Must-Have Apps for Sim Racing
Our "Must-Have" Apps for Sim Racing
Sim racing isn’t just about having a sick rig with a direct-drive wheel and load-cell pedals, it’s about optimizing everything down to the finest details. And let’s be honest, the right third-party apps can turn your sim racing experience from "eh, decent" to "holy crap, I’m basically a pro."
We're going to dive into some of our favorite third-party apps that every serious (or semi-serious) sim racer should use. These bad boys will help you race smarter, faster, and maybe even stop crashing! (No promises though).
1. SimHub – Your Dashboard, but Make It Elite!
I like calling SimHub the Swiss Army knife of sim racing apps- want custom dashboards? Done. Tactile feedback? Absolutely. Wind simulation for that extra immersion? You bet.
With SimHub, you can display race data on external screens, customize overlays, and even add bass shakers for a next-level feel. If your rig isn’t vibrating like a fighter jet on takeoff, are you even sim racing?
Why You'll Need It:
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Custom dashboards for real-time data,
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Tactile feedback to feel every curb and crash,
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Integration with wind simulators- because realism matters!
2. Crew Chief – The Spotter That Never Sleeps
Crew Chief is an app that yells at you so your friends don’t have to. This voice-controlled race engineer and spotter keeps you informed about tire temps, fuel strategy, and, most importantly, when some lunatic is divebombing you into Turn 1.
It’s customizable, brutally honest, and will call you out if you’re going too slow. Get ready for lines like, "get your head in the game, mate," or "that was embarrassing!"
Why You'll Need It:
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Dynamic voice spotter for better awareness.
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Motivational insults included (free of charge!)
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Fuel and tire management on the fly!
3. RaceLab – Overlays That Make You Look Pro
Ever seen those clean, professional overlays on YouTube and Twitch? That’s RaceLab. It gives you live timing, relative gaps, fuel calculations, and a sweet Heads-Up Display (HUD) so you never have to guess how much fuel you need to finish the race (looking at you, endurance racers).
It’s like having a race engineer on steroids but without the FIA bans!
Why You'll Need It:
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Customizable race overlays and telemetry,
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Helps avoid "I thought I had enough fuel" moments,
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Perfect for streamers and content creators!
4. JRT (Joel Real Timing) – The Hardcore Data Nerd’s Dream
If you love staring at graphs and crunching numbers instead of sleeping, JRT is your best friend. This telemetry and timing software gives you real-time sector analysis, fuel usage predictions, and all the juicy race data you could ever want.
Why You'll Need It:
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Insanely detailed race data and strategy tools,
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Best for endurance racing and serious competition,
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Makes you feel like an actual race engineer!
5. Trading Paints – Because Stock Liveries Are Boring
If you’re still using default liveries in iRacing, you should switch it up. Trading Paints is the go-to app for custom liveries, letting you show off your unique style (or lack thereof) on the track. Whether you want a pro-looking design, a meme-worthy masterpiece, or just to flex your sponsor decals, this app has you covered.
Why You'll Need It:
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Thousands of custom liveries to choose from,
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Upload your own designs and flex on the grid,
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Keeps your car looking fresh every race.
Get Started with trading paints
My Final Thoughts: Get These and Thank Us Later
These third-party apps are absolute game-changers for sim racers. Whether you want better race awareness, more detailed data, or just an excuse to add more tech to your setup, these apps have you covered.
So go forth, download, and upgrade your sim racing experience. And if you still end up spinning into the gravel trap, well… that’s a skill issue. 😆
