STRAT has two components: the iPad app and a lightweight PC data server. You need both running to get live telemetry. If you only want to review past sessions, you can import .IBT files directly without the server.
For live telemetry and session sync, iRacing must be open on the same PC as the STRAT Data Server. Both devices must be on the same WiFi network.
1
Download and install the STRAT Data Server on your PC
Download the free installer from strat.cousall.net. Run it and let it start — you'll see a small status window appear. It will show your local IP address and a QR code.
2
Make sure your iPad and PC are on the same WiFi network
STRAT communicates over your local network only. No internet connection is used or required. Both devices need to be on the same router — a mobile hotspot won't work reliably.
3
Open STRAT on your iPad and scan the QR code
Go to Settings → Connection and tap "Scan QR Code". Point your iPad camera at the QR code shown in the server window. STRAT will fill in the IP address and port automatically.
4
Launch iRacing and start a session
Once you're in a session (practice, qualify, or race), the Dashboard tab will come to life with live data. The server detects iRacing automatically — no configuration needed.
5
After your session, review it in the Analysis tab
Sessions are synced automatically from the PC to your iPad in the background. Open the Sessions tab, tap your session, and hit Analyse to load the trace view.
No PC? You can still use STRAT by importing .IBT files directly via AirDrop or the Files app. Open an .IBT file on your iPad and STRAT will parse it on-device.
Connecting your iPad to the data server
STRAT connects to the PC server over your local WiFi network using a WebSocket connection on port 19848 by default.
A
Method 1: QR code (recommended)
The STRAT Data Server window shows a QR code encoding your PC's local IP and port. In the STRAT iPad app, go to Settings → Connection → Scan QR Code. The camera opens — scan the code and the address is filled in instantly.
B
Method 2: Manual IP entry
If you can't use the camera, enter your PC's local IP address manually. You can find it in the server window (e.g. 192.168.1.50), or by running ipconfig in Windows Command Prompt. The default port is 19848.
Troubleshooting connection issues
iPad can't find the server
Confirm both devices are on the same WiFi network (not guest/IoT isolated networks). Check that Windows Firewall isn't blocking port 19848 — the installer should add a rule automatically, but you can add it manually in Windows Defender Firewall → Inbound Rules.
Connected but no data
The server only streams live data when iRacing is running and you're in an active session. The connection status dot will be green but the dashboard widgets will be idle until you enter a car on track.
Connection drops mid-session
STRAT will automatically retry 3 times if the WiFi drops. After that, a "Connection lost" banner appears — tap Reconnect to try again. Session data already sent to the iPad is preserved.
PC IP address changed
Your PC may get a different local IP after a router restart. Re-scan the QR code in the server window to update the saved address. Consider setting a static IP for your gaming PC in your router settings to avoid this.
How the STRAT Data Server works
The server is a small Electron app that runs on your gaming PC alongside iRacing. It reads telemetry data from iRacing's shared memory and session files, then makes it available to your iPad over the local network.
What it reads
iRacing shared memory (live data)
.IBT session files (post-session)
Session info (car, track, driver)
Channel variable definitions
What it exposes
WebSocket at /ws — live data at 30fps
REST API at /api/sessions
Session telemetry download
QR code at /api/qr
WebSocket live stream
When you're in a session, the server streams binary telemetry frames to the iPad at 30 frames per second. Each frame contains a timestamp and the current values for ~20 channels (speed, throttle, brake, gear, lap times, tyre temps, fuel level, etc.).
Frame format:
0x01 — frame type byte
Float64 (8 bytes) — session elapsed time
UInt16 (2 bytes) — channel count
Per channel:
UInt16 (2 bytes) — channel ID
Float32 (4 bytes) — value
Session sync
After each session ends, the server indexes the .IBT file and notifies the iPad via WebSocket. The iPad then requests any sessions it doesn't have yet and downloads the full telemetry data in the background — you don't have to do anything.
System tray operation
The server window can be minimised to the system tray. It keeps running and streaming data in the background. The tray icon turns green when an iPad is connected. Right-click the tray icon to show the window, open settings, or quit.
iRacing live telemetry channels
STRAT reads the following channels from iRacing's shared memory. All values are streamed live at 30fps to the dashboard widgets.
SpeedCurrent speed (km/h or mph)
GearCurrent gear (0=neutral, -1=reverse)
ThrottleThrottle input (0.0–1.0)
BrakeBrake input (0.0–1.0)
LapCurrentLapTimeCurrent lap time (seconds)
LapDeltaToSessionBestLapDelta vs. session best (s)
LapBestLapTimePersonal best this session
LapLastLapTimePrevious completed lap
LapLap number
FuelLevelFuel remaining (litres)
FuelLevelPctFuel level as percentage
FuelUsePerHourFuel consumption rate (l/hr)
LFtempCMLeft front tyre temp (C)
RFtempCMRight front tyre temp (C)
LRtempCMLeft rear tyre temp (C)
RRtempCMRight rear tyre temp (C)
dcBrakeBiasBrake bias (front %)
LapDistPctTrack position (0.0–1.0)
The channel IDs sent by the server are sequential integers assigned by STRAT — they are not byte offsets into iRacing's shared memory buffer. The server translates raw iRacing data into the STRAT wire protocol before sending.
Units setting
Go to Settings → Units to switch between metric (km/h, litres, C) and imperial (mph, gallons, F). The conversion happens on the iPad — the server always sends SI units.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about setup, compatibility, and using STRAT.
Does STRAT work without the PC server? ▾
Yes. You can import .IBT session files directly onto your iPad via AirDrop, the Files app, or email. STRAT parses them natively on-device. The full analysis view — traces, lap comparison, track map — works completely offline. The live dashboard and automatic session sync both require the PC server.
Which simulators are supported? ▾
iRacing is fully supported in v1.0, including both live telemetry and .IBT file import. Le Mans Ultimate (LMU) support is planned for a future update. Other sims may follow.
Does it work on iPhone? ▾
No. STRAT is iPad-only. The screen real estate on an iPhone is too small for useful telemetry trace analysis. The app is locked to landscape on iPad for the same reason — the trace view needs horizontal space.
How much storage do synced sessions use? ▾
A typical 30-minute iRacing session is roughly 150–400MB depending on how many channels are recorded. STRAT will warn you when cached session data exceeds 2GB. You can manage storage in Settings → Storage — deleting synced sessions doesn't affect the originals on your PC, and you can re-sync at any time.
Can multiple iPads connect at the same time? ▾
Yes. The PC server supports multiple simultaneous iPad connections. All connected iPads receive the same live telemetry stream. Session sync works independently per device.
The server shows "iRacing detected" but the dashboard is empty ▾
iRacing needs to be in an active on-track session for live telemetry to flow. The server detects the iRacing process, but telemetry only streams when you're actually in a car on track — not in the garage, the loading screen, or the main menu.
Can I compare laps from different sessions? ▾
Yes. In the Analysis view, drag laps from any synced or imported session onto the layer slots. You can load up to 4 layers simultaneously, mixing laps from different sessions. Both sessions must be available on the iPad (either synced or imported).
How do I export my data? ▾
In the Analysis view, tap the Share button to export channel data from a selected lap as a CSV file. You can AirDrop it, save it to Files, or open it in any spreadsheet app. You can also share .IBT files and analysis screenshots directly from within STRAT using the standard iOS Share Sheet.
Does STRAT collect any data or phone home? ▾
No. STRAT has no analytics, no telemetry, and no data collection of any kind. All data stays on your devices. The app communicates only with the STRAT Data Server on your local network. There is no cloud component.
Contact & bug reports
Found something broken? Open an issue on GitHub with reproduction steps and we'll get it sorted.
For general support, bug reports, and feature requests: chris@getstrat.dev
