League Rules

Drivers should read through the WSRL rules before participating in any league events. All changes to league rules will be posted on this page and the Announcements Section of the Message Board.

Table of Contents

1. Rules and the WSRL

1.1. The Spirit of the League

The WSRL is a group of friends who enjoy sim racing. The intent of these rules is to support that enjoyment by providing a understandable framework of rules for participants that encourages clean driving, green flag racing and healthy, fun and respectful competition among all members of the group.

1.2. Remembering Why We're Here

The WSRL hasn't forgotten that drivers are here to compete and race hard against each other. That's a big part of the fun of sim racing and it's encouraged in the WSRL. These rules are not intended to muzzle drivers' instincts or discourage hard, clean racing and respectful competition. Just the opposite, they are here to ensure that all of our drivers understand what is expected.

The admins and members of the review committee are here to enjoy sim racing, too. They are volunteers who have lives and better things to do than review replays for cautions and argue with drivers over grievances and penalties. In an effort to minimize their work and the impact on their time, all drivers are reminded to exercise discretion, race with respect and remember the rules.

The WSRL "Bar-B-Que Rule"

To help illustrate the standard we expect from and between drivers, we created "The BBQ Rule":

Race your fellow drivers hard and treat them with respect both on the track and in chat, such that if you were to get up from your computer and walk into your own backyard, and everyone from the race was there having a BBQ - you would feel comfortable facing them and joining them for a good time.

1.3. Green Flag Racing

No one enjoys running parade laps when they could be racing. And a string of cautions is definitely not fun. As you read through the rules, you will notice that most of the attention paid centers around caution flags and the incidents which bring them out. Because cautions are not fun, they receive special scrutiny when the replay is reviewed. Accidents happen, this is understood. But to avoid cautions and possibly penalties it is strongly recommended that drivers use these rules as a guide, along with common sense, situational awareness and their best judgment.

2. Technical Inspection and Pre-race Information

2.1. Driver Name:

Aliases are not permitted in the WSRL. Drivers are directed to use real names on the League Message Board. Those drivers who prefer not to use their last name can use first name and last initial. There has been confusion in the past from some drivers using a different ID in the sim than their name on the board.

2.2. Car File Names:

All drivers are allowed a single file for each car and must follow the iRacing conventions.

Please submit car files to TradingPaints.com.

2.3. Race Password:

The password for the series will change occasionally. If you are an active driver, you will be notified via email of any password changes.

DO NOT release the league password to any other driver under any circumstance!

2.4. Use of Chat:

Excessive and/or unnecessary voice or text chatter during green flag conditions is strongly discouraged. Too much chatter can cause confusion and act as a distraction for other drivers in the event.

NO ABUSIVE CHATTER (FLAMING) WILL BE TOLERATED. Should you find yourself involved in an incident, or don't like the way someone drives, DO NOT AIR ANGRY or ABUSIVE CHAT DURING THE RACE OR IN POST RACE CHAT. See Post-race Misc if you are interested in filing a grievance.

Under yellow flag conditions, the chat rule is relaxed. However, to allow drivers to prepare for green, unnecessary chat is strongly discouraged on the last lap under caution before taking the green flag. Race related chat is acceptable.

2.5. Points System:

Points will be based off the current point system as scored by NASCAR®. 43 points for 1st, 42 for 2nd, and so on down to 1 point for 43rd. Provisional folks will be given one position behind the last place racer. Only 5 provisionals will be scored, if you have more than 5 provisionals you will receive 0 points for provisional 6 and on. You will receive 1 bonus point for leading a lap, and 1 bonus point for leading the most laps. Drivers that show up for the Practice and/or Qualifying sessions but do not race will receive last place points for that race. Each driver has 5 provisionals per season. Provisionals will be granted to drivers that have participated in previous races in that season or request a provisional for the 1st race of the season. Each driver who uses a provisional will receive the same points in that race, which will be calculated as 5 points behind last place. If you cannot attend a race, you can utilize a provisional. A provisional request via e-mail to a league co-admin (Bob/Mark) is required for the first race of the season only. All drivers who raced in or received a provisional for the first race of the season will be automatically granted a provisional for any subsequent race of the season.

3. The Race

3.1. Pace Speed & Pace Laps:

Drivers are required to run a smooth, stable pace speed, maintaining control of the race car. Example: If pace speed is 60mph, drivers are expected to run 55-60mph not 40 or 70mph (unless you are catching the field from the pits). During the last lap before the restart, drivers must maintain an interval of .5 seconds maximum between their car and the car in front while maintaining a smooth pace. Use your f3 screen to view your interval.

3.2. Starts and Restarts:

Starts and restarts are challenging for drivers as they accelerate through the gears, bring tires up to temperature and sort the field out, and they often result in incidents - after all "Cautions breed cautions." The start/restart is controlled by the leader and he/she may accelerate at any time after the pace car exits the track or wait until the green flag flies. All drivers should be aware and on your edge. Other driver(s) jumping a start or restart can result in a 4 point penalty. All drivers are reminded not to pass until car is over the start/finish line to avoid penalty in the sim. Starts and restarts should NOT be viewed as an opportunity to pickup positions. In an effort to minimize cautions and get back to racing, league administration recommends that drivers not attempt any passes until on the backstretch. Exercise patience, wait until you can make a clean, fair pass and show respect to the other drivers. If a car is slow on a start/restart due to a missed shift, broken gear or other circumstance that has them off the pace, a pass is acceptable as soon as it can be done safely.

3.3. Racing Groove and Holding Your Line:

At most tracks, it is possible for two competitors to run side by side in the racing groove for many laps without incident when each driver knows what is expected of him. When running side-by-side, both drivers must "hold their line" (AKA stay in their respective groove) until the pass is completed or denied:

Examples of the "racing groove" are available that include side-by-side traffic situations.

3.4. Entering Pits:

Use chat if drivers are close to you to let them know your intentions of entering the pits. Move down to the apron and enter pit road in a safe and controlled manner. When travelling down pit lane, use the outer most lane whenever possible. As you near your pit stall make the move to the inner lane only a few stalls ahead of yours. If you choose to drive down pit lane in the inner lane or drive through the pit stalls more than 2-3 stalls before your pit stall, and your actions impede a driver from easily accessing his pit stall, you will be penalized 2 points.

3.5. Exiting Pits:

When your crew has finished working on your car, exit your pit stall in the inner most lane and move to the outer most lane as soon as it is clear and safe to do so. As you exit, you must remain on the apron until you can safely enter the track. Do not drive onto the racing surface until you are clear of traffic. Use F2 to help gauge traffic when getting back onto the track. INCIDENTS EXITING PIT ROAD WILL BE JUDGED HARSHLY. Drivers on the track are also responsible for being aware of competitors entering and exiting pit lane.

3.6. Taking the Caution:

When the caution comes out, drivers should slow as indicated by their spotters and in a controlled manner. Drivers should NOT slow suddenly when the caution flies unless necessary to avoid contact with another car or the initial incident. The leader is responsible for slowing in a controlled manner and catching the pace car. The field is to line up behind him, in order, as quickly as possible to prepare for pit stops.

Incidents that occur after the caution flies carry a hefty 8 point penalty, so drivers should be aware. If two cars are determined to each be partially at fault for an incident after the yellow, each driver will be penalized 4 points. A driver found to be at fault for more than one incident after the yellow in a single race will be suspended from attending the next points race in that series.

All drivers should be aware of their surroundings and drive accordingly.

3.7. Cautions:

3.7.1. Incidents which bring out yellow flags:

There are generally four types of cautions in on-line racing:

  1. Solo spins: One driver loses control of his car, causing a caution by spinning, being slow on the track or contacting other cars.
  2. Contact which was the fault of one driver. For example, a driver moves to another groove with a car beside him, rear ends a car in front of him, or somehow contacts a car which was driving smoothly in a groove.
  3. Contact which was a 'racing incident': Two drivers going for the same spot at the same time (low guy going high, high guy going low, for example).
  4. Warp contact: When a driver warps, his warp "ghost" car makes contact with another car, bringing out the yellow flag.

3.7.2. If a driver causes one caution *AND* contact is made with another car:

The driver will be penalized 4 points. Each driver is allowed one solo spin without contact per race penalty free, unless said driver causes three or more cautions of any type in that race (see below).

3.7.3. If a driver causes solo spin cautions (no contact) in a race:

If a driver causes one solo spin caution (with no contact) in a race the driver will not be penalized for that incident. If a driver causes any additional solo spins without contact in that event, a 4 point penalty will be applied per incident. (2 solo spins w/ no contact = 4 points, 3 spins = 8 points, etc)

3.7.4. If a driver causes contact cautions in a race:

For each caution that a driver causes which involves contact with another driver, the driver at fault will receive a 4 point penalty. I.E.: two contact cautions in a race: 8 point penalty. Three contact cautions in a race: 12 points penalty.

3.7.5. A driver can be charged with causing a caution even if he's not involved in the actual contact:

If a racer's actions cause others to spin or create a wreck, the racer who caused the situation, not the contact, will be penalized. Example: if you are on the high side of another car and come down the track forcing him to the apron, and he spins.... that is your fault. If you force a 3 wide situation and one driver backs out which caused someone else to rear end him (or another car that's checking up), that would be your fault. These situations will not be judged easily, and the replay committee must agree that one individual caused the caution before anyone will be penalized.

3.8. Incidents Without Caution:

It is also possible for an incident involving contact not to bring out a caution. Remember that the Series Admin can't see everything that happens in a race when he's reviewing the replay, especially when potential contact doesn't result in a caution. If you feel that an incident occurred that the admin needs to be aware of, please file a grievance (see section 4.1). After grievance and review, Race Officials may hand down a penalty for reckless driving or other applicable rule section.

3.9. The "Lucky Dog" Rule

Modeled after NASCAR's rule, the Lucky Dog awards a lap to the first car one or more laps down.

The Lucky Dog recipient will be the first car one or more laps down at the time that the caution waves. The eligible driver must advise the admin immediately that he/she is eligible for the Lucky Dog. If that driver was involved in the caution, it their responsibility to also inform the admin that they were involved. If a Lucky Dog recipient is involved in the incident that caused the yellow, no driver is eligible to receive the Lucky Dog. Lucky Dog recipients should pit the second time by (if they choose) and then advise the admin they have cleared pit lane. At that point the "Wave By" will be given. Lucky Dog recipients are reminded to pass the field quickly and safely, as incidents under caution are harshly penalized.

To summarize: It is the Lucky Dog recipient's responsibility to:

The admin's responsibility regarding the Luck Dog's procedure is to:

Remember: If the Lucky Dog recipient is involved in the caution, they are not eligible for the Lucky Dog, and the rule is not carried over to the next driver.

3.10. Misc

3.10.1. Bump Drafting:

is allowed, but not recommended because of the high potential for spinning the car ahead and causing a caution. A caution from bump drafting carries a penalty of 6 points. Again, it is easy to bump a car into a spin, so bump drafting should be done very carefully, if at all.

3.10.2. Passing Under Braking and "Dive Bomb Passing":

When you intend to pass under another car while entering a turn, it is best if you have your car alongside the other car well before the corner entry. If your spotter tells you "car high" before you enter the corner, it's a good bet (but not guaranteed) that you are far enough forward to continue the pass attempt. In passing situations, both drivers are expected to be aware of their situation and hold their lines. If you desire to make a pass while entering a turn, it is highly recommended that you run the low groove for at least 3-4 seconds prior to corner entry, so that the other driver can see your intentions in his mirror. Running the low groove is not a guarantee that he will allow you to pass, but it is an indication that you *desire* to pass him on the low side.

Once a car is along side, the rule for holding a line applies to both drivers. The driver outside must maintain the high line and the driver inside must maintain the low line.

Different than passing under braking, the "Dive Bomb Pass" occurs when the passing driver has not brought his car along side before the corner, but brakes late, "dive bombing" into the corner and making contact with the rear of the car ahead or sliding up out of the low groove into the side of the car ahead. There is no "Dive Bomb Pass" penalty in the WSRL as these circumstances are covered under holding your line, causing a caution with contact to another car or reckless driving.

3.10.3. Blocking:

Allowed only in the last 3 laps of an event, blocking is described as changing your line to match the movement of the car behind you, thus preventing that car from attempting a pass. Example: If you are running a stable line in the low groove and the car behind you moves to the high groove, then you move to the high groove to impede his progress or break his momentum, that is blocking. Blocking before the last 3 laps of the event will result in a 4 point penalty per lap.

4. Post-race Misc

4.1. Grievances:

If you feel that another driver has caused you harm on the track or has driven in a manner that is in violation of WSRL rules you are encouraged to file a grievance with the Series Admin (Mark R): Send an e-mail that includes a clip from your replay (you will need to save it prior to leaving the race server) containing at least 1/2 lap before the incident, and 1/2 lap afterwards. Be sure to include the lap number and/or replay clock time of the incident and a description of what happened. All grievances must be received by the admin within 24 hours of the conclusion of the race so that any penalty can be included in the scoring. Failure to include required info will be cause for immediate dismissal of the grievance.

A proper grievance e-mail must include:

Any response or appeal e-mail must be received by the Series Admin within 24 hours of the Incident Notification being posted to the Message Board. The series Admin e-mail is available on the "Staff/Contact" page.

4.2. How Replays Are Judged:

Series Admin Mark R will be reviewing the replays to determine the course of events and apply rule infractions. When an incident involves Mark R, the incident will be reviewed by the replay committee. All penalties levied will be posted at the message board, usually within 24 hours.

Replay Committee: Larry Sheldon, Paul Fimpel and Rob Gall. Any member of the replay committee involved in an incident in question will not have a vote in a grievance or appeal. Appeal and grievance replay clips may or may not be reviewed by all replay committee members, depending on the availability of said committee members. Replay clips for appeals will be sent to the Replay Committee for review, if the Series Admin doesn't agree with the driver submitting the appeal and remove the penalty. Replay clips for grievances will be reviewed by the Admins. If the the Admins don't reach a decision, the grievance clip will be sent to the remaining committee members for review.

4.3. Penalties:

During our races there will be a share of incidents, which are nothing more than accidents. Accidents do happen. Sometimes we just have to suck it up or even leave an event if our car is badly damaged. The admins will not be "looking for trouble", meaning they will not review the race replay looking for incidents to penalize. Drivers caught up in incidents that involve rules violations must e-mail a proper grievance to bring any issue to the attention of the race admins. Remember, we're racers too!

Some examples of incidents and their penalties are (in order of severity):

Repeated infractions by any driver who continues to disobey the rules is subject to termination from WSRL

Usually within 24 hours of a points race conclusion, the replay will have been reviewed by the Series Administrator and penalties levied. The penalty information will be posted to the league message board, in the "Incident Notification" forum. E-mails will no longer be sent out to drivers receiving penalties.

4.4. Appeals

If a driver feels that a penalty or other adjudication has been made in error, it is the drivers responsibility to file an appeal with the Series Administrator / Race Steward within 24 hours of the penalty being posted on the message board. Appeals must be submitted via email and clearly explain the reason for filing the appeal. The appeal submission will then be reviewed by the entire replay committee. The original reviewer does not participate in the appeal process. The decision of the committee is final.

4.5. Official Results and Standings

The race results and standings will usually not be available on the web site until 3-4 days after the race. This timeframe allows parties time to resolve any grievances and appeals before the official standings and results are finalized and posted.