The iRacing Indianapolis 6 Hour is gone. In its place is the 8 Hours of Indianapolis, which runs from 16 to 18 October 2026 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Two things have changed. The race is two hours longer, and it is now GT3 only. There are no GTPs or LMP2s this year: you race one class, with eleven GT3 cars to choose from. This guide covers the format, the cars, the track and how to plan your stints.
When is the 8 Hours of Indianapolis?
- Dates: Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October 2026, as listed on iRacing’s special events calendar.
- When in the season: week 5 of iRacing’s 2026 Season 4.
- Time slots: iRacing uses its standard special event slots across the weekend. Check the event page in iRacing for the exact times before you register your team.
How the event works
- It’s a team event. Over eight hours, three or four drivers is a sensible line-up.
- iRacing splits the field by team iRating, so you race teams at a similar level.
- Each session opens with a warm-up, then a short qualifying session where one driver sets the team’s time. A different driver can start the race.
- Licence requirements, the incident limit and the fair-share rules are set on the event page. Read them before the weekend so no one in your team is caught out.
The cars: GT3 only
The 2026 race is open to all 11 current GT3 cars:
- Acura NSX GT3 EVO 22
- Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO
- Audi R8 LMS EVO II GT3
- BMW M4 GT3 EVO
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R
- Ferrari 296 GT3
- Ford Mustang GT3
- Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO
- McLaren 720S GT3 EVO
- Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO
- Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
Balance of Performance decides who is quick at Indy, and the Season 4 BoP changed several cars. Our guide to every iRacing GT3 car covers the latest changes and which car suits you.
- Professional Sports & Formula iRacing Setups
- Telemetry Data - Brake, Throttle & Racing Lines
- AI Coaching To Gain Seconds in Lap Time
- Pro Reference Laps & Fixed Data Packs
The track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The race uses the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, which combines part of the famous oval with the infield. It has two long straights and a lot of slow, 90-degree corners, so braking and traction decide your lap time.
- Turn 1, at the end of the main straight, is the best place to pass.
- Turn 7 is the other clean overtaking spot.
- Turn 12 is an easy place to make a move, but watch for crossing lines on the exit.
iRacing’s Indianapolis is not the same as the version in ACC, so don’t rely on ACC references or braking points.
Race strategy: fuel, tyres and stints
- No prototypes this year. You won’t be dodging GTPs, so the race comes down to your own pace, pit timing and staying out of trouble with other GT3s.
- Plan full fuel stints. Work out your fuel per lap in practice and plan backwards from the eight-hour mark, so you don’t finish with a short splash-and-dash. Saving a little fuel each lap, with a lift into Turn 1 and Turn 7, can remove a whole stop over eight hours.
- Test double stints on tyres. Wear rises with track temperature. If a set holds its pace for two stints, skipping a tyre change shortens your stop.
- Agree the driver order early. Set the stint plan before the session opens, and keep everyone within the fair-share rules.
- Have a wet plan. Know when you’ll call for wet tyres before you need to.
- Be patient in traffic. With one class, pace gaps are small. Lapping a slower GT3 takes longer, so wait for Turn 1 or Turn 7.
Get set up for Indy
We cover the 8 Hours of Indianapolis with pro GT3 setups in Delta. Join a session and our iRacing setups install for your car, then Auto Insights shows you where you’re losing time before your stint.
Setup IQ, AI Coaching, Telemetry Data, Leaderboards, Never Lift and Video Analysis - all in Delta for Le Mans Ultimate, iRacing, ACC and AC Evo. Everything you need to win and get faster as a driver in one subscription.
Summary
- 16 to 18 October 2026, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
- Eight hours, GT3 only, team event.
- Plan your stints, look after your tyres and pass at Turn 1 or Turn 7.
Racing more special events this season? See our iRacing special event directory.
