Join the Discord! →

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


How to Join Official Races in Iracing

Explains how to join official races in iRacing for drivers: step-by-step menu actions, license/SR checks, and quick fixes so you can enter official events fast.

If you’re asking “how to join official races in iRacing,” the quick answer is: open the iRacing Race tab, pick an Official Series event that matches your license and safety rating (SR), then click Join/Reserve and enter the hosted session. You’re in the right place to fix common blocking issues fast.

Quick Answer — how to join official races in iracing

To join an official race in iRacing, go to the Race tab in the iRacing client, select Official Series, choose a series and event that match your license level, then click Join or Reserve for the desired session. Make sure your license class and safety rating (SR) meet the event requirements and that your subscription is active.

What’s really going on

Official races are organized by iRacing and require you to meet basic eligibility: a current subscription, the correct license class, and usually a minimum safety rating (SR). SR is a number that measures clean driving; iRating measures competitiveness. If you can’t join, it’s usually because your license class is too low, your SR is below the series limit, you haven’t purchased the car/track, or you’re trying to enter a practice/qual that is full or closed.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Sign in and open the iRacing client. Click the “Race” tab at the top.
  2. Under “Series” choose “Official Series” and pick the season and class you want (Example: MX-5, NASCAR, IndyCar).
  3. Check the event list for the next session — Practice, Qualify, and Race. Click the session you want.
  4. Verify eligibility: confirm your license class (D, C, B, A) and SR meet the event limits shown on the event card.
  5. Ensure you own required content: if the event uses a car or track you don’t own, buy or subscribe to it, or pick a different event.
  6. Click “Join” for live entry or “Reserve” if joining later; follow prompts to load the car and connect to the session.
  7. If you get blocked, read the on-screen message — it will say “Not eligible” or “Event full.” Fix whichever item it flags (license, SR, content, or empty server).

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Check your subscription and login first — expired subscriptions block race entry.
  • If event is full, try Practice/Qualify or join the waitlist if offered.
  • Upgrade license by completing time trials or sanctioned races if your license is too low.
  • Improve SR by focusing on clean laps; avoid contact and incidents to raise SR.
  • Buy required cars/tracks in the iRacing store or choose “content not required” events.

FAQs

Q: Why does it say I’m “not eligible” for an official race?
A: It usually means your license class or SR is below the event requirement, or you don’t own required content.

Q: How do I know which license I need?
A: The event card lists the minimum license (D/C/B/A). Your current license appears on your member profile in the client.

Q: What if the race is full?
A: Join practice or qualifying sessions, check for later races, or use the reserve/waitlist if available.

Q: Can I join official races on trial/new account?
A: Some features are limited on trial accounts. A full subscription is required for most official series.

Short wrap-up

Most entry problems are simple fixes: check license/SR, buy missing content, or pick a different session. Try the steps above in the Race tab now — you should be able to join or see exactly which requirement to clear next.