iRacing Season 4 Patch 1: Grass Grip Tweaks, Content Fixes

Following last week’s iRacing Season 4 update, a new patch for the simulation is out. Adjustments to grass grip and new content fixes dominate the patch notes.

Image credit: iRacing.com

Last week, iRacing saw one of its largest content updates ever in Season 4 of 2023. Indeed, introducing a pair of top flight prototypes, a stock car classic and two new track scans, it was nothing if not plentiful.

But, with new content comes new bugs, glitches and issues to fix. Today, the simulator is launching its first patch of the new season addressing many errors in the original update. Here’s everything you need to know about the patch.

Content Tweaks​

Upon release of the latest update, iRacers were particularly happy to see off-track surface grip featuring on the release notes. Indeed, the simulator finally dropped its ice-like grass. However, it seems the new solution made for overly grippy surfaces off the tarmac. Hopefully, the team has now found the correct balance, with adjustments once again featuring.


Among the biggest additions to the newest update were the Porsche 963 and Acura ARX-06. Joining a now full fleet of IMSA GTP cars, the previous version of the game saw fuel consumption slightly higher in the Porsche than with the remaining trio. This has now been rectified with iRacing Season 4 Patch 1. As a result, the 963 will no longer feature a strategic disadvantage as regular season racing gets going once again this week.

Alongside the Porsche 963, other new additions also receive several fixes in the patch. For the most part, the Super Formula single seater and Ferrari 296 GT3 both get a number of graphical fixes from colour hue tweaks to model adjustments.

iRacing Season 4 Patch 1 Changelog​

Speaking of newly added content, the new Zandvoort scan, Circuit Lédenon and Kern County all receive a number of graphical fixes with this latest iRacing update. New billboards are on their way, the flag marshal will now appear at Kern County’s dirt course and several floating objects have reportedly regained gravity’s effects.


Additionally, a number of tweaks come to more long-standing content. New Damage Model adjustments come to the Aston Martin DBR1 and Whelen Tour Modified. Mazda MX-5 racers may have spotted drivers adopting a “T-pose” when reaching full wheel rotation. This latest patch should now fix that.

Full Patch Notes - iRacing Season 4 Patch 1​

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Paint Shop

• Fixed an issue where the Paint Shop could freeze or run very slowly upon switching cars.

SIMULATION:

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Race Servers

• Fixed an issue where a driver could crash the Simulator when transitioning from an Open Practice race server to a Race race server if their video memory usage would exceed the video memory slider’s limits.

Tires

• Off-track surface parameters have been rebalanced for tire interaction.

Audio

• Removed the “disableWindowsCoreAudio” entry from the “app.ini” file, as WindowsCoreAudio is essential for XAudio2.9.
  • This will automatically be removed after restarting the Simulator.

CARS:

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<Car Class> GTP Cars

• Fixed an issue where some rear view camera portals were using the incorrect aspect ratio.

Aston Martin DBR9 GT1

• For the New Damage Model, the break limits for the hood have been reduced.

Acura ARX-06 GTP

• Updated the UI images for this car.

Ferrari 296 GT3

• Mirrors have been updated when viewing from farther camera distances.
• Several artwork updates and fixes have been completed, including:
  • Fixed an issue where tires could flicker or render in front of other objects incorrectly.
  • Fixed an issue where the cockpit glass was turning white at certain viewing angles.
  • A missing windshield wiper has been found and attached.
  • The hue for white colors on the vehicle chassis have been updated.
  • The UI image for this car has been updated.
  • Ambient occlusion textures have been updated.

Global Mazda MX-5 Cup

• Fixed an issue where the driver of this car could “T-pose” when the steering wheel was turned to its maximum rotations.

Modified – SK / NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified

• For the New Damage Model, fixed an issue where the front bumper was made of ghost-metal. It is now a solid object, and will impact things in front of it correctly.

Porsche 963 GTP

• Fuel economy has been adjusted slightly for improved class balance.

Super Formula SF23

• Car Rules information has been added for this car.
• Fixed an issue where this car was refueling during pit stops.
• Fixed an issue where the rear wing lights could appear to detach from the car at far camera distances.

TRACKS:

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Circuit de Lédenon

• Many artwork updates and fixes have been completed, including:
  • Improved some visual popping as a camera changed distances from some objects, including trees and trucks.
  • Fence adverts have been added.
  • Some retaining walls have been added and the terrain has been molded to fit them.
  • The central trees have been updated.
  • Terrain detail textures have been updated.
  • The track marshal shed has been updated.
  • A floating tree has been relocated.

Circuit Zandvoort

• Fixed an issue where some curbs were making incorrect sounds.
• Pit entry bollards have improved physics.
• Many artwork updates and fixes have been completed, including:
  • Fixed an issue where the pit garage building could appear to be floating in the air.
  • Fixed an issue with the pit wall surfaces flickering.
  • A variety of track surface, dirt, and terrain edge textures have been updated.
  • Fixed an issue with flickering pit wall textures.
  • Some catch fences have been updated.
  • Fixed an issue where the pit entrance fence was cutting through a wall.
  • Fixed some issues with the appearance of grandstands at certain camera distances.
  • Flagpoles have been updated.
  • Marshal hut safety cages have been installed and the numbers and signs for them have been relocated.
  • An embankment platform has been added.
  • Street lights have been added to the tunnel entrance and surrounding areas.
  • Waste bins have been updated.
  • A variety of dumpsters have been deployed to keep the track clean.
  • Some floating environment objects have been grounded.
  • Fixed an issue with the bloom on the roof of the pit building.
  • Various buildings outside the track area have been updated.

Kern County Raceway Park

• Barney, Legendary Flagman, has brought his flagging booths over to the Dirt Track!
• Catch fences have been added near the pit area.
• Various walls near Turn 3 have been updated.
• BMAH

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What other changes does iRacing need to make in the next patch? Let us know on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!