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How to Host a Race in Iracing

Clear steps for how to host a race in iRacing for drivers: create a hosted session, set permissions, and fix join errors fast so your event runs smoothly.

If you’re dealing with how to host a race in iRacing, the quick answer is: create a Hosted Session, pick your car/track and session types, set it to Public or give players the password, then start the race from the lobby. You’re in the right place — below are the simple steps and common fixes.

Quick Answer

how to host a race in iracing: Use the Hosted Sessions feature (in the sim or on the member site), create a session, set permissions (Public/Private/Password), confirm car/track choices, then start the event from your host lobby. Share the session name or password with drivers.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing separates official sanctioned races from “Hosted Sessions.” Hosted sessions are unofficial events you create for practice, leagues, or pick-up races. They don’t affect official stats (like Safety Rating or iRating). Common confusion comes from permissions (people can’t join) or from not knowing where to start the session in the host lobby.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Open iRacing and go to the Hosted tab (or use the Hosted Sessions page on iRacing.com).
  2. Click Create New Hosted Session and choose session type: Practice, Qualify, or Race.
  3. Select car and track (everyone needs to own the chosen content to join).
  4. Set slot limits, session length, time of day, and incident/caution rules.
  5. Choose Public (anyone can find it), Private (visible but needs password), or Unlisted and set a password if needed. Share the session name and password.
  6. Start the session from the host lobby; use the Host Controls to manage qualifying, start the race, and kick/ban if necessary.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Confirm everyone owns the car and track — iRacing won’t let drivers who don’t own content join.
  • If players can’t find your session, tell them to search by exact session name or use the Join link from the iRacing website.
  • Set a friendly session name and a short password to reduce typing errors.
  • Use the Host Controls to lock the session before race start to prevent late joiners.
  • If someone can’t join and is behind NAT/firewall, ask them to check their router or restart iRacing — rare but sometimes blocks connections.

FAQs

Q: Can hosted races affect my Safety Rating (SR) or iRating?
A: No. Hosted sessions are unofficial and won’t change your SR or iRating.

Q: How do people find my hosted race?
A: They use the Hosted Sessions list in iRacing or the Join link on the member site; give them the exact session name and password if used.

Q: Do drivers need to own the car and track?
A: Yes. Everyone must own the car and track to join a hosted session unless your league supplies instructions for alternate arrangements.

Q: Can I make the hosted session private for my league only?
A: Yes — set it to Private or Unlisted and use a password. Share the password only with league members.

Wrap-Up

Hosting in iRacing is quick once you know the flow: create a hosted session, set permissions, confirm content, and start from the lobby. If people can’t join, check ownership and session visibility first — those solve most problems. Try a short practice hosted race to confirm settings before your main event.