This weekend is the return of the iRacing Daytona 24 Hours. For those taking part for the first time, Markus Søholm is here to provide you will all the information you need in this, the 2025 edition.
Image: VCO
The Daytona 24 Hours traditionally kicks off the motorsport calendar every year (that, and the Dubai 24 Hours), and 2025 is no different. But before the real event, iRacing will host its own event with the same cars on the same track.
The iRacing Daytona 24 Hours takes place this weekend, 17 to 19 January, and sees the online racing service also begin its year of Special Event racing. With plenty of changes coming to iRacing over the past 12 months, this year’s edition will be somewhat different to last year’s running. With that in mind, Markus Søholm is here to help with everything you need to know going into the 2025 iRacing Daytona 24 Hours.
iRacing Daytona 24 Signup Procedure
Unlike most regular iRacing competition races, signing up to team-based Special Events requires a little more complexity and the Daytona 24 Hours is no different.One member of your team will need to create a team and recruit the remaining drivers before the race. Then, come race day, that same team leader will need to sign the team itself up for the race whilst electing the correct drivers wishing to take part during the hour-long sign-up phase. You will then be assigned to your split thanks to the combined average iRating across your team.
The 2025 iRacing Daytona 24 Hours will be a busy race. Image: iRacing.com
Those drivers will then be able to register themselves and join the practice server 30 minutes before race start.
One of the biggest races in iRacing's yearly calendar, expect the initial sign up process and server boot-up to take a little longer than you are used to. But fear not as, whilst long-time iRacers will have sour memories of Daytona, recent runnings have shown that the race should run smoothly once everything is set.
Daytona 24 Car List
Last year's running of the iRacing Daytona 24 was the first outing on the high banks for the collection of new age, hybrid GTP cars after 2023's edition saw the BMW M Hybrid V8 be the sole GTP competitor. This year, the GTP class will see a new first following last month's release of the Ferrari 499P, an all-wheel drive model (once the hybrid kicks in) which should prove beneficial if the heavens open.If you are yet to confirm your choice for a GTP car at Daytona, make sure to check out our LMDh buyer’s guide. In addition to this guide, a unique Balance of Performance released for the event. Whilst not game-changing, it does aim to equalise power and fuel load capacity across the class.
| Car | Power Adjustment | Fuel Capacity |
| Acura ARX-06 GTP | -1.25% | 97% |
| BMW M Hybrid V8 | 0% | 100% |
| Cadillac V-Series.R GTP | -0.5% | 100% |
| Ferrari 499P | 0% | 99% |
| Porsche 963 GTP | -0.75% | 99% |
Sitting at a more gentle pace compared to the top category is GTD, a class dedicated to GT3 machinery. If you were used to running these models in the past, the 2025 edition of the event will be a drastic change with more models than ever taking part.
Here is the newly-expanded list of GT offerings with their associated Daytona-specific Balance of Performance changes.
| Acura NSX GT3 | -1% | 100% |
| Audi R8 LMS EVO II GT3 | -1% | 99% |
| BMW M4 GT3 | -0.5% | 100% |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R | -1% | 99% |
| Ferrari 296 GT3 | 0% | 100% |
| Ford Mustang GT3 | -1.25% | 99% |
| Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO | -1% | 99% |
| McLaren 720S GT3 Evo | -0.25% | 98% |
| Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020 | -1.25% | 100% |
| Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | -1.25% | 100% |
One final class in the 2024 Daytona 24 is LMP2. An single-make class using the Dallara P217, this could potentially be the least popular category. As such, expect the majority of splits to be GTP-GTD only.
Watch Out For Traffic
In endurance racing, making one’s way through traffic is a major key to a successful run. That is even more true for Daytona. Its layout may appear to provide simple passing opportunities. But a tight infield means patience is crucial.Poster for the iRacing Daytona 24 Hours. Image: iRacing.com
In addition to being a narrow stretch of track, the infield section of Daytona is very slow, combining a string of hairpins. At these speeds, the differential between GT and Prototype is far less than other turns. With that in mind, late-braking sends are a bad idea. Instead, take it gently on entry and optimise your exit. A better run out of the turn will both help save fuel and ensure your safety.
For slower classes, there is one crucial piece of information to know for the iRacing Daytona 24. Whilst an unwritten rule, it is generally accepted that GT cars hold the lower line on the banking. This allows the faster prototypes to safely predict where to place themselves. Obviously however, GT cars can go side-by-side on the banking to race. In this case, prototypes must revert to patience - and even more so through the chicane.
Will it Rain in the 2025 iRacing Daytona 24?
A fresh release over the past 12 months, iRacing now has a fully-fledged weather system incorporating forecasts and the ability to race in the rain. Therefore, keeping one eye on the weather and knowing whether the heavens will open will be crucial to success in the 2025 edition.The 2025 iRacing Daytona 24 Hours Weather Forecast shows potential for rain towards the end of the race. Image: iRacing.com
As you can see from the official forecast provided by the iRacing themselves, you can expect a very cloudy and overcast event, meaning track temperatures will remain low throughout the event. Moreover, yes, it does look like there is a small chance of rain for about three hours overnight whilst the chequered flag may well get a bit soggy come the end of the race.
When is iRacing Daytona 24?
Much like previous editions, the 2025 iRacing Daytona 24 Hours is the first major endurance Special Event for the sim after last week's warm up that was the ROAR. It takes place this weekend between the 17 to 19 January.Across the weekend, a total of four time slots will be available to race. The Saturday 12pm time slot typically attracts the most participation with the top split getting its own dedicated live broadcast. Here is the full list of 2025 iRacing Daytona 24 timeslots:
- Timeslot #1 – Friday 22:00 GMT
- Timeslot #2 – Saturday 07:00 GMT
- Timeslot #3 – Saturday 12:00 GMT
- Timeslot #4 – Saturday 16:00 GMT
Regardless of the timeslot you decide to run, you are sure to have great fun. Just remember, it is a long race that cannot be won at Turn 1. With 24 hours to go, early incidents should not deter you.
Are you competing in the iRacing Daytona 24 Hours this year? Tell us in the comments down below!
