October 2025 opened with major releases and updates that energised the simracing community, the highlight of course being the SimRacing Expo 2025.
The standout, during a good month for simracing, was the launch of NASCAR 25 on 14 October for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S (PC followed on 11 November via Steam).
Developed by iRacing Studios, it marked the first console NASCAR title from iRacing and ended a four-year gap since NASCAR 21: Ignition. The game featured a deep career mode starting in the ARCA Menards Series, authentic progression through the truck, Xfinity and Cup series, custom paint schemes, staff management and sponsor negotiation.
Multiplayer and quick races included official tracks such as Bristol’s “Colosseum” and the newly resurfaced Phoenix Raceway, all built on iRacing’s proven physics and damage model.
Launch week brought typical teething problems: weak force feedback on wheelbases during early access, frequent multiplayer crashes and broken achievements.
iRacing rolled out rapid patches that resolved career-mode trophy bugs, stabilised online lobbies and later added H-pattern shifter support, paint-scheme copying and more flexible championship settings.
By the end of the month, NASCAR 25 had found a strong audience, blending accessible arcade elements with genuine sim depth. The $100,000 Creator Series on 29 October, featuring streamers such as TimTheTatman, Agent and Emiru, further broadened its reach.
Updates on many platforms
Elsewhere, Reiza Studios delivered substantial content for Automobilista 2. A late-month development update confirmed the long-awaited 2005 Endurance DLC (including GT1 cars and period-correct Le Mans layouts) alongside the Lamborghini Dream Pack Pt. 2.
The update (v1.6.8.5) also introduced Temporal Anti-Aliasing, refined GT drivetrains and aero, and improved AI behaviour, earning widespread praise.
iRacing Arcade entered open demo on 13 October. Developed by Original Fire Games (Circuit Superstars), the free Steam demo offered a colourful, accessible take on licensed cars and tracks ahead of its full release on 2 December.
rFactor 2 received the KartSim 2025 Esports Pack on 6 October, adding spec karts and new circuits, while Circuit Zolder joined the track roster – signs of Studio 397’s continued revival.
Hardware grabbed the headlines at SimRacing Expo 2025
Hardware manufacturers ramped up excitement for the upcoming SimRacing Expo. Fanatec teased the return of the CSL GT3 rim and McLaren GT3 V2 wheel, Simucube previewed the Simucube 3 lineup (Sport, Pro and Ultimate) with a new universal Quick Release system, and Thrustmaster prepared live T598 demonstrations on both Gran Turismo 7 and Le Mans Ultimate.
Early October laid a strong foundation of new games, content and hardware teases that primed the community for the month’s centrepiece event.
The SimRacing Expo 2025 (17–19 October, Messe Dortmund) became the undisputed highlight of the month, attracting a record 24,371 visitors and delivering a flood of hardware announcements.
Fanatec dominated headlines with the Podium Series 2025 range: the Podium DD wheelbase (25 Nm sustained, 33 Nm peak, aluminium construction and FullForce support) and the fully redesigned Podium Pedals featuring forged-aluminium construction, 200 kg load-cell brake and tool-free elastomer adjustments. A two-pedal Formula variant added carbon-fibre plates and heel rests. All products were playable at the show, with availability slated for Q1 2026.
SIMAGIC, Simucube, Thrustmaster also in on the act
SIMAGIC unveiled three major products at booth BC6: the Zeus Formula Wheel with backlit buttons and a detachable 5-inch display, the 28 Nm Alpha EVO Ultra flagship base, and upgraded P700 pedals with a 150 kg brake cell.
Thrustmaster refreshed its ecosystem with the T818 Black Edition (reinforced cables and refined software tuning, $50 cheaper than the original), a Raceline Load Cell upgrade kit, and an SF1000-to-SF25 re-skin bundle complete with Ferrari stickers and T-Chrono shifter paddles.
The new T598 direct-drive wheel received its public debut on both PlayStation 5 (Gran Turismo 7) and PC (Le Mans Ultimate).
Simucube expanded its portfolio with the Simucube 3 series, a universal Quick Release developed with BavarianSimTec and P1 Sim, and the premium Savu Pro formula wheel.
Sim-Lab entered the direct-drive market with its DDX wheelbases optimised for extrusion rigs and launched the Cosworth Carbon Wheel Mk3 in collaboration with Cosworth.
BDH Race Sim Hardware stunned attendees with the £1,700 Active Shifter – a force-feedback H-pattern/sequential hybrid – while Asetek teased a Q2 2026 shifter and handbrake combo. SRP introduced the GT-S pedals featuring its innovative Piston-R brake technology.
Project Motor Racing gets airtime
On the software side, Project Motor Racing revealed the True2Track trailer, confirming IMSA GTO classics, the Sauber C9, Porsche 964 Cup, Toyota GR010 Hypercar and Daytona among its launch content, with release set for 25 November.
A live exhibition race featured ex-Stig Ben Collins against Misha Charoudin. Fanatec and OverTake.gg hosted the “Bring A Friend” RaceRoom Hypercar series with substantial hardware prizes.
The atmosphere was electric: packed booths from Thermaltake, Treq and GIANTS Software, custom rig showcases by creators such as Jardier, and countless community meet-ups cemented the Expo’s reputation as the annual pilgrimage for sim racers.
Organisers confirmed the 2026 event will move to Frankfurt to accommodate further growth.
Rally Revolution and Month-End Momentum
The final fortnight belonged to rally fans. At the SimRacing Expo, Kunos Simulazioni and Supernova Games shocked the community with a fully playable demo of Assetto Corsa Rally.
Built in Unreal Engine 5 with Assetto Corsa EVO physics and laser-scanned stages on gravel and tarmac, the standalone title – four years in development and independent of EVO’s delays – instantly became the most talked-about reveal of the month. Early Access launches on Steam on 13 November.
Assetto Corsa EVO itself received update 0.4 previews showing the Nürburgring Nordschleife as a free-roam hub, new tracks (Road Atlanta, Sebring, Oulton Park) and the Ferrari F40 LM. The SF25 Formula 1 car is expected in update 0.5, alongside highly detailed village environments.
Le Mans Ultimate announced a 24-hour race with driver swaps
Le Mans Ultimate announced a 24-hour driver-swap endurance race running 28–30 November as a large-scale stability test with official team participation.
NASCAR 25 continued its post-launch support with further multiplayer stability patches and expanded paint tools, while the Creator Series brought mainstream attention to the title.
In esports, SRO Motorsport expanded its PRI SIM Arena for 2025 with the debut of the GR Cup, and former F1 Esports champion Brendon Leigh returned to real-world racing in Formula Ford.
The November edition of Sim Racers Monthly summed up the month perfectly: Assetto Corsa Rally “stunned the sim world”, the Expo delivered an unprecedented hardware avalanche, and NASCAR 25 proved surprisingly enjoyable despite launch hiccups.
October 2025 will be remembered as one of the most event-packed and forward-looking months in simracing history, setting the stage for an exciting end to the year and beyond.