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iRacing Telemetry Guide

Telemetry turns lap time differences into actionable insights. By comparing your data to faster drivers, you can identify exactly where and how you lose time. Brake traces, throttle traces, and steering inputs reveal habits that are hard to spot from the cockpit alone.

Telemetry Tools

Garage61

Free telemetry platform for iRacing. Install the Garage61 agent and it automatically collects your laps. Compare against leaderboards, teammates, or any driver. Track maps, brake/throttle graphs, and sector analysis. No subscription—ideal if you want full telemetry without paying for VRS.

garage61.net

VRS (Virtual Racing School)

Best for beginners. VRS offers colour-coded graphs, easy onboarding, and the ability to overlay your laps against professional reference laps. Subscription includes setups and tutorials. Good starting point if you are new to data analysis.

vrs.racing

MoTeC

Industry-standard software used in real motorsport. Highly customisable dashboards and deep technical data. Steeper learning curve but more powerful. Export iRacing data via tools like Mu or iRacing's built-in telemetry, then analyse in MoTeC i2.

motec.com/products/I2

PitDelta

Web debrief from an iRacing .ibt file — no traces to read. Upload a session and get corner-named time losses plus one next-stint assignment. Add a faster teammate's file to split the gap into pace you still need to learn versus pace you already have but do not repeat.

PitDelta iRacing app guide · pitdelta.co

Atlas

Middle ground between VRS and MoTeC. Modern interface, cloud syncing, and team collaboration. Useful if you race with a team and want to share data easily. Available via McLaren Applied; iRacing members can also access Atlas through member resources.

atlas.mclarenapplied.com

Key Channels to Analyse

Brake Traces

Smooth brake application and release indicate control. Spikes or jagged lines suggest lockups, panic inputs, or inconsistent pressure. Compare your trace to a reference: are you braking later? Releasing too early or too late? Trail braking correctly?

Throttle Traces

Gradual throttle application on exit shows good traction management. On/off driving—full throttle or nothing—often causes wheelspin and poor exits. Look for smooth ramps and early application where the reference gets on throttle sooner.

Steering

Smooth steering inputs correlate with consistent lap times. Sawtooth or erratic steering can indicate overdriving or corrections. Compare steering angle and rate to the reference.

Tip: Focus on one corner at a time. Analyse exit first (where most time is gained), then entry, then mid-corner. Change one thing, test it, then move to the next.

Practical Workflow

  1. Record a few laps at a track you know well
  2. Get a reference lap (Garage61 leaderboard, VRS, teammate, or top split replay)
  3. Overlay your lap and identify the largest delta losses
  4. Inspect brake and throttle traces at those corners
  5. Make one adjustment (e.g. brake 5m later, trail brake more)
  6. Test in practice and repeat

Next: read our Setup Basics Guide to tune the car, or our Trail Braking Guide to improve brake technique.