iRacing
Your guide to iRacing’s Britcar 24HR Special Event
A new addition to the iRacing special event schedule for 2026, the Britcar 24HR race brings a two-class, day-long race to the service for sim racers to compete in. Based at a virtual Silverstone, it harks back to a real-world race that took place at the Northamptonshire venue until 2018. This event was originally revived in simulation form by Motorsport UK Esports as an event for its members. While that organisation is still involved for 2026 and provides the partners, iRacing has upgraded it to special event status for 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the iRacing Britcar 24HR?
iRacing’s Britcar 24HR special event will happen between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th September 2026.
The exact time slots are not yet published by the sim racing platform, but we’d expect the event to run three or four times over the weekend, with multiple splits in each. Generally, the 24-hour special events don’t run as many times as other endurance events like the Suzuka 1000km, which runs five times.
You will be able to watch the top split live on iRacing’s YouTube and Twitch channels with commentary, with broadcast times to be confirmed.
If you’re planning your season around endurance races like Britcar 24HR, see our 2026 iRacing special events guide for the full calendar and key dates.
What cars can you drive in the iRacing Britcar 24HR?
The final car list is still to be confirmed. However, the competing car classes are:
- GT4
- GT3
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport and Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO will definitely appear, since they are on the event’s poster.
Again, we await final confirmation, but given these confirmed classes, we anticipate the following cars to be on the grid:
GT3 expected cars
- Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO
- Audi R8 LMS EVO II GT3
- BMW M4 GT3 EVO
- Ferrari 296 GT3
- Ford Mustang GT3
- Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO
- McLaren 720S GT3 EVO
- Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020
- Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
GT4 expected cars
- Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport
- Ford Mustang GT4
- Mercedes-AMG GT4
- BMW M4 GT4 EVO
- Aston Martin Vantage GT4
The grid size is also to be confirmed. Last year, 48 cars took part when it ran independently from the iRacing special event calendar. That was split into 18 GT4s and 30 GT3s.
Each usable car for the special event is additional DLC on top of the base iRacing subscription, priced at $11.95 per vehicle.
In the real-world, the Britcar championship still exists apart from the 24-hour Silverstone event. While GT4 cars are eligible, GT3 cars are forbidden. In the last running of its pinnacle endurance race eight years ago, a Cupra TCR won. So the iRacing event isn’t necessarily accurate in terms of car roster, but it conveys the spirit of the race.
Still deciding which class you want to race? Our guide to the best cars to buy first in iRacing includes both GT4 and GT3 options.
How to drive Silverstone fast in iRacing
Silverstone is a wide, fast and mostly flat circuit. In terms of blind crests or nearby gravel traps, it doesn’t have any.
Consequently, the jeopardy levels are low, with large asphalt runoffs on the outside of most turns. This allows sim racers to push their limits in practice sessions. There is a reasonable margin for error when navigating traffic - this is a two-class race, remember.
Copse is an excellent example. In the top-category GT3 car, which generates higher levels of downforce than a GT4 model, you should be able to fly through here with a dab of brakes and one downshift. But if you enter too quickly, or catch a slower rival, you are safe in the knowledge there is space to run wide (although not too many times to avoid racking up those off-track indecent points).
High-speed corners like Copse reward smooth inputs and good car balance. If this is an area you struggle with, read our guide on how to take fast corners in sim racing.
A particularly tricky section is Brooklands and then into Luffield. The first left part requires trail braking upon corner entry. Then, through the long right-hander, there can be a divergence of lines. Some drivers may try to ‘v’ the corner, moving away from the inside kerb by the middle point. However, depending on traffic, some may prefer to keep it tight on entry and all the way through.
If you’re struggling to work out where you’re losing time around Silverstone, iRacing telemetry can help you compare your braking, throttle, steering and racing line against a faster lap.
For more general advice on improving your pace and consistency, see our guide on how to get faster in iRacing.
iRacing Britcar 24HR race length and format
As the Britcar 24Hr lasts for one day, this is obviously a team event with a minimum of two drivers per car.
The exact race distance depends entirely on the speed of the eventual winners, but last year the leading GT3 (an Aston Martin entered by WSR Esports) covered 709 laps.
We expect the usual 30-minute warm-up session and two-lap, eight-minute qualifying session to set the grid.
Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, trophi.ai is a unique toolkit that provides real-time advice and in-depth analysis, ideal for increasing confidence ahead of a lengthy iRacing Special Event.
You can sign up for the free trial today.
FAQs
What date is the iRacing Britcar 24HR in 2026?
The iRacing Britcar 24HR takes place between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th September 2026.
How long is the iRacing Britcar 24HR?
The iRacing Britcar 24HR is a time-based format, as opposed to laps or kilometers/miles covered. Consequently, while it will definitely last for 24 hours, the race distance can dramatically change from one split to another. Last year, the leading GT3 car completed 709 laps.
Do you need a team for the iRacing Britcar 24HR?
Yes. The iRacing Britcar 24HR is a team sim race, with a minimum of two drivers per car required to participate. Teams share driving duties throughout the race.
Which cars can you use in the iRacing Britcar 24HR?
A set list of GT3 and GT4 cars will be confirmed closer to the iRacing Britcar 24HR event.
How can I practice for the iRacing Britcar 24HR?
As this is an endurance race, long-run pace and consistency are essential to a strong result, which means practising over longer durations (perhaps rather than one-lap speed) is ideal.
You can also use trophi.ai to receive real-time AI coaching, personalised lap analysis, and post-session feedback to help you build consistency and confidence before race day.
