iRacing: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Endurance Race

One of our readers reached out to share their personal experience and advice for those looking to get started in endurance sim racing. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve never been part of 12 or 24hr events and I have a few questions,” this honest and insightful story is the perfect place to begin.

Below, you’ll find their full journey — from finding a team as a solo racer, to organizing driver shifts, dealing with unexpected challenges, and learning how to survive hours behind the wheel.

We hope it inspires you as much as it inspired us!

I remember staring at the event banner for the 12 Hours of Sebring, heart pounding, palms sweating. It felt like I was about to sign up for a triathlon with zero training. I’d only done 45-minute races at that point — and I finished those exhausted, mentally and physically drained.

Still, something about it drew me in.

A team race. Strategy. Hours of focus. Real collaboration. It sounded terrifying, but it also sounded special. And I couldn’t get the idea out of my head.

I want to share everything I wish I’d known.

Finding Teammates When You Usually Race Alone

At the time, I was what you’d call a lone wolf. I queued solo, raced solo, reviewed replays solo. The idea of finding a team felt overwhelming — who would want to race with an average player like me?

Turns out, a lot of people.

Endurance events, especially the big special ones, require teams. And every year, there are more teams looking for drivers than drivers looking for teams. I posted a short message on the iRacing forums: my iRating, timezone, car preference, and that I was new but committed. Within two days, I had three invites.

I also joined a few Discord servers — Sham Racing was the first. It wasn’t just about finding teammates; it was a whole new way to experience sim racing. People shared setups, memes, coaching tips. That’s where it started to feel like more than just a game.

Pro tip: Be honest about your pace and experience. You don’t have to be fast — you just have to be consistent, communicative, and willing to learn.

How Shift Scheduling Works (a.k.a. “Stint Planning”)

Once I was part of a team, the next mystery was: how do you organize who drives when?

It felt like we were planning a lunar launch. Time zones, sleep schedules, double stints, fuel windows… but thankfully, sim racers are spreadsheet nerds.

We used the Sassy Endurance Spreadsheet (yes, that’s really the name), which calculated stint lengths, driver rotations, and pit strategies. Each driver filled in their availability and preferences, and the team lead arranged the puzzle.

Most teams use:

• Google Sheets
• Endurance Manager
• Discord to communicate changes in real time

For our 24-hour event, we had five drivers. Each of us did 2–3 stints spaced out, with plenty of time to eat, rest, and — let’s be honest — panic-watch whoever was currently driving.

What If Someone’s Late or Doesn’t Show Up?

Let me be real: this happens.

During one 12-hour race, a teammate missed their stint because of a power outage. We didn’t panic — I was already online spotting and ready to jump in. We reshuffled the schedule and moved on.

Here’s how good teams handle it:

• Always have a second driver online, even if they’re not actively racing
• Keep communication constant (Discord, voice chat)
• Have a shared backup plan in the spreadsheet
• Make sure everyone has each other’s phone numbers just in case

It’s important to race with people you trust — not just fast drivers. I’ve learned that reliability and teamwork are worth far more than lap times.

How Do You Survive Driving for So Long?

This was the part that blew my mind. How do people sit in a rig and drive for two or even three hours straight?

The first time I tried a full 90-minute stint in practice, I was cooked. My legs were sore, my brain was fried, and I’d sweated through my shirt.

But the truth is: endurance racing is not sprint racing.

You’re not pushing every lap. You’re managing tires, traffic, fuel. You’re thinking long-term. The focus shifts from “how fast can I go?” to “how clean and consistent can I be for two hours?”

Here’s how I built up my stamina:

• Practiced full-length stints regularly (start with 1 hour, build up)
• Optimized my rig (seat comfort, pedal angle, proper FFB levels)
• Drank water before and after driving
• Kept light snacks nearby
• Took short walks and stretched between stints

Now, I can comfortably do a double stint. And surprisingly, it’s fun. Once you find your rhythm, the laps flow by. I even listen to lo-fi music when I’m in the car (as long as the team radio’s still on).

The Emotional Side: Why It’s Worth It

I won’t lie — my first endurance event was exhausting. But it was also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in sim racing.

There’s something special about racing at 3 a.m. while your teammate is spotting, laughing with you through the fatigue. Or watching someone else crush a triple stint and bring the car back spotless. Or problem-solving a damage repair strategy with the whole team.

You’re not just racing — you’re collaborating, learning, and growing together.

I’ve made friends in these races that I now talk to every week. We’ve celebrated wins, mourned DNFs, and shared tips over way too many late nights. That’s the magic of endurance.

Getting Started: Your Path to a 12h or 24h Race

If you’ve never done a 12 or 24-hour event before, here’s how I recommend easing into it:

1. Start with a 90-minute solo endurance race (e.g., IMSA Endurance or Nurburgring Endurance)
2. Join a 2–3 driver team for a 6-hour event
3. Practice full stints in advance (don’t just do hotlaps)
4. Invest in comfort — your rig setup matters more than you think
5. Keep expectations realistic — it’s okay to be mid-pack if you’re clean and consistent

And most importantly: find the right people. The racing is fun, but the relationships you build are what keep you coming back.

Final Thoughts

So if you’re like I was, thinking: “I’ve never been part of 12 or 24hrs events and I have a few questions,” let this article be your green flag.

You don’t need to be the fastest. You don’t need a high-end rig. You don’t even need experience — just curiosity, commitment, and the courage to show up.

Because once you finish your first endurance race — tired, sore, maybe emotionally wrecked — you’ll realize something:

This is what sim racing was meant to be.

And you’ll already be planning the next one.

• Remember, you can join iRacing clicking here.

See you on the track!