The highly anticipated 2025 Season 2 kicks off with a special event in Week 1: the Sebring 12 Hours—our second IMSA special event of the year. Inspired by the legendary real-life Sebring 12 Hours, this endurance race is a must for teams looking for a true test of skill and strategy.

Event Details

The Sebring 12 Hours is one of the biggest endurance races in IMSA, and the iRacing version aims to replicate the challenge. The event will feature three car classes:

• GTP Category: All LMDh & LMH cars

• LMP2 Category: Dallara P217

• GT3 Category: All modern GT3 cars

Much like the real race, Sebring’s aged and bumpy surface provides a unique challenge, making it one of the most rewarding endurance races to finish.

Why Should You Race?

Sebring is notoriously tough due to its unforgiving track surface. The saying goes: "12 hours at Sebring is worth 24 hours anywhere else." Completing this race is a true endurance test. With three classes battling it out, strategy and skill will play a massive role in securing a strong finish.

Car Details & Pit Strategy

• Tires and fuel are serviced at the same time in the pits, so double-stinting tires isn’t necessary.

• GT3 fuel stints last about an hour, making strategy relatively straightforward.

• Prototypes will need to plan their stints carefully, as their fuel runs out in under an hour.

• Saving fuel strategically could eliminate an extra pit stop and provide a race-winning advantage.

Balance of Performance (BoP)

A custom BoP (Balance of Performance) will be applied to ensure fair competition. iRacing may adjust the BoP on the Wednesday before the event, so be sure to check for updates closer to race day.

Team & Sign-Up Details

This is a team event, meaning you must declare all drivers upon sign-up:

• Minimum drivers: 2

• Maximum drivers: 16

• iRacing no longer allows single-driver teams.

• Sign-ups open one hour before the session start time.

To find the series for the Sebring 12 Hours, simply search for “12 Hours” in the iRacing series list (ensure no filters are enabled).

Race Time Slots

Date: March 21-23 2025

Timeslot #1 - Friday 22:00 GMT

Timeslot #2 - Saturday 7:00 GMT

Timeslot #3 - Saturday 12:00 GMT

Timeslot #4 - Saturday 16:00 GMT

All times listed in UTC. If you need local time conversion, join our Discord server for automatic conversions.

• Time Slot 3 will be the broadcasted slot, ideal for those looking for maximum competition and exposure.

Mirai United VRT will be competing with:

• GT3 in Slot 2 (which I'll be streaming my POV of on YouTube and Twitch)

• GTP in Slot 3
  

Setups

• Open setup event (all time slots).

• Many setup shops will offer race setups, including Major Garage, who I have a referral link for here which supports me if you choose to use it.

Weather Conditions

• No rain expected.

• High track temperatures expected during daylight hours due to minimal cloud cover.

• Cooler track conditions at night, which will affect grip and strategy.

License & Incidents

• C-Class Sports Car License required, or D-Class (4.0+ SR).

• Drive-through penalty at 50 incident points.

• Additional drive-through every 20 incidents.

• No disqualification limit.

• Max field size: 60 cars.

Final Thoughts

That covers everything you need to know about the Sebring 12 Hours in iRacing. If you have any questions, drop a comment below. Good luck, and see you on track!

A Long-Awaited Update

Image credit: iRacing

iRacing has finally updated its ARCA Menards Series car, replacing the aging model that has been in the game since 2009. The previous car started as a Nationwide Series car before being repurposed for ARCA. After years of waiting, iRacers are now getting a brand-new model based on NASCAR's Gen 6 platform, replacing the older Gen 4-based car.

Key Features of the New ARCA Car

The new ARCA Menards Series car retains a familiar setup with a V8 engine and a four-speed dogbox transmission, meaning no clutch is required—just lift to upshift and blip the throttle to downshift. The car's bodywork is flatter on both the front and rear, improving bump drafting safety on super speedways. This should reduce the risk of rear wheels lifting when cars make contact.

Manufacturer Representation

Image credit: iRacing

A significant change with this update is the inclusion of all three manufacturers: Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. However, similar to the larger NASCAR stock cars in iRacing, each manufacturer requires a separate license purchase. While they share identical performance characteristics, the digital dash placement varies across manufacturers, reflecting real-world accuracy. This might be a deciding factor for drivers based on visibility preferences.

ARCA Menards Series and Season Updates

The new car will replace the old model in the ARCA Menards Series, which remains at the D-class level with fixed setups and no cautions. Races typically last around 20 minutes and feature a mix of intermediate ovals, short tracks, a super speedway, and a single road course. iRacing has released a preliminary schedule for the upcoming season, but it is subject to change.

The ARCA Menards Series has been one of iRacing’s most popular series, and while participation may dip initially due to the new car requiring a separate purchase, numbers are expected to grow again as more players license it.

Week 13 Shakedown Series

For those eager to test the new car, Week 13 will feature a special Shakedown Series, running races approximately every half-hour. These races will be shorter than standard ARCA events, with the track rotating daily.

Pricing and Refund Policy

The new ARCA car costs $11.95 plus applicable taxes. iRacers who purchased the previous ARCA car within the last year will receive iRacing credits as a refund, with amounts varying based on purchase date. Those who bought the car within the last month will receive a full refund (excluding tax).

Additionally, the previous ARCA car remains available for those wanting to race in the Gen 4 Series, as it was bundled with the Gen 4 car. Until iRacing releases a new Gen 4 model (likely next season), racers will need to own the old car to participate in that series.

Should You Buy It?

If you already enjoy the ARCA Menards Series, purchasing the new car is a no-brainer to continue racing. While the car is different from its predecessor, the overall driving experience remains similar. Newer iRacers progressing through the oval ranks should also consider this car, as it serves as a great stepping stone toward the larger NASCAR series, teaching valuable stock car fundamentals and tire-saving techniques.

Final Thoughts

That’s everything you need to know about the new ARCA Menards Series car in iRacing! Are you planning to pick it up? Which manufacturer will you choose? Let us know in the comments!