ORC X ACC Regulations
1. Preface and Participation Conditions1.1. Preface
This regulation serves as the basis for fair racing and good conduct among all participants. Any actions not listed here and contrary to the points in 1.2. or general racing rules are also prohibited, even if not explicitly mentioned, and will be accordingly sanctioned.
1.2. The ORC Values
The Online Racing Club stands for tolerance, respect, and acceptance. Every voice is heard, respected, and valued.
1.3. What do we expect from our members?
To participate with us, you must bring the following:
compliant driving behavior, general participation in the community, impeccable manners towards all members, and embodying the ORC values at all times.
2. Regulations for League Races
2.1. Vehicles
Unless otherwise specified, races are conducted with Group 3 vehicles. ACC-provided Group 3 vehicles are allowed, including those supplemented by DLCs. Each driver selects a racing vehicle for an entire season. Changing the vehicle during the season results in resetting accumulated championship points. The change must be communicated to the race management by the driver no later than 24 hours before the next league race.
2.2. Race Distance
A race day consists of 60 minutes of free practice (voluntary), 15 minutes of qualification, and 60 minutes of racing. Deviations from this will be announced clearly.
2.3. Racing Rules
2.3.1. Fair Racing!
Fair racing is of the utmost importance in ORC!
2.3.2. Contact-Free Driving!
Contact-free driving should be pursued at all times. Motorsport is not a contact sport. Every effort should be made to avoid any contact. Accidents can happen, but if it's your fault and reported to the stewards, it may result in a penalty.
2.3.3. Intentional Collision
Intentional ramming or revenge fouls can lead to league exclusion!
2.3.4. Gentlemen's Agreement!
The Gentlemen's Agreement has been an unwritten rule among drivers in the Online Racing Club for years. What do we understand by the Gentlemen's Agreement? For us, the Gentlemen's Agreement is a kind of honorable behavior on the racetrack. To explain it more precisely, here's an example: Driver A is engaged in a duel with Driver B. Driver B attempts an overtake and makes slight contact, causing Driver A to slide. Driver B gains the position as a result. If Driver B, in the spirit of sportsmanship, then exchanges the position with Driver A, we refer to it as the Gentlemen's Agreement. Such behavior significantly mitigates penalties in the event of a complaint. Incidents where Driver B hits Driver A in a way that causes Driver A to leave the track/sustain damage/lose significant time are not covered by this agreement.
2.4.5. Duels
During an overtaking attempt, be patient and non-aggressive, as the pursuing car is generally responsible for conducting a contact-free duel. Forcing a competitor off the track by not leaving enough space at the entry or exit of a turn is prohibited. When another car is alongside you, sufficient space must be given (aim for contact-free driving!). We define "alongside" as follows: If the competitor's front is level with the middle of your car, it is sufficient to leave space. Any movement during braking, if competitors are nearby, is prohibited. This means changing lanes in the braking zone up to the turning point is forbidden. Choose a line before braking and stick to it until the turning point. Note: The turning point can shift backward or forward if a competitor is nearby. Ensure that your competitor can react to your movement and/or is given enough space. If a competitor is alongside you on a straight, their position must be respected, and any movement towards them should be avoided (forcing off the track or bumping). Double lane changes or blocking (intentionally driving slower) are prohibited. Make sure the pursuer has enough time to react to your lane change, preventing rear-end collisions. Double lane changes to break the slipstream are allowed, but only if you ensure the pursuer cannot attempt an overtake on the straight and in the following turn under any circumstances. Note: This means, for example, pulling to the right once on a straight and then back to the left side of the track. Excessive "zig-zag" driving is not allowed.
2.4.6. Overtaking Outside Track Limits
If you overtake your competitor outside the racetrack, according to the Gentlemen's Agreement, you must immediately and safely let them back in front.
2.4.7. Qualification
Please note that we start with a relatively large field of drivers, so ensure you have enough space on the track for your hotlap(s). Drivers on their out- or in-lap must give way to drivers on fast laps. If faster vehicles catch up to slower ones during qualification, the slower vehicle is not required to allow an overtaking maneuver.
2.4.8. Race Start
2.4.8.2. ACC monitors the start process - adhere to the guidelines to avoid penalties. Overtaking other vehicles or dropping back can lead to confusion for other drivers. Even if ACC does not intervene immediately in the event of such behaviour, this should be avoided. Keep as far as possible within the green zone specified by ACC.
2.4.9. Mandatory Pit Stop
In every race format, there is a mandatory pit stop. Refueling the vehicle is mandatory, and tire changes are allowed. The refueling time is always 25 seconds.
2.4.10. Pit Window
We operate with a pit window, which is 48 minutes. Only stops executed within the pit window count as mandatory stops in line with 2.4.9 and are accordingly recognized by ACC.
2.4.11. Weather Settings
Due to the dynamics in ACC, expect different and changing weather conditions. The weather forecast will be announced in the respective race announcement and serves as guidance.
2.4.12. End of the Race
The race ends for each driver with the black/white chequered flag. They must have driven at least 75% of the race distance. If someone stops their car completely, has a DSC, has too less fuel or has a crash on the last lap and does not make it to the finish, this is counted as a DNF - regardless of whether the 75% has been driven.
In the event of unforeseen incidents on the last lap that justify a classification despite not crossing the finish line, the driver must submit a ticket to the race commission to request a check in order to be classified anyway. If this is not reported immediately by the driver, the result will be scored as DNF.
2.4.13. Penalties
Penalties imposed by ACC must be served within the announced time window; otherwise, they escalate according to the game's guidelines, potentially leading to disqualification. DSQs apply to the entire session - a DSQ in FP or Q will also result in a DSQ in the subsequent sessions. Types of penalties: We adhere to ACC's default settings. ACC distinguishes three different penalties: Drive Through (DT) - A drive-through penalty Stop-And-Go (SG) - Various lengths are specified after SG (e.g., SG30 = 30 seconds Stop and Go) Disqualification (DSQ) - The vehicle is taken out of the race for the entire session.
2.4.14. Reasons for Penalties:
2.4.14.1. Corner Cutting/Off Track
Leaving the track is evaluated by ACC, considering whether a time advantage was gained. If a time advantage occurred, ACC issues warnings. The 4th track limit warning results in a DT.
2.4.14.2. Pitlane Penalties
Pitlane penalties apply to two different offenses: Speeding: There is a speed limit of 50 km/h in the pit lane. This applies from the signage at the entrance to the signage at the exit. Speeding incurs a SG30 penalty. Blocking: Blocking the entrance or exit of the pit lane results in DSQ.
2.4.15. Rage Quit / Car Retirement
Leaving the server during qualification and the race can cause severe lag for all participants. Therefore, connecting/disconnecting during these sessions is prohibited. If there are reasons for giving up, please park the car in the pit box and await the end of the session.
2.4.16. Driving in the Wrong Direction
Any driving on the track against the direction of travel is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification (DSQ).
3. Flag Rules
The flag rule is activated and implemented by ACC.
3.1. Yellow Flag:During a yellow phase, overtaking is strictly prohibited, and speed must be reduced. Exceptions to the overtaking ban include clearly damaged (and therefore slow-moving) vehicles and vehicles that have obviously contributed to the yellow phase. If an accident has occurred on the track, a yellow flag is displayed in the corresponding section. The accident site should be passed carefully and prudently.
3.2. Blue Flag: The blue flag signals that a faster vehicle is approaching for an overtake. At the next opportunity, the slower vehicle must be safely allowed to pass and must not be engaged in duels. If necessary, speed should be reduced, or the ideal line should be carefully left. However, abrupt braking maneuvers or lane changes are prohibited. 3.2.1. Unlapping If an lapped driver is clearly faster than the leading vehicle, unlapping is allowed. It must be ensured that any hindrance to the other driver is avoided, and the unlapping driver can pull away or at least not hinder the now-following vehicle. Any hindrance by a lapped driver generally results in significant penalties.
4.1. Reports and Protests
If incidents occur during a race weekend that are not penalized by ACC, drivers can submit corresponding requests. The submission period begins at 12:00 PM on the day after the respective race and ends 24 hours after the start of the period. Please take the opportunity to discuss with the relevant driver(s) before submission. Requests must be directed to the organizers and must necessarily include: As ACC currently does not support replay storage, we recommend saving the race on the platform or setting up a broadcast.
4.2. Situations Eligible for Penalties:
4.2.1. Dangerous Driving
Participating in a race requires mutual consideration and caution. Anyone participating in a race must behave in a way that does not harm, endanger, obstruct, or harass others more than the racing situation requires. This includes multiple lane changes and "Moving under Breaking."
4.2.2. Unsafe Return
If a vehicle leaves the track, it must return carefully without hindering or forcing other vehicles off their line. The behavior and attentiveness of the driver are crucial for determining the penalty and the consequences for other involved drivers.
4.2.3. Causing a Collision
When there is contact between vehicles leading to a disadvantage for other vehicles, a race penalty ranging from a warning to disqualification may be imposed. Additionally, depending on the severity of the offense, penalty points will be issued.
4.2.4. Prematurely Ending the Race
When participating in our league races, we expect drivers to complete them. Prematurely leaving the lobby is prohibited and can be penalized. Private emergencies, health reasons, and similar situations will not be penalized but must be promptly communicated to the race commission or race director! Prematurely ending the race may result in a qualification ban. Further unsportsmanlike behavior, such as parking the vehicle on/near the track (yellow flag), may result in additional penalty points.
4.2.5. Parking/Stopping on the Track
If you need to stop on the track, you are responsible for doing so at a suitable location. Stopping/parking on the track is strictly prohibited.
4.2.6. Ignoring the formation in the warm-up lap
It is forbidden to leave the specified formation (single file or double file) during the warum-up lap. Please stay in your position and do not drive through other cars, as this irritates other drivers. Stopping on the track for no apparent reason is also not permitted during the warm-up lap.
5. DLCs
The required DLCs for participation in the season are determined by the race calendar. The selection of tracks will be made to ensure that, at most, one new DLC is needed per season.
