Assetto Corsa Server Configuration Guide

server_cfg.ini is the main configuration file for an Assetto Corsa dedicated server. It controls the track, the grid size, the session structure, the driver assists, the race rules, and the weather. This guide walks through every section so you know exactly what each setting does before you change it.

💡 This Guide Covers the Standard Racing Server: Assetto Corsa's stock Kunos server runs proper race sessions (practice, qualifying, race) using server_cfg.ini and entry_list.ini. A separate, community-built freeroam server (AssettoServer) exists for AI traffic and open cruising, and adds its own extra_cfg.yml file on top. Everything below applies to the standard racing server.

⚠️ Important Warning: Always make sure your server is completely stopped on your MintServers panel before editing configuration files. Editing files while the server is running can cause your changes to be lost or ignored on the next restart.

Accessing the Configuration File

Log into your MintServers panel and stop your server.
Open the Files tab and navigate to the cfg folder in your server's root directory.
Open server_cfg.ini in the file editor to make your changes.

The [SERVER] Section

This is the core section: server identity, network ports, grid size, and race rules all live here.

📄 cfg/server_cfg.ini

[SERVER]
NAME=My Server Name           ; shown in the in-game server browser
CARS=ks_ferrari_488_gt3;ks_mclaren_650_gt3  ; ';'-separated allowed car folders
TRACK=spa                     ; track folder name
CONFIG_TRACK=                 ; track layout subfolder, blank if none
MAX_CLIENTS=24                ; must not exceed the track's pit box count
PASSWORD=                     ; join password, blank = open
ADMIN_PASSWORD=change-this    ; enables in-chat admin via /admin 
UDP_PORT=9600
TCP_PORT=9600
HTTP_PORT=8081
REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=1           ; 1 = list on the public server browser, 0 = private
PICKUP_MODE_ENABLED=1         ; 1 = pickup mode (pick a car, join anytime)
LOCKED_ENTRY_LIST=0           ; 1 = only Steam GUIDs in entry_list.ini may join
LOOP_MODE=1                   ; 1 = loop the same track/sessions after each event

A few of these are worth calling out directly:

CARS is a whitelist, not the grid itself. The actual grid is built in entry_list.ini, and every MODEL listed there must also appear in CARS. See our guide on installing cars, tracks, and skins for how to add new content here.
MAX_CLIENTS is capped by the track's number of pit boxes, and most official tracks have 24. Setting it higher does not add capacity, it just leaves you with slots that can never spawn a car.
ADMIN_PASSWORD is typed in chat as /admin to get admin powers. Keep it different from your join password.

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Driver Assists Are Not Simple On/Off Switches

⚠️ Common Mistake: ABS_ALLOWED=1 does not mean "ABS on for everyone." It means "only cars that had ABS from the factory may use it."

📄 cfg/server_cfg.ini

ABS_ALLOWED=1              ; 0 = nobody, 1 = only factory-equipped cars, 2 = everyone
TC_ALLOWED=1                ; same 0 / 1 / 2 scale as ABS_ALLOWED
STABILITY_ALLOWED=0         ; 0 = off, 1 = on
AUTOCLUTCH_ALLOWED=1         ; 0 = off, 1 = on
TYRE_BLANKETS_ALLOWED=1      ; 1 = tyres start at optimal temperature
FUEL_RATE=100                ; 0..N, 100 = realistic fuel burn
DAMAGE_MULTIPLIER=100         ; 0 (no damage) to 100 (full damage)
TYRE_WEAR_RATE=100            ; 0..N, 100 = realistic wear

ABS_ALLOWED and TC_ALLOWED are three-state, not a checkbox: 0 bans the assist entirely, 1 allows it only on cars that came with it in real life, and 2 allows every car to use it. The other assists listed above are plain on/off.

Penalties and Cut Detection

There is no single PENALTIES=1 master switch in the Assetto Corsa server. That setting exists in some third-party launcher UIs, but it is not a real key the dedicated server reads. The actual penalty and cut controls are:

📄 cfg/server_cfg.ini

RACE_GAS_PENALTY_DISABLED=0  ; 0 = cutting triggers a "lift the gas" penalty, 1 = logged only
ALLOWED_TYRES_OUT=2           ; wheels allowed off-track before it counts as a cut, -1 disables
MAX_CONTACTS_PER_KM=-1        ; -1 = off, N = auto-kick after N contacts per km
KICK_QUORUM=85                ; percent of players needed to pass a kick vote
VOTING_QUORUM=80               ; percent needed to pass a session restart vote
BLACKLIST_MODE=1               ; how a kicked player's ban is handled
START_RULE=1                   ; 0 = locked to grid, 1 = teleport jump-start fix, 2 = drive-through

For a mandatory pit stop, add a pit window to [SERVER]:

📄 cfg/server_cfg.ini

RACE_PIT_WINDOW_START=25   ; window opens on this lap (or minute, for timed races)
RACE_PIT_WINDOW_END=35     ; window closes on this lap or minute

The base server only enforces that a driver stops in their pit box inside the window, not what the stop involves. Serious league penalties such as track-limit strikes or minimum pit time require a plugin like KissMyRank or Real Penalty, covered in our guide on running a league race weekend.

Session Sections: [PRACTICE], [QUALIFY], [RACE]

Sessions run in order, and only the sections you include are run, so a race-only server can omit practice and qualifying entirely.

📄 cfg/server_cfg.ini

[PRACTICE]
NAME=Practice
TIME=30               ; session length in minutes, always time-based
IS_OPEN=1              ; 0 = no join, 1 = free join, 2 = join until 20s before green
[QUALIFY]
NAME=Qualify
TIME=15
IS_OPEN=1
 
[RACE]
NAME=Race
LAPS=20                 ; lap-counted race, use TIME instead for a timed race
TIME=0                   ; if greater than 0, race becomes timed instead of lap-counted
WAIT_TIME=60              ; seconds on the grid before the green light
IS_OPEN=2

Use either LAPS or TIME in [RACE], not both. Set the one you want and leave the other at 0.

Dynamic Track and Weather

📄 cfg/server_cfg.ini

[DYNAMIC_TRACK]
SESSION_START=95      ; track grip % at the start of the first session
RANDOMNESS=2            ; random grip variation
LAP_GAIN=30              ; laps needed to rubber the track in to 100%
SESSION_TRANSFER=80       ; % of built-up grip carried to the next session
[WEATHER_0]              ; add WEATHER_1, WEATHER_2 and the server randomises between them
GRAPHICS=3_clear
BASE_TEMPERATURE_AMBIENT=18
VARIATION_AMBIENT=2
BASE_TEMPERATURE_ROAD=6    ; added on top of ambient temperature, not an absolute value
VARIATION_ROAD=1

Pickup Mode vs. Booking Mode

PICKUP_MODE_ENABLED decides how drivers join your server:

Pickup mode (=1) is the standard for public servers. Drivers connect anytime, pick an open car, and spawn in.
Booking mode (=0) requires a [BOOK] session for drivers to reserve a slot ahead of time. This mode is largely deprecated and not recommended.

For a locked league grid, keep pickup mode on and set LOCKED_ENTRY_LIST=1 instead of using booking mode. This restricts joining to the Steam GUIDs already listed in entry_list.ini without the booking-session workflow. Full details are in our league race weekend guide.

🛠️ Troubleshooting Config Issues

Server won't start: Check for syntax errors in the file and confirm every MODEL in entry_list.ini also appears in the CARS line.
Can't get more than ~24 players: This is a track limit based on pit boxes, not a hosting limit. Raising MAX_CLIENTS past the track's pit box count creates slots that never spawn.
Assists behaving unexpectedly: Remember ABS_ALLOWED and TC_ALLOWED are three-state (0/1/2), not on/off.
Changes not taking effect: Confirm the server was fully stopped before you edited the file, and that you saved and restarted afterward.

If you get stuck fine-tuning your configuration, no worries! Just open a support ticket and our team will gladly help you get your server dialed in.

Accessing the Configuration File

The [SERVER] Section

Driver Assists Are Not Simple On/Off Switches

Penalties and Cut Detection

Session Sections: [PRACTICE], [QUALIFY], [RACE]

Dynamic Track and Weather

Pickup Mode vs. Booking Mode

🛠️ Troubleshooting Config Issues

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