Mastering Car Setups as an iRacing Rookie

Build confidence, gain pace, and take control of your car setup from Day 1

When you’re new to iRacing, car setups can feel like a black art. You’ve probably heard the fast drivers talk about toe angles, bump stops, and dampers — but if you’re in Rookie licence races, none of that matters yet.

What does matter is learning how to build a solid, comfortable baseline setup for the car you’re driving.

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📌 General Setup Tips for Rookies

• Start with the baseline setup
• Change one thing at a time
• Prioritise stability over speed
• Track temp matters
• Use test sessions to experiment

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🚗 Mazda MX-5 Cup

• Understeer mid-corner?
  • Reduce brake bias slightly (e.g. to 60%)
• Tyre pressures: 26–28 psi hot
• Soften front dampers if the car feels too harsh

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🚙 BMW M2 CS Racing

• Brake bias: 63–64% forward
• Lower front ride height
• Soften front ARB for better turn-in
• Tyre pressures: ~27–28 psi hot

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🏎️ Formula Vee

• Rear too loose?
  • Lower rear ride height slightly
• Tyre pressures: 25–26 psi hot
• Use slower steering ratio for smoother inputs

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🏁 Ray FF1600

• Trail braking instability?
  • Shift brake bias rearward
• Soften rear ARB for grip
• Adjust gearing per track

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🤖 AiDE – Your AI Setup Assistant (Coming Soon)

Tired of guessing setup changes? AiDE lets you describe your car’s behaviour, and it gives you the right setup changes — just like a real engineer.

👉 Join the waitlist for AiDE now or apply for beta access.

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Summary

Mastering setups as a rookie doesn’t need to be complex. With some simple adjustments and the right tools (like AiDE), you can build confidence and consistency from the start.