TORA Sport Ute Championship Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the 2017 TORA Sport Ute Championship. This series will be contested on Forza Motorsport 7 on X Box One from November 3, 2017 to December 8, 2017
Before you decide to enter, please take the time to read the rules & regulations very carefully.

By registering for the series, you agree to the rules and regulations as written in this thread. TORA reserves the right to alter the rules & regulations as necessary, for the purpose of fairness and clarity in the competition.


DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP

This will be a championship fought by each driver for themselves. The total amount of points at the end of the series, minus the lowest scoring round from their overall points will be their final points total and will result in their position in the overall drivers standing at the end of the year.

(There will be no Team or Privateer Championship in this Series.)

Car Changes

There will be no allowed Car Changes after your first Race.

Passing Points

Passing Points are awarded at one point per position gained throughout the race, with the exception of Did Not Qualify, as they will start at the rear but are ineligible for Passing Points.

1.0 GENERAL RACING RULES AND DRIVING ETIQUETTE

1.1 Motor racing, as defined by TORA, is a non contact sport. It is understandable that on occasion some contact may occur as a consequence of incidents caused by either party; for instance "lag". At TORA lag is defined as sudden high internet latency or ping causing visual inconsistencies between players.

1.2 Competitors with lag issues will not be penalized, but will be asked to improve their connection for future participation in TORA’s events. If the issue is persistently hindering other competitor’s experiences, or you cannot join lobbies (see rule 14.0), please perform a speed test on your connection via http://www.speedtest.net/. Once you have completed this, see the connection section via this link:

http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/t1312-xbox-live-connectivity

1.3 TORA expects every competitor who partakes in our championships to behave in an appropriate and respectable manner. Insulting comments or behaviour towards fellow competitors, race stewards, lobby hosts and staff is unacceptable and will be dealt with severely by TORA Staff. Respectable on-track etiquette is expected of all competitors. This includes on-track battles, track limits, dirty driving etc.

1.4 The track limits are determined by the solid white lines either side of the track, or for lack thereof, the edge of the tarmac (or other racing surface). At all times, two wheels must remain on this part of the circuit, unless of an occurrence where it is near to impossible to keep two wheels on the track, such as avoiding a collision. During a race meeting, each time the track limits are not adhered to, a warning will be given. Each driver are allowed five warnings of all four wheels leaving the track via the inside of a corner, at any part of the circuit. If a sixth and subsequent "corner cutting" occurrence happens within a race meeting, then that driver will lose a position for each corner cut. Again, if a corner is cut to avoid a collision, this would not be given a warning.

1.5 All TORA members must read and follow the TORA Sporting Regulations. Note that and specific rules defined in these Rules & Regulations will take precedence over rules outlined in the Sporting Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z61lkYkBXCFr9-dGRIO0o6RJgdqIcjWOAFzdjPGJhbw/pub


2.0 LIVERY RULES

This series has defined rules about liveries that drivers must adhere to in order to race in this series.  Failure to do so may result in a penalty or disqualification. The livery rules are defined in the Livery and Decal Rules thread linked here:


3.0 CAR RULES

This series has a defined list of cars and build rules that drivers must adhere to in order to race in this series.  Failure to do so may result in a penalty or disqualification.  The car rules are defined in the Car List and Build Rules thread linked here:
http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/t18660-tora-sport-ute-championship-car-list-and-build-rules


4.0 RACE SIGN-IN

4.1 All drivers who register for this series are automatically signed in for each round after registration. Unless signed out in the relevant Sign-In thread, as found in the championship's forum section, drivers will receive ONE invite to the race lobby.

http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/t18662-tora-sport-ute-registration-and-entry-list

4.2 Registrations close TWO HOURS prior to each round. Drivers will not be permitted to race in that meeting if they attempt to Sign-In after this time.

4.3 The series organizer reserves the right to permit or deny specific drivers after the time stated in 4.2 depending on circumstances.


5.0 HOSTING AND MARSHALS

5.1 The race may be split into multiple lobbies, named A-Z, depending on the amount of drivers who have signed-in. Each lobby will be hosted by chosen members of the Marshals or Staff.

5.2 Marshals who have Signed-In to the race may be expected to host a lobby if no other hosts are available.

5.3 For each lobby, a specific Marshal or Staff member will be given "Lobby Marshal" status, whether or not they are hosting the lobby (if none of the aforementioned members are available, the lobby host will be given the status). They will be responsible for collecting times, race positions, reading the start grid and rules, and deciding whether or not a race restart is required.

5.4 The lobby settings must be abided by, and can be found here:

http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/t18663-tora-sport-ute-lobby-settings#408903

6.0 PRACTICE & QUALIFYING RULES

6.1 The fastest clean lap time from a driver, as denoted by the game, will be recorded for qualification.

6.2 Qualifying sessions will consist of 5 laps total; 1 warm-up lap, 4 timed laps. Qualifying Session will be held promptly at the advertised race time on race day with races following as soon as possible.

6.3 The Lobby Marshal will input the times into the relevant document, or pass on the information to someone who can.


7.0 RACE RULES

7.1 Parade Lap and Rolling Start

7.2: Competitors will perform a single Formation lap to set the grid positions, before a rolling start on lap 2 begins race conditions. We ask all competitors to listen to the lobby host for what speed they should drive on the parade lap - 80 MPH maximum. . Competitors are asked not to move until the lobby host reads out the grid order and confirms when they can move off. We ask that competitors do not race one-another in the formation lap as to not interfere with the grid order, any resulting infringements will be reported to the race director and penalties may be given. Maintain a single file formation at 80 MPH through the final turn(s), at which time you pair up into double file formation and slow to 60 MPH

7.3: Everyone forms up in their grid position via rows of two, at the designated area (per in lobby pre-race instructions) at the designated pace lap speed for that circuit (per in lobby pre race instructions)  then down to 60 MPH to the starting line. As YOUR ROW hits the start/finish line, you may commence racing. Jump starts will be investigated by the Stewards and will results in penalties.

7.4 Jump Start.

If a driver accelerates before the Start Line, they will be penalized accordingly.

7.5 Decisions may be appealed if there is substantial proof (at least one more Replay other than the one used to make the decision) is provided to show the decision is incorrect.

7.6 All races will have a Reverse Grid, meaning the fastest car in the Lobby will start from the rear of the grid. "Passing Points" will be awarded, one point per finishing position gained from starting position.

7.7a Races will take place over a predetermined amount of laps. Please see the Season Calendar for details.
7.7b There will be one race in an evening, and will last around 35-40 minutes.



8.0 PIT STOPS

8.1 Drivers MUST make "One" mandatory pit stop per "Quick Stop" setting.
8.2 Drivers are permitted to pit at their own accord to refuel and change tyres, or if they have damage to their car or wish to retire.
8.3 Drivers must use proper pit entry/exit protocol. This means no cutting of pit entry, no driving through tire walls, and following any pit exit lines. Anyone caught doing any of this will be penalized accordingly.

9.0 Safety Car Rules

There will be no designated ‘safety car’ vehicle utilized in our championships, due to the limited nature of online race lobbies. However, TORA does operate general safety car regulations which provide a similar outcome, utilizing the lead vehicle in the lobby to slow the cars to a safe speed whilst any obstruction is cleared from the circuit, or allowing affected competitors to repair any damage and catch up with the rest of the field.

9.1- When the Safety Car Is Used

The Safety Car will only be deployed if an incident or incidents occur between three or more competitors that severely impairs all competitors race. Only a driver involved in the incident may request the safety car, and make the request to the Lobby Captain. The Lobby Captain may seek the opinions of other competitors, before making the decision to activate the safety car period. The Safety Car may not be requested during the final two laps of a race.

9.2- Forming a Safety Car Period

In the event of a safety car period being called, the lead car takes the role of the Safety Car or Pace Car. The Safety Car must not exceed 60MPH and the pack must form in current race position in single file.

9.3- Conduct During Safety Car Period

Drivers involved in the incident should form at the back of the pack, in order of relative position before the incident, unless there is an obvious instigator. Competitors must keep a reasonable distance during the Safety Car Period. Brake testing during the Safety Car period will not be tolerated and may lead to penalties, either race meeting or championship.

9.4 Warming of tires is permitted but must be undertaken in a safe manner with due consideration given to other competitors.

9.5 Competitors who leave the track by their own volition during the Safety Car period may be passed by the rest of the pack and the competitor will form at the back of the field.

9.6 Drivers not involved in the incident may pit during a Safety Car Period, but will resume the race at the back of the field.

9.7 If the grid has not formed by the time the pole sitter reaches the pit lane entrance, the safety car may continue for another lap. It is YOUR duty to ensure the safety of your fellow competitors.

9.8 RESTART PROCEDURE Everyone is expected to give a reasonable gap of 40 feet to the preceding car and maintain as steady a speed as possible heading to the starting line on restarts. DO NOT "lag back" to gain space in an attempt to jump the field. DO NOT restart closer than 40 feet from the car ahead of you. This way, the cars will all be grouped together nicely when the leader hits the starting line, which is when the race resumes. No passing before the Start Line.


10.0 STEWARD INQUIRIES

Standard SI rules in force please refer to sporting regulation handbook


11.0 ENTERING THE LOBBY

11.1 The host or Lobby Marshal will invite each driver to the lobby they will be Qualifying or Racing in.
11.2 They will send each driver one invite to the lobby. If the driver cannot join, the host or Lobby Marshal will send a maximum of two extra invites before the meeting is due to start.
11.3 If the driver cannot join the Qualifying session in time, they will start at the back of the grid in the race.
11.4 If the driver cannot join the race session, they will score 0 points for that race.


12.0 POSTPONED MEETINGS

Sometimes a meeting may have to be postponed. The meeting may be cancelled, or pushed back on the calendar. The entirety of this rule is at the discretion of the series organizer.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to communication issues, which hinder our ability to have restarts and safety cars, and until these issues have been corrected, the following rule changes will apply:

Damage: Fuel and Tires

Collisions: Default

In the event the communication glitches indeed do get patched, we will revert to the damage/collision rules as posted in the Rules and Regulations Thread

Flyin Mikey J wrote:IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to communication issues, which hinder our ability to have restarts and safety cars, and until these issues have been corrected, the following rule changes will apply:

Damage: Fuel and Tires

Collisions: Default

In the event the communication glitches indeed do get patched, we will revert to the damage/collision rules as posted in the Rules and Regulations Thread

Communications issues have been resolved, so we will now go to Sim damage and Always On collisions.

The Points Structure has been amended, as it was previously based on 20 car lobbies for A, B, C and D.

Since we have a Maximum of 16 per lobby due to party chat communications, the points have been adjusted accordingly.

This should help bridge the gap between A and B Lobby points.