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How to Get Hosted Races in Iracing

Stuck on how to get hosted races in iRacing? This direct guide helps iRacing drivers join or create sessions, fix common filters/content issues, and race fast.

If you’re trying to figure out how to get hosted races in iracing, here’s the short version: open the Hosted tab in the iRacing UI, then either Browse and Join, or Create a Race. Below are the exact steps and quick fixes if nothing shows up or the Join button is greyed out.

how to get hosted races in iracing: quick answer

Go to the iRacing UI, click Hosted in the left menu. To join, choose Browse, filter to sessions you can join, and hit Register. To host, select Create a Race, pick car/track, set session options, and launch. Make sure you own the car and track being used.

What’s really going on

Hosted sessions are custom events created by drivers. They’re separate from official series and don’t affect SR (Safety Rating) or iRating (your skill score). You can join any hosted race as long as you own the required car and track. Hosting your own session requires an active sub; creating a session may have a small fee based on duration/content. Joining others’ hosted sessions is included with your sub.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Open the iRacing UI and log in.
  2. Click Hosted in the left navigation.
  3. To join: choose Browse. Turn on filters like “Only sessions I can join” or “Only owned content.” Refresh the list. Click a session, then Register. When the Join button turns green, click Join.
  4. If Join is greyed out: you likely don’t own the car or track, the server is full, it’s passworded, or registration isn’t open yet. Fix by buying needed content, waiting for the session to open, entering the password, or picking another event.
  5. To host: click Create a Race. Select car(s), track, session length, practice/qual/race options, damage, cautions, and whether it’s public or passworded. Review the cost estimate (if shown), then Create/Launch.
  6. Invite friends: share the session name/password. They’ll find it under Hosted > Browse. Use a unique session name so it’s easy to spot.

Extra tips / checklist

  • If you see no sessions, clear filters, enable “Show passworded,” and hit Refresh. Sometimes there just aren’t many at that moment.
  • Use the “Only owned content” filter to avoid dead ends.
  • Multi-class tip: you only need the car you will drive and the track, not every car in the session.
  • Save your favorite car/track combos to speed up hosting next time.
  • High ping? Pick a server region near you in the Create screen or choose sessions with lower ping.

FAQs

  • Do hosted races affect SR or iRating? No. Hosted races don’t change SR (Safety Rating) or iRating. They’re for practice, fun runs, or leagues.

  • Why is the Join button greyed out? Common reasons: you don’t own the car or track, the session is full, it’s passworded, or registration hasn’t opened yet.

  • How much does hosting cost? It varies by session length and content. iRacing shows an estimate on the Create page. Joining others’ hosted sessions is included with your subscription.

  • Do I need every car in a multi-class race? No. You only need the car you plan to drive and the track being used.

Short wrap-up

To get hosted races working: go Hosted > Browse to join, or Hosted > Create a Race to run your own. Check content ownership and filters, and you’ll be on track fast. Try saving a favorite setup for one-click hosting next time.