Professional vs Amateur Racing

Very quickly in iRacing, it is easy to identify two major "groups" of drivers.  Each group includes drivers with a wide range of skill levels.  What indentifies the members of each group is their "philosophy" about racing.

The vast majority of participants in iRacing have never participated in a real life auto racing event. Their "experience" and knowledge is based on their observations of professional racing.

Participants who have some real life racing experience generally have raced in amateur events.

There is a very big difference between Professional Auto Racing events and Amateur Auto Racing events.

Professional Auto Racing events are run for the entertainment of a paying audience.

Amateur Auto Racing events are run for the entertainment of the participants.

Drivers in Professional Auto Racing are highly rewarded, with fame and money when they win. And, the sanctioning body knows that an entertaining race is a competitive one--so aggressive driving is encouraged, within the limits of reasonable safety.

Drivers in Amateur Auto Racing, for the most part are only rewarded by "having fun" and "being better" than the other guy.

Real problems occur in Amateur Auto Racing when: A) Drivers assume that the "correct" competitive behavior is what they see in Professional Racing; and/or B) When the incentive of "being better" than the other guy causes driver behavior that interferes with the "having fun" of the others they are racing against.

This is a real problem for iRacing. Their "solution" is a combination of a performance or outcome based "iRating" and a "Safety Rating" based on collisions with other cars and offtrack excursions. The system "allows" the new participants to compete like they think racers do (as they witness in Pro Racing) but over time a large number of drivers drop out and lose interest because of a very high level of car contact that ruins outcomes.

Many of these "discouraged" drivers choose to race in iRacing Leagues that often have rules requiring more "polite" driving. Plus, when repeatedly driving with the same guys, people tend to exhibit more care and respect.

Still, there is that lingering difference in attitudes--some guys still see racing the way that Pro Drivers do. To them, racing is a "battle" or a "fight".  Others just want to have fun and drive as fast as they can. These "amateur gentlemen" are annoyed by actions that are seen as unnecessarily reckless.

The solution is strict rules, agreed to by all participants; rules that are enforced by stewards who watch behaviors and all action of the participants.

There is a "cost" to this solution and a dilemma. The "fighting battlers" far outnumber the "amateur gentlemen" and the lure of "being better" than the other guy is so powerful, that often actions are rationalized as being "fair competition" when they lead to finishing in a higher position. The aggressive "winner" gets an emotional "high" and is anxious to return for another dose--the "victim" is often highly discouraged and often loses interest and drops out.

iRacing has another form of competition that the "amateur gentlemen" should find attractive. There is no other driver "battling" to slow you down, so that he can finish ahead. It is truly that the faster car posts a better time. It is called a Time Trial and pehaps is the most under-rated and under-promoted part of iRacing.

New Series--60PLUS Open Cockpit Series

Season 2 of the 60PLUS League will be called the 60PLUS Open Cockpit Series.

Let's make it an ADVENTURE!!


The first race will be at Road America on Wednesday, January 25 at 18:30 GMT.

There will be 10 races: 8 on Road Course; 2 on Ovals.

There will be four cars participating:

Pro Mazda

Formula Renault 2.0

HPD ARX01c

Dallara DW12

All cars will be run with fixed setups developed by Donald Strout.

The two oval races will be Phoenix (Oval-closed Dog Leg) and the finale at Indianapolis. They will be single class/car events of sufficient length and fuel allocation (60 laps) to require a pit stop for fuel and will be run using the Dallara DW12. We will use "lucky dog" feature.

The Road Courses will be run as Multi-Class/Car events with two cars: Low HP and High HP running in the same event. (See below).  Driver selects to run EITHER in Low HP "class" or High HP "class" for the whole season.

Each class will have a 3 driver Podium and Series Champion.

The Low HP Class drivers will run the DW12 on the ovals, but will be scored separately. So on the ovals there will be two podiums and points allocation for the top 10 positions in each class.

Schedule:  6 tracks same as Season 1, 4 new tracks this Season 2.

Jan 25...Road America:   Formula Renault 2.0 and HPD ARX01c

Feb 1....Watkins Glen (Classic Boot): Pro Mazda and Dallara DW12

Feb 8...Phoenix Oval...Dallara DW12 (Race Length requires pit stop)

Feb 15. .Daytona Roval:  Pro Mazda and HPD ARX01c (Race Length requires pit stop)

Feb 22..Mosport: Pro Mazda and Dallara DW12

Mar 1...Sebring: Formula Renault 2.0 and HPD ARX01c (Race Length requires pit stop)

Mar 8..,Monza GP: Formular Renualt 2.0 and Dallara DW12

Mar 15.SPA (Classic Pits):  Pro Mazda and HPD ARX01c (Race Length requires pit stop)

Mar 22.. No race--practice and coaching for Nurburgring

Mar 29.Nurburgring Nordschliefe:  Pro Mazda and HPD ARX01c (5 laps--no pit stop)

April 5..No race--practice and coaching for Indy.

Apr 12..Indianapolis 150: Dallara DW12 (Race Length requires pit stop)

On the road courses, the Low HP Class cars will always have "RIGHT OF WAY".  In other words, the Low HP Class drivers will drive their "normal" racing lines at all times. The overtaking High HP driver must be slightly ahead of the overtaken Low HP Class driver (in other words where the Low HP Class driver can see him with a single monitor.) at the "turn in point" in order to claim "corner rights"--Ideally passes of slower cars should be completed before the the "turn in point".

Slower cars may provide the courtesy of slowing slightly on the straight to facilitate a safe pass. But, THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT.  Never "move over off the racing line to make room"...And,,NEVER slow on corner exit!  BLUE FLAGS ARE "ADVISORY ONLY".

It is the responsibility of the faster car to modify his racing line to execute a safe pass without interfering in the slower car's race!!!!  The slower car has no responsibility other than driving his normal racing line, maintaining control and avoiding contact in the corner if a safe "legal" pass is made by before the turn in point.

Race Cars really do FLY!

FR 2.0 at Lime Rock, cresting hill

Pro Mazda at Lime Rock,, cresting hill with a bit more DF

New Series: 60PLUS Open Wheel League Series

Starting with Road America on November 2, 2016...

A Series for drivers that will be age 60 or older at the end of the season. Goal is first rate competition--development and demonstration of car control mastery without the pressure from excessively aggressive driving often experienced racing with the younger crowd in "open" iRacing and other leagues. 

Fixed setups running the Formula Renault 2.0 with high downforce, with option to run the Star Mazda in multi-car competition on selected tracks.

10 weekly races.  8 Road Course. 2 Oval.

Race time will be 2:00 PM EST (3:00 PM EDT) (19:00 GMT) Wednesdays. Practice begins 30 minutes earlier at 18:30 GMT.  

The Schedule for Season 2016-1: 

Nov 2 Road America 
Nov 9 Phoenix Oval (Open DogLeg, ala NASCAR)
Nov 16 Watkins Glen (Classic Boot) 
Nov 23 Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsports) 
Nov 30 Laguna Seca (Mazda Raceway) 
Week 13 (No Race on Dec 7--Practice for Monza) 
Dec 14 Monza (GP) 
Dec 21 Lime Rock (Full Course) 
Merry Christmas!!!! 
Dec 28 Milwaukee Mile Oval 
Happy New Year!!!! 
Jan 4 Brands Hatch (GP) 
Jan 11 SPA (Classic Pits) 

Mark your Calenders!!! 

Chief Steward will provide tested setups one week before each race. BoP (Balancing of Performance) for Star Mazda and Formula Renault 2.0 in setups to equalize each for competitive racing. Driver may choose either car when signing in for each race.  

Two hosted practices per week.  Friday and Tuesday at 18:30 GMT.

Races will be LIVE STREAMED on YouTube by MaxSpeedTV.

Results will be recorded at danlisa.com


Rules:

Adhere to iRacing Sporting Code 
No foul Language (Grandchildren may be watching!) 
Weird Rule #1: No passing during the first lap. 
Normal Rolling Start--see Weird Rule #4 Below
Weird Rule #2: Podium from previous race starts last. 
Weird Rule #3: Incident points x2 subtracted from results.
Weird Rule #4: Special "Safe Passing" Rules strictly enforced.
Anger Management Rules strictly enforced.
See posts below for details. 

We all spend a lot of time practicing. This is an investment of precious time and our rules are designed to minimize incidents that can end someone's race early. We see iRacing as amateur sport with demonstration of skill and not a prize fight. 


Cash Prizes in form of iRacing credits. 
Example: $100 for Season Champion. 

Series to be "sponsored" by Team RFC--in recognition and support of a group of 300 + Christian Chaplains that serve others without compensation, providing pastoral care and friendship at real life race tracks throughout the world.

Safe Passing

One difference with our League is we intend to enforce "Safe Passing" rules that are a bit different than regular "open" iRacing.

1)  Drivers are responsible to monitor the position of any cars that are gaining on them by watching F3.  A car that is gaining is likely to attempt a pass.
2)  The Overtaken Driver is to ALWAYS maintain their "normal and predictable" racing line--especially when it is likely that a Overtaking Driver is likely to attempt a pass. (With only one "last lap exception"--see below.)
3)  The Overtaking Driver is Primarily responsible for a Safe Pass, but both cars have the responsibility to avoid contact.
4)  All drivers have the "right" to "Racing Room". Racing Room is defined as the 1/2 car width to the sides and one full car width in front and back.
5)  Similar to Vintage Racing Rules--the Overtaking Driver must be fully beside or ahead at the "normal and predictable" turn in point for the Overtaken Driver in order for the Overtaking Driver to claim "corner rights". In other words the Overtaken Driver must essentially be able to see the Overtaking Driver BEFORE the "normal and predictable" turn in point. If the Overtaking Driver is NOT fully beside or ahead, then the Overtaking Driver DOES NOT have "corner rights" and must back off, giving the Overtaken Driver the racing line. Attempting a pass without "corner rights" is "Dive Bombing" and is strictly prohibited.
5)a So called "corner rights" as defined above DO NOT prohibit "side by side thru the turn" racing as such rights assume that one car is moving at a higher speed. So, "corner rights" for the inside car requires BOTH position equality and speed superiority. For the outside car on the "normal" racing line, it only requires position superiority at the turn in point. If both cars arrive at the turn in point, side by side, with more or less the same speed, then they are expected to race side by side, respecting each other's "racing room" as defined in 4) above.  This means the car on the inside must allow enough room for the outside car on exit. It also means the outside car must not "cut off" the inside car by turning down to the apex and "pinching" the inside car at the corner apex.  Keep in mind that a chicane is essentially two corners where the outside car becomes the inside car for the "second" corner.  Therefore the outside car in the first corner of the chicane could be guilty of dive bombing into the second part of the chicane. Attempting a pass without "corner rights" is "Dive Bombing" and is strictly prohibited.
THREE WIDE RACING THRU CORNERS IS NOT PROHIBITED BUT IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED in our League. 
6) Racing below the white line---the "legal" racing surface is always defined by iRacing's offtrack incident indicator or cutting the corner penalty. Absent the offtrack indicator or cutting penalty, racing below the white line is therefore "legal". BUT, racing below the white line (with all four wheels) shall be considered "leaving the track" and  being the "Overtaking Driver" and "attempting to pass on the inside" as defined in 5) above. THE DRIVER WHO RACES INSIDE THE WHITE LINE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE TO RE-ENTER THE TRACK SAFELY. THE RE-ENTERING DRIVER HAS NO CORNER RIGHTS AND THEREFORE SHALL BE PENALIZED IF RE-ENTRY IS DEEMED TO INTERFERE WITH THE "NORMAL AND PREDICTABLE RACING LINE" OF OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT LEFT THE TRACK. 

See this explanation in the link:

http://www.vrgonline.org/school/articles/passing_101.pdf

click on link below:
Safe Passing

If you are truly faster than the other guy, in general you should be able to accelerate out of the corner with more speed and pull fully aside before the braking zone or turn in point at the next corner. If you are not truly faster than the other guy, then do not pass.

Drafting:

There will be tracks where the "draft" will allow the Overtaking Driver a bit of advantage and will enable them to pull "fully aside" before the braking zone, even when the Overtaking Driver is not faster.  In this case, with one exception, the Overtaken Driver shall lift slightly to allow the Overtaking Driver to complete a safe pass.  This will create some "leapfrogging" during the race as the Overtaken Driver may be able to use the draft to retake the position later.  The exception is during the last lap of the race when the Overtaken Driver is allowed to take a defensive position by strategically positioning his car on the inside to insure he maintains "corner rights" as outlined above in 5).  In this case, it is possible that the Overtaking Driver, forced to overtake on the outside in this case, may be able to pull ahead before the "normal and predictable" turn in point, at which point he will have justifiably gained "corner rights" as defined above in 5).

If two cars,  close together  (the Overtaking Driver and the Third in Line) are able to use the draft, with the first one (Overtaking Driver) pulling "fully aside" the Overtaken Driver, the "Third in Line" SHALL NOT take advantage when the Overtaken Driver lifts to allow the first car to pass.  The "Third in Line" in this case shall fall behind the Overtaken Driver, maintaining his position as "third in line". The purpose of this is to minimize controversy and car contact since it is often difficult for the Overtaken Driver to know the on track position of the "Third in Line". THREE WIDE RACING THRU CORNERS IS NOT PROHIBITED BUT IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED in our League. 

These rules will be strictly enforced by the Chief or Racing Steward. They are designed to allow competitive racing with the minimum probability of car contact.

Anger Management

We are all human. Competition sometimes results in conflict and anger. 

In all cases you are expected to show respect for others.

Swearing, course and/or foul language is strictly prohibited. 

If you suffer extreme frustration, you are allowed ONE "vent" or a verbal/text expression of frustration.  Beyond that, keep your emotions under control or at least keep them private.

If you feel you have been significantly wronged--send a PM or email to the Chief Steward.

Jennings Builds a Rocket and Launches it at Iowa

Paul Jennings Wins--Laps entire Field

Veteran iRacing IndyCar pilot from North Carolina, Paul Jennings, found speed and lapped the entire field at Iowa Speedway Sunday night, the 9th race of the iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series. It was even more impressive considering that he struggled early in the race--Jennings was dead last on lap 37. By lap 69 he was in the lead and dominated the race thereafter.

This was the first win for Jennings in the 2016 iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series Season 1. He joins Tim Holgate who has 4 wins, Christopher Demeritt who has 2, and Joe Branch as race winners in the series this season. Records indicate that Jennings has 220 career victories in "open" iRacing competition, so he is used to being a winner. His result moved him up 5 slots to P6 in season points.

Missing this holiday weekend were series "regulars" Tim Holgate, Christopher Demeritt, Niles Anders, Tim Doyle, Marco Brasil, Austin Espitee, Robert Gorts, Jonathan Goke, James McClure, Ryan Heeter, and Andreas Eik. That should not be seen to diminish Jennings's accomplishment as Toni Helminen and Joe Flanagan have proven to be masters on the short tracks.

Dan Lee Ensch Leads from the Pole into T1

Team RFC member, Dan Lee Ensch surprised with an excellent qualifying run, putting him P1 on the grid, ahead of Helminen, Jennings, Christian Steele, and Bradley Walters. Track conditions were relatively cool, so tires were an issue on the first lap. Helminen spun in T2, ending his race as well as the race for Steele and Walters who were all damaged beyond repair.

Christian Steele looks on as Helminen spins in T2 taking him and Bradley Walters out of the race

Ensch maintained the lead until lap 10 when Joe Branch took over P1 and held it until lap 69. From then on, it was Paul Jennings followed by the rest.

Nathan Bookbinder takes too high a line into the marbles, loses control and take out Joe Flanagan

A bit of drama with an ambitious Nathan Bookbinder taking out Joe Flanagan late in the race with a bold pass high into the marbles next to the wall in T2.  Otherwise, a relatively "normal" race.

Bookbinder goes high into the marbles later in T3--kisses the wall but maintains control and passes Strout

Special mention for Tim Miller's podium P3 finish, moving up 8 slots from his P11 start. Members of two teams now hold the top five in Season Points:  The team of Holgate, Branch and Flanagan and Team RFC's Tim Miller and Dan Lee Ensch.