league rules

Last Updated: 11/25/2024

All rules are subject to change without notice. MRL Administration reserve the right to increase or decrease penalties at their discretion at anytime. MRL Administration reserves the right to adjust finishing order based on the on-track actions of the participating drivers and the rules below.

1.1 General radio chatter should be kept to a minimum during race sessions, so that the radio channel can be used for race-related communications. This includes during caution periods so drivers can address admins if necessary. If drivers need to talk to another driver about an incident, they must do so in a professional way, or wait until after that race when frustration levels drop and so both drivers get the chance to watch a replay of what happened. Drivers should not get on the radio to yell, curse out, blame, threaten, or etc. towards another driver, which includes getting on the radio to make snarky/snide/sarcastic comments.

1.2 Joining another driver’s channel in an attempt to yell, curse out, blame, threaten, argue or etc. with another driver, spotter, race control, etc. which includes joining channels to make snarky/snide/sarcastic comments to complain after contact is prohibited and will result in penalties applied.

1.3 While negative chatter on the radio channel is not allowed, it does not mean that drivers should use other methods of text chat to message drivers negatively. Drivers should not private message others to curse out, blame, threaten, or to use any other abusive language towards another driver. This includes on other platforms in regards to any incident in our sessions. If other drivers are sending messages with any type of negative chatter regarding issues that happened in a league event, a “protest” may be submit via email for league officials to review. This should include screenshots/images (proof) of what was said by the other driver, and should include all responses/messages from both sides. Also include additional information of what incident(s) led up to the situation. Drivers that are found to negatively message others, may be subject to penalty at the discretion of the admins.

2.1 If a driver has connection issues during a race, admins will notify the driver of the issues, and if the problem persists, the driver may be asked to drop to the back of the field or to park their car. Drivers are responsible for their own connection issues, and if these issues result in cautions or other contact, they may be subject to penalty which is based on admin discretion.

2.2 In the event that the entire race server experiences connection related issues, admins may elect to open up a new session, or to possibly postpone/redo the race at a later date.

2.3 In the event a driver experiences a hardware malfunction, including that of a computer issue, UI issue, steering wheel, pedals, etc. It’s the driver’s responsibility to get their car out of the racing line as quickly as possible and to communicate immediately and calmly with race admins.

3.1 Initial race start is always on the green flag.

3.1.1 The leader sets the pace and controls the restart. They may choose to accelerate at any time after the pace car gets all four tires off of the racing surface. In some events, admins may decide to use a dedicated restart box or "area" at tracks where the pace car leaves the track early. Admins will notify drivers of the restart box during pre-race.

3.1.2 If the green flag is given before the leader takes off, this will serve as the green flag and the field may take off at that point.

3.1.3 The second place driver may not take off before the leader at any time, unless the green flag is given.

3.1.4 If a driver jumps the start, they must completely give back the position to the leader before completing that lap or they will be subject to a penalty.

3.1.5 Drivers should avoid making contact with other cars leading up to the green flag on any start/restart. If a driver accelerates early and other cars make contact as a result of the jump start, they may also be subject to penalty.

3.1.6 Coming to the green flag, the leader may not brake, speed up/slow down, or any other tactics in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.

3.1.7 Cone Rule: Once the field receives the "confirmation from race control", drivers should begin choosing their lane for the restart by the start/finish line per race control’s direction. Drivers that choose the inside lane should move left as much as possible towards the apron/inside wall. Drivers that choose the outside lane should move right as much as possible towards the top of the track/outside wall. Drivers that remain in the middle of the track while choosing may be subject to penalty. Drivers that choose a lane after the start/finish line, or switch lanes after choosing, are subject to penalty. Drivers should also stay in line with the car in front of them, and should not begin passing cars, until after the start/finish line once the car in front of them has chosen a lane. Any penalties from prior to the restart that requires being served on pit road, such as a meatball penalty or any type of stop-and-go or hold penalty, should be served on pit road regardless if the penalty gets cleared by admins. If a driver does not attempt to serve their penalty and gains any kind of advantage from not serving their penalty, they may be subject to penalty. Lapped Cars and EOL cars may not choose and will need to proceed to the end of the longest line. Cars that chose to pit MAY still choose as long as they are on the lead lap. (TMSS Disregard)

3.2 Drivers must hold the line that they are in, and can not pass, or begin to pass the car in front of them, until after crossing the start/finish line on all starts and restarts. Drivers that change lanes and/or begin passing cars in front of them before the start/finish line will be subject to penalty. Drivers are allowed to change lanes after the start/finish line, however drivers that force their way into a different groove and make contact or cause others to make contact, may be subject to penalty.

3.3.0 Admins may choose to switch to single file restarts at any time during the race.

3.3.1 While leading up to the green, the leader will be able to run the line they choose and the rest of the field should fall in line directly behind them. Drivers must stay in line behind the car in front of them, and may not stagger lanes. Once the leader takes off and/or the green flag is given, drivers will then be allowed to run different lines, but will not be allowed to begin passing the car in front of them until after the start/finish line.

3.4 During caution periods, drivers should attempt to maintain a reasonable pace with the rest of the field. While pacing (prior to One Lap To Green) drivers are allowed to use minor tire warming tactics within reason. However any tactics that admin's may deem to be considered excessive or abnormal, may be subject to penalty. Specific examples of excessive or abnormal tactics include: Slowing well below pace speed or stopping to do burnouts, and weaving back and forth across the apron. Other tactics may be added to this list without notice.

3.5 Once the field receives the one-to-go on all starts and restarts, drivers are expected to line up in their correct pacing position, maintain pace speed at all times, and should not use any tire warming tactics.

3.5.1 Drivers should keep up with the car in front of them, and should be starting next to the car they are supposed to be lined up next to (on double file starts). No laying back for any start/restart. 

3.5.2 For all drivers throughout the field, any heavy weaving, heavy braking, speeding up/slowing down, or any other tire warming tactics that results in the field getting stacked up, or creates any major gaps during pacing, may result in a penalty.

4.1 Drivers are expected to maintain reasonable control of their cars at all times (with the exception of being involved in on-track incidents). Drivers are expected to remain on the proper racing surface at all times, and should not intentionally drive in the grass, on any access roads, or any other parts of the track that aren't normally used to race on. Drivers are not to attempt to drift in any asphalt sessions. Drivers are not to wall ride, or intentionally use the wall to gain time, in any sessions.

4.2 Drivers are not to swerve back and forth, brake check, or any other action while under green flag racing conditions in attempt to slow down other cars.

4.3 Drivers that fail to hold their brakes after being involved in an incident, and roll into oncoming traffic, may be subject to a penalty. Drivers who are involved in contact or an incident and continue to make additional contact with other cars as a part of the incident, or attempt to push their way through an incident, may be subject to penalty.

4.4 Drivers are expected to avoid any contact under cautions. Running into other cars during cautions and causing damage, whether intentional or not, may be subject to penalty.

4.5 If a driver spins or crashes, it is their responsibility to return onto the track in the correct direction in a safe manner, without putting other cars in danger of receiving damage.

4.5.1 Drivers who turn their cars around on track and make contact with either oncoming cars, other cars involved in the wreck, or cars that stopped to avoid the wreck, may be subject to penalty.

4.5.2 Drivers who attempt to turn their car around in front of oncoming traffic, and force that traffic to wreck or make contact, despite the driver not making direct contact with them, may be subject to penalty.

4.6 Drivers should avoid sitting on track for an extended period of time, by either escaping out of their cars or by turning around in a safe area such as the infield if possible. If a driver experiences issues on track such as an engine failure, or if a driver decides to end their race early, they should attempt to drive back to pit road or stop off of the racing surface. If a driver stops on track and brings out a caution, they may be subject to penalty.

5.1 Lapped cars and/or cars in the process of going a lap down are not required to give up their position in order to let the lead lap cars pass. However lapped cars that intentionally try to block or slow the leaders to manipulate the race may be subject to penalty. Lapped cars intentionally slowing the lead lap cars down may face penalty.

5.2 It is the faster car’s responsibility to facilitate a safe overtake, however it is strongly encouraged that cars being lapped give sufficient room to the lead lap cars if/when possible. We encourage the gentleman's rule of lapped traffic giving way to the lead lap cars without a challenge for position.

6.1 All cautions and incidents will be reviewed after every race. Not all cautions or incidents will result in a penalty if it is determined to be a common racing incident. This will be up to admin discretion.

6.2 Drivers are not to intentionally spin or stop on track to bring out a caution.

6.3.1 Drivers are strongly encouraged to claim fault for causing a caution during the race if they were the cause, which includes self spins/wrecks.

6.3.2 Claiming a caution is NOT required if the driver believes the caution was a common racing incident or if another driver was at fault.

6.3.3 If a driver would like to claim a caution, they should notify admin’s either via over the radio or through text chat if they are claiming a caution.

6.3.4 Drivers should claim the cautions prior to the two-to-green notification on restarts. If a caution is claimed after the one-to-green notification, or claimed after the race, drivers may still be subject to penalty.

6.3.5 Unless it is painfully obvious that netcode was part of the reason for a wreck, drivers should not use netcode as an excuse for not claiming a caution.

6.3.6 There are times when a driver may claim a caution to be safe even though they are not sure if they were the actual cause. However in the event that a caution is determined to clearly be another driver's fault, the other driver may be subject to penalty.

6.3.7 Drivers may not intentionally claim a caution in place of another driver. If it is determined that a driver is claiming a caution for an incident caused by another driver in a way that is against the spirit of the rule, both drivers may be subject to penalty.

6.4 By claiming a caution during the race, it allows a driver to continue racing with the possibility of gaining positions back, rather than receiving a post-race penalty.

6.4.1 In some cases, if a driver claims their caution, admins may not give out an EOL penalty if the driver is already at the back of the field, or if the driver is on pit road and may not resume the race.

6.5 If a driver claims fault for a caution, they will receive an End of Line (EOL) penalty on the following restart. The Driver’s second claim for caution will result in a drive through penalty, served under green flag conditions (within the next two laps). Third fault for caution will be a disqualification from the race.

6.6 If a caution is unclaimed, admins will review the incident after the race to determine fault or if it was a common racing incident. If a driver does not claim a caution, and admins determine that the driver was at fault, they will be subject to penalty. If a driver does not claim a caution, and admins determine that it was a common racing incident, no penalties will be given. If a driver causes a caution, including via a self spin/wreck, and they disconnect from the server without claiming, they may be subject to penalty.

6.7 If a race ends under caution, or if a race altering indecent occurs at and/or near the end of the race, drivers are still encouraged to claim fault. Admins will review the incident, and may adjust the finishing order of the race if they determine that the iRacing scoring is incorrect. Admins may choose to move drivers back in the finishing order if they were involved in the wreck, and may move drivers up in the order if they slowed or stopped to avoid the wreck safely.

7.1 Any kind of retaliation or intentional wrecking will not be tolerated.

7.1.1 This includes any kind of retaliatory contact during the race, aka the “they hit me so I hit them back” rule. Contact is likely to happen during short track racing, and is often not done purposely, but wrecking someone after the initial contact is made will be considered retaliation and will be subject to penalty.

7.2 Retaliation or intentional wrecking will result in penalties which may include a points penalty, a suspension, or a ban from the league. This will be up to admin's/owners discretion based on the severity of the incident.

8.1 Drivers that fail to use their brakes, or brake extremely late for an incident and make additional contact with other cars may be subject to penalty.

8.1.1 Things happen quickly in short track racing, but drivers need to be aware of what is going on in front of them, especially in the case of a crash.

8.2 Drivers should make every attempt possible to slow down and avoid the wreck at all costs, and should not try to navigate through the crash until cars have stopped wrecking and the track is clear and safe to continue.

8.3 ARCA Braking penalties will be up to admin’s discretion, and admins will review the incident from the driver’s cockpit perspective to help determine if the incident could have been avoided.

9.1 As outlined in this rulebook, practice sessions should not be used to mess around, wreck others, or cause issues. If a driver continues to cause issues in practice, they may be subject to penalty.

10.0 Post-Race Penalties

10.1 All rules and procedures regarding contact with other cars, will be enforced for the entirety of the session. This means that any Intentional Wrecking, Retaliation, ARCA Braking, etc. will be enforced after the checkered flag until the session times out. Anyone found to be in violation of any of our rules post-race will be subject to penalty.

10.2 Once the field receives the checkered flag, drivers should drive back to pit road without causing damage to other vehicles. Drivers that come to a stop in an unsafe area or spin/wreck after the checkered flag on purpose, and causes damage to other cars, may be subject to penalty.

11.1 Black Flag penalties will not be cleared unless it is determined to be unwarranted.

11.2 If a driver believes a black flag is unwarranted, drivers should let an admin know as soon as possible and notify them what the penalty was for, and the admin will assess the situation to see if it was unwarranted.

11.2.1 A couple examples of unwarranted black flags that may be cleared, include things such as spinning onto pit road (receiving a speeding penalty as a result), or for passing under yellow if a wrecked car doesn’t catch the field in time before pitting. Other situations may be deemed unwarranted by admins and will be cleared.

11.2.2 A couple examples of black flags that will NOT be cleared include speeding on pit road, entering/exiting closed pit roads, and passing the pace car. Other situations may be deemed warranted by admins and will not be cleared.

11.2.3 Meatball black flags will be cleared if the driver feels they can still race, however not meeting race speeds/pace may result with race admins asking the driver to take the car to the pits for required repairs.

11.3 Follow all on-screen instructions during caution flag periods. If the iRacing system is giving instructions to let another car pass, including the pace car, it is the driver's responsibility to follow those instructions. If a black flag is given because a driver did not follow their on-screen instructions, the penalty will not be cleared and the driver will have to serve their penalty.

11.4 If a driver asks for a black flag penalty to be cleared by admins, but it is determined to be for false reasoning, the driver will be subject to penalty.

12.1 Pit Road is to be used properly at all times. There should be no cutting through pit stalls or grass areas to gain an advantage on pit road. If a driver is found to be gaining an advantage for not using pit road properly, they could be subject to a penalty.

13.1 In most asphalt races (unless specified otherwise), drivers will NOT be allowed to pit for any tires during the course of the race. This includes any Heat Race or LCQ sessions.

13.2 The Tire Limit will be set up when creating the session, but if for any reason we forget to set the limit or a bug occurs that allows tires, the tire limit will still be in place and will use the following procedures:

13.2.1 If a driver is found to take extra tires during the course of the race in the post-race review, they will be subject to penalty, which includes a last place finish and possible points.

13.2.2 If a driver accidentally takes tires during the race, and notifies an admin of the mistake, they will be issued a black flag penalty in-race that will need to be served during green flag conditions. For tracks that are 3/4-mile or less, a 30 second green flag penalty will be issued, and at tracks larger than 3/4-mile (Richmond included), a 1 minute green flag penalty will be issued.

14.1 Drivers are expected to leave pit road, get up to speed, and complete their qualifying laps without using nefarious tactics or "cheesing." Admins may save replays from qualifying sessions and will review qualifying laps for unfair tactics.

15.1 All registered drivers must run the series provided contingency package. Within the package, drivers are provided with a banner and side “stickers”. The banner must remain unchanged in color and cannot be modified for any reason. Side contingency stickers must remain in the position provided by the template, but can be color-matched to your car at your own discretion.

15.2 Neglecting to run the provided contingencies or any unapproved modifications made to your package as discovered before, during, or after the race will result in a point penalty.