2. On-Track Regulations
2.1 Being lapped
2.1.1
● We are running with the in-game rules & flags system, which means that the game should alert you with a blue flag when you are about to be lapped. When receiving a blue flag or you know that a car is going to lap you and is approaching from behind, you should let them past safely and without interfering with their race.
In single class races, this is done best by the car that is being shown a blue flag moving off the racing line and easing on the accelerator on a straight, or lifting / braking early, and/or giving up the corner and racing line to let the lapping car pass.
For multi-class races, this is done best by the car that is being shown a blue flag and being overtaken by a faster class car remaining on the racing line, and possibly easing on the accelerator to facilitate a safe and quick pass if the scenario allows for it. For more info and tips on lapping in multi-class, see the 'Lapping in Multi-Class Racing' thread for the relevant league.
In either situation, both drivers are responsible for doing this in a safe way.
The driver who is being lapped can help the faster car to pass by lifting/braking early. The slower car can hold his line when the faster car is going for the overtake. The slower car should let the faster car pass in the next few corners.
Also, you can see if the driver is a lap higher than you by looking at the mini-map or relative board - the car will be highlighted by a red colour, instead of a regular white dot or name.
2.1.2
● As a means of helping with blue flags, we advise the leaders to flash their lights at cars due to be lapped. This should not be done excessively. This is their cue to inform that the driver on the lead lap is about to pass the driver being lapped, and should let the lapping car pass at the next safe available opportunity.
Flashing your lights at a competitor you are racing for position is not to be used as a "distraction technique" or in anger at an incident.
2.1.3
● If you are going faster than a car that has lapped you, do not attempt to unlap yourself unless it is safe to do so and doesn't hinder the car in front.
2.2 Pit stops
2.2.1
● Stay within the white line and obey the speed limit (60 KPH) when entering and exiting the pit lane. If you cause a dangerous situation by crossing the pit entrance or exit line, or if this is done in a way that blatantly gains time or track position, you will be penalised. Remember to assign your pit limiter button as well.
2.2.2
● For all races longer than 1 hour, pit stops are mandatory, so you must come into the pits at least once. We will be running with the 'force mandatory pit-stop' function on. Therefore, you must come into the pits at least once.
2.2.2.1
● For all races longer than 1 hour, pit stops are mandatory, but what constitutes a pit stop? You are required to do the following,
- Enter the pit-lane, applying the pit-limiter.
- Completely stop in your box.
- Leave the pit-lane safely.
You therefore are not required by the rules to change tyres, or refuel, or do any repair work. However, you may complete these changes whilst completing your mandatory pit-stop.
2.2.2.2
● Pit Window - You may not complete your mandatory stop during the formation lap unless you have damage. The pit window opens at the end of the first
official race lap,
the AOR formation lap is not an official race lap. You may not finish your race in pit lane.
Note: Any pit stops during the formation lap needs the OK from your coordinator.
2.2.3
● Failure to pit during races longer than 1 hour, or complete your mandatory stop as listed by the rules will result in disqualification from the race.
2.2.4
● It is possible in some rare occasions that if you enter the pits your pit-box is occupied. Just pull in anyway - you will ghost through the car that's there and your pit-crew
should service you anyway. If they don't, please wait 6 seconds before pulling out, and create a stewards enquiry afterwards (please make sure you keep video footage of your pitstop and finishing position).
2.3 Driving in different conditions
2.3.1
● For races that take place at night time, all drivers are required to have their headlights on in order to make your car visible to others, and to make the road more visible for you. If you're involved in an accident which damages both of your headlights, you must return to the pits immediately for repairs. Please also make sure you have a button assigned to turn the headlights on.
2.3.1.1
● The above rule about having headlights on also applies to running in the fog and in the rain.
2.3.2
● For races with rain or a chance of rain, please make sure you have a button assigned to turn the wipers on.
2.4 Reset to Track Button
● During the race, you must not use the 'Reset to Track' button (should you have it assigned) except in extreme circumstances. Falling off the track and ending way off in the gravel is not a good enough excuse to use it. If your car rolls over for whatever reason, that is an acceptable reason to use it.
2.5 Return to pitbox
● If at any point in qualifying you want to return to the pitbox, please do this off-track or manually drive to the pits. This will prevent any unwanted shadows on the track due to a glitch.
2.6 In-Game Disqualification
● If you are disqualified from the race in-game, submit your full race replay to the stewards. If we feel that the disqualification was justified, it will remain. However if we feel that the disqualification was unfair, or a result of a game glitch, then you will be classified as the last finisher and score full points for that position.
2.7 Manual Rolling Start
The Procedure and Rules:
- Upon the in-game green light, all cars are to remain stationary for 5 seconds. The leader will then pull away at a slow pace, and subsequently the rest of the field will pull away 1 by 1 behind them to form a single file train with no overtaking. Drivers are to drive along the middle/centre of the grid once they have pulled away to avoid any drivers to the sides with issues.
- If a driver is to have an issue at the start, they are to indicate this as clearly as possible to those around them, either by alerting others in TS/Party Chat or by rapidly flashing headlights.
- If the driver is able to move and then fix the problem, they are to do so by slowly pulling over to the side of the track closest to them to rectify the issue. If the driver with an issue cannot move, they are to remain stationary and rapidly flash their headlights.
- Once the issue is resolved, they are allowed to pull away and re-form at the back of the pack in last position.
- If the issue is resolved whilst cars are still driving past them on the grid, they are to wait and remain stationary until all drivers have passed them, and re-form at the back of the pack in last position.
- If a driver is to sustain heavy damage at the start due to unique circumstances and through no fault of their own, the driver can go ahead of the pack once everyone is moving to enter the pits and repair any significant damage if they wish to do so. Once they leave the pits, they are to park immediately at the pit exit in a safe place and wait for the race start.
- Please communicate if you have issues as early as possible and at the start of the formation lap process, as you will only be allowed to go ahead of the pack if the situation is obvious and the party leader approves for you to do so.
- If the pack is moving when approval is given, all drivers are to stick to the right hand side of the circuit, no matter what track it is to allow the affected drivers through ahead of the pack.
- For example, if you are in P4 and spin on the formation lap, you must form up at the back of the grid.
- Once the leader of the single file train has pulled away, they can accelerate up to a speed of 80mph/130kph and will then maintain that throughout the lap, slowing down clearly and gradually for any corners that require slower speeds, and then accelerating up to the limit of 80mph/130kph. The rest of the drivers in the train are to follow the leader around the lap, sticking to a similar pace and maintaining safe distances to drivers around them for tyre and braking warming.
- Weaving and warming of the brakes is allowed whilst single file, and drivers should be aware that other drivers will be doing this, allowing for sufficient room and ensuring brake warming is done with sufficient space without danger to other drivers.
- If a driver spins off at any point in the formation lap, they are to hold their position, wait for the train of cars to pass through and re-form at the back of the grid in last position.
- If a driver sustains light damage during the formation lap from contact with another car, but doesn't spin or lose grid position, they will NOT be allowed to go ahead for repairs and must pit after the FIRST racing lap.
- The cars will remain in a single file train until a designated point on the circuit called 'The Formation Point', usually a corner or couple of corners before the start finish line depending on the circuit and it's layout. These will be clearly communicated and displayed in the relevant thread for each circuit before the race starts for every driver to see.
- At the formation point, the leader will slow down to 50mph/80kph and the 2nd placed driver, will pull alongside to form a second train.
- The grid will then split into the two trains forming a 2 x 2 formation, with drivers forming up on the opposite side of the circuit to the driver in the position immediately above them. For example at Silverstone, all drivers in an odd numbered position (1,3,5,7 etc) will split to the right hand side of the circuit and all drivers in an even numbered position (2,4,6,8 etc) will move to the left hand side of the circuit. The formation should look like this from a bird's eye view:
- 2--1
4--3
6--5
8--7
- From this point onwards, drivers are no longer allowed to perform excessive tyre and brake warming manoeuvres. Both are to be kept at a minimum if at all. Any manoeuvres that cause others to take avoiding action can have severe detrimental affects to the race start possibly causing contact and/or delays which could result in a penalty from the stewards.
- The two trains will roll in 2 x 2 formation, side by side towards the start finish line and over the marked grid boxes on the trains corresponding side, with the train lead by P1 on the inside line for the first turn.
- The lead drivers are to still maintain 50mph/80kph at this stage. Any drivers behind the lead pair can use whatever speed necessary to close up the gap to the car directly in front of them in the train, without endangering other drivers around them. Once formed up, drivers are allowed to leave no more than 2 car lengths between themselves and the car directly in front of your train.
- Drivers need to keep in mind that if the track requires the two trains to drive through a corner or sequence of corners, that they need to allow plenty of room to their sides for the other train and not squeeze or endanger the other drivers around them.
- If there is an issue at this stage, the league coordinator or the driver in P1 are to signify an aborted race start either by communicating in TS/Party Chat or rapidly flash their headlights for other drivers. If the league co-coordinator is down the grid in the pack and out of clear view for P1, other drivers around them are to flash their headlights until the driver in P1 does so too, signifying that they understand there is an issue. In this situation, the two trains will maintain formation and at the speed of 50mph/80kph over the start finish line and down to turn 1. Once the first turn has been navigated and it is safe to do so, P1 will accelerate back up to 80mph/130kph, drivers are to reform in the single file train and the formation lap process will start again.
- As the leaders of the two trains roll across the grid boxes at the constant speed of 50mph/80kph, at any point of their choice between 2 designated and clearly visible points known as 'The Acceleration Zone', P1 is allowed to go full throttle to signify the start of the race. From this moment, all other drivers are now allowed to accelerate to race speeds, but are NOT allowed to overtake the car directly in front of them in their train until they themselves have crossed over the start finish line.
- When P1 accelerates to signify the start of the race, they must do so in a clear manner within the designated acceleration zone. They are not allowed to try and bait other drivers by jumping on and off the accelerator. Once the driver in P1 accelerates in the acceleration zone, they must continue to do so and not change their mind.
- From the moment everyone starts to accelerate, drivers may break from their train if they have a good run on the driver ahead. Bear in mind that you still can not overtake the driver directly in front of you in your train until you have crossed over the start finish line. Also be aware of other drivers alongside you doing the same.
- With regards to the two leaders of the trains (P1 and P2), despite there being no car directly infront of P2, they are still not allowed to overtake before the start finish line. This gives P1 a protected status up to the point of the line, from there onwards, P2 is allowed to overtake P1.
- Once the full grid has passed the end of the pit-lane, any drivers who are there waiting after having repaired serious issues from the start can now race and join the back of the pack.
Additional Rules and Info:
- If a driver has to go ahead of the pack to pit for repairs, they are allowed to drive at normal racing or safe speeds depending on the damage to reach the pit-lane ahead of the pack. Once they leave the pits, they are to stop immediately and wait for the race start.
- If multiple drivers have to go ahead of the pack to pit for repairs, they have to do so in the order they qualified in with no overtaking unless the other driver has a clear issue and can't maintain a racing speed. Only then would you be allowed to pass but it must be done so safely with plenty of room given by both drivers. When coming out the pit-lane after the repairs and stopping to wait for the pack, they must leave room for the other drivers to stop and wait, and park up in the order that they leave the pit-lane.
- When the pack drives past at the race start they are allowed to accelerate to catch the pack in the order they left the pit-lane in.
- If the race start is abandoned, the drivers at the pit-lane must wait until the pack has driven past before accelerating and rejoining the back of the pack in the order they left the pit-lane in and rejoin in the repeated formation lap procedure.
- Any drivers sustaining damage during the formation lap have to take the rolling race start, and are not allowed to take to the pit-lane to repair. Likewise if the formation lap is aborted and restarted. Only once the race is actually underway will the drivers with damage be allowed to take to the pit-lane to repair their damage next time they approach the pit-lane entry on the first racing lap.
- The main reason for this is if someone pulls off into the pit-lane when in 2 x 2 formation, it's a complete utter logistical nightmare to get everyone else behind to then switch to the other side of the grid so there are no gaps before the race start.
For a good visual demonstration of the rolling start procedure, watch the video below: