One of the defining factors of professional racing is sportsmanship, an aspect that is unfortunately being lost on the race servers. For those who do not know what sportsmanship is, it means the sport is enjoyed for its own sake whilst acknowledging fairness, ethics, respect, and fellowship for your competitors. Quite simply, those who fail to perform are those willing to do anything to win.
Being a good sportsman/sportswoman (no gender biasing here! - esp. with PetraGTC around!) relies on three concepts – fair play, sportspersonship and character.
Fair Play
When joining a public server, we all enter into a gentleman's agreement to be fair . In essence, we are relying upon our personal honour to fulfill the rules and code of conduct. Whilst some of the rules can be enforced directly from the server (such as cutting), an exciting and spectacular race requires active participation from everyone. It means that everyone should be given an equal chance of victory and behave in a dignified manner even when others are doing otherwise.
Here are some thoughts on the automotive racing rules:
Cutting
By driving outside the designated areas (ie the road) to gain an advantage, you are deliberately attempting to cheat. The game can monitor this very well and will issue you 2 warnings followed by Stop/Go penalties. If you refuse to acknowledge them, you will be automatically disqualified and taken off the track.
Overtaking:
When driving, you are fully entitled to drive on the racing line to prevent the other driver getting past. However, if the other car gets their nose ahead of yours then you should give way, they have gained their place. For those overtaking, it is your responsibility to overtake cleanly – understand your limits and adjust accordingly.
Ramming/ Grudge Ramming:
This is one of the classic and most problematic issue in racing. We can define it as the intentional aim to cause a deliberate collision sufficient to damage an opponent or gain a position. This is not to be confused with accidental contact which is merely a racing incident – be dignified & don't hold a grudge for these drivers, it was unintentional.
Keep your senses alert! If you can hear a car travelling at a much higher speed, there is an intention to ram otherwise a similar pitch indicates it was accidental.
Lapping:
A personal pet peeve in both directions.
Slower drivers: Continually check your mirrors - if your in cockpit view, this shouldn't be difficult however in other view, enable your virtual mirrors and check your rear view. If you are being approached by a faster driver, move to one side slowly & carefully to allow the lapping driver a clear route. However, only do so if it is convenient and safe for you to do so. If done correctly, you shouldn't lose any significant time.
Faster drivers: When approaching a slower car, give the driver appropriate time to move aside. Just because your faster, it does not entitle you to knock drivers off the course. If after half-a-lap, remind the slower car to move over.
Hopefully I was able to highlight some of the key areas when racing and we can begin to start enjoying the public servers. If anything, think of how would you feel if you were playing football, basketball, baseball etc. and some jerk came on spoiling your day?