Official ILMS Rules, All drivers MUST read

[Mike Tribble]

ILMS SERIES GENERAL RULES

SCHEDULE A

1. Driver Conduct

Competitors in the ILMS series as with any other event 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 ILMS 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 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.

1.3 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. 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.


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 these 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.

2.2 In order to place a 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 exit of turn one 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. Attempting to pass cars more than one row ahead is not only risky, but you should also ask yourself if you really should be there in the first place. The drivers in front of you were faster after all. All race starts will be reviewed by Race Stewards 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.

“Orange Zones” may be extended in length for any track and this extension should be announced by race officials prior to the event.

2.2.1 When rolling starts are utilized, the polesitter will set a quick, controlled pace. All competitors are expected to cease any wheelspin, heavy braking or swerving about prior to the last corner of the pace lap. Causing an incident on the pace lap will be cause for discipline.

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

2.3 When standing starts are in effect, a formation lap will become part of the start procedure. During the formation lap the polesitter 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 polesitter 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 polesitter in single file and in qualifying order during the formation lap without leaving large gaps between the cars.

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 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 reccomended that your first gear be adjusted high enough to prevent this from happening.


2.4 Restarts

Champion Motorsport 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 two or more agree to a restart.


3. Passing

3.1 When passing on the inside of a corner, the driver attempting the pass should be sure that he 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/ she should not attempt the pass. Passing on the outside of a corner is done at a competitor’s own risk.

3.2 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. 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. 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.

3.4.2 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.

3.4.3 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.


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 a button should be assigned and used to announce "Entering the Pits".

4.2 Drivers must obey pit lane speed limits.

4.3 To avoid having to wait for your pit stall to be be cleared by another driver who is 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 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 already on the track and approaching the pit exit, therefore you need to be aware of and watch for this on-coming traffic. 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.

4.5 Whether during a race, qualifying or practice, drivers exiting the pits should not cause drivers on a hot lap to slow when passing a car entering the course.

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

4.7 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 are required to have "Autochat" race enabled to both send and receive messages.

5.2 As previously mentioned the use of Autochat is required to signal pit exit and entry. It is also recommended 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 this paragraph 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

6. Competitor Requirements

6.1 All Competitors must have preregistered as an entrant and be granted permission to compete in the ILMS Series by a Champion Motorsports registrar prior to joining our race servers. The Series Registrar will provide each driver with the server password. No other person(s) may give anyone the server password at any time.

6.2 Every competitor must read and familiarize themselves with these rules and the ILMS Series race format prior to joining our race servers.

6.3 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 nite. 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 Drivers are also expected to have done enough practice before a race event in order that they not become a hazard to other competitors during the race.

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.

SCHEDULE B
Race Format

The full 4 class ILMS Championship Series will Race on alternating Thursday nights. Classes consist of LMP1, LMP2, GT1, and GT2.

The 2 class GT Championship Series will race on opposite Thursday nights to the ILMS Series. Classes consist of GT1 and GT2.

Start Times for Champion Motorsports races are as follows:

Official Practice: 8 pm EST, 105 minutes, all classes

Qualifying: 10:00 pm EST, 30 minutes, all classes.

Warmup: 10:20 pm EST, 5 minutes

Race: 10:30 pm EST 75 minutes for GT classes, 90 minutes for 4 class events. Formation Lap followed by Standing Start except a few tracks where a rolling start will be used.