Sim Racing Online Racing Rules And Regulations

The full Codes and Regulations are adopted from the National Auto Sport Association's 2010 regulations, as applicable to online sim racing.

The Sim Racing Online policies are adopted from the National Auto Sport Association's regulations, as applicable to online racing. Policies of safety, conduct and expectations are as relevant to virtual racing as they are actual racing, and Sim Racing Online drivers understanding these may transition between virtual and actual racing with little or no adjustment.

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1.1. Procedure - Filing a protest
1.2. Procedure - Formation Lap with Standing Start
1.3. Procedure - Manual Formation Lap - 2 wide start
1.4. Procedure - Manual Formation Lap - Single file
1.5. Procedure - Starting from pit lane

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2.1 Account and player
2.2 Blocking
2.3 Appendix
2.4 Flags
2.5 Counter-Course Driving
2.6 Flag Observance
2.7 Off-Course Excursions
2.8 Participant Conduct – Expectations
2.9 General Passing

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3.1 Punting
3.2 Right to the Line
3.3 Text and Voice chat
3.4 Use of ESC key in Qualifying
3.5 Driver Swaps
3.6 Race For Cash

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4.1 Minimum Drivers Required for a Race

 

1.1. Procedure Filing a protest

Before considering the use of a protest, take 24 hours and cool down to think about the incident more clearly and then reconsider your protest.

Protests and Complaints regarding another participant must be filed to an admin no later than 48 hours after race completion. Any filings outside the allotted window or protests lacking any information will not be reviewed. If your protest is declined due to invalid or improper filing of a protest or missing or improper information, you may not be able to resubmit the protest.

A protest must have only the following information;
Name of event in question
Participant or incident in question
Exact time-stamp of incident
Cite exact policy violated

DO NOT include your own opinion or play-by-play of the incident. If we need this information will ask you for it to be sent to us via PM.

The above information must be passed on to the Sim Racing online Staff Official via the Sim Racing Online PM message centre. Protests are reviewed at the completion of the 48 hour wait period. All Steward Decisions are final.

Excessive unsubstantiated protests or complaints will be grounds for penalty/discipline.

Penalties are issued only if there is clear and obvious malicious intent in a person's actions, or repeated misjudgement. Accidental contact is part of auto-racing and is not considered malicious. Filing a protest does not guarantee it will be resolved with a penalty. Many protests are found in favour of the other party or a non-penalty form of resolution.

Below you can see the standard penalties for each rule violation. This does not guarantee any penalty, nor does it restrict Sim Racing Online from using any other penalty.


· Blocking = Warning and or Re-position of final placing.

· Blue Flags = Warning or repeat intent will be a Disqualification from that round.

· Counter-Course Driving = Indefinite ban from Sim Racing Online.

· Off-Course Excursion = If the driver has gained time and or a place will be given a time penalty to be added to their race time or in the form of a stop-n-go penalty in the next event.

· Participant Conduct = Warning, Re-position, Drive-through, Stop-n-Go, Time Penalty, Lap(s) Penalty, Disqualification, 2 Week Suspension, 30 Day Suspension, Indefinite ban.

· Punting = Drive-through, Stop-n-Go, Time Penalty, Lap(s) Penalty, Disqualification.

· Text Chat in race or Qualifying = Drive-through, Disqualification.

· Use Of The ESC Key In The Race Or Qualifying = Stop-n-Go, Disqualification.

 

1.2. Procedure - Formation Lap with Standing Start

Formation laps will be done automatically via the software itself.

All drivers have 30 seconds to get their car to the grid. When the timer expires, a message will appear on screen releasing all drivers on the formation lap.

During this lap, all cars should maintain a safe speed in single file order for the entire lap.

Use this time to heat tires and brakes, but be aware that other drivers will be weaving and braking during this lap.

As you approach the grid at the end of your formation lap, your grid spot can be easily located as it is highlighted.

Stop in your grid spot and await the start-lights to begin the race.

 

1.3. Procedure - Manual Formation Lap - 2 wide start

Once all drivers are on the grid the timer automatically expires and the starting lights will go green, signifying the beginning of the Manual Formation Lap. During this lap, all cars should maintain a two-by-two formation, as all cars were placed on the grid, for the entire lap. All cars may accelerate at the "GREEN" chat command given, after the final corner of the track, by the Admin to officially start the race.

If you accidentally spin out or wreck on the manual formation lap, you MUST line up at the rear of the field. Please do not pass other cars to re-take your qualified position.

 

1.4. Procedure - Manual Formation Lap - Single file

Once all drivers are on the grid the timer automatically expires and the starting lights will go green, signifying the beginning of the Manual Formation Lap, Maximum speed of the formation lap will be given by the race admin. During this lap, all cars should maintain a safe speed in single-file order for the entire lap. Use this time to heat the tires, and be aware that other drivers will be weaving and slowing. The top qualifier may accelerate at the final turn to officially start the race.

If you accidentally spin out or wreck on the manual formation lap, you MUST line up at the rear of the field. Please do not pass other cars to re-take your qualified position.

 

1.5. Procedure - Starting from pit lane

You can start from pit lane in any rFactor race either by choice or by not taking the grid before time expires. In either situation there are some things you need to know to avoid a disqualification;

- Get in your car and come to the exit of pit lane.

- IMPORTANT!!! Do not exit pit lane until the pit exit light is green. If you do exit pit lane under red light, you will be DQ'd by the game (not reversible by Stewards). If there are no lights, count to 30 then leave pits. Basically, you are cleared to go once the leader crosses the sector-1 scoring line, which is normally 20-30 seconds into the lap at normal racing speeds.

 

2.1 Account and player names

All members of Sim Racing Online must go by their real names. Accounts may not be created using nicknames or tags. In-game player profiles must also use your real name.

Members must enter the race servers under game profiles that exactly match their Sim Racing Online member names. If you are "Jonathan Swan" on the site, then you must be "Jonathan Swan" in the game and not "Jon" or "J Swan". This is how we match your racing results to your Sim Racing Online driving career.

Failure to follow the naming guidelines will result in removal

 

2.2 Blocking

A driver may choose to protect his or her line so long as it is not considered blocking. Blocking is defined as two (2) consecutive line changes to "protect his/her line", and in doing so, impedes the vehicle that is trying to pass with each of the two (2) consecutive movements.

First offence: a warning.
Second offence: the driver is disqualified from the event.

 

2.3 Appendix

The rules ... are intended to help drivers determine when they should attempt a pass, and who may be at fault should there be an incident.

The main purpose of the "racing room" rule is not to allow one driver to squeeze the other driver. The main purpose and intent is to alert the mind of the driver that is contemplating a pass that he/she may be "forced" to go two (2) wheels off-course to avoid a collision. Basically, this means that the overtaking driver must be certain that he/she can attempt the pass with room to spare, and must be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.

Lastly, remember that, even though you may have the "right of way" it may not be smart to insist upon it. You may be involved in a collision that was not your fault, but you may end up crashing your car, sustain damage, or at the very least be punted out of the race. The other driver may get penalties, but that will not help you get your position back.

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2.4 Blue Flags

A blue flag displayed warns the driver that he is about to be lapped by a faster car and must let it pass. A driver may incur penalties if he ignores displayed blue flags.

 

2.5 Counter-Course Driving

Operating a vehicle in the direction opposite to the normal traffic flow is strictly prohibited, unless ordered to do so by a Race Steward. Performing or attempting a ‘U-turn’ (180 degree turn) on or across the racing surface is considered Counter-Course driving.

First offence: a warning.
Second offence: the driver is disqualified from the event.
Third offence: 30 days ban.

 

2.6 Flag Observance

All flag, light, pit-lane, and course-marker rules must be obeyed at all times.

Local-caution flags - Any straight or corner with a visible accident ahead is considered a no-passing area until the EXIT of the next corner that is not the corner or straight in which the accident occurred.

Yellow flag means there has been an incident, take care and be prepared to stop if necessary.

Blue flag means there is a faster car approaching. Cars being lapped must allow the faster car past or risk being penalized. Some racing sims deal with Blue Flag penalties in different ways, so where it is not possible to switch the penalties off for the race server, the race Event Notes may remind users that penalties can be issued automatically by the sim during the race. These penalties must be taken as instructed by the sim.

Black flag means your race is over. Enter the pits within 2 laps.

Try to be as predictable as possible.

Moving over is ok, only if it safe for you to do so.

Avoid making unnecessary maneuvers, be predictable.

Flashing of head lights is only permitted no more than 3 times when approaching a car to let them know you are closing on them (constant flashing is not allowed).

 

2.7 Off-Course Excursions

The competitor is required to follow the marked course during the competition and shall not gain an advantage by an off-course excursion. The marked course is defined by the white lines and two wheels of the car must be kept within these boundaries at all times.

'Off-course' is defined as leaving the marked course with all four wheels. The definition of the term 'advantage gained' will be left up to the sole discretion of the Race Steward(s) and may include when a driver goes all four-wheels-off on the exit of a corner, or was deemed to be an unnatural and/or unrealistic racing line. Should a car leave the track the driver may rejoin, however this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage.

Penalties may be assessed for an off-course excursion that Steward(s) decide affords an advantage to the offender.

 

2.8 Participant Conduct – Expectations

It is expected that every participant and driver (entrant) at any event shall conduct themselves according to the highest standards of behaviour and sportsmanship, particularly in their relationship with other drivers and Officials, and in a manner that shall not be detrimental to the reputation of Sim Racing Online. Failure to do so may result in harsh penalties.

Good sportsmanship is the very essence of the sport, and the basic foundation of any competition. Competitors are expected to hold the qualities of fairness, honesty, courtesy, and justice to be more important than the outcome of the race. Real sportsmen/women may have an intense desire to win, but not at all costs. A person that has won by cheating, or by any means less than honourable, has simply found a way to acquire a trophy, but not a victory. The actual winner is the true sportsman/woman that might go home with nothing in his/her hands, yet his/her heart is overflowing with satisfaction. This satisfaction comes from the understanding that the value of winning is not found in a trophy, but rather in the sheer pleasure of playing the sport with honesty, fairness, and integrity.

Any unsportsmanlike conduct, on any scale, is not welcome at Sim Racing Online events. Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have many forms such as name-calling, arguing, accusing, and intimidation, flashing headlamps, honking horns, and losing without grace. No form of unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated. Competitors that show poor sportsmanship due to a mistake in judgment will be educated. However, competitors that commit repeated acts of unsportsmanlike conduct will be excluded from all future events.

All drivers must know all of the rules. Ignorance of a specific rule is not a defence.

All registered participants are required to attend the event. If a driver is unable to attend, you are required to un-register from the event ahead of time. While it is understandable that this may not be possible from time to time, repeated no-shows will result in your entries to future events being filled by participants with a better reliability record.

 

2.9 General Passing

The responsibility for the decision to pass another car, and to do it safely, rests with the overtaking driver. The overtaken driver should be aware that he/she is being passed and must not impede that pass by blocking. A driver who does not watch his/her mirrors or who appears to be blocking another car seeking to pass may be penalized.

Once the trailing car has its front wheels half way down the side next to the driver of the other vehicle, it is considered that the trailing car has the right to be there and that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough "racing room". If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and there is incidental contact made between cars, the contact will be considered “side-to-side”. Incidental side-to-side contact is considered to be "a racing incident."

See 2.3 - Appendix for more on this policy

 

3.1 Punting

The term "punting" is defined as nose-to-tail (or side-of-the-nose to side-of-the-tail) contact, where the leading car is significantly knocked off of the racing line. The “nose” of the car is defined as the area from one front wheel, around the front of the car, to the other front wheel including the wheels themselves. Once the trailing car has its front wheels next to the driver of the other vehicle, it is considered that the trailing car has the right to be there and that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough "racing room".

If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and there is incidental contact made between cars, the contact will be considered “side-to-side”. Incidental side-to-side contact is considered to be a racing incident.

Any driver who "punts" another car, either off track or into a spin, at any time during the race, must do one of two things during the lap in which the incident occurs:

1. Give the position(s) back to the car or cars affected by your action.
2. Serve an immediate drive-through penalty (in addition to any stop for repairs) for each incident.

If you cause a driver to go off track or spin and cannot safely give the position back, do the drive-through immediately. It's the quickest and most fair way to serve the penalty and in most cases will satisfy the stewards if a protest is filed.

If you cause a driver to crash and never lift off the throttle and never serve the penalty, that is not acceptable and could result in a series ban.

If a protest is filed against you for a punting violation, the following actions can be taken. SRO reserves the right to change these actions at any time depending on the severity of the situation.

1. If this is your first offense at SRO, you will be issued a drive-through penalty.
2. If you have already been issued a drive-through penalty, you will be given a time penalty sufficient enough to drop you in the final standings. The time penalty is not constant and can vary by situation.
3. If you are a repeat offender, you could be banned from the series or from SRO in general.

Use common sense in evaluating your situation. For example:
If you knock someone off track but you can give the position back in a short amount of time and without impeding other drivers, then that should be an acceptable outcome and most likely no protest would be filed. If you cause damage to the other car and cause a retirement, you should impose a drive-through penalty on yourself.

 

3.2 Right to the Line

The driver in front has the right to choose any line, so long as not to be considered blocking. The driver attempting to make a pass shall have the right to the line when their front wheel is beside the driver of the other vehicle.

Once the trailing car has its front wheels next to the driver of the other vehicle, it is considered that the trailing car has the right to be there and that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough "racing room". If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and there is incidental contact made between cars, the contact will be considered side-to-side. Incidental side-to-side contact is considered to be a racing incident

When not leaving enough racing room:
First offence: a warning.
Second offence: the driver is disqualified from the event.

 

3.3 Text and Voice chat

Text chat
No text chat whatsoever is allowed during the Race and Qualifying sessions. Chat during Practice and Warmup sessions is allowed, but please keep it related to the event itself.

For oval racing events, Sim Racing Online does allow the use of the quick-chat messages for Pit-In and Pit-Out during the race session.

Voice chat
Voice chat is allowed during the Race session (but not Qualifying). Anyone connecting to the voice communication servers during events does so under this assumption. Please keep voice chat related to the event itself.

 

3.4 Use of Escape (Esc) key in Qualifying

Use of the Esc key during Qualifying is the equivalent of stopping your car and getting out. This may be done only in your pit stall. There are very few exceptions to this rule. Here are the only two we will currently consider. These exceptions are subject to change at any time:
1. You run out of fuel in pit lane before reaching your pit stall.
2. You sustain damage to your car as a result of another driver and cannot make it back to your pit stall. You must prove your qualifying session was wrecked by another driver and that you made an attempt to return to pit lane.

If you use the Esc key in any location other than your pit stall, your Qualifying session is over and you may not return to the track.

If you use the Esc key on track and then leave pit lane again for an additional lap, you will be penalized in one of three ways:

1. If the event is not part of a series or is a club event, you will be disqualified.
2. If the event is part of a series, you must do a drive-through at the next event.
3. If the event is part of a series and is the last event, you will be disqualified.

Repeat offenders will be disqualified from series.

 

3.5 Driver Swaps

Driver swaps are allowed but only recommended for races of 180 minutes or more.

Races that require driver swaps will need each driver to register for the race.

Always practice driver swaps whenever possible.

When doing a driver swap the driver only needs to be on the server 5 minutes before the swap to prevent server crashes.

When your driver swap is complete you will be expected to leave the server within 2 lap’s failure to do so will result in a 10 second stop & go

Spectators are not permitted on the server at any time unless authorised by an SRO manager or moderator.