diff --git a/rowers/models.py b/rowers/models.py
index d6811a12..b7497c72 100644
--- a/rowers/models.py
+++ b/rowers/models.py
@@ -1394,9 +1394,9 @@ class VirtualRaceForm(ModelForm):
             enddatetime
         )
 
+        registration_closure = cd['registration_closure']
 
-        if startdatetime > enddatetime:
-            raise forms.ValidationError("The Start of the Race Window should be before the End of the Race Window")
+        registration_form = cd['registration_form']
 
         try:
             evaluation_closure = cd['evaluation_closure']
@@ -1404,6 +1404,31 @@ class VirtualRaceForm(ModelForm):
             evaluation_closure = enddatetime+datetime.timedelta(days=1)
             cd['evaluation_closure'] = evaluation_closure
 
+        if registration_form == 'manual':
+            try:
+                registration_closure = pytz.timezone(
+                    timezone_str
+                ).localize(
+                    registration_closure.replace(tzinfo=None)
+                )
+            except AttributeError:
+                registration_closure = startdatetime
+        elif registration_form == 'windowstart':
+            registration_closure = startdatetime
+        elif registration_form == 'windowend':
+            registration_closure = enddatetime
+        else:
+            registration_closure = evaluation_closure
+
+
+        if registration_closure <= timezone.now():
+            raise forms.ValidationError("Registration Closure cannot be in the past")
+
+
+        if startdatetime > enddatetime:
+            raise forms.ValidationError("The Start of the Race Window should be before the End of the Race Window")
+
+
         if cd['evaluation_closure'] <= enddatetime:
             raise forms.ValidationError("Evaluation closure deadline should be after the Race Window closes")