Week 17 • 20 April - 26 April 2026
This week: 44 updates
GT Sophy, an AI that taught itself to outpace the world’s top Gran Turismo players, earned a Nature magazine cover in 2022. The article explores how ChatGPT could be used to develop the next generation of Gran Turismo racing agents by providing training guidance and strategic insights.
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Porsche Esports Supercup returns with a revamped digital one‑make cup aimed at nurturing young talent. The series features a multi‑stage selection process and offers a pathway to real‑world racing, highlighted by factory driver Joshua Rogers’ successful debut at a Stuttgart motorsport event.
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Straight4 Studios issued a statement regarding the unexpected removal of the Japanese GT500 DLC for Project Motor Racing. The delisting was reported in a post titled “Project Motor Racing’s Japanese GT500 DLC delisted due to ‘sensitive concern’” on Traxion.GG.
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RaceRoom is hosting a two-hour multi-class special event at Imola, featuring the platform’s top drivers competing in a live streamed race. Viewers can watch the competition in real time via the Traxion.gg website, where the broadcast is available.
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SimRacingSetup published a product guide titled “Triple Screen vs VR: A Real Cost Comparison,” examining how the cost of triple‑screen setups compares with virtual‑reality solutions for sim racing. The article notes that selecting the optimal display varies per user.
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University of Calgary driver Connor Yeroschak clinched the 2025‑26 eNASCAR College iRacing Series championship after completing the final 45‑lap race at Homestead‑Miami Speedway without finishing last. Meanwhile, Cal State Fullerton’s driver Clampitt secured a victory in the Sunset Splash event.
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The post, which first appeared on Traxion.GG, reports that Forza Horizon 5 has sold over five million copies on the PlayStation 5, officially ranking it among the best‑selling PS5 titles of 2025. This milestone highlights the game's strong performance on Sony's latest console.
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MicroProse’s Throttle Trace blends classic slot‑car racing with simulation mechanics, adding tyre wear, temperature management and strategic race planning. The game aims to deepen the slot‑car experience by incorporating realistic vehicle dynamics and tactical decision‑making.
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Two years after its PC launch, the manic multiplayer racer Make Way will receive a free ‘World Tour’ update on 14 May, adding four community‑designed cars themed as a ghost, a fish, a snail and a duck. A separate paid movie‑car DLC pack is also scheduled for release next month.
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2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will appear live on stage at this year’s SimRacing Expo Charlotte, where he will discuss his racing career and explain how sim racing is integrated into contemporary motorsport.
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Gran Turismo 7’s April 2026 Update 1.69 introduces ten additional engine swap combinations, expanding the game’s customization options. Among the new swaps is a McLaren conversion priced at over ten million in‑game currency, offering players a high‑cost performance upgrade.
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Project Motor Racing has removed its Japanese GT500 DLC from sale. The content pack, which featured a selection of contemporary and classic race cars along with a dedicated track, is now unavailable for purchase. No further details were provided regarding the removal.
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Today's Gran Turismo 7 Update 1 introduces the online time trial event called 'Big Yangwang Energy.' Players can compete in this new trial, aiming for the fastest lap times. The event is now available to all online participants.
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A new set of Gran Turismo 7 Weekly Challenges becomes available on Thursday, April 23. The lineup includes two Twingo challenges and a Little Star challenge, coinciding with today’s GT7 1‑hour event. Players can compete for the standard weekly rewards.
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Gran Turismo 7's version 1.69 content update launched today, introducing a selection of new cars spanning multiple manufacturers. The patch also implements several power‑pack adjustments and adds the Nurburgring Reverse Circuit Experience, alongside other minor, more esoteric gameplay changes.
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Welcome to the iRacing Weekly Tune-in, your guide to what is available to watch this week on the official iRacing broadcast channels, as well as some special events to watch around the iRacing community. From official iRacing eSports to select community events, there’s plenty to tune in for and enjoy. Here’s what on the schedule,
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Quentin Warman secured the eNASCAR Coca‑Cola iRacing Qualifying Series title with a win at the virtual Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday. The penultimate event placed 30 Free‑Agency slots at stake, and after Michigan at least one‑third of those positions are already mathematically secured.
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The Sunset Splash, the sixth and final tournament of the 2025‑26 eNASCAR College iRacing Series, will finish Wednesday night at Homestead‑Miami Speedway. Week 2 features the Semifinals, a Semifinal Last Chance Qualifier, and the Final Round, with $7,000 in scholarship prizes at stake.
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The Simucube tutorial provides a buyer’s guide for high‑end Formula‑style sim racing steering wheels, a specialized hardware category distinct from GT or round wheels. It explains that Formula wheels aim for maximum control, rapid inputs and dense information, and that selecting the right model can markedly improve consistency and overall driving performance.
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The launch event for Forza Horizon 6 will take place on 23 May at the British Motor Museum, where the game will be featured as part of a museum experience. The event marks the start of the game's promotion and includes activities tied to the title.
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Track Day: From Street to Circuit, a new racing simulation, has disclosed additional information about its single‑player career mode. The announcement was published on Traxion.GG, indicating further development details for players seeking a solo racing experience.
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Gran Turismo 7 will receive three newly confirmed cars, expanding its vehicle roster. The upcoming update also adds a new Extra Menu, introduces World Circuits races, and includes Power Pack challenges, among other features, enhancing the game's content and competitive options.
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Skip Barber has introduced the Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series, a sim racing competition where the champion receives a fully‑funded real‑world race season as the top prize. The series aims to bridge virtual and actual motorsport competition.
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In this week’s Traxion Control Podcast, the hosts examine Rennsport’s precarious situation, questioning whether the series can continue, while also evaluating Assetto Corsa EVO’s recent updates to determine if the simulator has finally returned to a competitive trajectory.
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Gran Turismo 7’s next content patch, version 1.69, is scheduled for Thursday, April 23. The update introduces several new cars and revises existing power pack content, signaling a partial return to normal service after recent disruptions. Details were confirmed by the developer.
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Gran Turismo 7 will receive an April 2026 update adding three new cars: the Renault Twingo, the Porsche 964 Turbo S, and the Yangwang U9. Developer Kazunori Yamauchi announced the lineup, noting that two of the models differ from prior expectations.
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The Simagic Alpha Evo wheel bases are arguably one of the most exciting direct drive lineups to hit the market in quite some time. With four distinct models in the range, Simagic covers a wide spread of the market: the Sport (9Nm) at $399 USD, the Standard (12Nm) at $548 USD, the Pro (18Nm) at
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Skip Barber Racing School announced the 2026 return of its Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series. The championship offers more than $500,000 in combined prizes and aims to bridge sim racing and real‑world motorsports. Participants will compete for the series’ top prize, a fully …
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Two eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Qualifying Series races remain in the 2026 season. Michigan International Speedway will host the penultimate round, with drivers competing for the top‑30 spots that qualify for Free Agency next month. Nearly half of those positions are already mathematically secured.
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The article provides an evolving list of every equipment brand exhibiting at the SimRacing Expo Charlotte, scheduled for May 2026. It notes that the exhibitor roster may change as the event approaches. The post was first published on Traxion.GG.
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RaceRoom announced its participation in the SimRacing Expo’s inaugural event in Charlotte, North Carolina. The developer’s presence confirms the expo’s expansion to the state, marking the first SimRacing Expo held outside its traditional locations. The news was posted on Traxion.GG.
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The upcoming Super Woden GP 3 will abandon the series’ previous isometric view, adopting a conventional chase‑camera perspective. Developers say the change aligns with the type of racing experience they have always aimed to create, marking a significant visual shift for the third installment.
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Asetek Racing, previously known as Asetek SimSports, has been acquired by CQXA Holdings Pte. Ltd. The transaction, valued at $82 million, finalizes the takeover of Asetek’s parent company and is now complete, according to the source on Traxion.gg.
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Traxion.gg reports that JDM: Japanese Drift Master features over 45 cars, including downloadable content, and presents a complete car list. The roster combines licensed vehicles with fictional models that are inspired by real‑world cars, offering a diverse selection for players.
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The MotoGP 26 deep‑dive trailer reveals a new rider ratings system, updated physics, and the return of the Brazil Grand Prix circuit, alongside additional features. The preview highlights career mode enhancements and other improvements slated for the upcoming title.
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Polyphony Digital announced the inaugural 2026 Manufacturers Cup Exhibition Season for the Gran Turismo World Series, commencing on April 25. The exhibition runs this weekend as a pre‑season event, leading up to the official championship scheduled for later in the year.
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The April 14‑20, 2026 edition of This Week in iRacing outlines daily and hourly races available to members, matched to their license levels. It also highlights special series scheduled at set times that any qualified member can join, offering more structured sim‑racing experiences.
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The iRacing DTM Series brings Germany’s premier road racing championship to the virtual Red Bull Ring. Events run on Thursday evenings with 8 PM start times in AEDT, CET, ET and PT, allowing global participants to join. The series uses a simple race structure.
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Rennsport’s first 2026 update, initially planned for the end of March, has been postponed. The release is now targeted for May after Competition Company ended its publishing partnership with Nacon, prompting a shift in the update schedule.
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Pre‑orders have opened for the Forza Horizon 6 limited‑edition Xbox controller and matching headset. The controller costs £84.99 (US $89.99) and the headset is priced at £124.99 (US $134.99). Both items are available now through the official retailer.
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Coanda Esports driver Joshua Rogers made his real‑world motorsport debut over the weekend, piloting a Porsche Cayman at Donington Park. He secured three podium finishes during the event, marking a successful transition from sim racing to actual competition.
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Screamer’s newest patch enhances online multiplayer stability and refines AI balancing, addressing previous performance issues. Additionally, the update introduces essential tutorials accessible from the pause menu, providing players with guidance on game mechanics and features. The changes aim to improve overall gameplay experience.
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Gran Turismo 7 introduces a new weekly lineup of Daily Races, featuring three fresh events that are now live and will remain available until next Monday. Players can compete in the Type X Marks the Spot series, adding new challenges to the game’s rotating schedule.
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Pimax announced the SuperOpen Event, providing a $200 discount on its Crystal Super QLED virtual reality headset. The promotion is highlighted on Sim Racing Setup’s website, where the announcement was first published. The discount applies to the Crystal Super QLED model.
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