2023 TORA Endurance Championship - Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the 2023 TORA Endurance Championship! This championship will be hosted on Forza Motorsport 7 and consist of 3 rounds, each comprising of 8 hours of racing. Note that each race is a standalone event, and that TEC serves as a championship on top of our regular endurance selection.

By registering for the series, you agree to the rules and regulations written in this thread and the TORA Driver's Handbook. Please take time to carefully review the following regulations carefully before entry. TORA reserves the right to alter this rules package as needed for the purpose of fairness and clarity in competition.

This rules package is not fully inclusive. Please refer to the TORA Driver's Handbook for full definitions of terms relating to basic regulation in TORA competition. Note that specific rules for this series will take precedence over rules outlined in the TORA Driver's Handbook.


1.0 CHAMPIONSHIPS

1.1 DRIVER'S CHAMPIONSHIP
There is no driver's championship for this series.

1.2 TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
1.2.1 This championship will be made up of teams of a minimum of two and a maximum of four drivers, which can vary on a per-race basis.
1.2.2 There will only be space for 120 entries at each round, with Gr.X limited to 60 entries and Gr.T limited to 60 entries at each round.
1.2.3 To score additional points from round to round, the team name and team number of a given entry must remain constant (e.g. TORA Team ABC123 needs to enter Round 2 with the same name they used in Round 1 to continue earning points. If the number is changed or the team name is changed to TORA Team 123ABC for Round 2, it is treated as a new entry).  
1.2.4 This season of TEC each round will utilize the same class combinations and the same car lists. A team entry is not allowed to switch cars or classes.
1.2.5 If a team wishes to switch cars or switch from the upper class (Gr.X) to the lower class (Gr.T) or vice versa, between rounds, they must make a new entry under a new team name and team number. If the team decides to return to their original class level then they may continue using their original entry. Drivers are welcome to move between entries as they see fit.

1.3 PRIVATEER'S CHAMPIONSHIP
There is no privateer's championship for this series.

1.4 DROPPED ROUNDS
There is no dropped round for this series.


2.0 LIVERY RULES
2.1 This championship has defined rules about liveries that drivers must adhere to in order to race. Failure to do so may result in a penalty or disqualification. The livery rules for this championship are defined in the Livery & Decal Rules thread linked here.
2.2 All cars must comply with livery rules or they will receive a penalty of 10,000 ft to their overall distance.
2.3 Designs must be submitted for review under the Livery Inspections thread linked here.
2.4 Teams are encouraged to utilize the same livery for all three rounds. If a team changes their livery considerably, it must be resubmit for inspection.


3.0 CAR LIST AND BUILD RULES
3.1 This series has a list of cars with defined builds that each Competitor must adhere to in order to participate. The builds may vary on a per-race basis. Failure to comply to the build rules may suspend participation or result in disqualification.The car rules for each round are defined in the Car List & Build Rules thread linked here. They can also be found in each unique event forum section.
3.2 The amount of each car in the Gr.X and Gr.T classes will be limited for this championship. Gr.X will be limited to 11 entries per model and Gr.T will be limited to 13 entries per model.


4.0 HOSTING AND MARSHALS
4.1 A race may be split into multiple, numbered lobbies depending on the amount of registered drivers. Each lobby will be hosted by chosen members of the Marshal Team or TORA Staff designated as the Lobby Host.
4.2 Members of the Marshal Team who have registered but are not designated as a Lobby Host may be expected to host in situations in which they are needed.
4.3 The host of each lobby will be expected to gather data, position Competitors, and ensure that regulations are followed.
4.4 In-game lobby
settings must be followed and located in each unique event forum section.


5.0 QUALIFYING
5.1 The fastest, clean lap from a Competitor, as denoted by the timers in the game will be recorded for qualifying.
5.2 Qualifying sessions will consist of 45 minutes + the end of the lap each driver is on when the time expires unless otherwise indicated.
5.3 The Lobby Host will record the results.
5.4 Qualifying rules must be followed and are located in each unique event forum section.


6.0 RACE STARTS
6.1 Refer to each unique event forum section for race and stint starting procedures.


7.0 SERIES FORMAT
7.1 The grid for the first and second stints of each event will be set by that event's qualifying sessions, with the top 2 times for each entry being counted.
7.2 The grid for the third and fourth stints for each event will be set by the total distance per entry through stint n-2, where "n" is the stint number being set.


8.0 SAFETY CAR
8.1 There will be no safety car for this series.


9.0 PIT STOPS
9.1 Refer to each unique event forum section for pit stop quantity requirements.
9.2 Competitors are allowed to pit as needed for damage to their car in the case of an incident.


10.0 STEWARD INQUIRIES
Standard SI rules are in force, please refer to the TORA Driver's 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 race session, they will score 0 distance for that stint.
11.4 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.


12.0 ENDURANCE RACING "LAGOUT RULE"
12.1 It is unfortunately not uncommon for races to be decided by a disconnection during a stint. As voted for last year, the majority of the community is in favor of a lag out rule to be implemented to reduce the amount of distance you lose should the worst happen.
12.1.1 The lag formula used will be as follows. If you do lag out, at the end of the race the lobby host will check the pause screen and take note of the lap count currently showing. The lap you were on will be taken and entered into the doc along with DNF. The number of laps will be then subtracted by 1 to get the total amount of laps completed (when you start the race this is on 1 but you haven't actually completed a lap yet). This will then be multiplied by the track length to get your distance driven before lagging. The distance driven will be subtracted from your team's lowest, non-DNF stint mileage to calculate how far you could have driven after lagging out, and this will be multiplied by 0.80, and added to the distance driven. So in simple terms, if you lag out you will be given the distance driven, plus 80% of the potential mileage you missed out on by lagging out.


13.0 MULTICLASS PASSING AND LAP-DOWN CARS
13.1 The overtaking car in the faster class must ensure their pass of the slower class is done safely and correctly. All drivers are instructed to use mirrors and communication to ensure safe overtaking, although vocal communication between classes might not be available for the pass. Faster classes purposely impeding the progress of the slower classes, and vice versa is forbidden.
13.2 Lapped drivers must be aware of faster classes approaching and must make sure they stick to their racing line; drivers should not make sudden or unpredictable changes to their course in an attempt to allow the faster classes to pass.
13.3 Lapped drivers in the same class are expected to give the right of way to the lapping drivers. Purposely impeding the progress of the lapping drivers, is forbidden.


14.0 CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
14.1 The championship calendar is at the Calendar thread linked here.


15.0 POSTPONED MEETINGS
15.1 Sometimes a round/meeting may be postponed. TORA Staff and the Race Director will decide whether the meeting is canceled or moved elsewhere on the calendar.