Sim Racing Etiquette 101 – Clean, Fair, and Respectful Racing

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Unofficial Guide for All Drivers

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A beginner-to-advanced reference for maintaining clean racing standards in iRacing, ACC, rFactor 2, F1 24, and all sim racing leagues.​

Core Sporting Principles

Rule	Standard	Reference
Overtaking	Significant overlap (≥50% of car length) must exist before the defender turns in. No divebombs or late lunges without established position.	iRacing Sporting Code 2.2.4 | FIA Appendix L, Art. 2
Defensive Driving	One defensive line change per straight. No weaving, swerving, or reactive blocking.	iRacing 2.2.1 | FIA Appendix L, Art. 4
Contact	Avoidable contact = fault of the initiating driver. Minor door-to-door contact may be ruled a racing incident if position is maintained and no advantage gained.	iRacing 2.2.3 | SCCA GCR 6.11.1
Track Re-Entry	Drivers must yield to on-track traffic. No time or position gain from off-track excursions. Rejoin parallel to racing line when safe.	iRacing 2.2.5 | FIA Appendix L, Art. 3
Blue Flag Protocol	Lapped cars must hold a predictable line and facilitate safe overtaking by leaders. Do not defend position.	iRacing 7.1 | FIA Sporting Code

Top 10 Professional Sim Racing Standards


1. Communication Builds Trust - Use voice chat responsibly. A brief, calm acknowledgment after contact prevents escalation:

• “My fault – sorry.”
• “Didn’t see you there.”
• “Nice pass.”
• "Nice Race."

2. Aggressive ≠ Reckless - Hard racing is encouraged. Reckless moves are not:

• No Turn 1 divebombs
• No intentional contact (“pit maneuvers”)
• No unsafe rejoins into traffic

3. Turn 1 Strategy - Starting from the back? Do not commit to the inside line on Lap 1 or try to win the race on the first corner. Observe braking zones and apex usage. Let chaos unfold, then capitalize on clean exits.


4. Strategic Overtaking - The first gap is rarely the best. Study the car ahead:

• Early apex → wide exit? → Late brake and carry speed.
• Consistent braking? → Out-brake on exit.

Patience yields cleaner, faster passes.


5. Practice Before You Join Multiplayer Races - Solo consistency is non-negotiable:

• Achieve 4 consecutive clean laps in practice.
• Master side-by-side braking with AI.
• Practice outside-line passes and defensive inside protection.

6. Managing Speed Disparity
- Faster Driver: Give space. The slower car is not “blocking," they are racing. A clean pass is imminent.
- Slower Driver: Hold your line. Do not weave. Let faster cars through safely. It is acceptable and expected to be overtaken.


7. Class-Based Racing - Struggling in high-speed prototypes? Consider lower-power series (e.g., MX-5, GT4). Tighter fields within 2 seconds produce more racing, less chaos, and more learning opportunities.


8. Contact Is Not Personal - Most Incidents occur due to:

• Missed braking points
• Mirror blind spots
• Real-life interruptions

Assume good intent. A 1-second lift or apology resolves 99% of conflicts.


9. Safe Track Re-Entry Protocol - If you run wide or spin:

1. Reduce speed immediately
2. Rejoin parallel to the racing line
3. Wait for a clear gap
4. Do not cross the racing line under power
5. Let traffic pass

10. Respect Earns Respect - Top drivers mentor those who demonstrate:

• Consistency
• Situational awareness
• Accountability

Ask in voice: “Any tips for this corner?” and you’ll receive expert guidance.

Steward Resources

• iRacing Official Sporting Code (2025)
• Randy Pobst – Vortex of Danger Diagram
• Searchable Incident Database (20+ Clips)

Last Updated: November 2025 | Reviewed by The Sim Racing Stewards Panel​