2014 Nurburgring 24 hour
Teams Brief
As you know, at this moment in time we are gearing up for the full race starting on the 22nd of February.
1. Teams
2. Skype
3. PSN
4. Stewarding
5. Time table
6. Rules
Teams
Teams have been the main focus of the build up to the big race and with 9 teams signed up this has been a great outcome.
Skype
Teams should all have a Skype account made by now and should have added all other teams to that account, this is so everyone is in connection to each other. All teams have a responsibility to monitor Skype at all times as stewarding and team messages might be missed causing more issues to your team. Please make sure all stewards are added to your Skype account as well (list released once final stewarding panel is decided).
PSN
As you will know, in order to keep distractions to a minimum we have set up specific team PSN names for each team which means only stewards and teams will be online on that account thus reducing online/offline messages. Teams will need to keep PSN messages turned on so the stewards can contact them via PSN message if they cannot do so on Skype.
Stewarding
Stewarding will be live and as professional as possible, but please remember that this is the first year we have set anything like this up and training has been difficult due to the lack of personnel. CORE has sent out training packs to stewards and will be keeping a close eye on stewarding.
Rules for stewarding
If the stewards pull up your team you will have 4 minutes to either argue your case or confirm that you will take the penalty. If the stewards are adamant about the penalty then that is the final word and you are not allowed to argue the case any further. If you continue to argue the case or become abusive towards another member or a steward then you will receive a [+120 sec] for misconduct, and can lead to disqualification from the event if it continues further.
Time table
There is a tight schedule in place that all teams must stick to in order for the event to flow smoothly. Please make a note of the times.
All build up events will be run in one of the streaming lobbies along with MDT’s show.
13:45 Menace Drift Team show
13:50 N24 Lobby will be opened by host and checks will begin to check everyone is in connection.
14:05 10 Min advert run for GTP, GT6, CORE.
14:10 Teams must have finished pitting in and returning to grid to start the race.
14:15 Teams will be in lobby and drivers brief will be given over headset
14:45 Start of transmission
14:45 Cars set off on warm up lap. 65 mph safety car speed
15:00 Cars are released and ready to race.
15:00 Pace car will withdraw from track once all cars have gone past the pace car
15:00 End of race once leader crosses the line at 15:00 GMT
Rules:
Due to the nature of this event, rather than post-race stewarding, penalties will be provided in real time by an independent team of stewards. If a penalty is deemed necessary, a steward will directly contact the offending team manager via Skype. The car will stop and hold in the designated area at the first moment available; for each successive lap that a penalty is not served, 30 seconds will be added to the time. As the penalty is being served, the steward will inform the team of 10 seconds to go and then go via Skype. Due to the nature of these penalties, all rulings are final and cannot be appealed; however, teams are encouraged to inform the stewards of potential infractions that may otherwise go overlooked.
Collisions:
Accident: A situation that results in contact in which the instigating driver loses control of their vehicle in a manner that makes avoiding the proceeding contact beyond reasonable expectation.
Racing incident: A situation where contact occurs through the action (or inaction) of at least one of the drivers involved, while maintaining clear control of their vehicle, and no significant damage or delay occurs to those not responsible.
Avoidable contact [+60]: A situation where a vehicle is damaged or delayed through the controlled actions, intentional or otherwise, of another driver, in which responsibility for the situation occurring can be clearly
defined.
If a collision is deemed as Avoidable contact, penalties will be given to the parties responsible even if they allow the other cars to re-pass after.
Other Penalties:
Pit Lines [+10]: The pit entry and exit are defined as the area between the outside edge of the circuit and the inside edge of the pit line. If any part of a driver’s car crosses the line it will result in a penalty. There will be a statement in the Driver’s Briefing that identifies which lines are being regulated.
Corner Cutting [+30]: As a generalisation, track limits are defined by the outside edge of the white line on the circuit, however they also include the red and white curbing on apexes and exits; exceptions to this rule will be included in the driver’s briefing. A car must keep two wheels within the track limits at all times. If all four wheels are no longer within the track limits on three incidences within three laps, a penalty will be incurred.
Driving Standards [+120]: If a driver is displaying poor control of their vehicle or deemed to behave in a reckless manner they will receive a driving standards warning. If one driver collects three warnings over the course of a season a penalty will be given. Note; damage is not a defence to this rule.
Blocking [+30]: If a driver fails to provide racing room (the width of the passing car) to a car that has committed to a passing move, or otherwise forces them from the track during an overtake, a penalty will be given to the responsible party even if they allow the other driver to pass afterwards.
Rejoin Blocking [+60]: If a car is moving significantly slower than racing speed, for example, rejoining the track (from either the pit lane or from an accident), or suffering from damage and deliberately moves to prevent another car from passing, they will receive a penalty.
Blue Flags [+60]: In the event of a car being lapped the slower car must find a safe place to allow the faster car through. When the faster car is close enough to overtake, the slower car will pull to the right hand side of the track and lift off, allowing the faster car past.
Team Misconduct [+30]: If a team or driver behaves in a way that countermands or hinders the stewards efforts; including but not limited to, refusal to serve penalties, harassment, use of the PSN text box/voice chat during the race, the stewards can appoint a misconduct penalty. Please not multiple infractions can be administered simultaneously if the stewards deem fit.
Starting grid:
Starting drivers will be required to go through the pits before the start of the pace lap. This will work by the last person on the grid reversing to the entry of the pits. Once that driver has turned into the pits the second to last driver will then start to reverse. Once the driver leaves the pits they will turn around and drive to the start line where they will form up in single file and wait for the grid to clear. Once clear they will head down one by one past their grid slot, turn around, and form up in grid order. Any wheel spins, J Turns or handbrake turns will be classed as dangerous driving and your team will receive a penalty.
Behind the safety car:
The safety car will lead the cars out at 14:45 GMT. The pace will be 65 mph for a full lap of the track, cars will drive in single file with plenty of distance between the cars in front and behind. Once the field has reached the Döttinger the cars will form up in double file and it will be the responsibility of the pole sitting car to lead the group at reduced pace to the start finish line. The pole-sitting car is aiming to be at the start finish line for 15:00 GMT. If the pole sitter hits the start line before the 15:00 start time, then the race will go green the moment the leading car touches the start line.
Disconnects:
In the event of a disconnect, the field will continue to race to the until the leader completes his current lap. At this point it is assumed the race has been red flagged and cars will form in order at Turn 1. The order and laps completed by each car (including the last lap completed by the disconnected car) are noted and all drivers will leave the track.
The field will wait a maximum of 15 minutes for the disconnected team to return, if they have not done so in this time they will be made to wait until the next disconnect incident. The field will now reform behind the safety car in the order they last crossed the line, with the disconnected car at the back of the field. The start procedure will then be repeated and the race will be resumed with the laps completed being combined once the event has finished.
Unlapping:
It is likely that during the race, a faster driver will be looking to move through the field again and may be a lap down on the car in front. If this is the case then the team must ask the slower car in front for safe passage via Skype. If the team wishes to fight for it then the team a lap ahead has every right to do so. But, it is advised that teams stay in communication with each other to avoid incident.
Penalty box:
The penalty box is where any car that has received a verdict from the stewards will park for the allocated time given. All teams will be able to see who is going into the penalty box and therefore advise their driver if the car in front will be slowing down to take the stop. If an accident is caused due to cars pulling into the box it will be assumed that the driver behind is at fault due to not being informed. It is critical that all teams keep their drivers informed of what is happening. It is also advised that cars pulling into the penalty box do not crawl in, as that will be classed as dangerous driving.
Restart Procedure
If the event happens that a team disconnects and the race is red flagged then the VLN rules of starting will apply lead out by the pace car.
Here is a demonstration video so everyone has a visual reference
It may be worth printing this out so that all teams have a reference article on the day.
The Grid order is now set for the N24
P24
GORE
ABL
CCR
TOR
TMB
REST
RR
FRT
i will however keep trying...would love to take part in a 24hr race
