The Nürburgring Blitz - Sporting Code Rules
These rules are supplementary to any overarching series or platform regulations and are specific to "The Nürburgring Blitz" GT4 race at the Nürburgring GP circuit. All participants are expected to read, understand, and adhere to these regulations.
1. General Principles
- Fair Play: All competitors shall conduct themselves in a sporting manner, showing respect for fellow drivers, race officials, and the rules.
- Safety First: The safety of all participants is paramount. Reckless or dangerous driving will not be tolerated.
- Compliance: Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse. Drivers are responsible for understanding and complying with all regulations.
2. Race Format & Schedule
- Race Name: The Nürburgring Blitz
- Circuit: Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit
- Vehicle Class: GT4 (Specific car models may be limited or balanced if desired by organizers).
- Race Duration: 45 minutes (plus one full lap after the leader crosses the finish line at 45 minutes).
- Race Start: Rolling Start (preferred for GT4 field, but Standing Start can be an alternative, see Section 4).
- Time of Day (In-Game): As specified by race control (e.g., afternoon, evening).
- Weather Conditions: As specified by race control (e.g., clear, dynamic, light rain).
- Practice/Qualifying:
- Practice: (Optional) A dedicated practice session may precede qualifying.
- Qualifying: (Recommended) A 15-20 minute open qualifying session will determine the starting grid order. Fastest single lap counts. No pit stops required during qualifying.
3. Pre-Race Procedures
- Briefing: A mandatory drivers' briefing (online or in-person) may be held prior to the event to cover specific race day instructions, track conditions, and any rule clarifications.
- Connection: Drivers must ensure a stable internet connection. Disconnections are the driver's responsibility.
- Car Selection: Drivers must select their GT4 car prior to qualifying/race start and remain in that car for the duration of the event (unless otherwise permitted for technical reasons by race control).
4. Race Start Procedures
- Rolling Start (Recommended for GT4):
- Formation Lap: A single formation lap will precede the race start.
- Pace Car/Leader: The pole sitter will act as the pace car during the formation lap, maintaining a consistent, safe speed. They must not accelerate or brake erratically.
- Double File: Cars must form a double-file formation as instructed by the simulator/race control, maintaining a consistent gap to the car ahead and alongside.
- Start Line: The race will officially begin when the pace car/leader crosses the designated start line, or when instructed by race control/simulator. No overtaking is permitted before the start line.
- False Start: Any car deemed to have gained an unfair advantage during the formation lap or before the official start line will be penalized (e.g., drive-through).
- Standing Start (Alternative):
- Cars will line up on the grid according to qualifying results.
- The race will commence upon the lights going out.
- False Start: Any car deemed to have moved before the lights go out will receive a penalty.
5. On-Track Conduct & Driving Standards
- Cornering & Overtaking:
- Right to the Racing Line: The driver ahead has the right to the racing line, provided they maintain a consistent line.
- Overlap: An overtaking car is considered to have a significant overlap when their front axle is alongside the rear axle of the car they are attempting to overtake.
- Sharing the Track: When two cars are side-by-side, both drivers must leave "racing room" (at least one car width) for the other car.
- Dive Bombs: Aggressive "dive bomb" maneuvers that result in contact and/or force the overtaken car off track will be penalized.
- Rejoining the Track: Drivers rejoining the track must do so safely, without impeding or colliding with ongoing traffic. Look both ways!
- Blocking: Deliberate blocking of an overtaking car by repeatedly changing lines to defend a position is forbidden. One defensive move is allowed.
- Under Yellow/Safety Car: No overtaking is permitted under yellow flags or safety car periods (if implemented).
- Contact:
- Avoidable Contact: All drivers are expected to do their utmost to avoid contact. Contact that is deemed avoidable and causes a disadvantage to another competitor will be penalized.
- Incidental Contact: Minor, unavoidable contact may be deemed a racing incident, but repeated incidents will draw scrutiny.
- Cutting the Track/Track Limits:
- Drivers must stay within the defined track limits (white lines, curbs where applicable).
- Gaining a lasting advantage by leaving the track will result in a penalty (e.g., warning, slowdown, time penalty).
- Repeated violations will lead to harsher penalties.
- Blue Flags:
- Drivers shown blue flags must allow faster cars to pass safely at the earliest opportunity. This does not mean braking sharply or swerving off the track, but rather maintaining a predictable line and allowing the faster car through when clear.
- Lapped cars are not expected to move off the racing line in braking zones or corners if it compromises their own safety or the safety of the faster car.
- Spinning/Crashing: Drivers who spin or crash must recover their vehicle safely and without rejoining the track in a dangerous manner.
6. Penalties & Race Control
- Live Penalties (Simulator-based): Many simulators have automated penalty systems for track limits, false starts, pit lane speeding, etc. These will be enforced.
- Race Control/Stewarding:
- Race organizers/stewards will monitor the race for rule infringements.
- Penalties may be issued during or after the race based on review of incidents.
- Penalties can include: warnings, slowdowns, drive-through penalties, stop-and-go penalties, time penalties added to race time, grid place demotions for future races, or disqualification.
- Protests:
- Drivers wishing to protest an incident must do so within a specified timeframe after the race (e.g., 15-30 minutes), providing relevant details and (if possible) replay timestamps.
- Protests will be reviewed by race stewards, whose decision is final.
- Abusive or frivolous protests will not be tolerated.
7. Pit Stops (Optional, depending on desired race dynamics)
- Mandatory Pit Stop: (Highly recommended for 45 min GT4 races to add strategy)
- Each driver must complete one mandatory pit stop during the race.
- During this pit stop, at least [X] seconds must be spent in the pit box (minimum pit stop time) or [X] tire changes must occur (e.g., 2 or 4 tires).
- Pit lane speed limits must be strictly observed. Speeding in the pit lane will result in penalties.
- Exiting the pit lane unsafely and impeding ongoing traffic is forbidden and will be penalized.
- Optional Pit Stops: If no mandatory pit stop is declared, drivers may pit at their discretion for repairs or fresh tires.
