All this drawing the CCR like a six-shooter at a gun fight has prompted me to refresh myself ...
Anyone know who received the Best Sportsmanship trophy last year?23.1.1 Good Sportsmanship
NASA considers good sportsmanship to be the very essence of the sport, and the basic foundation of any competition. Competitors are expected to hold the qualities of fairness, honesty, courtesy, and justice to be more important than the outcome of the race. Real sportsmen/women may have an intense desire to win, but not at all costs. A person that has won by cheating, or by any means less than honorable, has simply found a way to acquire a trophy, but not a victory. The actual winner is the true
sportsman/woman that might go home with nothing in his/her hands, yet his/her heart is overflowing with satisfaction. This satisfaction comes from understanding that the value of winning is not found in a trophy, but rather in the sheer pleasure of playing the sport with honesty, fairness, and integrity. This affords total fulfillment during times of introspection, and validates that fulfillment by earning valuable respect from fellow competitors. NASA will demonstrate its commitment to good sportsmanship by rewarding the driver that displays the most outstanding acts of sportsmanship each season. There will be a trophy presentation and prizes for the person chosen as the recipient of the “Best Sportsmanship” award at the season banquet (regionally).
Thats a broad, sweeping scythe ...23.1.2 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Any unsportsmanlike conduct, on any scale, is not welcome at NASA events. Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have many forms such as arguing, yelling, intimidation, aggressive physical contact, and losing without grace. Other forms are willfully using non-performance technicalities to hurt another competitor’s point standings to the benefit
of one’s own, “sandbagging,” and failing to report a mistake in scoring that benefits themselves. No form of unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated at any NASA event. Competitors that show poor sportsmanship due to a mistake in judgment will be educated, and punished if necessary. However, competitors that commit repeated acts of unsportsmanlike conduct cannot be educated; therefore expulsion is most likely the
only remedy.
hmmm ....23.1.3 Knowledge and Possession of the Rules
All drivers must know all of the rules, especially those pertaining to safety items. Additionally, all drivers must have the appropriate rule books in their possession, or have immediate access to them at all times.
The CCR clearly says that BOTH drivers play a role in safe passing and that a pass BEGINS when bumpers overlap.25.4 Rules For Overtaking
25.4.1 Passing General
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 the pass by blocking. A driver who does not watch his/her mirrors or who appears to be blocking another car seeking a pass may be black-flagged and/or penalized. The act of passing is initiated when the trailing car’s (Car A) front bumper
overlaps with the lead car’s (Car B) rear bumper. The act of passing is complete when Car A’s rear bumper is ahead of Car B’s front bumper. “NO PASSING” means a pass cannot even be initiated. Any overlap in a NO PASSING area is considered illegal.
I thought there would have been harsher words condemning punting ...25.4.2 Punting.
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. Once the trailing car has its front wheel next to the driver of the other vehicle, it is considered that the trailing car has a right to be there. And, that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough “racing room.” In most cases, “racing room” is defined as “at least three quarters of one car width.” If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and there is incidental contact made between the cars, the contact will be considered “side-to-side.” In most cases, incidental side-to-side contact is considered to be “just a racing incident.” If, in the case of side-to-side contact, one of the two cars leaves the racing surface
(involuntarily) then it may still be considered “a racing incident.”
I also never saw this little nugget ...
I had always thought it was absolute. But "in most cases" leaves it wide open ... could be more, could be less. Interesting.In most cases, “racing room” is defined as “at least three quarters of one car width.”
26.0 APPENDIX A
The purpose of this appendix is to review and clarify the rules of the road as applied to NASA road racing. The following is are excerpts from the NASA Club Codes and Regulations (CCR)
25.3 Rough Driving
Any driver, deemed by the Race Director, displaying rough or unsportsmanlike driving might be penalized. The Race Director shall determine the course of action. [Note: In some cases the driver will be required to spend time with the Chief Driving Instructor. The intent is to educate the driver on safer methods of racing.] If a driver is determined,
by the Race Director, to be at fault in a collision that sent the other car significantly off the track, he/she may be disqualified from the race or qualifying (different rules apply to enduros). The Race Director has the right to waive or modify this penalty should the situation warrant.
25.4.2 Punting.
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. Once the trailing car has its front wheel next to the driver of the other, it is considered that the trailing car has a right to be there. And, that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough “racing room.” In most cases, “racing room” is defined as “at least three quarters of one car width.” If adequate racing room is left for the trailing car, and
there is incidental contact made between the cars, the contact will be considered “sideto-side.” In most cases, incidental side-to-side contact is considered to be “just a racing incident.” If, in the case of side-to-side contact, one of the two cars leaves the racing surface (involuntarily) then it may still be considered “a racing incident.” [Note: The whole intent of the “wheel next to the driver” rule is to make sure that the overtaken
driver sees the overtaking driver.]
Notes:
These two rules are the basis by which the IRB or Race Director will determine fault when two (2) or more cars are involved in an on-track incident. The rules described in CCR section #25.4 are intended to help drivers determine when they should attempt a pass, and who may be at fault should there be an incident. The main purpose of the “¾
car width” rule is not to allow one driver to “squeeze” the other driver. The main purpose and intent is to alert the mind of the driver that is contemplating a pass that he/she may be “forced” to go two (2) wheels off-course to avoid a collision. Basically, this means that the overtaking driver must be certain that he/she can attempt the pass with room to
spare, and must be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.
Lastly, remember that, even though you have the “right of way” it may not be smart to insist upon it. You may be involved in a collision that was not your fault, but you may end up crashing your car, sustain damage, get hurt, or at the very least be punted out of the race. The other driver may get penalties, but that will not help you fix your car, get your position back, or get you out of the hospital any faster.
Lots to read but some very good nuggets in there. That last, bolded section sums up my point of view this whole time.
You aren't giving up, letting go, eliminating your manhood ... you are just racing to go again another day. The sun will rise tomorrow ...
Go to page 119 and see figure 12. Wow!
I was specifically looking for the wording that says the overtaking car's front wheel must be even with the overtaken's driver at turn in for that coveted 3/4 car width. I didn't see it any where. Please show me ...
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Originally Posted by Adam Ginsberg
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