Getting Started in iRacing with RaceLab
Follow this in order and you’ll have overlays working reliably. This page focuses on the few iRacing settings that matter most for overlays, plus the simplest first layout setup.
✅ Borderless window setup
✅ Max Cars & network setting
✅ First overlay layout
✅ Common first fixes
Most common reason overlays don’t show: iRacing is running in true fullscreen.
The fix is Full Screen OFF and Border OFF (borderless window).
Restart iRacing once after changing it. [1]
Before You Start
What you need
- RaceLab installed and logged in.
- iRacing updated and launching normally.
- Close other overlay/telemetry apps for the first test (you can add them back later).
Optional (easy)
RaceLab can apply suggested iRacing tweaks automatically:
- RaceLab → Settings → Game Setup → apply iRacing suggestions (if shown). [1]
Step 1: Set iRacing to Borderless Window (Required)
- Start iRacing and join any session (Test Drive or Practice is fine).
- Open the iRacing Options menu.
- Go to the Display tab.
- Turn Full Screen OFF.
- Turn Border OFF.
- Exit iRacing completely and restart it once (important). [1]
This “windowed + borderless” mode looks like fullscreen, but allows overlays to sit on top reliably. [1]
Step 2: Set Max Cars to 63 (Recommended)
Do this in iRacing
- Open iRacing Options → Display.
- Under Other Cars Detail, set Max Cars to 63. [2]
- Restart iRacing after changing it.
Why it matters
- If Max Cars is low, iRacing may not send you data for many cars, which can affect standings/relative accuracy. [2]
- If performance drops, keep Max Cars at 63 but reduce iRacing “cars to draw” / mirror draw settings instead.
Step 3: Set iRacing Connection Speed (Improves Data Reliability)
This setting is in your iRacing account (not inside RaceLab). Slower connection settings can reduce how many cars’ data you receive. Set it to 1 Mbit/sec or faster if your internet supports it. [2]
- Open the iRacing UI / member site.
- Go to Settings → Account → Options…Network.
- Find Connection Speed / Connection Type and set it to 1 Mbit/sec or faster. [2]
- If you are currently in the sim, exit the session and relaunch iRacing for it to take effect.
Step 4: Create Your First RaceLab Layout (Simple + Reliable)
Start the right way
- Launch RaceLab.
- Launch iRacing and go on track (not just menus).
- In RaceLab, open your Layout Editor for iRacing.
- Add 2–3 overlays only (keep it simple first).
- Position them, then lock overlays.
Controls you will use a lot
- Lock/Unlock overlays: CTRL + SHIFT + L
- Show/Hide overlays: CTRL + SHIFT + H
- If the sim won’t click properly, overlays are probably unlocked — lock them again.
Fullscreen/overlay behaviour (official RaceLab FAQ): [3]
Quick Fixes (First Day Problems)
Overlays don’t appear
- Confirm iRacing: Full Screen OFF and Border OFF. [1]
- Restart iRacing after changing those settings.
- Make sure you are on track.
Unofficial RaceLab support site maintained by Scottozy. Information is provided in good faith based on official documentation and community exp
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