Drivers Club Rules & Regulations for DCE events
Last updated 10-08-24
Entries
1.1 Drivers
1.1.1 All drivers are expected to have read and fully understand the rules & regulations stated in this document.
1.1.2 Entries are purchased via the Eventbrite website - Individual Event links will be generated and put in the schedule section - There are only limited entries per race and per class and it is a first come / first served basis for ticketing, at least until the new licensing system (coming soon) is introduced. Previous class event winners (from PDC11 onwards) will receive a free entry to the next event.
Eligible Cars
2.1 Class
2.1.1 The Drivers Club will run 4 classes - These may change during the year as new vehicles are released by iRacing,
2.1.2 Eligible Cars & Classes currently are:-
GT4 (GT4) - Porsche Cayman 718 GT4, BMW M4 GT4 (soon to be replaced by the M4 Evo), Mclaren 570s GT4, Mercedes AMG GT4 & Aston Martin Vantage GT4
TCR (TCR) - AUDI RS 3 LMS TCR, Honda Civic TCR, Hyundai N Elantra TCR & Hyundai N Veloster TCR
American Muscle (AM) - Ford Mustang FR500S ***note, this car will be replaced by the DarkHorse Mustang if it ever gets released
Sport (S) - Toyota GR86
***We are contemplating bringing in the Renault Clio as another class soon, and even adding the MX5 to the sport class if numbers allow.
**Currently all cars will be running a 70% fuel restriction except for the TCR cars which will have a 60% fuel restriction2.1.3 Car selection can be altered round for round, however points accrued apply only to that particular class, they do not move classes.
Ranking System
3.1 Drivers Club runs on a Ranking System as opposed to a traditional Championship.3.1.1 Points will accrue over a rolling 6 month schedule, for example, after
the 7th race of the year (DC7), then points for the 1st Race (DC1)
will be disregarded.3.1.2 Points are awarded to the top 15 places in each class as shown below
1st - 30, 2nd - 24, 3rd - 19, 4th - 15, 5th - 12, 6th - 10, 7th - 9, 8th - 8, 9th - 7, 10th - 6, 11th - 5, 12th - 4, 13th - 3, 14th - 2, 15th - 1
3.1.4 The Top 10 Drivers in each class will be allocated numbers each
following event specific to each class:-GT4 - 101-110
TCR - 201-210
AM - 301-310
S - 401-410
3.2 Licenses
3.2.1 There is currently no licensing system in place for Drivers Club events.
4. Events
4.1 Event Format
4.1.1 We will endeavor to run at least one Drivers Club Endurance race per month, to which points will be scored for. We occasionally will run special events or even special series, in these cases, points will not accrue towards the regular DC ranking system.
4.1.2 Races will consist of a 60 minute Warmup Practice, a 1 lap Lone qualifier (1 shot only) valid & a 2 hour, 20 minute timed race
4.2 Official Hosting
All official events will be hosted using the Australian server4.3 Safety Car
4.3.1 the iRacing Safety car will be used for SC Cautions
4.3.2 safety cars may be implemented by Race Control - in which case we will be using a single file maintain formation. It is encouraged that everyone catches the safety car as quickly as they can, but safely.
When this caution is thrown, iRacings SC rules go in to effect and we will not overturn any penalties enforced by iRacing software. If you are on pit entry when a caution is thrown and you get a penalty, unfortunately it is just bad luck and we can not help you out of it. We will be using Single file restarts.
4.3.3 iRacings safety car rules will be in play
4.3.4 After the safety car has been called all drivers are to remain in single file and return to the start finish line at 90% race speed until you catch the safety car. Restarts will be single file4.3.5 Under full course caution, drivers Priority is to catch the field behind the SC. Occasionally the iRacing software will ask you to let vehicles past or to overtake others. these instructions are to be followed only once you have caught up to the pack. It is much easier to shuffle the field appropriately when the field is close to each other instead of vehicles staggered around the circuit at various speeds.
*****YOUR PRIORITY IS TO CATCH THE SC TRAIN, ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THAT, THEN WORRY ABOUT POSITIONS*****
4.4 Race Start / Restart & Caution Procedure
4.4.1 In All Circumstances, the Finish/Control line is what we use as the point where overtaking is allowed.
4.4.2 All race starts will be under rolling start conditions. In most cases we will conduct a full pace lap of the circuit prior to start
4.4.3 Class leaders are asked to maintain a 10 second gap between them and the vehicle in front of them for the Race Start (use the Relative Screen). this is NOT required on caution restarts.
4.4.4 Once the safety car departs the pole position driver may elect to start racing at any point up to including the point when iRacing automatically calls green flag.
4.4.5 All drivers are required to maintain their position within their lane. including keeping as close as possible to the car in front until either the lead car elects to start or iRacing calls green flag. There is to be no overtaking within your lane until having passed the start finish line to begin a new lap. It is permissible to have an overlap prior to the start finish line provided that the trailing car does not physically pass in front of the leading vehicle before the start finish line has been passed. (“Within your lane” means Right & Left lanes on the initial start, in this instant the cars in opposite lane as yourself are irrelevant to your position, you are to remain behind the car physically in front of you until you cross the line without weaving in to the other lane)
4.4.6 On Restarts, the same applies but in Single File format. No overtaking is to take place until passing the Start Line, regardless of car class. It is advised that no one “hold back” to let vehicles past until after the Start line as this will cause a bottleneck.
4.4.7 If starting from Pit Lane, you must not leave Pit Lane (not passed speed limit control line), until ALL vehicles have passed by. Use your relative screen to make sure you are clear. Failure to do so will result in a post race penalty.
4.6 Race Finish
4.6.1 When the scheduled time for the race has elapsed or the full race distance has been covered, the checkered flag will be shown to the car that is leading the general classification when it crosses the finish line on the race track.
4.6.2 After each driver takes the checkered flag, they should exit their car in a manner that doesn't impede the other drivers. We encourage drivers to finish the lap and stop in their pit stall.
4.6.3 The winner will be allowed to do burn-outs or donuts, as long they don’t impede other drivers.
4.6.4 At no point on the cool down lap may drivers cause contact with others with the intention of showing retaliation. Any driver found doing so will be penalized in the final results, at the discretion of the
stewards.
4.6.5 In order to be classified, a car must have completed at least 75% of the distance covered by the class leader’s car. (Decimals will be rounded to the lower whole number)
4.6.6 All results are provisional until they are confirmed by the series admins.
5. Stewards
5.1 Race Stewards / Prostest
5.1.1 We will be happy to look at incidents post race. Whilst we will glaze over the events the onus will be on YOU, the driver, to protest any infringements you wish to be looked at post race.
5.1.2 to do so, you must provide us with a replay file of the incident (please include approx 1 lap each side of the incident in the trimmed replay file). You can do this via private message on our FB page or Discord.
5.1.3 Race Admins may remove drivers of the track if they pose a risk to other driver’s due to their driving or internet connection. In this case, a driver will first be warned and given time to correct this. In the event the issue persists, the driver shall be ordered to retire from the race.
5.1.4 Race control shall not reverse penalties generated by iRacing itself.
5.3 Redressing position.
5.3.1 If you feel you have gained a position unfairly or through an incident you caused, please redress the position as soon as it is safe to do so. doing this is just good manners, and will make us go easy on you when we review the incidents.
6. Briefing.
6.1. A Briefing will take place in the hosted session prior to race start.
7. On Track Conduct
7.1.1 It is expected that all drivers within the series race in a fair, honest manner, paying consideration to other drivers on the race track, and do not commit any action that may bring the league into disrepute.
7.1.2 All drivers, and team members, should treat other drivers, team members, and race control with respect at all times. Not just on track, but also, outside the race sessions. Any driver failing to observe this may be penalized at the discretion of the stewards, which may go as far as exclusion of the driver.
7.1.3 Drivers are expected to treat other members within the series in a courteous manner at all times. Drivers using insulting, threatening, racist, sexist, homophobic, or any other form of derogatory behavior, either in written or spoken format, in the league race server or otherwise will face severe penalties, up to and including exclusion from the league.
7.1.4 Swearing on the Comms Channel in game will result in Stop Go Penalties - There are no warnings given for this, an instant penalty will be given - This is a Gentlemans league
7.2 Passing
7.2.1 It is the responsibility of both the overtaking driver and the driver being overtaken to assure safe overtaking.
7.2.2 In case a car gains a position by an unfair manner, like exceeding track limits or car contact, a penalty may be avoided by giving back the position.
7.2.3 We run with the "B pillar rule". If a pass is being made, the passer must be up to or in front of the passee's B pillar (the rear of the driver’s door) by the apex and the passer must be maintaining a trajectory that will not run them wide of the inside apex. Racing room needs to be given.
As the passer if it is deemed by the race stewards that you will not make the apex and contact is made, you will be at fault. As the passee, if it is deemed that you have turned down on the passer without giving room, (and the passer is making the apex) you will be at fault.
7.2.4 Slower Class cars being passed by Faster class vehicles are expected to maintain a predictable racing line. Faster drivers should expect that any Slower Vehicle will be following a standard racing line through any given corner. Going off line to allow the quicker car past is at the discretion of the driver. Remember, the top of the Mount is not the ideal place to be unpredictable. Those long straights are never far away, use them.
7.3 Blocking
7.3.1 A driver may not move in reaction, altering the line based on the actions of the pursuing car, or select a defensive line and move back to the racing line in the braking zone.
7.3.2 Only a single defensive move is allowed. A second move in the same direction whether reacting to another car or not is considered blocking. Returning to the racing line for the braking zone is not considered blocking unless it impedes the progress of the following car.
7.4 Incidents
7.4.1 Any driver who, in the opinion of race control, is responsible for: an incident where a car spins, or goes off-track, or suffers other mechanical difficulty requiring it to pit directly for repairs, or an incident of contact resulting in a change of position, may be warned or penalized. Requiring to pit may take up to 3 laps for the team to know, therefore RC would have to keep an eye on this.
Net code MAY be considered in relation to incidents and may or may not affect the outcome of RC’s decision.
7.4.2 We also use iRacings incident point penalty system. You will receive a stop and hold penalty at certain incident point milestones, this will be set to 25 incident points at which point you will receive a drive through penalty, another will occur for ever 10 incidents after that
7.5 Unjustifiable Risk
7.5.1 Any driver who creates a dangerous situation, e.g. unsafe re-join of the track after a spin or incident, may be warned or penalized
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7.6 Deliberate Contact
7.6.1 Making contact and collisions with another car on purpose will be penalized.
7.7 Track Limits
7.7.1 The racing surface is defined within the white lines, including the white lines.
7.7.2 The Curbs are NOT part of the racing surface unless otherwise stated by Race Control.
7.7.3 All cars must stay in contact with the racing surface with at least two wheels at all times. Drivers may not leave the racing surface on a consistent basis in the same corners or different places on the track.
NOTE: Consistently going off track is at discretion of the stewards. 1-2 incidents per lap is enough to get the attention of the stewards.
7.7.4 Going of the racing surface is only allowed when entering/leaving pit lane or to avoid an accident.
7.7.5 Drivers leaving the racing surface may not improve their position at any time over other running cars. Drivers must also concede position if leaving the racing surface stops another car from overtaking them in
this short part of the track.
7.7.7 Cars on the racetrack may use any portion of the pit exit that is part of the track surface.
7.7.8 While a portion of pit exit may be part of the track surface, cars on the racetrack must be aware of cars re-joining while exiting the pits. Any contact that occurs as a result of a car entering/exiting the pit may be penalized and a penalty is at discretion of the stewards.
7.7.9 At the discretion of the organization, exception zones may be added to certain areas of a track. At these exception zones drivers may leave the normal track limits and treat them as part of the racing surface.
7.7.10 In case exception zones are assigned, these will be documented and explained in the driver’s briefings.
7.8 Blue Flags
7.8.1 It is the responsibility of both the overtaking driver and the driver being overtaken to assure safe overtaking.
7.8.2 Blue flags are to be served as soon as it is safe. I.e. the next straight or heavy braking zone.
7.8.3 If you hold a predictable line the faster class will be able to make the pass safely with minimal/no time lost to either car.
7.9 Re-joining the Track
7.9.1 Any car that leaves the racing surface must re-join the track in a safe manner as to not interfere with other cars. Penalties will apply for dangerous re-joins.
7.10 Pit Lane
7.10.1 There is only one “lane” in pitlane. This means if that the driver in front has right of way at all times, this stands for entering pits and on exit, up to and including pit entry lines and pit exit lines.
7.10.2 The only time it is acceptable to overtake while in the pits is if the car in front is heavily damaged and the driver or race stewards call you through.
7.11 Disconnecting
7.11.1 Disconnecting after receiving a penalty from race stewards will result in a 1 race suspension from our series, as it is seen a sign of disrespect to race stewards and your fellow drivers for not being acting like an adult and accepting your fault in an incident.
8 Off Track Conduct
8.1 Social Media Etiquette
8.1.1. While it’s easy to get frustrated on track and incidents do happen, the forum threads and Discord channels for the series is not the place to vent against or abuse any of the Organizers/Sponsors/League Members or any another user. If there is a serious breach of etiquette, then the Series Administrators and Race Control will determine the punishment for the individual or team involved up to and including exclusion from future races in the series and even possible future series. For any issues with respect to this series don’t hesitate to contact any of the named Administrators and we’ll try to find a solution to the problem and hear any suggestions for improvements. We all want to enjoy our racing and we want to extend that enjoyment to all Participants, Spectators and Administrators for the series.
MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FUN AND RESPECT EACH OTHER