With the release of the RBAR add-on in MSFS 2024, it’s great to see how active and competitive the community already is.
Leaderboard times are incredibly close, often separated by just a few tenths of a second, which clearly shows how skilled and committed RBAR pilots are.
Because attempts are currently unlimited, many of us naturally end up flying in a “nothing to lose” mindset: retry, push harder, retry again. While this is fun, it often leads to very aggressive trajectories and removes the pressure that made real-world air racing so intense.
It would be exciting to see a more structured and competitive RBAR format, where every run truly matters and pilots must manage risk as well as speed.
Concept idea
Qualifications:
Open over a fixed time window (e.g. one week), unlimited attempts to set the best time.
Top ~20 pilots advance.
Race 1:
Limited number of attempts (e.g. max 4 per pilot).
Top ~10 advance to the final.
Final Race:
Very limited attempts (1–2 runs only).
High pressure, high precision, no room for big mistakes.
A format like this would completely change how pilots approach the track:
-
cleaner lines instead of trial-and-error
-
more focus on consistency and decision-making
-
real tension between pushing the limit and avoiding mistakes
Given how close the competition already is, this could elevate RBAR in MSFS from a great time-attack experience into something that feels like a true virtual air racing event, driven by the passion and skill of the community.
Just a wishlist idea from an enthusiastic RBAR player but one that could make an already excellent add-on even more engaging for everyone.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas.
It would be great to show the devs that this add-on is bringing a level of competition that has been missing in MSFS.
And if you like the idea, consider upvoting this wishlist to help it gain visibility.