iRacing 101: Time Attack

Welcome to iRacing 101, where each week we’ll go through some of the many features that make iRacing the World’s Premier Motorsport Simulation. From highlighting our features to some of the top series and forms of racing you’ll encounter when you get behind the wheel.

This week’s topic: What is an iRacing Time Attack?

If you’ve been looking to take part in some of our biggest competitions, chances are you’ve seen our Time Attack mode as your means of qualifying. But Time Attack isn’t just for narrowing down the fastest drivers for esports events—it’s also its own means of competing on iRacing. In Time Attack, it’s just you, your car, and the road ahead as you try to set your fastest time.

How can I get started with Time Attack events?

In the iRacing UI, under Single Player, click “Time Attack” for a full list of active Time Attack events. As with any other iRacing mode, you’re able to sort and filter competitions by numerous options, including which cars are taking part, whether or not you’ve licensed the required content, and if setups are fixed. Click on the competition you’re interested in to pull up its information page, and click the green “Drive Now” button on the corresponding track to get started!

Are Time Attack events locked to a single car, track, or setup?

Often times, no! Most of iRacing’s non-sponsored Time Attack events feature a car or car class competing on multiple tracks, and overall standings are generated by adding an iRacer’s fastest lap times together from every track. Most of the Time Attack events that are locked to a single car and/or track are part of sponsored esports competitions, which are noted in the UI with a gold “Sponsored” tag.

Typically, non-sponsored Time Attack events will run with fixed setups for each track. Setup types are noted on each competition info page just like they are in any other session. If you’d like to ensure that you don’t accidentally stumble into an open setup session, click the “Fixed Setup” filter under Tags to eliminate them from the list.

Are there Time Attack events that only use content included with my iRacing subscription?

Yes, many of the cars included with your iRacing subscription have Time Attack events that only use included tracks. This is a great way for you to sample a different form of racing and work on building speed while also getting to compete with other racers from around the world. Some examples, as of 2025 Season 2, include the BMW M2 Time Attack for Sports Car racers, Formula Vee Time Attack for Formula Car, Mini Stock Time Attack for Oval, and Dirt Mini Stock Time Attack for Dirt Oval.

Are there any tracks used in Time Attack events that I might not see elsewhere?

Yes. The Mt. Washington Auto Road (Hillclimb and Descent) layouts are only accessible for competition in Time Attack events. In addition, the Porsche Experience Center layouts from Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg are typically only used in Time Attack events for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

Do I need to do anything to take part in Sponsored Time Attacks besides turning my fastest laps?

If additional registrations are required or rules apply for any given Time Attack, you’ll see a note on the competition info page after selecting it from the list of active Time Attacks. Drivers who do not fulfill the required conditions may not be eligible for prizes or to compete in subsequent race events.

Interested in learning more about iRacing? Click here for the full iRacing 101 archives!

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