iRacing Arcade uses an arcade input layout built primarily for standard controllers and keyboards. Unlike the core iRacing simulation service, the game does not feature steering wheel peripheral support, manual gear shifts, or handbrake drifting mechanics. Players interact with races through simplified steering, acceleration, braking, and strategic pit stops.
Default Controller and Keyboard Inputs
The game automatically maps standard Xbox, DualShock, and DualSense controllers upon connection. Both trigger-based and face-button driving schemes function simultaneously on gamepads.
| Action | Xbox Controller | PlayStation Controller | Keyboard Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerate | Right Trigger (RT) or A | R2 or Cross | W or Up Arrow |
| Brake / Reverse | Left Trigger (LT) or X | L2 or Square | S or Down Arrow |
| Steering | Left Analog Stick | Left Analog Stick | A / D or Left / Right Arrows |
| Free Camera / Look Around | Right Analog Stick | Right Analog Stick | Mouse / Free Camera setting |
| Toggle Leaderboard | Left Bumper (LB) | L1 | Unassigned / Overlay |
| Toggle Driver Names | Right Bumper (RB) | R1 | Unassigned |
| Rewind | Hold Y | Hold Triangle | Unassigned |
Vehicles feature automatic transmissions across all tiers, from the Fiat 500 up to Formula GP and GTP cars. There are no dedicated controls for deploying hybrid energy, DRS, or manual clutch starts. Acceleration begins immediately from a standstill once the green light illuminates.
Steering Wheel Support and Customization Limits
Dedicated sim racing hardware is not supported in iRacing Arcade. Rigs featuring direct drive bases, load-cell pedals, and force feedback do not register natively in-game. Community players attempting to use third-party hobbyist hardware, such as pistol-grip RC transmitters via USB HID, report axis conflicts where full throttle pulls steering inputs off-center.
In-game control remapping is completely absent. The settings menu includes sliders for vibration intensity (defaulting near 90%), camera edge panning, and audio balance, but it lacks keybind customization, deadzone calibration, or alternate button profiles. Players wanting gas and brake mapped to analog sticks cannot make those changes inside the game client.
DualSense controllers plugged into PC deliver stronger rumble effects than standard Xbox controllers, though adaptive trigger resistance is not implemented on PC or PS5 builds.
Pit Stop and In-Race Control Mechanics
Endurance events and longer races introduce mechanical wear that requires active input management in the pit lane:
- Cross the pit entry line to activate the automatic pit lane speed limiter.
- Come to a complete stop inside the designated pit box, which is consistently positioned at the first stall on pit road.
- Release all controller buttons and directional sticks entirely. The animated crew will begin refueling, swapping tires, and repairing body health. A status widget in the lower-left corner displays recovery progress toward 100%.
- Depress the throttle to exit the pit box once service completes. Pressing the throttle too early interrupts service immediately; reversing back into the stall allows refueling to resume without incurring a drive-through penalty.
Driving over apex bollards or exceeding track boundaries applies an enforced slowdown penalty. The vehicle becomes transparent and ghosted while serving the penalty, preventing physical contact with opponents until normal race speed resumes. Lapped traffic ghosts automatically during green flag racing.
How to Fix the Throttle Disabling While Steering Bug
PC players on Steam forums frequently report an issue where applying steering lock completely disables the throttle or brake input when using official Xbox and GameSir controllers.
This issue is caused by conflicts with Steam's background controller translation software. To resolve the input cut-out:
- Open the Steam desktop client and navigate to your Library.
- Right-click iRacing Arcade and select Properties.
- Click the Controller tab on the left-side navigation list.
- Locate the dropdown menu under Override for iRacing Arcade and select Disable Steam Input.
- Restart the game client and reconnect the gamepad.
The game natively recognizes XInput gamepads. Disabling the extra translation layer restores simultaneous analog steering and trigger throttle inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play iRacing Arcade with a steering wheel and pedals?
No. The game does not support steering wheels, pedal sets, or force feedback peripherals. It is designed exclusively for standard gamepads and keyboards.
Can you change or rebind button controls in-game?
There is no in-game menu to customize button mappings, swap throttle from triggers to sticks, or adjust joystick deadzones.
Does the game have a handbrake or manual shifting?
All cars use automatic shifting with no manual clutch or sequential options. There is no handbrake button for initiating drifts; turning requires standard deceleration and apex management.
How do you repair damage during a race?
Damage, tire wear, and fuel depletion are restored by stopping inside your pit box during an event and releasing all throttle and brake inputs while the pit crew completes servicing.
