Ever wondered what iRacing felt like in its earliest days? This video finally gives a real answer. Thanks to rare access to a preserved 2008 demo, DJ Yee can show clean, high-quality footage of iRacing’s first year and compare it directly to the modern sim. This is a genuine time capsule moment that reveals surprising differences in how the sim looked, felt, and handled back then. If you’ve ever been curious about old iRacing, this one is worth your time.

• What did iRacing actually look like in 2008 compared to today’s version?
• How different was the original tire model, and why did cars feel so much more saveable?
• Which cars and tracks show the biggest changes in handling philosophy over time?
• Was old iRacing less realistic, or just more fun in a different way?

By running side-by-side comparisons across multiple cars and disciplines, the video digs into how early iRacing prioritized yaw, forgiveness, and drivability, versus the more grounded, punishing approach the sim uses now. It’s not about saying one era is better, but understanding how iRacing’s core philosophy has evolved over nearly two decades.

Watch Also