Richard Murtaugh on 8,200+ iRating, Perfecting iRacing Setups, and Coaching Success

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I'm a 23-year-old dirt oval racer from Upstate New York, currently competing in the NE Dirt Modified's 602 Crate Sportsman Class. Alongside my real-world racing, I'm deeply involved in the sim racing scene on iRacing, where I help develop competitive setups with Premier Racing Setups. I recently launched the RMR Driving Academy, where I coach aspiring sim racers, especially those focused on Dirt Late Models through detailed weekly videos and one-on-one sessions. My goal is to help drivers unlock their full potential and fast-track their path to success on and off the track!

Did you always want to work in this industry, or was it a twist of fate?

I never really intended to take iRacing this seriously when I first got into it. Back in 2018, I was just running a ton of laps for fun, trying to get better and enjoy the competition. Before I knew it, I started seeing real progress eventually winning the Pro Series Qualifying Series in the Sprint Cars. From that moment on, it was a wrap. Things just snowballed, and I found myself climbing the ranks fast, ultimately becoming one of the top drivers on the sim today.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?

Balancing real-world racing with sim racing has definitely been a challenge for me. I take my real-world racing very seriously, and at the same time, I put just as much effort into sim racing as I don’t believe in shortcuts. Whether it’s dialing in a setup, prepping for a race, or helping others improve, I spend a ton of time making sure everything I do is as close to perfect as possible. That level of commitment makes it tough to juggle both, but it’s also what’s helped me grow and stay competitive in both worlds.

How do you stay inspired and motivated in your current work?

What really keeps me inspired and motivated is seeing the success of drivers who’ve come through my academy. Watching students go out and win SOF races from 1,600 SOFs all the way up to over 7,000 is something that never gets old. Even more rewarding is seeing them run up front in high-paying money events, knowing the time we’ve spent together is paying off. Seeing their growth and confidence build through the lessons and coaching is what drives me to keep pushing and helping more drivers reach that next level.

How do you see your industry changing in the next five years?

Right now, the academy is still in its early stages, but I see the vision growing into something way bigger over the next five years. I imagine us having 20+ different coaches, each specializing in different cars and styles, a fully developed website, over 50 different subscription offerings, and way more in-depth services than we have now. This is just the foundation, we’re building something that’s going to change the way sim racers train, improve, and compete. The goal is to create a one-stop destination for anyone serious about leveling up, and we’re just getting started.

What does effective teamwork look like to you?

I really enjoy working alongside other coaches and picking their brains to come up with new ideas that push us forward. Everyone brings a different perspective, and having those conversations often sparks creative ways to improve what we offer and how we teach. Whether it’s discussing driving techniques, coaching strategies, or ways to deliver more value to our students, that collaboration plays a huge role in helping us grow as a company. It’s all about learning from each other and using that knowledge to keep raising the bar.

How do you maintain focus and avoid burnout?

I've definitely gone through many burnout phases in my iRacing career, but right now, I’m more focused than ever. My goal is to hit 10,000 iRating, and I’m grinding every day to make that a reality. Currently, I’m within the top 15 drivers in iRating on my main account, already exceeding 8,200 iRating, and I’m not stopping there. Each day, I’m pushing myself to refine my skills and get one step closer to that goal. It’s all about consistency and staying hungry, and I’m fully committed to reaching the next level.

What’s the best way to maintain authenticity in professional relationships?

At our academy and in my setup shop, we always choose to come up with our own ideas. Sure, we could take inspiration from others, but I’ve never been one to just steal someone else’s work. I’d rather create something unique and original that stands out. Every day, I see others taking ideas from my setup shop, and while it’s frustrating, it also reminds me of why I like doing things differently. We take pride in being innovative and sticking to our own approach. It’s what sets us apart and drives our success, being true to our own vision, even if it means standing out in a sea of imitators.

What’s one thing you wish you had learned earlier in your professional life?

Looking back, I really wish I had learned respect earlier in my sim racing career. I had a rough start, I had a ton of pace in every car I ran, but I often didn’t have the patience or understanding to race cleanly. I was aggressive, sometimes ended up running others over on track. That led to rivalries that I still deal with today. I’ve learned a lot since then, especially about the importance of respect on and off the track. It's a lesson I wish I had figured out sooner, but it’s all part of my growth as a driver and as a person in this community.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I know setup shops often get a bad reputation within the community. People trash my name for it, thinking of them as a dark stain on the sim. But I’ve always believed in offering real value and helping others improve, and that’s why I launched the academy. Through the academy, I’m not just providing setups, I’m using my platform to teach and guide others, helping them grow as racers and bettering my reputation in the process. It’s about showing the community that it’s not just about quick fixes, but about making real, long-lasting improvements for everyone involved.