SimSightline / iRacing VR Settings
iRacing VR Settings
iRacing says 90 frames per second is optimal in VR, and holding it matters more than any single graphics option. Here is how to set up OpenXR and foveated rendering, the headset software settings for Quest, PSVR2 and Pimax, and which graphics to lower first.
How to set up VR in iRacing
- Install your headset's software and set its OpenXR runtime (table below). A wired connection is recommended over wireless.
- In the iRacing app, open the display mode selector and choose OpenXR. iRacing calls it the newest and most widely supported mode. OpenVR is kept for some community tools; the Oculus mode is mainly for the original Rift and has no foveated rendering.
- Start a Test Drive to check the headset works, then set the options below.
| Headset | OpenXR runtime to set |
|---|---|
| Meta Quest 3 / 3S / 2 (Link cable or Air Link) | Meta Horizon Link |
| Meta Quest over Virtual Desktop | VDXR (in the Virtual Desktop Streamer options) |
| PlayStation VR2, Valve Index, other SteamVR headsets | SteamVR |
| Pimax (Crystal, Crystal Light, Dream Air) | Pimax OpenXR |
iRacing in-sim VR settings
In the sim: Settings → Display → VR.
- VR Mode: Foveated on an NVIDIA RTX 2000 series or newer card (OpenXR only; restart the sim after changing). It renders the centre of the view at full detail and the edges at less, which frees a lot of GPU time.
- Percentage resolution to keep: 35 to start, and inset size: 40. Lower inset size for more frames.
- Allow eye tracking: on only for eye-tracked headsets (Pimax Crystal, Crystal Super, Dream Air). Off for Quest, PSVR2 on PC and Crystal Light (fixed foveated).
- Supersampling: set it in the headset software first. iRacing's own render scale lives in
rendererDX11OpenXR.ini; edit only with the sim closed.
Values from SimRacingCockpit's iRacing VR guide (updated October 2026); display modes and the 90 fps target from iRacing support.
Best iRacing graphics settings for VR
| Setting | Mid-range GPU | High-end GPU (RTX 4090 class) |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-aliasing (MSAA) | 2x or off | 4x |
| Shadow maps / dynamic shadows | Off | On, PCF4 filter |
| Screen-space reflections | Off | Off |
| Cockpit mirrors | Off, use the virtual mirror | Max 2 |
| Dynamic cubemaps | 0 | 0 |
| Motion blur, sharpening, SSAO, heat haze | Off | Off |
| Crowds, grandstands, foliage | Low / off | Off |
| Number of lights | Lower if needed | 3 |
| Frame rate limit | Headset refresh | On, 144 |
High-end column: a creator's Pimax Dream Air setup on an RTX 4090, compiled by SimRacingCockpit. Mid-range column: our iRacing graphics settings VR values. Shader quality and the rest are covered there.
iRacing VR settings for Quest 3 and Quest 2
Runtime: Meta Horizon Link. Refresh 90 Hz (72 Hz on a weaker PC, 120 Hz with headroom). Encode bitrate in the Oculus Debug Tool: 450 to 900 Mbps are common; Meta warns high values can be unstable. Cable: USB-C 3.2, at least 5 Gbps, 3 m or longer.
Runtime: VDXR. One documented RTX 4090 setup uses AV1 10-bit, 200 Mbps, 72 fps, with SSW off. PC wired to the router, headset on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
- Quest 2: same steps, but its lower-resolution screens need less GPU, so keep render resolution at the default and raise it only if you hold 90 fps.
- Quest 3S: same as the Quest 3 for software, with a narrower view; see our VR headset guide.
iRacing VR settings for PSVR2 on PC
- Connect with the PlayStation VR2 PC adapter to a DisplayPort 1.4 output (not USB-C DisplayPort) and a USB 3.0 port with no hub.
- Runtime SteamVR; refresh 90 or 120 Hz set in SteamVR.
- In iRacing: VR Mode Foveated (fixed), Allow eye tracking off, as eye tracking does not work on PC.
Pimax and Valve Index
- Pimax Dream Air and Crystal Super: calibrate eye tracking in Pimax Play, turn Quad View on, then Foveated with Allow eye tracking on in iRacing. One RTX 4090 baseline: 72 Hz, image quality Medium, Quad View Balance, sharpness 0.4, FOV Normal.
- Pimax Crystal Light: Foveated (fixed), Allow eye tracking off. Use a motherboard USB port, not a hub.
- Valve Index: SteamVR; a 2020-era setup used 144 Hz (experimental), render resolution 138%, motion smoothing off. 90 Hz is easier to hold.
Fixing stutter: what to lower first
- Screen-space reflections off.
- Fewer cockpit mirrors, or high-detail mirrors off; use the virtual mirror.
- Dynamic object shadows off.
- Fewer MSAA samples, or FXAA.
- Lower the foveated sliders (percentage to keep, inset size).
- Drop the headset refresh to 72 Hz.
Turn motion smoothing (SteamVR) and SSW (Virtual Desktop) off; they cause wobble around the car. A steady lower frame rate is better than one that keeps dropping. Need more GPU? See our PC for sim racing guide.
View height, seat position and motion sickness
- View too high or low: press Reset HMD (default key: semicolon) while sitting in your normal driving position.
- Match the wheel: move the seat in the in-car view settings until the virtual wheel sits where your real one is.
- Ease in: iRacing suggests 5 to 10 minute sessions at first, a small fan on your face, and closed-cockpit cars such as the Mazda MX-5 before open-wheelers.
- No FOV calculation is needed in VR: the headset sets it. For screens, use the iRacing FOV calculator.
Set up force feedback with our iRacing FFB settings.
FAQ
What are the best iRacing VR settings?
OpenXR display mode, VR Mode Foveated (RTX 2000 or newer), percentage to keep 35 and inset 40, then graphics lowered until you hold 90 fps: screen-space reflections off, few mirrors, dynamic shadows off and modest MSAA. Turn motion smoothing off.
Does iRacing support VR?
Yes. iRacing supports PC VR headsets through OpenXR, OpenVR and the Oculus runtime. iRacing recommends OpenXR first.
What are the best iRacing VR settings for Quest 3?
Meta Horizon Link or Virtual Desktop (VDXR) as the OpenXR runtime, 90 Hz (72 Hz on a weaker PC), Foveated mode in iRacing, and a high encode bitrate. iRacing recommends a wired connection, such as a USB-C Link cable, over wireless.
What are the best iRacing settings for PSVR2?
PC adapter on DisplayPort 1.4 and USB 3.0, SteamVR at 90 or 120 Hz, and in iRacing Foveated (fixed) with eye tracking off.
What frame rate do I need for iRacing VR?
iRacing says 90 fps (90 Hz) is optimal. Lower can work if you are not prone to motion sickness; 72 Hz is the usual fallback.
Why is my iRacing VR view too high?
Sit in your driving position and press Reset HMD (semicolon by default). Then adjust the seat in the sim so the virtual wheel lines up with your real one.
Sources: iRacing support: What you need to play iRacing in VR; SimRacingCockpit: iRacing VR settings (Quest 3, PSVR2, Pimax); Coach Dave Academy: VR in iRacing. Last reviewed October 2026.