iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours 2026: Entry Guide and Preview

The iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours runs May 1 to 3, 2026. The real-world race follows on May 14 to 17. This is one of iRacing’s flagship endurance Special Events, drawing teams across the community for a proper multi-class 24-hour race on the full Nordschleife layout. The event supports GT3, Porsche Cup, GT4, and TCR car classes, with full team functionality and driver swaps enabled. If you have not entered an iRacing Special Event before, this one is worth planning for. Also See ➡️ iRacing Endurance Racing Guide 📋 iRacing Special Events Calendar

Event Format

The race runs for 24 hours on the full Nürburgring Nordschleife, a 25-kilometer layout that includes both the Grand Prix circuit and the legendary Nordschleife section. Multiple session windows open across the event window. Teams can pick the most convenient start time for their time zone. iRacing assigns each team to an available lobby based on car class and license level. All four classes run in the same sessions. This makes it a true multi-class endurance event with GT3 at the front and TCR at the back of the grid.

How to Enter the iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours

To enter, you need a car that qualifies for one of the four classes. GT3 has the widest selection and attracts the most entries. Each driver needs to own the eligible car and hold the required license level. Register for the event through the iRacing Members Site. For team racing, one driver creates the team and invites co-drivers before the registration window closes. All co-drivers need to meet the same car and license requirements, so confirm eligibility before the event opens.

Nürburgring-Specific Prep

The Nordschleife requires a different setup approach than most iRacing circuits. At 25 kilometers per lap, mechanical grip matters more than aerodynamic downforce. Softer suspension helps over the varied surfaces and elevation changes throughout the lap. Fuel calculations need more care too, because stints run longer than on shorter tracks and refueling mistakes can cost significant time. Weather changes across a full 24-hour window are realistic. Teams that prepare for mixed conditions carry a real advantage.

What Makes It Different

Unlike most iRacing races, the Nürburgring 24H runs long enough for multiple strategic approaches to play out in the same race. Driver swaps introduce a team coordination element that single-driver events do not have. The Nordschleife layout rewards track knowledge over raw pace. Drivers who know the circuit consistently do better than fast drivers who are unfamiliar with it. A few practice sessions on the full layout before May 1 will be worth more than any setup advantage your team might find. With the real-world event two weeks later, the iRacing version gives teams a chance to feel the rhythm of the race before the actual Nürburgring 24 Hours begins. For anyone who enjoys endurance racing in iRacing, this is one of the best Special Events on the calendar.