Race & Protest Rules

OFFICIAL SPORTING REGULATIONS (Rev 06 • 27/10/2026)

🆕 What is new in Rev 06?

As we launch our two brand-new series, this update introduces stricter safety and competitive standards for our Thursday "Premiere" leagues, alongside formalised Safety Car procedures and inline penalty guidelines:

107% Premiere Series Qualifying Rule: In our Thursday Premiere leagues, any driver who fails to set a qualifying lap within 107% of their class pole time (excluding those serving a Qualifying Ban) will not be permitted to start the race. This is enforced for the safety of the grid and the driver. Drivers outside this window are advised to use our Tuesday non-premiere leagues to develop and aim for Thursdays.
Safety Car Protocol: Any major on-track incident involving a minimum of 3 cars will automatically bring out a Safety Car for a minimum of 2 laps to safely bunch up the field.
Licence Point Rehab & Bans: Licence Points are tracked globally across all series. 1 LP is automatically removed for every 2 clean races completed with SDR, and Qualifying Bans are served exclusively in the specific league where the 6 LP threshold was crossed.
Steward Discretion: All rules, penalties, and race control decisions remain subject to Live and Post-Race Steward discretion. Ignorance of updates is not a valid defence.

🔗 Important SDR Links:

📖 Race & Protest Rules: [SDR Rulebook](https://sausagedodgersracing.com/rules)

⚖️ File a Protest: [SDR Protest Portal](https://sausagedodgersracing.com/protests)

📊 Track Your Points: [Licence Points Dashboard](https://sausagedodgersracing.com/profile/licence-points)

📜 Server Rules: #server-rules

🗣️ Have Your Say Forum: #have-your-say

📩 Contact Admin / Stewards: Open a ticket in #server-admin

Part 1 of 3

Section 1🏁RACING RULES & ETIQUETTE

RACE START PROCEDURE & PACING (UPDATED)

🚦 Multiclass Spacing: Maintain a minimum 10-second gap between classes on the formation lap. The lead car of the trailing class is entirely responsible for establishing and holding this gap. You must not aggressively close this gap before the green flag drops; spacing must be maintained all the way to the start line.

🚕 Pacing: Maintain a steady Safety Car pace with a gap to the car ahead of no greater than 1.5 seconds. The Lead Car behind the Safety Car must not exceed 50mph (80kph).

Penalty (Unpredictable Pacing): Erratic acceleration/braking on the pace lap carries +10s & 2 LP if an advantage is gained (NFA if no positions gained at start).

🚫 Jump Starts: Early acceleration, pulling out of line, or overlapping the car ahead before the green flag is strictly prohibited. React to the Green Flag, not the car in front of you.

Penalty (Jump Start): +10s Min. & 3 LP (or Drive-Through).

OVERTAKING & DEFENDING

⚔️ The Overlap Rule: Attacking drivers must have their front axle fully in line with the defending driver’s rear axle before the initial turn-in point of the corner to be deemed alongside and entitled to racing room.

🛣️ Racing Room: If a valid overlap is established, both the outside AND inside drivers must leave a minimum of one full car width of space through the entire corner.

🛑 Prohibited Moves: Unsafe dive-bombing ("barge passing") from too far back without establishing overlap prior to turn-in is illegal.

Penalty (Poor Overtake / Avoidable Contact): +5s & 1 LP for light contact where both cars continue; +10s & 2–3 LP if position is gained/cost or momentum is lost; +10s to +20s+ / DT & 3 LP for spinning another driver.

🛡️ Defence & Blocking: Defending means making ONE clear proactive move off the racing line, and ONE move to return to it well before the braking zone begins.

Penalty (Weaving / Early Blocking): More than one change of direction on a straight to break the tow or block carries a Warning / +5s & 1 LP.
Penalty (Moving Under Braking): Late line change in the braking zone causing light contact carries +5s & 2 LP (+10s if position gained).
Penalty (Reactionary Blocking): Late swerve in reaction to a trailing car's run resulting in contact carries +10s & 3 LP.

⚠️ Track Limits & Pit Blend Lines: Using tactical off-tracks to complete an overtake is illegal; the position must be returned. Crossing solid white pit entry or exit blend lines is strictly prohibited.

Penalty (Pit Line Breach): +5s & 2 LP (or Drive-Through).

LAPPING & BLUE FLAGS

🟦 Blue Flags: Indicates a faster-class or lead-lap car is approaching. Slower/lapped cars must stay on their normal racing line, remain predictable, and facilitate a safe pass. Faster classes are responsible for executing a safe pass.

⛔ Defending: Actively defending against a faster class or under blue flag conditions is strictly prohibited.

Penalty (Blue Flag Infraction): Defending against or failing to facilitate a safe pass for a lead-lap car carries +5s & 2 LP.

Section 2💥INCIDENT MANAGEMENT & SAFETY CARS

CONTACT

🤝 Accountability: The Golden Rule is that a driver must be predominantly at fault (50/50 racing incidents, mutual squeeze room, or light netcode/0x taps warrant No Further Action). If you cause an incident or gain an unfair advantage via contact, give the position back immediately (Noted Position Returned = NFA).

💥 Rear-Ending & Brake Checking: The following driver is 100% responsible for avoiding the car ahead in braking zones. Deliberate or erratic brake testing is strictly forbidden.

Penalty (Brake Checking): +10s Min. & 3 LP.
Penalty (Major Damage / Multi-Car Pileup): Avoidable hit causing meatball flag, forced pit repairs, DNF, or multi-car wreck carries +10s to +20s+ / Drive-Through & 3 LP.

YELLOW FLAGS & OBVIOUS INCIDENTS

🟡 Caution: A local yellow flag OR an obvious incident visible on track dictates that drivers MUST reduce speed and be prepared to take evasive action. Passing under local yellow flag conditions or through an active incident scene is strictly prohibited.

Penalty (Yellow Flag Infraction): Failing to slow or exercise caution under a local yellow carries +5s & 2 LP.
Penalty (Yellow Flag Collision): Crashing into an active incident scene or car under local yellow flags carries +10s Min. & 3 LP.

SAFETY CAR DEPLOYMENT (NEW)

🚨 Deployment Trigger: Any major on-track incident involving a minimum of 3 cars will automatically bring out the Safety Car at Race Control's command.

🔄 Duration: The Safety Car will remain deployed for a minimum of 2 laps to safely bunch up the field before going green.

AFTER AN INCIDENT (THE REJOIN)

🛑 Stopped?: HOLD YOUR BRAKES. Do not let your wrecked/stopped car roll across the track.

Penalty (Failure to Hold Brakes): Letting a stopped car roll into light contact with live traffic carries +5s & 2 LP.

↩️ Rejoining: On-track, live traffic has absolute right of way. Rejoin ONLY when all traffic has passed at a shallow angle parallel to the circuit (max 10–15 degrees).

Penalty (Unsafe Rejoin): Rejoining into live traffic forcing evasive action or light/moderate contact carries +10s & 3 LP. Collecting multiple cars or causing severe damage via unsafe rejoin carries +20s+ / Drive-Through & 3 LP.

DAMAGED VEHICLES

🔧 Unsafe Cars: Impeding traffic with heavy damage or ignoring Steward instructions to pit for missing aero/mechanical repairs is prohibited.

Penalty (Damaged Vehicle / Ignoring Stewards): +5s to +10s & 2–3 LP (up to DQ).

Part 2 of 3

Section 3🎫PROTEST PROCEDURE

Drivers have the right to submit a formal protest—or a counter-protest—if they believe a competitor breached racing rules or wish to appeal a provisional in-race penalty.

HOW TO RAISE A PROTEST:

All protests are handled through the official SDR website. If you need direct assistance from the Stewards, open a ticket in #server-admin.

1️⃣ Prep Your Evidence: Save your replay before leaving the server! You need a clear video link uploaded to YouTube, Streamable, Google Drive, Dropbox, Twitch, Imgur, or Discord. Get it uploaded before you start the form.

2️⃣ Go to the Form: Visit the [SDR Protest Portal](https://sausagedodgersracing.com/protests).

3️⃣ Fill it out: Pick the race and the driver(s), clearly state what happened, and paste the clip link. Select the session info from the dropdown and provide the exact lap number. (Each separate incident must be its own individual ticket).

⏰ DEADLINE: Protests must be submitted within 24 hours of the chequered flag. Once the timer runs out, the form closes automatically so results can be made final. Do not sleep on it!

Section 4⏱️QUALIFYING PROCEDURES & 107% RULE

🔒 CLOSED QUALIFYING (STANDARD)

Drivers will have a private session to complete their outlap and flying laps without interference from other cars on track. Watch your pit exit blend lines (+5s & 2 LP for crossing solid pit lines).

🔓 OPEN QUALIFYING

If a series utilises Open Qualifying, you must find a clean gap on your outlap and must not impede or obstruct another driver's flying push lap in any way. If both cars are on valid push laps with pace differences, the ahead car is not required to yield (NFA).

Penalty (Qualifying Impeding): Blocking or holding up a car on a flying push lap while on an out/in-lap carries a Warning / Post-Race Penalty & 1 LP.

⏱️ MULTI-CLASS SPLIT QUALIFYING

If split by class, the session is divided into specific time blocks for each class (e.g., 15 minutes per class):

You must adhere strictly to your class's designated track time.
Any laps started after your class's time expires must be aborted, or you will face a mandatory pit-lane start.
Drivers waiting for their class session must hold in the pit lane until Race Control announces their session is green.

🚨 107% QUALIFYING RULE — THURSDAY PREMIERE SERIES (NEW)

To protect the safety and competitive standard of our Thursday "Premiere" leagues, a strict 107% Qualifying Rule is enforced:

The Rule: Every driver must set a qualifying time within 107% of the pole time in their own class during Qualifying.
Consequence: If a driver fails to meet the 107% threshold in their class (excluding those serving a Qualifying Ban), they cannot race and must withdraw from the session for the safety of the league and themselves.
Development Pathway: Drivers not meeting the 107% cutoff are strongly advised to use our Tuesday Non-Premiere Leagues (and free SDR coaching) to develop their pace and racecraft as they aim for Thursdays. (Subject to Steward discretion).

Part 3 of 3

Section 5⚖️PENALTY GUIDELINES & MATRIX

Live time penalties are issued in session text chat for clear, slam-dunk infractions and applied post-race to your final finish time. Drive-Throughs (DT) are served live on track and reserved only for egregious moves. Complex or borderline incidents are marked as "Noted - Post-Race Review". All penalties remain at the Stewards' discretion.

QUICK REFERENCE BY CONSEQUENCE:

No Contact (Weaving, blocking, forcing evasive action, quali impeding): None / Warning | 1 LP (Post-Race)
Light Contact, No Lasting Disadvantage (Both cars continue, no places lost): +5 Seconds | 1 LP (Minor) / 2 LP (Rule Breach)
Moderate Impact / Advantage Gained (Position gained/cost, momentum lost): +10 Seconds | 2 LP to 3 LP
Victim Spun / Loses Multiple Places (Punted off-track, heavy time loss): +10 to +20 Seconds | 3 LP
Major Damage / Multi-Car Pileup (Meatball flag, forced pit repairs, DNF): +20s+ / Drive-Through | 3 LP

PENALTY THRESHOLDS BY LICENCE POINTS:

1️⃣ 1 Licence Point:

Qualifying Impeding: Blocking a push lap while on an out/in-lap (Warning / Post-Race)
Weaving / Early Blocking: >1 change of direction on a straight (Warning / +5s)
Minor Avoidable Collision: Both cars continue without position/momentum loss (+5s)
Poor Overtake (Light): Failing to anticipate traffic/slower class resulting in light contact (+5s)

2️⃣ 2 Licence Points:

Moving Under Braking: Late line change in braking zone causing light contact, no pos gained (+5s)
Blue Flag Infraction: Defending against or failing to facilitate a safe pass for a lead-lap car (+5s)
Failure to Hold Brakes: Letting a wrecked/stopped car roll into light contact with live traffic (+5s)
Yellow Flag Infraction: Failing to slow or exercise caution under a local yellow flag (+5s)
Damaged Vehicle / Pit Line: Impeding traffic with heavy damage, or crossing solid pit blend lines (+5s)
Unpredictable Pacing: Erratic acceleration/braking on the pace lap (+10s if advantage gained)

3️⃣ 2 to 3+ Licence Points:

Gaining / Costing Position: Causing contact to complete a pass, or costing victim 1+ places (+10s & 2–3 LP)
Loss of Momentum: Significant speed scrub or forcing the innocent car off-track (+10s & 2–3 LP)
Unsafe Rejoin (Light/Mod): Rejoining into live traffic forcing evasive action or contact (+10s & 3 LP)
Reactionary Blocking: Late swerve in reaction to a trailing car's run resulting in contact (+10s & 3 LP)
Brake Checking / Jump Start: Deliberate/erratic brake testing, or jumping the green flag (+10s Min. & 3 LP)
Yellow Flag Collision: Crashing into an active incident scene or car under local yellow (+10s Min. & 3 LP)
Spinning Another Driver: Punting or rotating a competitor out of control (+10s to +20s+ / DT & 3 LP)
Major Damage: Avoidable hit causing meatball flag, forced pit repairs, or DNF (+10s to +20s+ / DT & 3 LP)
Multi-Car Wreck / Rejoin: Causing a pileup or collecting multiple cars (+20s+ / DT & 3 LP)
Repeated Offences: Accumulating multiple punishable breaches in a single session (DT / DQ & 3 LP+)

Section 6🛑BANS, SUSPENSIONS & REHAB

🌍 CROSS-SERIES LICENCE POINTS

Licence Points (LP) are globally attached to your driver profile across all SDR leagues. Points accumulated in one championship will transfer and apply across all SDR series. Track your active points on the [Licence Points Dashboard](https://sausagedodgersracing.com/profile/licence-points).

❌ ACCUMULATION OF 6 LICENCE POINTS

Reaching the 6 LP threshold triggers an automatic penalty:

Qualifying Ban: Driver must skip qualifying at their next scheduled race in that series.
Championship Penalty: -10 Points deducted from your season total.

📍 SERVING THE BAN (UPDATED)

Series Specific: Qualifying Bans must ONLY be served in the specific league where the 6 LP limit was crossed.
Execution: You must remain in the pit lane during Qualifying and must not set a valid lap time. Setting a lap time results in Immediate Disqualification. (Note: Drivers serving a Qualifying Ban in the Thursday Premiere series are exempt from the 107% Qualifying cutoff).
Completion: Starting the race without setting a Qualifying time = Penalty considered served (-6 Licence Points removed from your active tally).

🩹 LICENCE POINT REDUCTION / GOOD BEHAVIOUR (UPDATED)

Rehabilitation: Race 2 clean races with us (incident-free regarding stewarding LPs), and 1 Licence Point automatically comes off your licence.
Evaluation: All point reductions and rehabilitation reviews remain subject to the Stewards' discretion based on a sustained absence of valid protests or stewarding tickets.

🔨 SEVERE OFFENCES & RETALIATION

Intentionally causing harm/damage as revenge, threats, or verbal abuse is completely unacceptable. Penalties start at an immediate Qualifying Ban (+6 LP) / Race Ban, with full Discord bans considered at the Stewards' discretion.

Post scriptum

Section 7🤝GRID PHILOSOPHY, DISCRETION & RESPECT

THE REALITY OF THE GRID

📊 Skill Variance: Our grid features everyone from "aliens" to rookies. While our Thursday Premiere Series enforces the 107% cutoff for safety and high-level competition, our Tuesday Leagues welcome all paces to develop and race together.

🧠 Expectation: Do not expect every driver to brake at your exact reference point. Adaptability and spatial awareness are the marks of a great driver.

RESPONSIBILITIES

🚀 The Faster Driver: You have the pace, now have the patience. Do not bully slower cars. Set up your passes cleanly and decisively.

🐢 The Slower Driver: Be predictable. Stick to the normal racing line. Do not drive in your mirrors or make sudden, erratic moves to "get out of the way."

STEWARD DISCRETION

👁️ Final Authority: Everything in this sporting regulation is caveated with Steward Discretion. Race Control and the SDR Stewards hold final authority to interpret rules, adjust penalties, or take action in unique scenarios to protect the integrity and safety of the league.

CONDUCT

🗣️ The Golden Rule: We are here to race, not scream. Abuse in Voice Chat or text chat is strictly prohibited. If you have an issue, take a breath and use the [SDR Protest Portal](https://sausagedodgersracing.com/protests) or open a ticket in #server-admin.

👋 Courtesy: A wave or a "sorry" in the chat goes a long way. Community first, grid second!

Pulled live from the SDR Discord #🏁-race-rules channel. Open the source message →