iRacing Guide: Becoming The Best Prototype Driver Possible (2024)

Prototypes in iRacing are included in the Sportscar licence, but they take the middle ground between GT racing and open-wheelers. On the one hand, prototype cars generate significant aero downforce and feature a high power-to-weight ratio, like Formula cars.

On the other hand, prototypes use some electronic assistants that are prohibited in open-wheelers, such as traction control.

iRacing offers three main prototype classes: LMP3 (Ligier JS P320), LMP2 (Dallara P217) and GTP with the BMW M Hybrid V8, Cadillac V Series.R, Porsche 963 and the Acura ARX-06. You can race these cars in spec championships with fixed setups, multiclass races in the IMSA series and several special endurance events organised by iRacing throughout the year.

Career Progression in iRacing

C Licence

When you get to your C licence in iRacing it opens up access to the entry point of the prototype ladder with the Ligier JS P320. It is featured in two championships. The spec series LMP3 Trophy Fixed Series and the more popular multiclass Falken Tyre Sports Car Challenge.

The Falken Tyre Challenge will also give you a simple introduction to multiclass racing. You will race with the GT4 class on the platform and it’s a theme that will become common if you stick with the prototypes for higher-licence championships.

This introduction to the LMP3 will really help you understand and develop your race craft in traffic against slower cars and it prepares you very nicely for when you can move up to the IMSA Series, with faster GT and GTP cars.

We have curated the perfect guide to understanding the Ligier JS P320 LMP3 machine. It goes into granular details on how to deal with the setups, its aerodynamics, its steering and cornering and finally its power delivery and braking.

B Licence

The remaining prototype classes (LMP2 and GTP) require a Sportscar B licence. We recommend starting with the Dallara P217 (LMP2) because it is slower, simpler to drive, and part of the spec class, so the balance of performance is not a concern.

Similarly to LMP3, you can race in a spec series championship called the LMP2 Prototype Challenge or try your hand at faster multiclass racing with the IMSA Endurance Series. The multiclass in LMP2 can be awkward at first because of the introduction of another class and because the Dallara P217 is faster than GT3 but slower than GTP. You have to watch out for both faster and slower cars on track this time.

We give you all the tips and tricks you’ll need to understanding the Dallara P217 LMP2 machine, so you can master it at B licence. We show you where to race it, its characteristics, aerodynamics, power delivery and more.

A Licence

The IMSA iRacing Series for Sportscar A licence drivers is the main playground for GTP cars. This championship has two variations with fixed and open setups. Races last 35 minutes for a fixed setup version and 45 minutes for an open setup version.

The GTP vehicles have a minimum weight of 1030 kg and can generate a maximum combined power of 500 kW from the engine and hybrid system. They are the fastest cars in the IMSA championship. Two slower classes, GT3 and LMP2, will be on the grid with GTP.

It gets even more trickier for you as you not only need to deal with slower traffic from two different classes, but you need to understand how to use the new electronic systems of the GTP class.

We unpack all of the GTP machines currently in iRacing into one handy guide to explain which GTP is best in iRacing. We focus on the strengths of each car, how to get the most of each of them and why each one could be a perfect fit for you.

Special Events

You can participate in several special endurance events that mirror real IMSA and WEC calendars. iRacing scheduled five races in 2024: the Daytona 24, the Sebring 12 Hour, the 6 Hours of the Glen, the Indy 6 Hour and Petit Le Mans.

Every event attracts enough drivers to fill double-digit splits in each time slot. Top split races that start at noon GMT are featured on the broadcast. But we recommend you trying your hand at one of the other splits to start with, so you can get an understanding of how to race in these special events against grids full of GTP, GT3 and LMP2s.

They are a step up in competition compared to the weekly series racing you will do because the iRacing ELO system will create a grid where all drivers competing are roughly the same iRating, and with thousands of entries per special event, it means you are paired even closer with drivers that should all be the same speed as you.

Tips To Improve As A Driver

LMP3, LMP2 and GTP class cars are quite different, and you will need to adjust your driving style and setup to drive them fast as you progress through the prototype ladder.

The Ligier JS P320 has less downforce and power than LMP2 and GTP, so you must focus on maintaining momentum through corners and maximising mechanical grip. Most of the overall performance is in anti-roll bars and springs if the setup is open.

The Dallara P217 is also sensitive to suspension settings, but the aero starts to play an important role in this car. You should be more aggressive in high-speed corners than in LMP3 because the car is more planted thanks to more downforce.

The GTP cars generate massive aero downforce, which diminishes quickly as you approach slow corners, shifting reliance to mechanical grip. A good compromise between aero and mechanical balance is required for these cars and you’ll have to learn how to use the electric components of the GTPs to your advantage.

Be Patient In Traffic

As a prototype driver, be prepared to make multiple overtakes per lap on slower cars without putting others in danger when racing in the multiclass spec series. Learn how to time your overtakes to lessen your time loss without affecting the races of others. It’s a desired skill being able to navigate traffic in multiclass racing.

As an LMP2 driver, you may find your flow interrupted by GTP class cars several times over a race distance. Staying calm and level-headed is vital when being lapped, ensuring you are not in the way of the faster class but still can keep up a strong pace. We recommend just staying on your racing line and letting the faster cars navigate themselves around you. It’s about being predictable.

If you feel frustrated because of bad luck in traffic, remember that traffic luck equalises during endurance or multiple sprint races. Another time traffic may favour you.

Manage Fuel Consumption

Fuel management is another important aspect of racing prototype cars, especially in endurance racing, where it helps to minimise the number of pit stops during the race. If you have to splash and dash for the final stint, it is likely a good idea to save fuel, extend every stint by a lap and avoid this extra pit stop altogether.

Even if you cannot save the entire extra lap during a stint, some lift-and-coast can save time during refuelling pit stops. The exact math depends on the car, fuel tank capacity and your race pace. But it helps that you will have several classes of cars you can draft behind.

GTP cars also include an electrical energy recovery system (ERS). To maximise race pace, you must balance power deployment with regeneration during braking. Five ERS maps are available with self-explanatory names: No Deploy, Qual, Attack, Balanced and Build. In the race, you will spend most of the time on the Balanced map with occasional switches to the Attack map for overtakes.

Figure Out The Fastest Tyre Strategy

Prototypes need about half a minute to change the tyres. In endurance racing, you often choose between double-stinting the tyres and pushing to change the tyres after every stint. Practice before the race in various conditions to see if and when you can double-stint the tyres because pit stops will be longer if you take new tyres and fuel compared to just fuel.

• If you need help refining your driving style, why not book a coaching session with one of our professional drivers?

Final Thoughts

Mastering prototype racing in iRacing requires skill, strategy and patience. By understanding the nuances of each class and perfecting your racecraft, you can excel in multiclass scenarios and endurance events.

It may sound simple, but seat time is paramount in prototypes if you want to become the best version of yourself. You won’t be able to jump into a GTP car when you get your A licence and be fast right away. If anything it will be the total opposite, a reality check, and it will take some practice before you can keep it between the white lines consistently.

Stay dedicated, refine your techniques, practice, practice, practice, and you will become a top-tier prototype driver.