TORA V8 Series - Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the 2020 season of the TORA V8 Series! This championship will be contested on Forza 7 on Xbox One and PC, and will consist of 7 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.
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 surfaces). 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. 
1.5 All TORA members must read and follow the TORA Driver's Handbook. Note that and specific rules defined in these Rules & Regulations will take precedence over rules outlined in Driver's Handbook.



2.0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
2.1 DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
This will be a championship fought by each driver for themselves. The points at the end of this series will be their final points total and will result in their position in the standings at the end of the series. There is ONE dropped round for this championship.


2.2 TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
This will be a championship fought by teams of two drivers. The points at the end of this series will be their final points total and will result in their position in the standings at the end of the series. In the event that a team has more than two drivers, the two highest points gained by the team will be recorded toward the team championship. There are NO dropped rounds for this championship.

2.3 PRIVATEERS CHAMPIONSHIP
This will be a championship fought by drivers who are not registered with a team. The points at the end of this series will be their final points total and will result in their position in the standings at the end of the series. There are NO dropped rounds for this championship.

2.4 DROPPED ROUND
The dropped round will be the driver's lowest score. This includes scores of 0 pts as we understand that, on occasion, real life may not permit drivers to attend races.


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: Livery and 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: Car List and Build Rules


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: Lobby Settings


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 a 15-minute session. Once 15 minutes have elapsed, drivers will be allowed to complete their current lap. 
6.3 All drivers must stop on the first corner of the circuit on the cool-down lap for the Lobby Marshal or host to record the times.
6.4 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 Please check the season calendar for track confirmation. 
7.2 The start of the race will be a STANDING start.
7.3 During the sprint rounds, Race 1 grid will be formed by the results from qualifying, and race 2 grid will be formed by the results of Race 1.

7.4 STANDING START PROCEDURE:
7.4.1 Drivers will complete one warm-up lap and return to their grid slots.
7.4.2 The race begins at a specific time specified by the lobby host.
7.4.3 Moving from the grid slot too soon may be penalized.

7.5 WARM UP LAP PROCEDURE:
7.5.1 The grid is set manually by the Lobby Marshal in the pre-race lobby.
7.5.2 Drivers proceed around the circuit in a single file. Tyre warming is permitted but brake testing is NOT.
7.5.3 Drivers will begin to form up into the correct formation towards the end of the lap as stated by the Lobby Marshal.



8.0 PIT STOPS
8.1 During all races, 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.
8.2 In the event of a caution, the pits will be closed immediately.  The lobby host will advise as to when the pits are open once the field is back up together. 
8.3 There will be a mandatory pitstop during the endurance round of the series (Rounds 2, 4, and 7).
8.3.1 During these races, the pit lane will be opened after the fifth racing lap and will be closed five laps prior to the finish.  Failure to complete the pit stop during this window will result in a penalty.  


9.0 SAFETY CAR
9.1 Standard safety car rules in effect please refer to sporting regulation handbook.  
9.2 Only drivers that are involved with the accident are allowed to call for a caution.  
9.3 Cautions can not be called once the final lap of the race has begun.


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


11.0 CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
The championship will race on the dates as listed in the calendar thread, linked here: Calendar


12.0 ENTERING THE LOBBY
12.1 The host or Lobby Marshal will invite each driver to the lobby they will be Qualifying or Racing in.
12.2 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.
12.3 If the driver cannot join the Qualifying session in time, they will start at the back of the grid in the race.
12.4 If the driver cannot join the race session, they will score 0 points for that race.


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