TORA GT S9 - Rulebook

Rulebook Season 9



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General Rules & Driving Etiquette
GT racing, as defined by TORA, is a non contact sport. It is understandable that on occasion some contact may occur that is not expected by either party, for example due to lag. Competitors with 'lag' issues will not be penalized, but may be asked to improve their connection, if the issue is persistently hindering other's experiences please see connection section.

TORA expects competitors who partake in its championships and meetings to behave in an appropriate and respectable manner. Insulting comments or behaviour towards fellow competitors and race stewards is unacceptable and will be dealt with severely.

Competitors who are being followed on a straight part of a track by another car may move their position on the track ONCE to defend, any further sufficient movement outside of cornering will be deemed as weaving and your actions may be reported to the race director or head steward after the race.

If a competitor leaves the track at any time, it is advised that extra caution is taken not to impede other drivers when rejoining, please check and look before rejoining the track. Common courtesy stipulates that a driver in a dangerous position on the circuit should alert oncoming drivers of their position to avoid additional incidents, (essentially the yellow flag rules.)

Track Limits
During a race meeting, each time the track limits are not adhered to, a warning will be given. Each driver are allowed five warnings for exceeding the track limits, at any part of the circuit. If a sixth and subsequent occurrences happen within a race meeting, then that driver will lose a position for each time the track limits are exceeded.
The track limits must be adhered to in the event of gaining an advantage whilst having an on-track battle. If the limits were exceeded to avoid a collision no warning will be given, however if a driver overtakes a driver by exceeding track limits, the driver must give that position back before they may continue their race. If the driver which was overtaken backs off heavily either through incident or "mechanical" failure, then the position will not need to be given back.
The inside of a corners limits are denoted by the the edge of the tarmac of the course (and painted track lines in a majority of cases)
The outside of a corner, both entrance and exit, are denoted by the edge of the “rumble strips”.
Where no “rumble strips or painted lines exist, the track limits are the main tarmac areas.

2012 TORA MSA GT Championships
1. TEAM DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

The TORA MSA GT Championship Season 9 will be fought over 12 race meetings, 24 races from July 2012 to December 2012. The series will have 3 championships up for grabs.

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. This championship is for team drivers only.

2. TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP

A team will be made up of upto 4 drivers, all driving the same car. This championship will be scored by the total points score of the top 2 drivers for each race meeting, over the course of the championship.

- Team Driver Changes
From the start of the series, the full time driver line up may have a maximum two driver changes for the entire series. If another full time driver change occurs, the total point score for the team will take a 10% reduction at the end of the year, and a subsequent 10% more for each further change. A full time driver change would need to be applied for via a new entry form as per championship sign-up.

- Substitute Drivers
For the length of the entire series, a team may make use of substitute driver if a full time driver cannot make a meeting. This substitute driver is eligible to score points for the drivers championship, and towards the points for the team they are driving for that meeting. A team has a maximum of 2 substitutes per season. Any further substitutes, and the replacement driver will not score points for the team they are driving for. Substitute drivers must be made aware to the series runners before commencing the race meeting itself.

3. PRIVATEER DRIVERS 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. This championship is for privateer drivers only, and team drivers will not be able to compete for this championship.

Both the Teams are Privateers Drivers Championship will be scored on the same board, however they are both independent championships where a privateer driver may not win the team drivers championship, and visa versa.

Race Meeting
We ask that all competitors are on Xbox live 15 minutes prior to the start of the race meeting, and appear online. Where necessary, if each competitor could post "In" in the relevant race meeting thread on the TORA forums. Anyone who wishes to race without posting "In" will need to wait for the race meeting organisers confirmation before being allowed to race. Certain factors may come into account, such as if there are 16 people racing, and one person who hasn't posted in would cause a split lobby of 9 and 8 in each lobby, in decision making for those not posted in before the event.

QUALIFYING
Event qualifying will begin at 8pm. Apart from if someone has already attempted to join a lobby but had connection issues, there are no exceptions to this start time. If you appear online after the start time, you will not receive a qualifying invite.

TORA’s ‘Live Timing’ system will be updated prior to the race meeting with who your lobby host will be for qualifying, and will be updated during the meeting with the results. One invite will be sent out to all race entrants. This invite will also denote your qualifying lobby.

If a connection issue is apparent please contact the race director or lobby host as soon as possible and they will do their best to ensure you can connect to the qualifying lobby.

Competitors who are not connected to the host’s room at the start time without reason stated before the start time of the race meeting will not be able to take part in qualifying. The qualifying session should start no later than 5 minutes from the designated race meeting start time.

Qualifying Set-Up
There will be 2 qualifying sessions per race meeting.

- A 6 second roll off delay will be in effect to accommodate a greater opportunity for clean running and driving concentration. Collisions will be set off, and damaged will be limited.

- Qualifying 1 will be set to 6 laps, 1 warm-up lap, 4 qualifying laps, and the last is used for the lobby hosts to collect times before competitors cross the line to finish the session. "Clean" qualifying laps are over "Dirty" laps. A slower "Clean" lap will start the race ahead of a quicker "dirty" lap. Make it count!
These times are used to denote who will be in which race lobby.

- Once Qualifying 1 is over, ‘Live Timing’ will be updated along with who will host the various racing lobbies. TORA will ensure that this process is completed as quickly as possible but please expect a minimum of a 10 minute break after the qualifying session for which the TORA team will set up race lobbies.

- Qualifying 2 will be set to 3 laps, 1 warm-up lap, 1 qualifying lap, and the last is used for the lobby hosts to collect times before competitors cross the line to finish the session. "Clean" qualifying laps are over "Dirty" laps. A slower "Clean" lap will start the race ahead of a quicker "dirty" lap. Make it count!
These times are used to denote the starting grid order for race 1.

- Once Qualifying 2 is over, race 1 will begin straight afterwards, keeping the lobby competitors the same, but in the starting order of Qualifying 2.

- Any driver who had not set a qualifying time will be able to join the race at the back of the lowest lobby, upon the race directors approval.

RACE
Apart from if someone has already attempted to join a lobby but had connection issues, there are no exceptions to race start time.

TORA’s ‘Live Timing’ system will be updated after Qualifying 1 has taken place to update you who your lobby host will be. We ask that all competitors remain on Xbox live for the start of the race. ONE invite will be sent out to all race entrants. This will denote your race meeting lobby. If a connection issue is apparent please contact the race director or lobby host ASAP and they will do their best to ensure you can connect to the race lobby. If all entrants are ready to race, the start times will begin early.

Meeting Timetable
Qualifying 1 -
Start time - 8:00pm UK Time - This is to set which lobbies the drivers will compete in.
Qualifying 2 -
Start time - 8:35pm UK Time - This is to set the grid for race 1.
Race 1 -
Start time - 8:50pm UK Time - Grid will be the results of Qualifying 2 session. The race begins in this order by a rolling start.
Race 2 -
Start time - 9:30pm Uk Time - Grid will be set in the order of the race one results. The race begins in this order by a rolling start.

Settings
- Collisions during all races will be on, and set with Limited Damage. All driving aids will be available, apart from ABS, STM and auto-brake. Steering will be a choice between "simulation" & "normal" due to issues made aware by Fanatec for wheel users.

- Each race will be approximately 25mins in length, denoted by a set number of laps. Racing conditions begin from the rolling start all the way to the chequered flag, racing to end the lobby race session.

Rolling Starts
Competitors are asked not to move off their grid slots until the lobby host reads out the grid order and confirms when they can move off. All cars must proceed in order at no more than 80mph and at a distance of at least 80ft from the car in front. 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.

To achieve a rolling start the competitors will be led by the lead car until the start signal is given. Once the lead driver reaches a pre-designated section on the track (usually before the final corner), they shall let the pack bunch up side by side in a two by two formation. the lead driver is given the choice what side he wishes to begin the race on, and all following competitors must follow this lead.

When all drivers are in position and the field are all on the start / finish straight, getting confirmation from the last driver that all are in position, the lead driver may start racing conditions by shouting "Go" and accelerating before the field reaches the start / finish line, if “Go” hasn't been called at the line, race conditions will begin automatically.

Under no circumstance shall any competitor be allowed to pass the vehicle in front until they have passed the start and finish line. Should a car overtake another before the line, the offending driver must give the place back within 3 corners, or penalties will be given out.

Mandatory Pit Stops
There will be no mandatory pit-stops for this season. Anyone involved in an incident may make use of the safety car to fix repairs.

Safety Car Rules
There will be no designated ‘safety car’ vehicle utilised 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, utilising the lead vehicle in the lobby to slow the cars to a safe speed whilst allowing affected competitors to repair any damage and catch up with the rest of the field.

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 involved. Only a driver involved in the incident may request the safety car, and make the request to the Lobby Captain. The Lobby Captain then make the decision to activate the safety car period. The Safety Car may not be requested during the final two laps of a race.

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 70MPH and the pack must form in current race position in single file.

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. Competitors must keep a safe 75m distance to the car in front during the Safety Car period. Brake testing during the Safety Car period will not be tolerated and may lead to penalties. Warming of tyres is permitted but must be undertaken in a safe manner with due consideration given to other competitors.

Any driver may pit during a Safety Car Period, but will resume the race at the back of the field. 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.

Safety Car Race Start
Safety car restarts can occur at anytime after the final corner on the circuit and before the start / finish line.

The race restart procedure is to make sure that all competitors have caught up to the safety car train, and then the lead car can accelerate at anytime without informing the other competitors. It is upto each competitor to be aware of the cars infront accelerating under race conditions once again.

No overtaking can take place until the start / finish line has been crossed.

Race Restarts
Race restarts may only take place in the event of a collision involving 50% or more cars within the lobby, either on the warm-up lap or the first lap, and at the lobby hosts discretion.

The lobby restarts in the same order as the intended previous start, and with 1 lap less than the original race length, and a new starting procedure takes place as a safety car start, not a side by side grid start.

A race lobby will only be restarted the once, after which any consequences of another collision will be the end results of that race.


Carlist
All cars that are used in competition must adhere to the rules setout by the race organisers. Failure to compete in a legal car will result in results becoming invalid. All cars have been equalised as much as possible to ensure equal performance throughout the series. The series makes use of race ready, “Grandfathered” downgraded GT1 cars, downgraded GT2 cars and GT3 cars.

As the season progresses and new cars are added to the Forza Motorsport 4 game, if the car seems a valid choice for the series it will be entered immediately once tested for equal performance. If its an updated version of an existing, older version of the car, the new car will act as its replacement, unless being used by a competitor within the series. That certain competitor will be given the opportunity to make a free swapover to the updated version of their car choice without penalty.

Apart from the new car rule stated above, there will be no car changes allowed during the season. Any change of car, unless stated by the series owner, will result in all drivers effected taking a 10% championship points penalty. Every further change will result in a further 10% from the original points (ie 20%, 30%)

GT1 Cars
All cars within the GT1 group have a maximum power limit of 635hp, and minimum weight of 2400lbs. These cars have also been given the following restrictions to ensure equal performance;
30% Power restriction
10% Front Grip restriction
5% Rear Grip restriction

Aston Martin DBR9 (Max PI 823)

GT2 Cars
All GT2 cars have been given the following restrictions to ensure equal performance;
15% Power restriction

Audi R8 LMS (Max PI 761)
BMW M3 GT2 (Max PI 757)
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (Max PI 755)
Dodge Viper Competition Coupe (Max PI 749)
Ferrari F458 Italia (Max PI 764)
Ford GT Mk7 (Max PI 760)
Jaguar RSR XKR GT (Max PI 756)
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (Max PI 758)
Lotus Evora T124 Enduro (Max PI 748)
Porsche 911 GT3-RSR (997/2) (Max PI 757)


GT3 Cars
These cars have been given no restriction. Their maximum power output is limited to 550hp and weight must exceed 2600lbs.

BMW Z4 GT3 (Max PI 729)
Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 (Max PI 728)

Note: All cars can be upgraded as the drivers wish so long as no chrome rims are used.

All cars must be RWD.


CALENDAR

Sunday 8th July Silverstone International Circuit

Sunday 22nd July Hockenheimring National Circuit

Sunday 5th August Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello

Sunday 19th August Road America

Sunday 26th August Nurburgring Grand Prix

Sunday 9th September Infineon Raceway

Sunday 7th October Suzuka Grand Prix

Sunday 21th October Road Atlanta

Sunday 4th November Catalunya GP

Sunday 18th November Laguna Seca

Sunday 2nd December Nurburgring Nordschliefe

Sunday 16th September Indianapolis Road Course

All start times are at 8pm UK time and scheduled to finish at 10pm UK time at the latest. All race meetings will consist of two races of roughly 20-25 minutes each scoring full championship points.


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As agreed by stewards New Steward Rules now in affect from Next GT round -

1 - 3 race warning
2 - Allowed to take part in Q1 but must sit out of Superpole so will start at the back of the lobby they are capable of being in.
3 - Allowed to take part in Q1, but must drop down a lobby from where they qualify and sit out of Superpole.
4 - Allowed to take part in Q1, but must drop down two lobbies from where they qualify and sit out of Superpole.
5 - Not allowed to take part in Q1, so will start in the lowest lobby. May take part in Superpole.
6 - Banned from racing in the next race.
7 - Banned from current Season.[/b]
8 - Banned from racing in any TORA event/championship for X amount of weeks.
9 - Banned from TORA

Rules now done. Unless any huge problems are discovered, its final!

Thread unlocked for any questions!

What assists are allowed?

Collisions during all races will be on, and set with Limited Damage. All driving aids will be available, apart from ABS, STM and auto-brake. Steering will be a choice between "simulation" & "normal" due to issues made aware by Fanatec for wheel users.

all listed mate.

Must have missed that...thank you.

So let me get this straight, The GT1, GT2 and GT3 cars have been balanced out and are supposed to set the same lap times?

Yes, they are set to be roughly the same lap times.

RULE UPDATE

There will be 2 dropped rounds for this series.

A dropped round is where everyones lowest scoring rounds for the season are discounted (including 0's) from the overall points. So in affect, total series points will be everyones 10 best scoring rounds. If Silverstone was a good round for you, enjoy the points. If you didn't then you have the chance to make up for it.

Hope this helps!