A recipe for superb racing as the CMS iRacing GT World Championship heads to Road Atlanta.
The next CMS iRacing GT World Championship race is just around the corner, set to challenge drivers on the iconic Road Atlanta track on May 28th. This amazing circuit (and one of my favourites) has all the qualities for an exciting race.
Road Atlanta: A Closer Look
Road Atlanta, also known as Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, is a world-class road course in Braselton, Georgia, USA. This 2.54-mile (4.088 km) circuit features 12 turns. It is known for its fast, flowing sections and significant elevation changes. In fact, there is an 80-foot drop in elevation from the top of Turn 11 to the bottom of Turn 12. This makes it a physically demanding and exciting track for both real-world and virtual drivers.
For GT cars, lap records at Road Atlanta are impressive. For example, a Porsche 911 GT2 RS set a production car lap record of 1:24.88 minutes. These times highlight the track’s speed and the performance capabilities of the cars that race there.
Race Details and Schedule
- This race is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025. All times are in US Eastern time, so plan accordingly.
- The evening kicks off with a 40-minute free practice session at 8:30 PM. This gives everyone a chance to fine-tune their cars.
- Qualifying begins at 9:10 PM. It’s an open session, lasting 20 minutes, where drivers will aim for the best starting position.
- The main event, a 75-minute rolling start race, begins at 9:30 PM.
Drivers can use their own car setups. This adds another layer of strategy to the competition, as teams and individuals will seek the optimal configuration for the conditions. A single fast repair is available if things go wrong on the track. This feature can be a real lifesaver during intense moments of the race.
Weather conditions will be realistic, with a wet track state expected. This means drivers will need to adapt their strategies for slippery conditions, making tire management and car control critical.
A drive-through penalty will be issued for every 21 incidents. Also, maximum fuel is limited to 70%. These rules add to the challenge and require careful driving to avoid costly mistakes.
The in-game session date and time are set for September 27, with practice at 3:00 PM, qualifying at 4:00 PM, and the race at 5:00 PM.
One important rule to note is the “Orange Zone” (OZ). This full lap, wet OZ will be reviewed after the race. Officials will look closely at any questionable contact to ensure fair play, promoting clean racing.
Remember, sign-ups are required to participate. Make sure you register if you want to be part of this exciting event!