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How to Start a Hosted Session in Iracing

Learn how to start a hosted session in iRacing. Clear, step‑by‑step help for iRacing drivers to set up, invite friends, and fix common issues fast. Fast fixes inside.

If you’re stuck on how to start a hosted session in iracing, here’s the short path: open the iRacing UI, go to Hosted > Create a Race, pick your car/track, set options, choose Start Now or Schedule, then confirm. You’re in the right place—below are the exact steps and quick fixes for common snags.

how to start a hosted session in iracing

Open the iRacing UI, click Hosted, then Create a Race. Select cars and a track you own, set session type and rules, choose Start Now or a future time, add a password if needed, and press Create/Host. Share the join link. That’s it.

What’s Really Going On

Hosted is iRacing’s “your rules, your room” feature. You spin up a private or public server, choose the content, and invite friends. Safety Rating (SR, your cleanliness score) and iRating (skill ranking) do not change in Hosted, so it’s low-risk practice or league racing.

You’ll need to own the cars and tracks you pick. You can set iRacing settings like session length, fast repairs, cautions, damage, weather, time of day, and license/iRating entry limits. You can also choose server region for better ping and decide if the session is visible/searchable or password‑only.

Note: Hosted pricing can change. The UI shows the current cost before you confirm. Check it if budget matters.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Open the iRacing UI
    Launch the desktop iRacing app, sign in, and let it update if needed.

  2. Go to Hosted > Create a Race
    Find Hosted in the left menu, then select Create a Race (sometimes called New Hosted Session).

  3. Pick the basics
    Choose session type (Practice, Race, or Practice+Race), then select your car(s) and track. You must own what you select.

  4. Set rules and options
    Adjust laps/time, fuel, tire sets, fast repairs, cautions/restarts, damage, weather, and track state. Name the session and add a password if you want it private.

  5. Choose timing and server location
    Pick Start Now or schedule a start time. Select a server region close to your drivers for lower latency.

  6. Review cost and create
    Confirm the displayed cost (if any), tick “Register as Admin,” and click Create/Host. When the server is ready, click Join and share the invite link or session name with friends.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Can’t find your session? Make sure it’s set to “Visible/Searchable,” not hidden, and that friends have the password.
  • Friends can’t join? Check license/iRating limits and region; loosen them if you’re blocking legitimate entrants.
  • Timing mismatch? The schedule uses your local time—double‑check time zones before inviting.
  • Get smoother racing: pick the server region closest to most drivers and avoid extreme weather presets.
  • Saved templates: once you like an iRacing setup, save it as a template to host the same format faster next time.

FAQs

  • Does Hosted affect SR or iRating?
    No. Hosted sessions do not change Safety Rating or iRating.

  • Do I need to own the car and track?
    Yes. You must own everything you select to host. Participants must also own the content to join.

  • How do I invite friends quickly?
    After creating, copy the session link from the UI or tell them the session name, region, and password.

  • Can I schedule a series of events?
    Yes. Save a template and reuse it for weekly races; you can schedule each event in advance.

Short Wrap-Up

The fast route is: Hosted > Create a Race > pick content > set rules > Start Now or schedule > confirm and share. Save your favorite iRacing settings as a template so you can host in seconds next time.