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How Do I Start a Hosted Race in Iracing

Clear steps for how do i start a hosted race in iracing. A quick, practical guide for iRacing drivers to create sessions, set options, and fix setup snags fast.

If you’re stuck on “how do i start a hosted race in iracing,” here’s the short answer: use the iRacing UI, go to Hosted, set your options, and click Create. You’re in the right place—this guide gives the exact steps and fixes the common snags that slow people down.

Quick Answer: how do i start a hosted race in iracing

Open the iRacing UI, go to Go Racing > Hosted > Create A Race, choose your track and cars, set session lengths and options, pick a region and password, review cost, and click Create. Share the session link or tell friends to find it under Hosted.

What’s Really Going On

Hosted racing lets you run your own sessions with your rules—practice-only, open practice/qual/race, or even heat racing. You (the host) must own the track and usually the cars you choose. Others can often join without owning everything if you enable “All Cars All Tracks” (content sharing), when available. Hosting costs a small fee shown at checkout (paid with iRacing credits or currency).

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Open the iRacing UI
  • Launch the desktop iRacing UI (not the old website). Go to Go Racing > Hosted > Create A Race.
  1. Pick content
  • Choose your track. You must own it. Select car(s) or class(es). If available, enable “All Cars All Tracks” so friends without the content can still join.
  1. Set the format
  • Set Practice, Qualifying, and Race lengths. Choose Fixed or Open setup. Fixed means everyone uses the same iRacing setup you pick. Set start type (rolling/standing), cautions, fast repairs, incident limit, fuel and tire sets, and weather/time of day.
  1. Control access and performance
  • Name the session, pick the server region closest to your drivers, set max drivers and spectators, and add a password if you want private racing. Optionally set an admin password for in-session controls (throw yellows, advance, etc.).
  1. Schedule and create
  • Choose “Launch Now” or schedule for later. Review the price shown. Click Create. Share the link from the Session page or tell friends to search the Hosted tab by your session name.
  1. Manage the session
  • From the Session screen, you can launch, advance to race, or adjust certain options. Use chat and admin commands to keep things smooth.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • If friends can’t find it: Confirm it’s in the Hosted list, the session isn’t full, and they’re searching the right region and name. Share the direct link from the UI.
  • Content errors: You must own the track. If drivers lack cars, enable “All Cars All Tracks” when available.
  • Ping issues: Pick the server region closest to most drivers for better latency.
  • Go faster to green: Set warmup to 0–2 minutes and disable cautions for short fun runs.
  • Fixed setup clarity: For fixed races, select the exact iRacing setup under Car Options so everyone loads the same file.

FAQs

  • Do I need to own all content to host? You must own the track. You typically need to own the cars you select. With “All Cars All Tracks,” others can join without owning everything.

  • How much does hosting cost? iRacing shows the fee at checkout and charges per session duration. You pay with iRacing credits or currency. The UI displays the total before you confirm.

  • How do I invite friends? Share the session link from the UI, or tell them to open Hosted and search your session name. A password makes it private.

  • Can I run fixed setup or heat races? Yes. Choose Fixed under Car Options and select a setup file. For heats, pick Heat Racing format in Session Options and set your heats, LCQ, and feature.

Short Wrap-Up

To start a hosted race fast: Hosted > Create A Race, pick content, set rules, secure it, and click Create. Next time, save a preset of your favorite iRacing settings to launch repeat events in seconds.