iRacing drivers will have the chance to win Asetek’s unreleased Initium DD10 Direct Drive wheelbase during 2026 Season 4. The Asetek Racing Formula 1600 Contest begins on September 15 and rewards participation throughout the 12-week season, with every completed eligible race adding another entry to the prize draw.
The competition will run through the Asetek Racing Formula 1600 Rookie Series, one of iRacing’s entry-level open-wheel championships and an established starting point for drivers progressing through the Formula license ladder.
Asetek has sponsored the series since earlier in 2026, but Season 4 adds an extra hardware incentive. One eligible driver will receive the company’s not-yet-released Initium DD10, a new 10 Nm Direct Drive wheelbase that has yet to reach general retail availability.
Full contest details are available on the official Asetek Racing competition page.
How to enter the iRacing Asetek Formula 1600 Contest
The competition begins on September 15, 2026, alongside iRacing 2026 Season 4, and runs across 12 events during the full 12-week season.
To qualify, drivers must add the Asetek Racing logo from the iRacing Paint Shop to the primary logo position on their Formula 1600 car and compete in official races during Season 4.
Drivers need to complete at least 10 official races during the season to become eligible for the prize draw.
After reaching that minimum, additional participation continues to matter. Asetek states that every completed official race counts as one raffle entry, meaning drivers who race more frequently will receive more entries into the final draw.
There is no requirement to win races or finish at the front of the championship. The competition is based on participation rather than outright performance, making the DD10 available to regular Rookie Series competitors rather than only the fastest drivers on the service.
One driver will win the unreleased Asetek Initium DD10
The main prize is particularly interesting because the Asetek Initium DD10 has still not been released commercially.
Asetek confirms that the new Direct Drive wheelbase produces 10 Nm of force feedback and uses a low-latency motor controller designed to provide quick steering response and detailed feedback.
The DD10 also introduces a quick release with USB passthrough. According to Asetek, this will provide access to its existing range of steering wheels while also supporting compatible third-party options. Unlike Asetek’s currently available 5.5 Nm Initium wheelbase, the DD10 is therefore positioned as a more powerful step into the company’s ecosystem while retaining the Initium range’s more accessible positioning.
Asetek has not yet announced the final retail price or an exact release date for the DD10. The company continues to describe the competition prize specifically as a “not-yet-released” product.
How the Asetek Initium DD10 winner will be selected
The prize draw will take place after iRacing 2026 Season 4 has concluded.
Asetek says iRacing will initially contact the selected winner and ask for permission to share their contact details with Asetek Racing. Once permission has been provided, Asetek will contact the winner directly to arrange shipment of the Initium DD10.
The competition therefore runs for the entire Season 4 schedule rather than selecting a winner immediately after the minimum 10-race requirement has been completed.
For drivers intending to enter, completing more than 10 races could be worthwhile. Since every completed eligible race provides another raffle entry, a driver participating consistently throughout the 12-week season will accumulate more chances than someone stopping after reaching the minimum requirement.
Why Formula 1600 is being used for the competition
The Formula 1600 Rookie Series by Asetek Racing is one of iRacing’s introductory Formula championships.
The wingless Formula 1600 has no meaningful aerodynamic downforce, placing greater emphasis on mechanical grip, weight transfer, braking and maintaining momentum. That makes it particularly useful for learning fundamental open-wheel driving techniques before progressing towards faster Formula machinery.
Asetek became the official sponsor of the series in March 2026, with the championship subsequently renamed the Formula 1600 Rookie Series by Asetek Racing.
The Season 4 competition builds on that partnership by linking regular participation in the series directly to one of Asetek’s upcoming hardware products.
iRacing Season 4 contest starts September 15
Drivers interested in entering will need to have the Asetek Racing logo correctly applied before competing and then complete at least 10 official Formula 1600 Rookie Series races during the season.
The important point is that this is not a conventional esports competition requiring qualification for a final or a championship victory. Regular participation is enough to become eligible, while completing additional races increases the number of entries in the draw.
That makes the competition particularly accessible to newer iRacing members, as Formula 1600 is specifically positioned as a Rookie-level route into open-wheel racing.
New drivers can join the service through an iRacing membership before Season 4 begins.
The Asetek Racing Formula 1600 Contest starts on September 15, 2026 and continues for 12 weeks. Once the season ends, one qualifying driver will be selected to receive the unreleased Initium DD10.
For anyone already planning to race Formula 1600 during Season 4, the requirements are straightforward: apply the Asetek Racing logo, complete at least 10 official races and keep racing to increase the number of entries.
When it launches in Q4 2026, it will be available through Asetek’s official store, with a 5% discount for BoxThisLap readers using code boxthislap.
See you on the track!
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
