We have reviewed your feedback ahead of Season 18 and have a number of big changes coming. Here is everything you need to know.

SEASON FORMAT

We are going back to 12-week seasons with 4 drop weeks. The shorter 9-week format reduced flexibility and made it hard for drivers with fixed schedules. This also means we go back to matching officials for tracks every week.

SEASON 18 SCHEDULE

• Sunday: GR86 Championship
• Monday: Indy Championship
• Tuesday: LMP3/GT4
• Wednesday: IMSA GTE/LMP2/GTP
• Thursday: GT3

OPEN WHEEL REVAMP — INDY ON MONDAYS

Monday night is going Indy racing! The open wheel series will hold a car vote each season, choosing from the most popular open wheel options on iRacing (FF1600, F4, SFL, etc.). The overall feedback on longer races was positive, so we are keeping 4 longer races across the 12-week season. Tracks will match the current week’s officials rather than the previous week.

GR86 CHAMPIONSHIP ON SUNDAYS

Porsche Cup is going away for at least a season due to low numbers. Sunday nights will now host the GR86 Championship — a full WCR Championship with Pro/Am classes and trophies, matching the Simagic officials.

PENALTY POINT BANK

Each driver now has a 100-point buffer before championship points are deducted. Penalty points accumulate in the bank first — only once you exceed 100 total points do all the banked points come off your championship total.

Example: a 50-point penalty followed by another 50-point penalty means you serve both penalties, but nothing is lost from your championship standing. A third 10-point penalty (110 total) would then deduct all 110 points from your championship total.

Why? Too many drivers were avoiding the final race of the season out of fear that one penalty would tank their championship. One incident should not define your season — but a pattern of them will.

ALL OTHER SERIES

LMP3/GT4, IMSA, and GT3 carry forward with their current cars and classes, updated to the 12-week format.

We are open to additional feedback. Let us know what you think in the general Discord chat!

See you out there.
— Sean + Admin + Stewards

First, thank you to everyone who filled out the survey. 39 of you took the time to tell us what you love, what frustrates you, and what would make WCR even better. We read every single response and this announcement is the result of that. You asked, we listened.

Here is what Season 17 looks like.

THE SCHEDULE

• Sunday: Porsche Cup (Championship)
• Monday: Super Formula Lights (Championship)
• Tuesday: LMP3/GT4 (Championship)
• Wednesday: IMSA GTP/LMP2/GTE (Championship, 45 minutes)
• Thursday: GT3 Simucube (Championship)
• Friday: Production Car Challenge (For fun, no points, all season)

Five championship series. One fun night every single week. Something for everyone, every night of the week.

Friday Production Car is our newest addition and we could not be more excited about it. Free cars, no points, no pressure, voice comms open. Old school WCR after race review. Whether you are a veteran looking to unwind after a long week or someone brand new to WCR who wants to see what we are all about, Friday nights are for you. We will be promoting this externally so expect some new faces.

FRESH SEASON FORMAT

All championships move to 9 weeks with 2 drop weeks. Tighter, more competitive, less burnout.

Here is the exciting part. In Week 13 of the current season YOU get to shape the schedule. Members will vote to remove the 4 worst tracks from the upcoming calendar and vote to add 1 new one. No more Jerez situations. The schedule will reflect what the community actually wants to race.

Dropped weeks will be spread through the season so there is always a natural break when you need one. And since Friday Production Car runs all season, there is always somewhere to race even on your championship off-weeks.

THREE TIERS IN GT3 AND LMP3/GT4

This is the big one. For too long the gap between the front of the field and the rest has made it hard for the middle of the pack to race for something meaningful. That changes in Season 17.

Thursday GT3 and Tuesday LMP3/GT4 move to three tiers:

• Pro: 3500+ iRating
• ProAm: 2000 to 3499 iRating
• Am: Under 2000 iRating

Every driver now has a championship that is genuinely theirs to fight for. The aliens race each other. The mid pack battles for ProAm glory. New and developing drivers have a home in Am where they can grow, improve, and earn their way up.

IMSA GETS A FRESH START

IMSA is back for Season 17 with some important changes. GT3 is out, GTE is in. Race length drops to 45 minutes. Combined with the new track voting system, IMSA should be a completely different experience to last season. The prototype fields have always delivered good racing and now the GT class has a fresh identity to match.

PCUP AND SFL GET STRATEGIC

At least 3 races per season will be 45-minute pit stop races. Members will vote on exactly how many. If you have ever felt like PCup or SFL turn into a time trial after lap 3, this fixes it. Strategy, tire management, undercuts. Real racing.

COMMUNITY FIRST

Mandatory drivers meetings are moving to Discord. Voice is open during races, mute if you prefer quiet, the no negativity rule still stands and always will.

We will post a weekly championship update in every series channel so you always know exactly where you stand in the fight.

Steward penalty notices will now include a written explanation of the call, not just the outcome. We want every driver to understand the decision and learn from it.

THE TRACK VOTE IS COMING SOON

We are in Week 13 right now which means the Season 17 schedule vote is right around the corner. Stay tuned for details on how to have your say on the tracks we race next season.

Season 17 is going to be the best version of WCR we have ever put on the grid. We cannot wait to race with you.

See you out there.
- Sean + The Admin + The Stewards