iRacing Special Events do not run at a single fixed start time. Each event is offered across a multi-day window with multiple session options, so drivers in different regions and time zones can find a start that fits their schedule. This is easy to miss if you are used to regular iRacing series, where sessions run on a fixed weekly cycle.
Also See
➡️ iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours 2026: Entry Guide and Preview
📋 iRacing Special Events Calendar 2026
Why Special Events Have Multiple Windows
Special Events like the Nürburgring 24H, the Indy 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans run across a window of two to four days. iRacing opens multiple session start times spread across that window, typically spaced several hours apart. For a 24-hour race like the Nürburgring 24H (May 1–3, 2026), a team picks one start time and runs 24 consecutive hours from that point. The multiple session options make it possible to start at a reasonable local time whether you are in North America, Europe, or Asia-Pacific.
How the Windows Typically Work
For most endurance Special Events, iRacing offers start windows roughly every four to eight hours. That gives you several options spread across a single day. Some windows will be prime time for one region and overnight for another. The goal is to find the window where your team’s start time lands within a comfortable part of your day.
Shorter events like the Indy 500 still run across several days but with fewer sessions. For a shorter race, you might find one or two start windows per day over the event period.
How to Find the Right iRacing Special Events Session
Log in to the iRacing Members Site and navigate to the Race Guide or the Special Events section. Each listed event shows all available sessions with their UTC start times. Converting to your local time will show you which window fits your schedule.
If you are racing as a team, coordinate early. Sessions for flagship events fill up, and team registration needs to be sorted before your chosen window opens.
Two Events to Plan Around Now
Two major events are on the calendar in the next few weeks. The Nürburgring 24 Hours runs May 1–3, 2026, with multiple start windows across the three-day event period. The Indianapolis 500 follows in late May. Both are open for registration through the iRacing Members Site now.
Check the iRacing Special Events Calendar for confirmed session times and eligible car classes for each event.
The multi-window format exists to make Special Events more accessible to a global community. If the timing of a past event did not work for you, it is worth checking the full session list before writing off the next one.
