New CMS General Rules and Regulations

[Tom Cinnamon]

The following passages are the current Rules and Regulations(GCR’s) for all Champion Motorsports serie’s and events. They are required reading for every competitor who intends to take part in sim racing events here at Champion Motorsports. Please take time to familiarize yourself with these GCR’s. Although we always attempt to inform our competitors of any changes to our rules, please check back from time to time to reacquaint yourself. Not knowing a particular rule will not aid in your defense should you be found guilty of an infraction. More than likely, ingnorance of the rules will simply make matters worse.

There are many events and series held at Champion, including LM Series, iRacing Series, Fun Series, Historics, Special Events and our own Driver Development Program (DDP). In addition to these General Rules and Regulations each individual series and event may have additional Supplementary Rules and Regulations and Driver’s meeting notes particular to each. Please refer the sticky threads in our forums that relate to the series or event for which you are involved. Please note that if there are conflicts between Supplemental Regulations and these GCR’s that the GCR’s will take precedence unless a bulletin is published by the Race Steward.



Champion Motorsports General Rules and Regulations

1. Driver Conduct

Competitors taking part in our events here at Champion Motorsports are required to treat all drivers and race officials with respect on the race course, in race chat and in our forums.


1.1 All competitors must realize that we all race for fun and enjoyment. Setting up one's car for any online race and the LM series in particular will require a serious effort by drivers. Therefore we expect that everyone drive within their limits and take care not to affect the race of others by taking risks that would be unacceptable on a real race course.

1.2 All competitors must attempt to keep two wheels on the racing surface at all times. Drivers who repeatedly put four wheels off course will be penalized. If such off course excursions are deemed by race officials to have been initiated by any driver in order to gain an advantage, then the penalties assessed may be more severe and could include a deduction in time for each instance. Race officials may take into account situations where driver error is obvious or instances where drivers were attempting to avoid contact. Should a driver who has put 4 wheels off the course pass another driver as a result, then the driver who passed must give the position back to the driver who was passed.

1.3 Assisting another competitor who has run out of fuel or experienced a mechanical breakdown by pushing his/her vehicle is not allowed. Further "bump drafting" is also prohibited.

1.4 Flaming other drivers, swearing, making accusations in Champion Motorsports forums or engaging in any form of chat rage may result in being banned from our forums and or being excluded from competition. Any driver who feels aggrieved by an on track incident or the behavior of another competitor is encouraged to follow proper procedure by contacting race stewards within 48 hours of such an incident.

1.5 Flaming the admins or the administration staff in the forums or as part of any form of chat rage is strictly prohibited and may result in being banned from our forums and or being excluded from competition. Any driver who feels the need to communicate his or her concerns about an administrative issue may do so in a civil manner via the forum’s Private Messaging system.


2. Race Starts

2.1 The start of every race can be the point where accidents can be the most damaging both for our competitors and our race series. An accident early on can put an end to the race for a large portion of the field. Champion Motorsports expects that everyone take care not to be over aggressive on race starts or for the first laps of any event. Remember that many of our races are long and it is far more important to keep your cars in one piece than to pass a few competitors in the early going. In Road Racing, “The Start” is considered a chance to gain advantage or position over other competitors. Here at Champion Motorsports that is not the case! “The Start” is an obstacle we must all attempt to overcome safely. Simply put, charging through the grid gaining positions, getting a great start, is not what race officials are hoping to see. All competitors enjoying a safe, controlled and timely start when the lights turn green is the action we expect.

2.2 In order to place some control over the possibility of first lap incidents we will consider the area between the “Start Line”, including the entire real grid, until the completion of Lap 1 to be “The Orange Zone” where passing is to be conducted with extreme care during the first lap of any race. Should an incident occur because a driver chooses to pass in this “Orange Zone” the driver making the pass will be held responsible for the incident.

All race starts in the LM North American and LM World Divisions will be reviewed by the Race Review Committee following the event and penalties will be issued to drivers who are considered to be at fault. Please note that a driver can cause an accident without making contact with another car.

2.2.1 When rolling starts are utilized, the pole-sitter will set a quick, controlled pace. All competitors are expected to cease any wheel spin, heavy braking or swerving about prior to the last corner of the pace lap. Causing an incident during the formation lap will be cause for discipline.

2.2.2 Rolling fast starts may also be used. These starts are available in rfactor and usually involve the game moving the entire starting field from the real grid to the final straight prior to start finish. The cars will be in motion without a pace car when the game transports them and all drivers should be prepared for an immediate greenlight start.

2.2.3 Drivers should not leave large gaps between themselves and the car in front prior to the start.

2.3 When standing starts with a formation lap are in effect, the pole-sitter will set a pace fast enough to put some heat in the tires but slow enough that the field can negotiate the course safely in close quarters and not become strung out around the circuit.The recommended speed for polesitter during the formation lap is a minimum of 60 mph except for corners which require a lower speed and a maximim of 90 mph.The pole-sitter should gradually slow well before the last turn prior to the start in order for the field to close ranks. All other drivers will follow the pole-sitter in single file and in qualifying order during the formation lap without leaving large gaps between the cars. Causing an incident during the formation lap will be cause for discipline.

2.3.1 Any driver who causes a formation lap incident due to excessive weaving, braking, spinning of tires or purposely making contact with another driver will face discipline.

2.3.2 Standing starts without a formation lap may also be used.

2.3.2 To avoid the possibility of penalties being inflicted on other drivers by rFactor, drivers who spin or go off course during the formation or pace laps may either (a) make their way safely back to their original grid position, (b) enter pit lane and start from behind the start finish line or (c) enter their pit for repair and start from pit lane. Please note that exiting pit lane while the pit exit lights are red will cause rFactor to give you a drive through penalty.

2.3.3 Drivers must be in control when the lights turn green. Spinning your car on the grid will be considered as serious an offence as causing a first turn accident. It is highly recommended that your first gear be adjusted high enough to prevent this from happening.

2.3.4 All drivers must start moving when the lights turn green. Failure to move can cause drivers behind to run into those drivers who feel it necessary to wait.


2.4 Restarts

Champion Motorsports does not intend to have restarts of it’s championship races. However, race officials do retain the right to restart for technical reasons or should it be deemed necessary by the attending administrator(s). Please refer to individual series supplemental regulations as smaller events may allow restarts.

3. Passing

3.1 When passing on the inside of a corner, the driver attempting the pass should be sure that he or she is visible in the other driver’s cockpit view before he has earned the right to the preferred line. This will ensure that the driver being passed is aware that he cannot turn in without contact. Clearly the driver who is passing should be alongside before the turn in point. If the driver attempting the pass cannot get to this position before entering the corner, then he or she should not attempt the pass. Passing on the outside of a corner is done at a competitor’s own risk.

3.22 Defending a pass is allowed, but the defending driver is only allowed one lane-changing move and care must be taken not to cause an incident in the process. Weaving back and forth on a straight in order to break a draft is not acceptable.

3.2.1 Drivers attempting to prevent a pass by blocking or moving into a passing driver’s line will be held responsible if an incident occurs.

3.3 Lapped drivers must yield the racing line when being lapped and are allowed a maximum of 2 turns and 2 straights to yield to a driver a lap or more ahead. In multiclass racing if a faster class car is about to lap a slower class car, it is recommended, that as the lapping car approaches, the driver being lapped should initially stay on the racing line and then be prepared to help facilitate a safe pass within the aforementioned 2 turns and 2 straights. However, if a driver is lapping competitors who are in a close fight for position, then the driver lapping the battle for position is expected to show patience.

3.4 A driver who is about to lap another car or who is approaching a car in a slower class is encouraged to flash his or her headlights to make them aware that a faster car is gaining. Flashing lights once or twice is enough and should not be done at a point when you are so close that the driver in front of you could be seriously distracted or interpret your actions as impatience.

3.4.1 Drivers on the same lap may not flash their lights unless the car in front is from a slower class running considerably slower lap times.

3.4.2 Unless specifically required by the race conditions, i.e., “it’s getting dark” or “headlights are now required” drivers are not permitted to race, qualify or practice with their lights turned on.

3.5 Incidents caused by a lapped driver as a result of not yielding to lapping drivers may result in penalization of the lapped driver.

3.6 A lead car may not intentionally make contact with a lapped or slower classed driver who has failed to yield the right of way.

3.7 Should a lapping or faster class driver hit a lapped or slower class driver who has yielded the race line causing an accident, then the driver making the pass may be held responsible for the incident.

3.8 When two or more drivers are lapping other competitors, a situation which may often be considered an opportunity to pass for position, it is expected that the overtaking drivers will show patience as the lead car attempts to overtake those drivers who are about to be lapped. Drivers who trail the lead car and make contact with the lead driver or those being lapped will be held responsible for any incident. Forcing your way through and inflicting damage is not acceptable behavior.

3.9 Although we do not specifically prohibit drivers from two or more different classes from racing for an overall position within the race, we would hope that drivers would allow competitors who are apparently faster, but in a different class to have the opportunity to join in a race for position which may be available further up the road.


4. Pit entry, Pit Exit and Re-Entering the Course

4.1 Drivers exiting the pits must announce their intentions with the use of the simulation's "race chat feature" by mapping a wheel or keyboard button to display a phrase such "PO or Leaving the Pits". Similarly, although not required, a button should be assigned and used to announce "Entering the Pits".

4.2 Drivers must obey pit lane speed limits at all times.

4.3 In rFactor, to avoid having to wait for your pit stall to be cleared by another driver who may be forced to share your pit stall, it is recommended that all drivers map a keyboard or wheel button to "Request Pit". Use this button as soon as possible after crossing the start finish line at the beginning of the lap on which you intend to pit.

4.4 Should a driver enter the pits and encounter another driver in his pit stall, you must either wait for the vehicle occupying the pit stall to leave or take another lap. You must not bump the car which is being serviced. Ramming the car in front may cause serious damage to both cars.

4.5 When exiting pit lane all drivers are required to take note of the pit exit warning lights. A flashing blue or yellow light is an indication of a car or cars that are already on the track and are approaching the pit exit, therefore you need to be aware of and watch for this on-coming traffic.

4.6 Whenever there is a clearly defined pit exit blend line a driver may not at any time, except to avoid a wrecked or stalled car, cross four wheels over the blend line until he or she has reached the end of the pit exit lane. On tracks where a pit exit lane is not clearly defined the driver must exit the pits and stay as close to the nearest edge of the track as possible until the driver’s car is either up to full speed or has reached the entrance to first turn after the pit exit, whichever comes first.

4.7 Whether during a race, qualifying or practice, drivers exiting the pits and entering the course, should not impede in any way, those drivers who are on a hot lap.
During qualifications, those drivers who are on their outlap or those who have made obvious errors that will prevent their current lap from being their fastest to date should refrain from passing other cars who are on a hot lap unless it can be done without affecting the time of the other car.

4.8 Drivers currently on course and approaching the pit exit should take notice of pit exit announcements and be prepared for drivers exiting pit lane.

4.9 Drivers who have experienced a spin, an accident or who have gone off course are required to take the appropriate precautions when proceeding back onto the race course. A driver attempting to rejoin the circuit must attempt to get the best view of oncoming traffic, and must re enter the course gradually and with caution in order not to impede drivers who are approaching.


5.Race Chat

5.1 All drivers on our race servers are required to have "Autochat" enabled to both send and receive messages.

5.2 As previously mentioned the use of Autochat is required to signal pit exit. It may also be used to inform other competitors that a driver's car is damaged or experiencing other difficulties. In order to reduce distractions for all drivers, during races or qualifying, no other messages than previously mentioned in these rules are permissible. There is no need to thank or apologize to other competitors. It is to be assumed by all competitors that sportsmanship and consideration of other drivers is appreciated by all. If drivers wish to communicate directly with another competitor, then the race chat "whisper" function or an available voice communication such as Teamspeak may be used. Abuse of race chat is further explained under General Rule, Driver Behavior 1.1

Violations of Rule 5.2 will suffer the following penalties:

A. Chatter during qualification: The offending driver's qualification time may be voided and the driver must start the race from the back of the field.

B. Chatter during a race session: The offending driver may be penalized a minimum of 5 championship points for each infraction.


6. Competitor Requirements

6.1 All Competitors must have preregistered as an entrant and be granted permission to compete in the each series by a Champion Motorsports Administrator prior to joining our race servers unless it is an open unpassworded server. The Series Administrators will provide each driver with the server password. No other person(s) may provide the server password to anyone at any time.

6.2 Every competitor must read and familiarize themselves with these General Rules, any series Supplemental Rules or event Drivers Meeting Briefs prior to joining our race servers.

6.3 All drivers are required to test their connection and track/vehicle compatibility with our race server prior to race night. Race officials will not be sympathetic to drivers who have failed to connect with the server prior to race night. Our officials are racers too and will not be expected to hold the hands of competitors having mismatch or connection issues during official sessions.

6.4 All drivers are expected to practice before each race event in order to ensure that they will not be a hazard to the other competitors during the race.

6.4.1 If you have not had ample opportunity to practice before the race you will be expected to consider the aforementioned rule and if necessary recuse yourself from participation of the said event.

6.5 Competitors are expected to have a stable Internet connection. Race officials reserve the right to boot drivers whose connections are so poor as to be a problem for other drivers during an event.

6.6 A proper racing controller/ steering wheel is highly recommended. For on track safety, due to their extreme sensitivity, control pads are strongly discouraged.


8. Incident Reviews and Protests

8.1 Aggrieved competitors may communicate by Private Message, their intent to protest an on track incident to the CMS Race Steward no sooner than 24 hours after an event and no later than 72 hours after an event. Any communication regarding an incident must include the time of the incident as is displayed within the Server Replay, a description of the incident and reference to the rule which the competitor feels should be applied. Please note, that prior to communicating an intent to protest, the aggrieved competitor is expected to download and view the server replay from his own point of view and the point of view of the alleged offending driver extensively and from all available angles. Remember that protests can cause hard feelings among competitors and that the decision to enter a protest should not be taken lightly or hastily. That said, it may also be a necessary course of action if the offender is someone who consistently behaves outside the rules set forth. Drivers may, if they feel they can do so without inflaming the situation, contact the other driver through private message in attempt to settle the situation without an official protest. If after initial discussions with the Race Steward, the aggrieved driver still wishes to file a protest, then an official inquiry will begin. To simplify the protest procedure the following protest submission form has been developed, submission form The current CMS Race Steward is Tom Cinnamon.

8.2 Decisions on protests are final and may not be appealed.