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

How to Qualify in Iracing

Quick, practical guide for iRacing drivers on how to qualify in iRacing. Learn what causes bad qualifying, step-by-step fixes, and tips to fix this issue fast.

If you’re asking how to qualify in iracing, the quick answer is: join the qualifying session, warm tires and brakes, get a clear lap, and avoid incidents so the lap is valid. You’re in the right place — this guide shows exactly what to do in-sim and common fixes when a lap won’t count.

Quick Answer

Open the event and select the qualifying session (not practice). When the session starts, do an out lap to warm tires and brakes, then a single fast lap with clean lines and no track-cutting or yellow-flag contact. If your lap is deleted, it’s usually from a flag, track limits, or being on a cooldown lap.

What’s really going on

Qualifying in iRacing is usually a separate timed session before a race where your fastest lap sets grid position. The sim enforces rules: laps are invalidated for cutting track limits, causing contact, or if a local/sector yellow happens. Hosts can also turn qualifying off. If a lap doesn’t count, check whether the session type is “single-lap”, “open qualifying”, or disabled by the event host.

Step-by-step fix

Check the session: in the pits/timing screen, confirm you’re in the qualifying session (not practice or warmup).
Confirm event settings: for hosted sessions, ask the host or check session rules to ensure qualifying is enabled.
Prepare the car: use a qualifying setup if available (light fuel, softer strategy). Lock your setup and fuel before going out.
Warm up properly: do one or two slow-ish out laps pushing gradually to get tires and brakes to optimum temperature.
Clear traffic: wait for a gap so you don’t get held up or get a tow that alters your lap validity. Aim for a solo hot lap.
Execute one clean lap: focus on hitting the apexes, avoid cutting curbs beyond track limits, and don’t force passes that cause contact.
Watch the timing: if you see “INVALID” or the lap is missing, check for yellow flags in the session replay or the utility bar — that caused deletion.

Extra tips / checklist

Warm tires and brakes: cold rubber = slow lap or spin. Two warmup laps beat one.
Save a lap early: set a conservative banker lap first, then push for a faster lap if conditions are stable.
Track limits: iRacing enforces them strictly; avoid running all four wheels off the track.
Yellow flags remove laps: if you cause an incident or pass under yellow, expect lap deletion.
Session time: don’t wait until the last seconds; a crash or lag at the end can block your fast lap.

FAQs

Q: I don’t see a qualifying session — why?
A: Some series or hosted races disable qualifying. Check the event info or ask the host. For official series, qualifying is usually listed on the event page.

Q: My lap shows but grid position is wrong — what happened?
A: Grid can be set by fastest lap, average, or combined formats. Confirm the event’s grid rules and whether multiple laps or single-lap formats are used.

Q: A lap I did fast got deleted — why?
A: Most deletions are caused by track-cutting, yellow flags, or causing an incident. Check replay and the on-screen flag indicators.

Q: Does qualifying affect iRating or Safety Rating?
A: Qualifying itself typically does not change Safety Rating (SR), but incidents during qualifying can. iRating is affected only during sanctioned races, not qualifying.

Wrap-up

Do a proper warmup, pick a clear gap, and commit to one clean hot lap. If laps keep getting deleted, inspect replays for flags/track limits and confirm the event’s qualifying mode. Next session: try a conservative banker lap, then attack—repeat until consistent.