Sim Racing Etiquette 101

[Administrator]

A beginner-friendly guide (and refresher) to racing hard, staying clean, and having fun online

Rule	Summary
Overtaking	Must have overlap at least to 1/2 way before the defender turns in. No divebombs.
Blocking	Max one defensive move per straight. No weaving.
Contact	Avoidable = fault. Minor bump = racing incident if position held
Rejoin	Yield to on-track cars. No time/position gain from off-track.
Blue Flags	The lapped car must hold line and facilitate a safe pass

These tips come from real-world experience in public lobbies. They won’t make you a better sim racer, but they will help you earn respect, avoid rage-quits, and actually finish races with a smile.

1. Use your microphone. It’s the fastest way to turn strangers into teammates.

A quick phrase prevents chaos and misunderstanding:

• "Sorry"
• "I didn't see you."
• "Nice Race"
• "Thanks"

Why it works: A simple “sorry” after contact can de-escalate an entire lobby. Friendly chatter between races? That’s how friendships (and rivalries) are born.

2. You can be aggressive and respected. The difference?

• No divebombs into T1
• No “pit maneuvers”
• No unsafe rejoins

Treat others how you want to be treated. Bang doors? Expect the same in return, and it's a quick kick from the lobby.

3. Turn 1 Survival Tip: If you are starting at the back of the field. Don’t dive into the chaos at Turn 1. Wait and watch the pile-up unfold, then glide through cleanly with no contact.

4. Passing 101: The first gap isn’t always the best. Watch and learn from the car ahead of you.

• Does the car ahead early apex and run wide?
• Can you late-apex and slingshot past on exit?

Wait for your moment. A clean pass beats a risky one every time.

5. You don’t get faster by jumping straight into multiplayer.

Solo Hot-Laps: Run 4+ clean, consistent laps alone. Can’t do it? You won’t be in traffic.

Practice With Traffic

• Set up a private session with tough AI
• Practice side-by-side braking
• Learn to pass on the outside (yes, it’s possible)
• Brake 5–10% earlier when defending the inside

If you can take a corner faster than the car ahead, drop back slightly before the turn. Carry your speed through and pass cleanly on the straight.

6. What if you are faster than someone?
Give the driver space. They are not being stupid, ignorant, or hostile... they’re learning. You’ll pass cleanly soon enough.

7. If you are slower than someone?

• Don’t weave to block
• Hold your line
• Let faster cars through cleanly
• It is okay to be passed
• Live to fight another day

Most top drivers love helping noobs who show good etiquette. Ask in voice chat: “Any tips for this corner?” You’ll be shocked by how generous they are.

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8. Struggling in 200+ mph fast cars?
Drop down a class. A tight, 8-car battle in a 130 mph series — all within 2 seconds — is pure joy. Less speed = more racing.

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9. Contact isn’t war. Everyone needs to remember that:

• Someone missing a brake point results in a rear-end collision
• If you don't check mirrors could be a side swipe
• There are real-life interrupts like kids, pets, and spouses.

Give the other driver a brake to say “oops.”99% of the time, it was an accident, and most likely it was.

10. Run off? It's okay in that in happens all the time. But remember:

• Don’t floor it across the racing line
• Ease back on at a safe angle
• Pause and wait for a gap
• Respect oncoming traffic