TORA Endurance Championship - Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the 2018 TORA Endurance Championship. This championship will be contested on Forza Motorsports 7 on Xbox One and PC.  This season will consist of five rounds.
Before you decide to enter the series, 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.


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 behavior 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 TORA Sporting Regulations. Note that and specific rules defined in these Rules & Regulations will take precedence over rules outlined in the Sporting Regulations.

2.0 CHAMPIONSHIPS

2.1 TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
This will be a championship fought by teams of up of a minimum of two and a maximum of four drivers.  While most of the series is 8 hour races.  Teams must drive in the same car throughout each stint of the race. If any team members switch into different cars throughout the race then their stint will not be counted in the team's overall distance and will be an instant stint DQ.  There is NO dropped round for this championship.

2.2 Teams will be required to use the same car throughout the series.  If any team want to switch cars during the course of the season, then their championship points will be reset.  

2.3 Drivers are welcome to switch in between teams throughout the season.  At least one driver must remain in the car in consecutive rounds.  Drivers may only participate in only one car per event.

2.4 At least two different drivers must drive the car during the course of the race.  One driver is not permitted to drive the entire race by themselves.  


3.0 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:
http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/t19235-tora-endurance-championship-livery-decal-rules


4.0 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/t19236-tora-endurance-championship-car-list




5.0 RACE SIGN-IN

5.1 All teams who register for this series are automatically signed in for each round after registration.


6.0 HOSTING AND MARSHALS

6.1 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.

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

6.3 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.

6.4 The lobby settings must be abided by, and can be found here:
[LINK]


7.0 QUALIFYING RULES

7.1 Qualifying for TEC will take place during the week leading up to the race.  There will be lobbies hosted throughout the week to accommodate racers in European and American time zones (See qualifying thread for dates).


7.2 QUALFIYING PROCEDURE:
7.2.1 The qualifying secession will last 45 minutes.  The host will set up the lobby for one hour to provide time for data collection.  Drivers will have until 15 minutes left on the race timer to set their fastest clean lap.  If a driver is in the middle of a lap when time expires, they are allowed to finish the lap they are currently on before times are collected.  
7.2.2 Drivers are not required use the entire 45 minutes to set a clean lap.  If a driver is pleased with their lap 5 minutes into a secession, they are welcomed to leave provided that the notify the host.  Drivers are also welcomed to pull off the track and take a break in the middle of qualifying if they so choose.  
7.2.3 The pit lane will be opened the entirety of the qualifying secession.  Drivers are welcomed to pit whenever they will like.  

7.3 To determine grid position, best two times from a team will be taken and added together. 
7.3.1 If a team fails to have more than one driver qualify, they may still race however, they will start from the back of lobby C, will have to complete a drive through at the beginning of the first stint, and will receive a one mile penalty during the first stint.  7.3.2 Each driver may only compete in one qualifying session.  If a driver attempts to compete in multiple qualifying secessions then their times will be invalidated and removed.

7.4 Drivers who set a time during qualifying are required to drive at least one stint during the race. 

 
8.0 STINT RULES

8.1 Please check the season calendar for track confirmation. 

8.2 The start of the race will be a ROLLING start, and will have different start procedures depending on the stint.  

8.3 WARM UP LAP PROCEDURE:
8.3.1 The Lobby Marshal will read out the grid order in the pre-race lobby.
8.3.2 Drivers proceed around the circuit in single file. Tire warming is permitted but brake testing is NOT.


8.4 STINT 1 ROLLING START PROCEDURE:
8.4.1 Towards the end of the warm up lap, the lobby host will request drivers to form up in 2x2 formation, and continue at 80mph/129kph. EXTREME CARE MUST BE TAKEN.
8.4.2 The driver in last place must confirm to lobby host once all cars are in position.
8.4.3 The rolling grid will approach the Start/Finish line at 80mph/129kph in 2x2 formation.
8.4.4 The GT class must line up 300-400ft behind the last car in the LMP Class.
8.4.5 Once the grid is ready and the pace car is off, the pole sitter in LMP will call the start.
8.4.6 The field will then accelerate to race speed but driver must not overtake anyone until they have passed the start/finish line.
8.4.6.1 If, for some reason, no start time call was made from any driver, drivers will begin racing when they each pass the start/finish line.  


8.5 STINT 2-4 ROLLING START PROCEDURE: 
8.5.1 For the remaining stints in each race, the starting produced will slightly change.
8.5.2 Instead of doing a full warm up lap, there will be a designated start point somewhere in the first sector of each track.  This start point will vary from round to round.  Check the relevant race sections for these points.
8.5.3 Drivers will line up in single file and will not start until THEY pass the designated start point.  
8.5.4 Leader in the GT class must still remain 300-400 ft behind the last car in the LMP class during the shorten warm up lap.  

8.6 END OF STINT PROCEDURE:
8.6.1 While stint lobbies will be set to two hours, racing will actually last only 1 hour and 40 minutes to allow for a 20 minute stint turn around.  
8.6.2 The stint will "end" with 20 minutes left on the race timer.  Once the race timer reads 20 minutes, drivers must come to a complete stop where they are on track.  
8.6.3 The host will then take record the distance that the driver in overall 1st place traveled during the stint (in miles), everyone's distance to 1st Place (in feet), and then the distance between the cars in overall 1st place and 2nd place after 1st place has moved to the next mile marker. If the host is unable to hear 2nd place, they will fall back to 3rd place, or to anyone they can hear.
8.6.4 Once the host announces that they have collected all data drivers may then back out of the race / wait in the lobby.  
8.6.5 Drivers that are double stinting will have their data collected first, provided that they are not in 1st or 2nd place, so they can make their next stint on time to reduce delays. 



9.0 PIT STOPS

9.1 There will be a mandatory number of pit stops during the each stint. The exact number changes depending on the round. This amount will be specified in the appropriate round thread.

9.2 Drivers are permitted to pit at their own accord to refuel and change tires, or if they have damage to their car or wish to retire.  
9.2.1 However, drivers are not permitted to pit during the last 10 minutes of the stint.  Once the race timer passes 30 minutes left, the pits are closed expect for emergency service.  


10.0 SAFETY CAR

There are no safety cars for this series due to the nature of the competition.  


11.0 STEWARD INQUIRIES 

Standard SI rules in force please refer to sporting regulation handbook.


12.0 SERIES POINTS

This will be the points system for the championship will be as follows. (Note, we will have points for positions past 20 if the need should arise.)  

1	200
2	190
3	183
4	178
5	173
6	168
7	163
8	158
9	153
10	148
11	145
12	142
13	139
14	136
15	133
16	130
17	127
18	124
19	122
20	120

13.0 CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

The championship will race on the dates as listed in the calendar thread, linked here:
http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/t19234-tora-endurance-championship-calendar


14.0 ENTERING THE LOBBY

14.1 The host or Lobby Marshal will invite each driver to the lobby they will be Qualifying or Racing in.
14.2 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.
14.3 If the driver cannot join the Qualifying session in time, they will start at the back of the grid in the race.
14.4 If the driver cannot join the race session, they will score 0 points for that stint.
14.5 Ultimately, joining the race will be the responsibility of the driver. A list of lobby hosts will be posted in advance of the race so it is suggested that drivers add them as a friend on Xbox Live to make it easier for them to find them.  

15.0 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.


16.0 ENDURANCE RACING "LAGOUT RULE"
 
16.1 It is unfortunately not uncommon for races to be decided by a disconnection during a stint.  However, while many series have used a lag out rule in that past, this season of TEC will not feature one.  Teams will still receive credit for the distance that they covered in the stint before lagging out, but there will not be a formula for adding distance on top of it.
16.1.1 The distance a driver covers before lagging out will be based on the amount of laps that they have completed as shown in game. If drivers lag out, they should make sure that their number of completed laps is taken by the lobby host.  
16.2 To encourage teams to continue on with the race even after lagging out, a 70% Race Distance rule will be implemented.  In order for teams to receive points for the event, they must complete at least 70% of their class leader's race distance.  

UPDATE:  16.2 was updated to be more clear about the calculation of the 70% rule.  It previously read "at least 70% of the total race distance (at least 2 stints)."  It has been updated to read "least 70% of their class leader's race distance.  The "at least 2 stints" portion of the old verbiage was intended to convey that 2 full stints + 2 partial stints can approximate to 70% of the winning distance."