Promoting inclusion through sim racing: 'Race for a Cause' 24-Hour iRacing Event Raises €6,000 for LGBTQIA+ Youth
- MIKA BÖCKER
- 26 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Over 200 drivers raced for 24 hours in iRacing’s Race for a Cause, raising over €6,000 for LGBTQIA+ youth organization Belong To while promoting diversity and inclusion in sim racing.
Over 200 drivers in 51 teams across four classes took on a 24-hour race in the iRacing simulation over Easter weekend to raise money for the queer aid organization “Belong To” at this year’s Race for a Cause. Sim racers collectively raised over €6,000 for the charity event, which serves as a platform to promote diversity and inclusion within the sim racing community.
The first Race for a Cause was held last year in iRacing, raising more than €1,700 for the Rainbow Railroad organization. Following the success of its debut, the second edition returned this year with another 24-hour race at Le Mans. The beneficiary for 2025 was “Belong To,” an Irish organization supporting LGBTQIA+ youth aged 14–23, offering services such as family support, crisis intervention, mental health resources, and addiction support. In addition to team entry fees, donations collected during the event had already surpassed €2,000 before the green flag.
After several days of practice sessions, 51 cars lined up for the official start on Saturday. Racers was also represented by the No. 99 McLaren GT3 from Broken Eggs Cooking. Real-world weather conditions were simulated in-game, adding extra challenge as light rain fell during qualifying. Many drivers struggled to complete timed laps due to spins and crashes on the slick circuit. The #99 managed only one lap and qualified 10th out of 17 in the GT3 class after spinning into the gravel at the Indianapolis corner on its second lap.
After a brief delay due to weather, the 24-hour race began with a rolling, single-file start to improve safety in the challenging conditions. The 16-car Hypercar class led the field, but heavy spray severely limited visibility, resulting in early collisions and off-track excursions, particularly in the LMP2 class. The slower GT3 and Challenger classes managed to avoid major incidents thanks to their lower speeds. The No. 99 McLaren kept out of trouble and gained positions early on.
Conditions began to change on the second lap: the rain had stopped, the track remained damp, and drivers grew more confident. Faster cars starting from the pit lane began working through traffic, creating additional risk. As the track dried over the first hour, the No. 99 gained ground until driver Ami Neogi spun in the esses due to overheating rain tires, losing the positions she had fought for.
The first stint was shortened for a tire change to slicks, with Neogi staying in the car. On dry rubber, she climbed to fifth in class before handing over to Nico Gansauge after two hours. Gansauge held position until a lost internet connection just before the end of his stint caused the car to be towed to the pits in the simulation. Though the team lost nearly two laps, their earlier pace meant they avoided falling to last. Neogi then re-entered the race and she completed three back-to-back stints, bringing the McLaren back up to fifth.
After five hours, Mika Böcker of Racers took the wheel. With a solid position secured, the strategy shifted to fuel saving and maintaining pace to avoid a late-race splash-and-dash. During Böcker’s first stint at sunset, traffic became a problem. The #67 LMP2 car, hesitant to pass in the Porsche Curves, stayed behind until the Dunlop Chicane, where it forced its way through and knocked the McLaren off track. Böcker recovered but struggled with handling due to rear-end damage.
The damage was discovered and repaired during the next pit stop, costing two positions but significantly improving car stability. Böcker’s second stint was trouble-free, and Neogi returned to the driver’s seat. Donations had now passed €3,000.
Neogi drove another two solid stints and handed over to Madelyn MacDonald. Competing from the U.S., the time zone suited her for the overnight stints. She focused on trying to find more pace throughout her driving time, then she remained involved from the pit wall during the rest of the night.
During night time, Neogi and Gansauge alternated every two hours. Despite another collision—again with an LMP2 entry—the pair steadily climbed back to fifth in GT3 by morning. The night remained calm for most teams, with a focus on consistency and survival. By dawn, donations had nearly reached €5,000.
However, rain was forecast for the morning. When Böcker returned to the cockpit, the rest of the team adjusted their strategy for the approaching weather. Though the rain arrived later and lighter than expected, the track became slippery enough to require wet tires. Many cars, including sim racing pro Jimmy Broadbent’s, were caught out, causing accidents and tow-ins. The #99 avoided major incidents, though its dry-optimized setup cost it over 10 seconds per lap compared to competitors. Two minor collisions on the drying track cost additional time, and the team fell to sixth in GT3.
With 50 minutes left, the final pit stop and driver change brought Neogi back in. She pushed hard, managed traffic well, and held off the Porsche 023 to secure sixth in class and 36th overall. The GT3 class was won by Satellite Racing Solar (McLaren), with Olympus eSports Atlas km claiming overall victory in a Cadillac Hypercar. Twin Turn Simracing triumphed in LMP2.
A total of €6,178.46 was raised through registrations and race-time donations. The official broadcast addressed queer issues, including rising transphobia in the U.S. and U.K., while teams used in-game liveries to send clear messages in support of diversity and against queerphobia. We sincerely thank all participants and supporters. Donations are still being accepted via this link.