How to become a sim racing commentator.
How to start commentating sim racing: learn the roles, practise on replays, build a short sample and land your first league broadcast.
By the GSRC crew · Updated October 2026
Most sim racing commentators started the same way: they loved racing, started talking over it, and kept going. You don’t need a broadcasting background. You need practice, preparation and a sample people can listen to.
1. Know the two roles
Play-by-play calls the action: who’s where, who’s moving, what just happened. Colour adds the why: the strategy, the history and what it means for the championship. Most commentators lean one way. Try both and find out which suits you.
2. Practise on replays
Pick a race on YouTube, mute it and call it yourself. Record it, then listen back. It’s uncomfortable at first, but it’s the fastest way to hear your filler words, your pace and the moments you missed.
3. Get the basics right
A decent microphone. A good USB microphone is enough to start.
Closed headphones, so the game audio doesn’t leak into your mic.
A quiet room with soft furnishings to cut echo.
A steady internet connection for remote broadcasts.
4. Prepare like a professional
Before every race, build a sheet with the entry list: names, numbers, teams, championship positions and a line or two about each driver’s season. Check how to say every name. Preparation is what lets you sound natural when the race gets busy.
5. Build a sample
Two or three minutes is plenty. Start with your best moment, not your introduction, and include a start or a close battle. Keep it recent and make sure the audio is clean.
6. Find your first league
Smaller leagues often have no commentary at all and are happy to have someone call their races. Offer to commentate a round, do it well, and ask for feedback. When you have a few races behind you, apply to broadcasters.
7. On the mic
Don’t talk over your co-commentator. Leave space and hand over cleanly.
Call what’s on screen. The director is choosing the pictures for a reason.
Correct mistakes quickly and move on.
Silence is fine for a moment. Let a big moment breathe.
Ready to commentate for GSRC?
We’re recruiting commentators for live iRacing broadcasts.