia, the UK, Korea, and the Philippines. The Radical Cup Series are often seen as support series for other racing series, such as the NTT IndyCar Series at select races in North America.
Notably, with the Radical, you might find yourself realistically driving it. Many “Racing Experience” programs at road courses include the Radical as a car to drive. With a bit of saving and investment, the everyday racing enthusiast could certainly be using iRacing’s virtual SR10 to prepare for a real-life track day or racing school.
In iRacing, the destination for the all-SR10 competition is the Radical Racing Challenge, an approximately 20-lap length series with standing starts. Besides that, never count out the Radical SR10 as a fun, last-minute “Hosted Session” among iRacing friends.
All three of these new road racing cars are worthy of addition to your iRacing stable; with each new car, the joy of this sim is that you never know if this car will fit your driving style. Each newly developed car has such character, and we always seek a car in which we feel right at home–where we can take off, and take our sim racing careers to the next level.
