Join the Discord! →

Join hundreds of racers just like you! We love to help answer questions and race together.


How to Get Into Official Races in Iracing

Answers how to get into official races in iRacing for drivers. Short, clear steps to fix access problems fast: check license, car, schedule, and entry settings.

If you’re wondering how to get into official races in iRacing, the short answer is: check your subscription and license level, make sure you own (or are eligible for) the car, then register for the official series event from the Schedule/Series list and join the server when it opens. You’re in the right place — below are clear steps to fix common blockers.

Quick Answer: how to get into official races in iracing

Official races require an active iRacing subscription, the right license/class for that series, and access to the specified car. Open the iRacing client, go to Schedule → Series → choose the official event, click Enter/Register, and join the race server when it appears. If it won’t let you, one of the checks below will fix it.

What’s really going on

iRacing controls access to official races by account status, license class, safety rating (SR), and car eligibility. License class (Rookie → D → C → B → A) determines which series you qualify for. Safety Rating (SR) is a measure of clean driving and can affect split placement. Some series require you to own a specific car or to be above a certain SR or iRating to appear in higher splits. If any requirement isn’t met, the client will block entry or won’t show the “Enter” button.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Verify subscription: Log into iRacing.com and confirm your subscription is active. Expired subscriptions block all official entry.
  2. Check license and SR: In the iRacing site or client, view My Racing → Licenses. Make sure your license class meets the series minimum. If not, pick a lower license series until you upgrade.
  3. Confirm car access: Open the Series page for that race and see which car is required. Buy the car in the iRacing store or confirm it’s included in your subscription package.
  4. Register correctly: In the client, go to Schedule → Series → choose the Official Series and event, then click Enter/Register (not Practice). Some races require registration before qualifying opens.
  5. Join the server: When the session starts, join from the Sessions list or the Race button. If the server is full, join a different split or use the waitlist option if available.
  6. Update client and modules: If the Enter button still doesn’t appear, update the iRacing client and any content packs, then relaunch.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Make sure your account region and timezone aren’t blocking a scheduled event you think is live.
  • If you see a “License Required” message, click the series page to see exact minimums.
  • Don’t confuse Open Practice with Official Race entry; entering practice won’t register you for the official event.
  • If you’re placed in a different split, it’s often due to iRating (skill rating) — you can still race, just in a different server.
  • For persistent account errors, clear cache, restart PC, or contact iRacing Support with screenshots.

FAQs

Q: Why can’t I click Enter for an official race?
A: Most often because your subscription expired, you don’t meet the series’ license/SR requirement, or you don’t own the required car.

Q: Do I need to buy cars for official races?
A: Only if the series requires a specific paid car. Many official series use cars included in the base package, but check the series’ car list first.

Q: Can I join after the race starts?
A: Usually you can join until the session closes, but joining late may put you in a different split or affect your starting position. Some series lock registration before qualifying.

Q: What is SR and do I need a minimum?
A: SR (Safety Rating) measures clean driving. Some series or higher splits require a minimum SR; check the event rules.

Short wrap-up

Fixing official race access is usually a quick checklist: active subscription, right license/SR, and the car. Try the step-by-step checks above, then register via the Series schedule and join the server when it opens. If one step still blocks you, take a screenshot and contact iRacing Support.