Rules

SIMULATED SPORTS CAR ASSOCIATION (SSCA)
CLUB CODES AND REGULATIONS
2013.1 EDITION

1.0 Intent
As a participant in the SSCA, you must abide by all racing rules explained in this document. Failure to do so could result in a removal from the event. THE SIMULATED SPORTS CAR ASSOCIATION STAFF ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH iRacing, OR ANY OF THE COMPANIES MENTIONED AND/OR LISTED AT THIS SITE. It is expected that every participant and driver (entrant) at a SSCA sanctioned event shall conduct themselves according to the highest standards of behavior and sportsmanship, particularly in their relationship with other drivers and Officials, and in a manner that shall not be detrimental to the reputation of SSCA. Failure to do so may result in harsh penalties.

2.0 Sanctioning Body
The Simulated Sports Car Association is the acting Santioning body for all SSCA League Races and Special Events. All events are governed by the rules are found in the latest version of the iRacing Sporting Code.  All decisions made by the Simulated Sports Car Association are final, except under certain conditions, as specified by the iRacing Sporting Code. The Following SSCA Club Codes and Regulations supercede the current iRacing Sporting Codes for Road Racing. Those who fail to abide by them can be ejected from the current and/or future SSCA events.

3.0 Purpose
The purpose of the SSCA is to provide an avenue to promote sponsor brand awareness.  Additionally, this Simulated Racing League should provide a stage to showcase driving talent, in hopes that the most talented drivers will advance their abilities at Simulated Racing.

4.0 Knowledge of the Rules
All drivers must know all of the rules. Ignorance of a specific rule is not a defense.
 
5.0 Live Race Control
The SSCA will do it's best to have an Active and Live Race to control and keep a watch for unsportsmanlike Conduct hand out penalties and/or warning through out the event. Keep in mind that not all unsportsmanlike actions can be seen during the event, but can be reviewed at anytime after the race. Race Control will issue live text for with specific incident. Arguing towards any SSCA official can result in a black flag or worst. If there is no Live Race Control, every race will be reviewed and penalties can be handed out within 48 hours after the race has finished.

6.0 Participant Eligibility and Requirements
Minimum 3.0 Safety Rating (any license level) or C License and above
(If below requirements a test session will be required before race). Have an active iRacing account.  Each driver is responsible for having all cars and tracks used for each event they participate in. All SSCA Events are FREE unless otherwise stated.

7.0 Registration
In order to compete in the SSCA you must register at the SSCA iLeagueRace site in the Series you would like to run in. iRacing names must be used at all registration for all SSCA Events. The SSCA must have at least 15 register driver's to start a new season.

7.5 Offical Race
It takes at least 10 drivers to make an offical race. If there's less then 10 drivers in a schedule race, it's up to the driver's in the race if they want to make it a legal race. If it's less then 8 drivers it's up to the host admin. If there's less then 6 drivers the race will be cancel. If there's less then 10 total drivers in three race weeks in a row, the series can be canceled.

8.0 Etiquette and Participant Conduct
Any derogatory remarks made from one driver to another driver while racing, in personal email, in any forum that can be read by the public, private forum, Facebook, twitter and/or in any chat, can be suspended from 1 or more races. This includes thanking another driver for an incident. You may ask what happened but not during the event.  When you know you have made a mistake you may apologize at anytime. If a driver apologizes for an incident the bad feelings should stop there. We all make mistakes. Respecting our fellow racer and his rights to the track will make this a great event to be a part of. There will be NO second chances on this one. If the conduct is extreme enough a formal SSCA protest to iRacing can happen.

9.0 Car Files / Paint Jobs
Each Driver may provide a paint job for his cars. Paintjobs will be available 48 hours before the event and car files can be downloaded from iLeagueRace. All Paint Schemes are subject to SSCA, iRacing and iLeagueRace approval.

10.0 Chatting
No unnecessary chat during green flag racing. Saying "I'm done", "see you later", and etc chat during green flag racing is unnecessary. Please do not distract others with chatting. Voice command point bye's are okay but please keep it short. No other chat during the race please. You may be black flagged for unnecessary chat. NO CHAT DURING QUALIFYING. Chat will be disabled during Qualifying. Chatting during Practice is permitted. Also keep in mind when SSCA Official is communicating, please refrain from chat or asking questions until the official opens the floor to Q & A.

11.0 Warping Rules
Admins or other drivers will warn you if you have slight warping issues. This is a warning to be aware and leave a little extra room on the track for side by side racing. Continued warping during the vent may result in a black flag and parking in the pits until the problem is resolved.

12.0 Flag Categories
There are five basic categories of signals (flags). Any given signal (flag) can fit into any one or more of the following categories.

Global: Signals provide information about the entire course and/or the status of the session.
Local: Signals provide information about the conditions that pertain to a particular section of track.
Personal: Signals provide information that is specifically meant for a particular driver only.
Command: Signals dictate an order to follow the applicable procedures listed in this section, and immediate compliance is mandated. Certain Command signals may also provide some advisory information, in addition to issuing a mandatory order. This is a side benefit.
Advisory: Signals provide useful information, or to serve as a warning, to the driver(s). This information is not a command, and is meant simply to inform or advise the driver(s).

13.0 Flags
Green Flag –
Categories: Advisory; Global.
Description: Indicates the start of a race, clear track condition, and/or the cancellation of a previous flag condition.

White Flag –
Categories: Advisory, Global.
Description: When displayed at start/finish line, indicates the start of the last lap and will be displayed to the leader first and then to the remainder of the Competitors.

Checkered Flag –
Categories: Command.
Description: Indicates the end of a session, warm-up period, or end of the race. Functions to inform the drivers that session is over. This flag is not global because, the drivers that have not passed by this flag are driving under “Green Flag” conditions. Command: Drivers are to continue cautiously for the remainder of the lap, and exit the track via pit lane. Passing after the Checkered Flag may be done, however the passing rules remain in effect, and drivers must use caution.

Yellow Flag –
Categories: Command; Advisory; Local.
Description: When displayed motionlessly (Standing Yellow), indicates danger, no passing, be prepared to slow down. When displayed with motion (Waving Yellow), indicates extreme danger, no passing, be prepared to slow down, track may be partially or completely blocked. In either case, Competitors may not pass until the Yellow flag is removed, as indicated by the absence of the Yellow flag and/or presence of the Green flag at the next corner station.

Blue Flag (blue with diagonal yellow stripe) –
Categories: Advisory; Personal.
Description: Indicates faster cars are approaching. This flag is informational only. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the faster car to safely overtake the slower car. It is the responsibility of the slower car to maintain a consistent line. It is strongly recommended that a slower car being lapped makes every reasonable effort to facilitate a safe pass.

Black Flag (furled) –
Categories: Advisory; Personal.
Description: When displayed furled, indicates a warning from Race Control and may require action, such as slowing on course, to avoid an in-session penalty.

Categories: Command; Personal.
Description: Black Flag – When displayed unfurled, indicates an in-session penalty from Race Control, return to your pit box to serve your penalty. When displayed with a white “X,” indicates disqualification from the session. Black flags can be a Stop and Go… or any number of laps issued by SSCA Race Control. Failure to comply with any Flag Signal may result in a Black Flag Penalty being assessed by iRacing Race Control or SSCA Live Race Control.

14.0 Resets
Normally for all SSCA events no resets are allowed for repairing your car. Resets for an undriveable car or a driver who has connection problems can pull off the track and reset. If you can’t move off the track hit the reset button as soon as possible. We will allow one reset for all Club and Developmental Series.

15.0 Race Starts
Starts- If a driver is at fault during the start It will be evaluated and the driver at fault may be black flagged or issued a 30 second loss of time after the race for actions that are considered avoidable. On rolling starts the Pole sitter can start anytime after the pace car leaves the track or when the green flag comes out. If a major crash happens on the first lap of the race a full course yellow could come out to restore order.

16.0 Passing
The responsibility for the decision to pass another car, and to do it safely, rests with the overtaking driver. The overtaken driver should be aware that he/she is being passed and must not impede that pass by blocking. A driver who does not watch his/her mirrors or who appears to be blocking another car seeking to pass may be penalized.

17.0 Punting (Road Racing)
The term "punting" is defined as nose-to-tail (or side-of-the-nose to side-of-the-tail) contact, where the leading car is significantly knocked off of the racing line. The “nose” of the car is defined as the area from one front wheel, around the front of the car, to the other front wheel including the wheels themselves. Once the trailing car has its front nose of his car next to the other driver’s location of the other vehicle, it is considered that the trailing car has the right to be there and that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough "racing room". If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and there is incidental contact made between cars, the contact will be considered “side-to-side”. Incidental side-to-side contact can be considered to be "a racing incident."

17.1 Punting (Oval Racing)
The term "punting" is defined as nose-to-tail (or side-of-the-nose to side-of-the-tail) contact, where the leading car is significantly knocked off of the racing line when there's is no overlap (Nose overlaps the rear wheel). The “nose” of the car is defined as the area from one front wheel, around the front of the car, to the other front wheel including the wheels themselves. Once the trailing car has overlap to the  car next to the other driver’s location of the other vehicle. it is considered that the trailing car has the right to be there and that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough "racing room". If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and there is incidental contact made between cars, the contact will be considered “side-to-side”. Incidental side-to-side contact can be considered to be "a racing incident."

18.0 Right to the Line
The driver in front has the right to choose any line, so long as not to be considered blocking. The driver attempting to make a pass shall have the right to the line when their front of their car is beside the driver of the other vehicle. If the Inside car has the "Right to the Line" the outside car must leave a full car width (lane) on the inside Line. If the Outside car has the "Right to line" on turn exit, the inside car must leave a car width (lane) for the outside line.

19.0 Blocking
A driver must not alter his/her racing line based on the actions of pursuing drivers to inhibit or prevent passing. Blocking will result in a minimum of a black flag “drive through” penalty. Any driver may choose to protect his or her line so long as it is not considered blocking. Blocking is also defined as two (2) consecutive line changes to "protect his/her line", and in doing so, impedes the vehicle that is trying to pass with each of the two (2) consecutive movements.

19.1 Multi-Class Blocking.
A competitor must not initiate or attempt to initiate avoidable contact that results in the interruption of another competitor’s lap time or track position from another class. Any car that moves or holds his driving line off the normal racing line to protect his position on the track against another car in another class can be considered blocking. The two consecutive move rule doesn't not apply with cars from two different classes.

20.0 Avoidable Contact
Avoidable Contact is any contact that has been deemed avoidable by Race Officials. This could involve intentional or unintentional rough or poor situation awareness by any driver on the track. It is normally issued to a driver that made hard enough contact to run the other car off the track even though the other car had the right to be there. Therefore it can be deemed avoidable.  The penalty could be issued during race as a warning or black flag. After the race a warning, 30 second loss of time, loss of points, probation DQ or suspension can be issued.

20.1 Unnecessary Contact
Unnecessary Contact is any contact that has beed deemed unnecessary by Race Officials. This could involved unintentional contact do to poor situation awareness by any driver on the track. Normally a warning will be issued or loss of championship points. A repeat offender can be issued a suspension for poor situation awareness.

20.2 Racing Contact
Not all Contact can be deemed fault towards a driver. Sometimes contact can be determined a Racing Incident or Non-Fault Racing Contact. Warning can still be issued and repeat actions can be found to be Unnecessary Contact.

20.3 Net Code Contact
There are two types of Net Code Contact (Parallel Net Code and Opposing Net Code). Parallel Net Code is when two or more cars make contact via Net Code (no visiable contact) when the two cars are heading a patch where no contact would have happen. If the Net Code is determine a Parrallel, then no penalty can be issue.

A Opposing Net Code is when two or more cars make contact via Net Code (no visiable contact) where the contact visable happen before the contact would have happen. If this happen then this contact can be determine as pre-mature contact. This Contact can be determine as Avoidable, Unnecessary or Racing Contact.

21.0 Re-Entering Course
When a driver is trying to re-enter the course after leaving it, They must do it with extreme caution. Anyone that causes an incident because of re-entering the track can be black flag on the spot or issued a penalty after the race. If there is contact made it can be consider Avoidable Contact

21.5 Off-course Excursions
The competitor is required to follow the marked course during competition and shall not gain an advantage by an off-course excursion. An off-course excursion is defined as leaving the marked course with all four wheels. The definition of the term “advantage gained” will be left up to the sole discretion of the Race Director, and may include pass attempts that were completed, but the overtaking driver went four-wheels-off on the exit, and it was deemed to be an otherwise “ill-fated” pass (i.e. the “Zanardi maneuver”). Penalties may be assessed for an off-course excursion that affords an advantage to the offender.

21.6 Damage Car
If your car is damage enough a race director may asked you to park the car. If the race director does not ask you to retire from the race, it's the drivers responsibility to assess if it is safe enough to race or not. If you have been driving around with a badly damage car and cause a secoundary crash it can be consider Avoidable or Unnecessary contact

22.0 Protests and Complaints
Protests and Complaints regarding another participant must be filed no later then 48 hours after race completion. Any filings past the 48 hours or protests lacking any information will not be reviewed.

Protest / Complaint must have only the following information;
A. Name of event in question
B. Participant and Car Number of incident in question
C. Exact race time of incident from the replay
D. Exact policy violation (maybe be iRacing or SSCA violation) Please do not include your own opinion or play-by-play of the incident. We weigh only facts of the case, not opinion or emotional impact. Following iRacing Sporting Code format for Protest is acceptable.

23.0 Penalties
The SSCA will use its best judgment in handing out penalties. Penalties are issued only if there is clear and obvious malicious intent in a person's actions, or repeated misjudgement. The SSCA will list all the penalties at the race results. The SSCA has the right to change or adjust race results if warranted.

23.1 Probational Driver
A driver who is on probation that is evolved in any SSCA Violation, Can be DQ'd, Lost of Championship points, Further Probation, and/or Suspended for the rest of the season with the possibility of it being a full time Suspension.

24.0 Championship Points
Please look under the SSCA Sign-ups page for the League Championship Points. Incase of a tie, the follow list will be determine to break the tie for the Championship. Each Series will have a set number of predetermined races that can be dropped for the Championship. There will be bonus points for clean drivers.

Most Wins.
Least Incidents per Race.
Most Top 5s
Least DNFs (including the drop race)

25.0 Race Multiplers/Twin Race Multiplers
If the Series has some Endurance Races and other Sprint Races, The Endurance Races will be worth 1.50 times more the the regular sprint races. If the schedule has twin race event... then each race will be worth 1/2 points.