Endurance racing is where sim racing becomes a process. Your pace matters, but what wins (or loses) the race is usually: pit execution, reliability, and keeping the car alive through traffic when you’re tired.
This guide gives you a complete, repeatable workflow for iRacing endurance racing—plus the SIMGASM hardware choices that make multi-hour stints easier.
How team driving works in iRacing
In iRacing, a driver change can only happen while the car is stopped in your pit stall. The outgoing driver can exit immediately after stopping, the next driver can click Drive right away—but you can’t leave the pit stall until a 30-second driver-swap timer has completed. This timer starts when the car stops in the stall, and it counts down even while pit service is happening.
The endurance checklist that prevents 80% of mistakes
Before the race
- Agree on a pit plan: when you stop, who fuels, who changes tyres, who calls the strategy.
- Standardise controls: every driver uses the same pit macros or Stream Deck layout (or at least knows where everything is).
- Do a full systems test: wheelbase, pedals, headset, mic, overlays, and any motion/tactile gear.
- Create a “recovery plan”: what do you do if the wheel disconnects, VR crashes, or you get damage?
During the race
- Drive the plan: don’t improvise the first stop because you got excited.
- Use consistent markers: fatigue makes you brake early or late—trust your references.
- Keep the cockpit tidy: loose cables snagging a pedal or headset cable mid-stint is a real endurance failure mode.
At every pit stop
- Confirm limiter and pit entry speed.
- Call the stop (fuel/tyres) using macros or a prepared control zone.
- Stop cleanly in the stall and don’t rush the swap—the timer is running anyway.
- Driver swap: outgoing driver exits, incoming driver enters, checks controls, then leaves once the timer ends.
- Out lap: build tyres, confirm brake feel, and re-check mirrors/relative.
Driver swaps when you share one rig
If multiple drivers are physically swapping seats on one cockpit, you want fast, repeatable adjustment:
- Mark seat position and pedal position for each driver (simple tape marks work).
- Use a consistent wheel height and distance reference (e.g., “wrists on top of rim” for reach).
- Keep your cockpit “control zone” consistent so every driver knows where to reach.
Recommended SIMGASM endurance hardware
Choose a cockpit tier that stays rigid for hours
- Hobby (SIMGASM Hobby simulator): a low-cost entry rig that still punches above its price class, great for your first real cockpit.
- Club (SIMGASM Club simulator): 80×40 profile strength and adjustability, ideal for almost any wheelbase and pedal set you’ll find on the market.
- Sport (SIMGASM Sport simulator): longer and wider, stronger and more adjustable wheel mount, plus integrated cable pass-throughs so you can route cables cleanly without clips.
- Pro (SIMGASM Pro simulator): our flagship 160×40 profile rig for extreme forces, motion-ready builds, and maximum adjustability with a flex-free feel.
Seat choice for long stints
- Core Recline seat: comfort-first, sporty recline option for long sessions when you don’t want a fixed bucket seat.
- Atlas GT seat: the go-to bucket for most GT seating positions, available in multiple colours and materials (including carbon variants).
- Atlas Formula seat: designed for more reclined, formula or hypercar-style seating positions.
- Atlas lumbar support cushion: optional add-on if you need extra lower-back support for your body type.
Keep screens stable, keep the brain calm
- Integrated single monitor stand (Apex, 75/200 VESA): a clean integrated option when you want a compact footprint.
- Integrated triple monitor stand (Apex, 75/200 VESA): integrated triples for a single, locked-in cockpit.
- Freestanding triple monitor stand (Apex, 75/200 VESA): freestanding triples that stay put even if you later add motion to your rig.
Endurance accessories that matter
- Casterwheel set: moving the rig for cleaning or quick re-positioning without destroying your cable routing.
- Shifter and handbrake mount: keeps controls rigid so you don’t miss shifts when tired.
- Keyboard swivel mount + Mouse tray: useful for pit menu work and team communication.
Common endurance mistakes (and the fix)
- Overdriving early: your “sprint pace” doesn’t win endurance. Drive for clean laps and low incident risk.
- Messy pit inputs: one wrong click can add 30 seconds. Use macros and repeatable pages on your Stream Deck.
- Ignoring comfort: pain changes your inputs. Fix posture, seat support, and screen height.
- USB dropouts: endurance exposes weak cables and unpowered hubs. Stabilise USB and power delivery.
Continue reading
- iRacing pit macros and Stream Deck setup
- USB stability and disconnect fixes
- Sim racing seat selection and fitting guide
- Bass shakers and tactile SimHub guide
