Assetto Corsa Competizione Server Hosting

Public, Private and League Servers

ACC has three kinds of online racing. Kunos runs its own public and competition servers with matchmaking by rating. Anyone can also run a public server of their own, listed for everybody, which follows Kunos' rating rules. A private server, protected by a password or an entry list, is where leagues live: it is the only kind that can use custom pit rules, assist rules, custom balance of performance and locked grids.

On public servers the number of cars is tied to driver ratings. Kunos explained at version 1.0 that an unrestricted server starts with 10 car slots and gains more as the Safety Rating requirement and required track medals rise, up to a public maximum of 30. Private servers are not bound by that formula, but since 1.1.2 they are limited by the number of pit boxes on the track.

The ACC Server's Configuration Files

The dedicated server is configured through JSON files rather than menus. Kunos documents them in the Server Admin Handbook that ships in the server's folder. On our servers you edit them from Configuration Files in the panel, with the server stopped.

Building a League Race Weekend

A typical championship round on a private server comes together in a handful of steps. Everything below is available on non-public servers.

1. Build the entry list with every registered driver and, if needed, a forced car model.
2. Switch on forceEntryList so only registered drivers can join.
3. Set the track and the practice, qualifying and race sessions in event.json, with the weather you want.
4. Add pit rules: mandatory stops, a pit window or stint limits for longer races.
5. Choose the formation lap type and whether late joiners are locked out of the race.
6. Restart the server and check the log before drivers arrive.

Two features help with multi-part events. The defaultGridPosition setting in the entry list lets a race resume from a fixed grid, and dumpEntryList saves everyone who took part in qualifying to an entry list file. Admins can also save the current field with the /manual entrylist command.

Race Control and Admin Commands

Admins run the session from the in-game chat. Over the years Kunos has added the tools a race director needs:

• Session control: move to the next session, or start a free formation lap manually during the wait time.
• Penalties: drive-throughs, 5 and 15 second time penalties, and 10, 20 or 30 second stop-and-go penalties.
• Clean slate: clear every penalty on every car with clear_all.
• Balancing: add ballast or an intake restrictor to a car on a private server.
• Entry lists: save the connected field with /manual entrylist.

Since version 1.5.5, time penalties issued by race control are served at the next pit stop, as in real racing, and any that are left unserved are added to the driver's total time at the end of the session.

Car Groups, Classes and Balance of Performance

A server can be limited to a car group or left open to everything. Kunos added server-side car group restrictions in version 1.5, merged the Cup and ST cars into a single GTC group in 1.8, and added GT2 as a class in version 1.9.6. The GT4 and GT2 cars come from paid packs, so check what your drivers own before choosing a class.

Balance of performance follows Kunos' official data, which the server always takes from the latest release. On a private server you can add your own adjustments with ballast and intake restrictors, useful for a success-ballast championship or a mixed grid of older and newer cars.

Ratings and Track Medals Explained

ACC tracks how each driver behaves online. The Safety Rating rewards clean, incident-free driving, and track medals show that a driver has proven themselves on a circuit. Public servers can require a minimum Safety Rating and a number of track medals, and Kunos uses these to decide how many car slots a public server gets.

For a league, ratings matter less: a private server with an entry list lets in the drivers you registered, and Kunos notes that server-defined entry lists bypass rating requirements as long as a pit box is free. For an open server, a modest Safety Rating requirement is a simple way to keep the first corner tidy.

Results, Logs and Backups

After each session the server writes result files with lap times and finishing positions. Download them with the File Manager or SFTP for your standings spreadsheet, penalty reviews or broadcast graphics. The server log records connections and the settings in use, which is the first place to look when a driver cannot join.

Keep a copy of each round's configuration files on your own computer, so you can rebuild an event quickly. We also keep offsite copies of the server for the last 7 days.

What to Compare Before You Rent an ACC Server

For sim racing, the details behind the price decide whether race night goes smoothly.

1. Full config file accessLeagues need to edit the entry list, event, assist and pit rule files themselves, not pick from a short menu.
2. Flexible slot countsCheck that you can choose the exact grid size you need and change it between seasons.
3. Location and pingClose racing depends on low latency for the whole grid. Test from where your drivers live.
4. Processor speedA full grid over a long race wants a fast CPU; look for upgrade options.
5. Result file accessMake sure you can download result files easily after every session.
6. Support during eventsCheck that help is available in the evenings and at weekends, when leagues actually race.
7. Billing termsCompare monthly and longer terms, and look for setup fees or minimum contracts.

ACC Server Glossary

Entry list

The list of registered drivers and cars a private server accepts.

forceEntryList

A setting that only admits drivers on the entry list.

BoP

Balance of performance: the weight and power adjustments that keep different cars competitive.

Ballast and restrictor

Extra weight or reduced intake added to a car by the admin of a private server.

Car group

The class of cars a server allows: FreeForAll, GT3, GT4, GTC or GT2.

Safety Rating

A driver rating that rewards clean, incident-free racing online.

Track medals

Proof that a driver has earned competence on a circuit; public servers can require them.

Pit window

The part of a race in which mandatory pit stops must be made.

Driver swap

Handing a car to a team-mate during a pit stop in team races.

Formation lap

The paced lap before a rolling start; servers can choose its type and length.

Stop-and-go

A penalty that requires a driver to stop in their pit box for a set time.

ACC Server Help and Next Steps

Useful pages for setting up and running your league server.

• Assetto Corsa Competizione, official siteNews, DLC and updates from Kunos.
• Assetto Corsa Competizione on SteamPatch notes with every server change.
• Gaming Deluxe control panelWhat the panel does and how to log in.
• Our server locations
• Contact support24/7 help with entry lists, events and configs.