The NTT IndyCar Series and iRacing have announced a licensing agreement between the two parties that will see IndyCar return to the online simulator with immediate effect.
IndyCar’s DW12 Dallara chassis and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are included in the agreement, paving the way for the return of the iRacing Indianapolis 500 and other online events that mirror real-world races.
The news comes a couple months after Motorsport Games suspended work on their licensed IndyCar video game title, which was already long-delayed and had showed multiple signs of trouble.
IndyCar cited breach of agreement shortly after the announcement, and moved to rescind their exclusive license agreement from the video game company.
That license has now been re-assigned to iRacing, which will allow the series to operate in the popular online simulator in an official capacity once again.
“The IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are racing properties that need to be included in iRacing,” iRacing President Tony Gardner said.
“There is no better way for fans to experience sim racing than on iRacing, and whether it’s the IndyCar Series’ Indy 500, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 or IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks, there is nothing like racing at Indianapolis.
“I am so pleased to be able to bring these events back to the iRacing community.”
iRacing customers will be able to use IndyCar and IMS for their private leagues as well as official events created by the developer.
Branding of products within the simulator will occur over the next couple days, and details of an officially-sanctioned iRacing Indianapolis 500 will be revealed later in January.
“We are very excited that our most avid gamers and fans will have full access to the IndyCar Series through this licensing agreement with iRacing,” added Ben Hendricks, IndyCar senior manager, eSports & emerging virtual experiences.
“They are longtime partners, and we look forward to official IndyCar Series racing on iRacing for many years to come.”
