MetroFactor Racing Rules
It stands to reason just like in the real racing world certain rules and regulations have to apply in order for everything to be fair to everyone.
Therefore the following rules shall be rigidly followed at all times.
Race Night - You Must Practice & Qualify
| MetroFactor encourages guest drivers to join us almost anytime so long as you are interested in good clean racing action. However we have come across a minor problem. If you join MetroFactor just prior to race start time on race night without any prior practice, you will likely get booted. We are finding some drivers join at the last minute, then start asking for settings, or worse, crash into the others because of lack of experience or practice. For this reason we must insist that guest drivers participate in at least some practice, and must qualify for the evening's race on Saturdays. Feel free to join us at other times during the week during our practice sessions with no restrictions other than to race clean and have fun. |
GENERAL RULES:
MetroFactor Admin reserve the rights to change, apply and make additions to any rules as required, admin decisions are final and debate will not be entered into.
1) Races will not normally be restarted for personal issues. Forgetting your settings, driver error, non-working controls are not reasons to restart a race.
2) Missing a start for any reason will not be an excuse for a restart.
3) AI cars will not be included in any official race.
4) It is the responsibility of the current host to decide if there are enough drivers present to complete a race.
Race Tip: Do not wait until race time to make sure everything is working properly. If you are not ready at race time you will be asked to leave and have your system ready for the next event you race in. Do not hesitate to ask for help from your fellow drivers ahead of time. Be sure to take advantage of all practise times.
5) Irresponsible driving or abuse of the rules will result in administrative review, loss of points & possible exclusion from at least one future competition.
* race as though you were actually in a real car, could be hurt, and damages are coming out of your pocket. Show the same amount of respect & courtesy you expect from other drivers.
6) Cockpit view with mirrors enabled is required.
7) Anyone may join our practice sessions. However if any driver intentionally causes crashes or wilfully drives reckless without regard to others, you will be blocked. Newcomers and inexperienced drivers are encouraged to practise. You will not be blocked for any honest mistakes or driving errors.
Race Tip: Don't try and win the race on turn 1. This doesn't work and it causes more problems than the pass is worth. Take extreme care in the first corner and indeed the first lap. Remember you’ll have cold tires and brakes on lap 1. Remember to finish 1st, first you got to finish.
Communication
a) Skype: We currently use Skype for pre-race and car to car voice communication. If you are a member you will be already be set up on Skype and have a Skype number.
b) If you are a guest, you will not have voice communication. We are only able to answer text chat messages when we are in the garage. During those times we will try to acknowledge text chat comments or questions. If we are on the track there will be a waiting time until we come from the track to the garage.
c) Chatting is NOT permitted during race sessions except for caution laps or conversation relevant to race safety. Chatting during practice is allowed and encouraged.
8) Qualifying: Will be private, time limited, and you get 4 Laps with your best lap being your official time for your grid position. . Ensure you re-enter the pits on or before the 4th lap to avoid being disqualified.
9) Starts: With rolling starts, keep a tight grid formation. No laying back to get a better run on the start. Maintain Pacing speed until the Green Flag is Dropped. You may pass to the right before the line on all tracks but we ask that you be very smart with this decision as we will not tolerate over aggressive driving.
9.1- There will be no restarts for not getting the first lap under green. Normal caution procedures and penalties will apply.
10) Passing: The passing driver has the best view & should take full responsibility for any passing attempt. If you intend to let someone pass, convey those intentions and move out of the racing line before slowing. If you are racing for position, you are allowed to alter your line (block) one time unless it is the final 2 laps of the race. If you are being lapped, it is your responsibility to allow the faster driver to pass at a safe time & place on the track.
Pass with care. If you aren't sure you can pull off a move to pass an opponent, don't do it. Take your time to work out where to try the move.
11) Overtaking car: If you're attempting to make a pass up the inside, and don't have 1/2 a car overlap when the lead car turns-in to the apex, you must give way. If you try to pass around the outside then exiting the corner you must be fully along side the other car, otherwise they are entitled to take the normal racing line, which may include pushing you wide. In the event that they do start take you wide, you should fall back behind the other car as safely as possible.
Lead car: If you're being overtaken on the inside, and the overtaking car has 1/2 a car overlap or more, you cannot force your racing line and must allow them the apex.
If contact with another driver is your fault, and they are disadvantaged, you must allow them to regain the position immediately - even if it means you lose positions to drivers not involved in the incident. If you can't pass cleanly, do not pass at all.
12) Deliberate Corner Cutting: Deliberate Corner cutting will not be tolerated. Drivers are allowed to use the curbs to the extent that they still have at least two wheels on the tarmac at all times.
13) Crossing The Inside Line During A Pass: No wheels are allowed over the inside line while passing. This can result in a penalty or disqualification.
14) Loss of Control Formation Lap: In the event of 'loss of control' of the vehicle on a formation lap (prior to a race start), a racer must stop in a safe position, allow the pack to pass and join the end of the queue however they may proceed to take their original starting position on the grid at the end of the formation lap.
If a drivers car is damaged to the extent that the moderators consider it a danger to other competitors the moderators may give that car a mechanical black flag in which case if the damage cannot be fixed in the pits the driver must retire immediately. If the driver fails to do so a points penalty or race ban may apply
15) Race classification: To be classified as a finisher (and earn points), a car must have completed 75% of the race distance and crossed the finish line under its own power. (*See exception under Race Points below.)
Flags: Flags displayed by the game are to be respected at all times. A yellow flag indicates there is a spin or accident in an upcoming section of the track. No passing is allowed during a yellow flag. Lift off your gas and hold your position until the field picks up the Pace car when a Yellow Flag is thrown. If you happen to pass someone when the yellow flag comes out please give the position back to that driver and everyone hold there spot until you cross the start/finish line. The blue flag means another driver is in position to pass show respect to the leaders. All other flags are displayed by the game as a penalty & are to be served.
Blue flag. If you see a blue flag, it means that a car that is leading you is behind. Ensure you give him the racing line and allow an uncontested pass as soon as is safe and practical. This doesn't mean you must leave the track boundary.
Yellow flag: If you get shown this, there is an incident ahead. Do not pass under yellow flag conditions. Take extra caution until the area is clear.
Full course yellow (FCY): During a race you will see an on screen message designating when a full-course yellow flag is in effect. Track lights will flash and the announcer will broadcast the caution.. Under FCY conditions all cars will be lead around the track by a pace car at a slower speed until it is clear of incident. No overtaking is allowed under FCY conditions under penalty of a 10 second Stop-Go in pit lane.
16) Any 'incident' occurring on either a formation lap or under a full course yellow flag situation: will result in an offending racer receiving one penalty strike per 'incident. An 'incident' is defined as being any racer action that results in another racer receiving damage and/or being unable to maintain their current position in the pack. Strikes are accumulated, any racer who receives a total of 3 strikes in a series will attract an automatic one race ban.
Should a driver rear end another driver when joining the pack during a FCY and cause damage, that driver will be eliminated from that race immediately.
17) Incidents: If you are involved in an incident & are at fault, slow & allow the competitor you were involved with to pass you if they are able. By doing so, you are acknowledging your responsibility. If you are not sure who is at fault, continue racing & request a review after the race. If you are the cause of 2 incidents that bring out a caution you must park it for the rest of the race.
18) Starts / Restarts: When the green flag drops for starts and restarts drivers can pass before the start/finish line but they can only pass to the right of the car they are passing. If caught passing to the left that driver will be penalized for doing so.
19) Rejoining the track: Normal procedure for rejoining the track after a pit stop is to exit pit road and follow the roadway around to the back stretch and enter the track once you get up to speed. During a caution (FCY) you may enter the track immediately provided you do not interfere with the pack following the pace car.
Rejoining the track any other way during a race subjects the driver to a penalty.
19.1 - It is good procedure to let other drivers know you are exiting the pits either by auto chat or voice.
20) Under all circumstances involving 'loss of control' of the vehicle during a full course yellow: the racer is required to stop in a safe position, allow the pack to pass and then rejoin at the back of the queue, a racer may not regain their original position prior to the incident, failure to do so could result in a strike or an additional time penalty being applied to the final race time of the offender.
21) After a spin or incident with another driver:, it is your responsibility to rejoin the track at a safe time & manner. Wait until all traffic has cleared before re-entering the track. Contact with another vehicle under these conditions will result in a review & penalty.
* Take care re-entering the track. Whether it be from pit lane, the sand pit, a little grass scenic trip or even just recovering from an out of control situation, it is the responsibility of the car that is re-entering the track/re-gaining the racing line to avoid collision. Any contact that disadvantages another racer(s) must be redressed by allowing the other driver to regain the position in front of the guilty party.
22) Cautions: During a race, when the caution comes out, the field is frozen in regard to you position. No racing back to the start/finish line under any circumstances. Hold your position & maintain your speed until you cross the start / finish line. Watch for information as to where you are supposed to be but under no circumstance do you STOP ON TRACK. The game will sort the field as you pace and cross the start/finish line. If you are the cause of 2 cautions you must park it for the remainder of the race.
22.1 - At no point is the leader or any other driver to stop or slow dramatically after taking the caution. You can pass the pace car when the caution flag first comes out and then slow on the backstretch to let it catch up. No driver is allowed to slam on the brakes after passing the start/finish line when taking the caution flag, or to stop for the pace car.
23) Defensive driving. Swerving on straights to block another driver is not allowed. Blocking is only allowed in the championship under the following condition:
A driver is allowed to move once off the racing line down a straight to block an overtaking move but then must not move off that line until necessary to regain normal racing line approaching a corner.
If the car behind them already has the nose or the whole car beside them then the driver is only allowed to move over to the extent that there is still room for the car which has an overlap to stay on the road.
Look. Use your look left/right abilities or virtual mirrors to narrow down the blind spots, also understand where your blind spots are in the car you are diving.
24) Entering Pit Road: When entering pit road, position yourself in the right hand pit lane for entering & exiting the pits. No passing on the left while driving down pit road. When your stop is complete, exit the pits with caution!
If a driver speeds in the pit lane (designated by a line on the track or a lights stand) and are not already penalized by rFactor then they may incur a time penalty after the race.
24.1 - It is good procedure to let other drivers know you are slowing to pit either by auto chat or voice.
25) The Lucky Dog Rule. The Lucky Dog rule will be in effect during the race until the last 10 laps of the race. rFactor will manage the Lucky Dog. rFactor is not perfect on this rule but so everyone understands the first car behind the leaders 1 or more laps down will receive the Lucky Dog. Once you receive the Lucky Dog you must announce that the Lucky Dog is Passing to the Outside. Then proceed to make up your lap and return to formation where the game tells you to be. If you were the cause of the caution and happen to get the Lucky Dog please do not take your lap back. Just fall to the inside and take a EOLL penalty. It is not fair to take the Lucky dog when you were the cause of the caution. If it is found you did not follow this you will have 1 lap deducted after the race.
Note: Lucky Dog recipient must pass on the outside.
26) The ESC Rule. You need to come to a complete stop if you can not make it back to pits. Let the whole field pass you before hitting ESC. If you can make it back to the pits but are too damaged to continue racing and want to leave the game please do this. Get back to the pits. Wait for 1 green lap to be completed and then you may ESC from the race. This will be penalized heavily if not done properly. The reason is to prevent Stop & Go penalties from hitting ESC before everyone passes by you. This is an rFactor Game engine glitch.
RACE POINTS
* Once scheduled races begin for a designated time period, points for each member driver are accumulated using similar criteria used for real NASCAR races, shown in the chart on the left column.
* This year points will only be assigned for winning positions. Bonus points will not be assigned for leading laps and other known real life occurences.
* Points can be deducted as shown in the penalties below for various infractions.
* If you miss a race or are unable to complete a race for any reason, you will not obtain any points for that race although point accumulation will continue for all.
* EXCEPTION #1: If you are unable to complete a race because another driver crashed you or took you out, (in other words it is not your fault), then you would receive the number of points as if you finished last in the group.
* EXCEPTION #2: If you do not finish a race due to mechanical failure or other reasonable reason such as an accidental crash that disables your car, you wil also receive the number of points as if you finished last in the group.
27) Points are never given if a driver is Disqualified or Suspended.
28) If you decide to remove your car from the race for no valid reason you will not obtain any points for that race.
* Should a driver join after the start date of the series he/she will accumulate points from that point on, but will not receive any credit or penalty for races missed prior to joining.
29) If you have a solo incident or incident causing damage that was your fault either on track or on pit road that brings out a game caution 2 times you must park it.
* More than one driver can incur penalty points for the same incident at the Race Officials discretion.
Note: Other incidents will be at the discretion of the race officials and will be implemented accordingly! See other penalties in the list below.! Race replays will be assessed after each race if infractions are suspected.
Penalties and handicaps
| Penalty name | Type |
Points |
| Aggressive Driving | Normal |
10 |
| Aggressive Reckless Driving | Notice |
-- |
| Attempting to clear a penalty on restart | Normal |
30 |
| Contact Causing caution within 2 Laps of restart | Normal |
25 |
| Contact Causing Damage and Caution | Normal |
20 |
| Contact causing damage on Pit Road | Normal |
30 |
| Contact causing damage without bringing out caution | Normal |
20 |
| Contact During a Caution Causing a wreck or Spin. | Normal |
30 |
| Contact Slowing For Caution | Normal |
20 |
| Disqualified | DQ |
-- |
| Entering Pits Incorrectly | Notice |
-- |
| Exiting pit road - not on backstretch | Normal |
20 |
| Failing to ESC out of the game properly | Normal |
50 |
| Flaming : Contact admin for review | Notice |
-- |
| Flaming on Skype | Normal |
30 |
| Incident Bringing out caution | Normal |
20 |
| Intentional Wrecking | DQ |
-- |
| Not Parking it after 2 Solo Spins | Normal |
50 |
| Passing on the left on pit road entering | Normal |
20 |
| Solo Spin Bringing out a Caution | Normal |
20 |
| Solo Spin within 2 laps of restart causing caution | Normal |
25 |
| Too Much Chatting on Skype | Normal |
5 |
| Too Much Chatting on Skype | Notice |
-- |
| Warning : Driving in an unsafe manner | Notice |
-- |
| Warning : Incident causing caution, mutual blame | Notice |
-- |
| Warning : Self imposed EOLL | Notice |
-- |
Warning/Notices are posted on Leaderboard page and in the forum under penalties.
Two Warnings can result in probation* for X number of races.
Suspension for the next event is given for each 10 warnings
*Probation means if the same occurance happens on the next race(s) a driver will lose all points for that race or can be suspended for the next race.
All races are subject to an independent race review of the replay to determine infractions.
