Contents
A – General
B – Overtaking on Straights
C – Overtaking in Corners
D – Overtaking Completed
E – Loss of Car Control
F – Rejoining the Track
G – Blocking
H – Blue Flags
A – General
A1.0 These rules apply from the start of the race until the checkered flag is waved at the finish line.
Any incident resulting from a car not applying and holding their brakes until they are fully stopped will result in a penalty.
A1.1 The responsibility for deciding to and accomplishing a “safe pass” lies with the overtaking driver.
A1.2 Failing to leave “racing room”, including forcing another car off the racing surface, may result in a penalty.
A1.3 If contact occurs and results in an incident, fault may be assigned to one or more drivers.
B – Overtaking on Straights
B1.0 The leading car may choose any line until the overtaking car overlaps it.
B1.1 Once overlap occurs, both cars must provide each other with racing room.
B1.2 To assess which driver moved towards the other, the relative distance to the track edge shall be reviewed. The driver whose distance to that edge changes the most shall be considered to have moved towards the other car.
B1.3 During overlap, when going through a slightly curved section, both drivers are expected to follow the contour direction of the track rather than “straightlining” it.
C – Overtaking in Corners
C1.0 The overtaking car must “establish position” by the turn-in point before it can claim the right to space for the corner.
C1.1 Once the position is established, the right to space is maintained for as long as there is any overlap between the two cars. Both cars must leave enough racing room for each other to navigate the corner safely.
C1.2 Dive bombing is subject to a penalty.
D – Overtaking Completed
D1.0 An overtaking driver must be clear when completing a pass. “Chopping” the passed car is subject to a penalty. Moving in front of a recently cleared car right before a braking zone is considered dangerous and may result in a penalty.
E – Loss of Car Control
E1.0 If a driver loses control of their car and cannot recover, they must apply maximum braking until the car comes to a complete stop. Any incident resulting from not doing so, or moving before it is clear to move, will be regarded as reckless driving and will be penalized. Only when it is safe and clear should the driver release the brakes and resume driving.
F – Rejoining the Track
F1.0 An unsafe rejoin is considered reckless driving and will incur a penalty.
F1.1 Where time and space allow, drivers on track should provide room to a car that is trying to re-enter safely.
F1.2 If a driver intentionally leaves the track to gain an advantage, the other drivers on track are not obligated to allow that driver to re-enter (for example, as seen at Daytona).
G – Blocking
G1.0 An illegal move to protect track position
G1.1 The leading driver may make one defensive move before the braking zone, provided there is no overlap and that sufficient space and time exists for the chasing car to react.
G1.2 The chasing driver may choose to adjust their racing line after the defensive move. The leading driver may not make a second move in response to the chasing driver’s move; this is considered blocking.
G1.3 Sudden last-second maneuvers that could lead to collisions and provide little or no time for the trailing car to respond are considered blocking.
G1.4 Slight adjustments back toward the racing line are allowed as long as enough racing room is maintained.
G1.5 A driver who serves a slowdown penalty in such a way that it forces others to also slow down may be penalized for blocking.
G1.6 If a “Blocking” violation occurs, an aggrieved driver may ask RC via iRacing comms for a blocking review.
G1.7 Several moves (“weaving”) to disrupt the slipstream (tow) are allowed, provided they do not constitute blocking.
H – Blue Flags
H1.0 iRacing automatically shows a blue flag to the driver who has a car behind them within 1.5 seconds of lapping them. Important note: RC does not receive any automated notification of blue flag situations.
H1.1 If the gap continues to close, the driver receiving the Blue Flag must allow the following car to pass at the earliest practical opportunity.
H1.2 If the blue flag driver fails to facilitate the pass, the approaching driver may ask RC via iRacing comms for a blue flag enforcement. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, repeat your request until RC confirms they have heard you.
H1.3 RC will review the situation and direct the Blue Flag car to move out of the way and slow down to immediately facilitate the pass if the observed gap is less than 1 second.
H1.4 A driver who is one or more laps down and attempting to overtake a car not on the same lap may ask the driver in front to allow them to pass using iRacing comms. The driver who is ahead is not obligated to allow the pass.
If the overtaking driver is not able to build a gap, then blue flag rules shall apply.