2009 United States Racers Tour Official Rulebook
Section #1 - General Information
1) About our League
United States Racers Tour (hereby listed as USRT) is a league built on providing a clean, friendly atmosphere where everybody is made to feel welcome. Our drivers show respect towards their fellow racers and provide help to others as needed whether that person is a new driver or the most experienced driver.
USRT requires that drivers are 15 years of age or older to compete in the top 2 series. If a driver is not 15 years of age they will be allowed to compete in the Truck Series only until they are 15 years of age.
2) About the Rules
The USRT rulebook covers many of the situations that might occur in our league. As expected, not everything will be listed in the rulebook and some situations may require a different ruling then what is listed here. In a case as that, USRT reserves the right to address the situation as they feel is necessary.
USRT also reserves the right to make changes to the rulebook as needed at any time during the season. This will only happen as necessary and will only be to help improve the racing in the league.
3) Equipment
USRT requires drivers to have either a steering wheel or a game controller to compete. Keyboards will no longer be allowed at any point.
4) Real Names
For better identification, USRT requires that drivers sign up with their first and last names. This makes it easier for us to know whose asking the question when referring to their accounts or other info in which a username is used.
Section #2 - Series
USRT features three primary series as well as 2 offseason series.
1) Precision Cup Series
Overview: The Precision Cup Series is the top series on the USRT ladder. It is open only to those who have been approved for competiton.
Mod: SS.net COT
Models Allowed: Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Dodge Charger, Dodge Avenger, & Toyota Camry
Times: Fridays - Practice starts at 8PM ET, Qualifying at 8:45PM ET
Schedule Length: March to September
Setups: Open
Aids: Allowed
Race Lengths: 150-200 miles
Pit Frequency: 2x
Cautions: On
Damage: Realistic
Double File Restarts
Lucky Dog Rule in Effect
Requirements to Compete:
2) American Pro Series
Overview: The American Pro Series is the NASCAR Nationwide Series equilvant for USRT.
Mod: NWS Mod
Models Allowed: Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2006-2007), Chevrolet Impala (Template found here), Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Dodge Charger, Dodge Avenger
Times: Thursdays - Practice starts at 8PM ET, Qualifying at 8:45PM ET
Schedule Length: March to September
Setups: Open
Aids: Allowed
Race Lengths: 100-150 miles
Pit Frequency: 2x
Cautions: On
Damage: Realistic
Double File Restarts
Lucky Dog Rule in Effect
Requirements to Compete:
3) Truck Series
Overview: USRT's developmental series
Mod: CTS09 Mod
Models Allowed: Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra
Times: Tuesdays - Practice starts at 8PM ET, Qualifying at 8:45PM ET
Schedule Length: March to September
Setups: Fixed
Aids: Allowed
Race Lengths: 100-150 miles
Pit Frequency: 2x
Cautions: On
Damage: Realistic
Double File Restarts
Lucky Dog Rule in Effect
Requirements to Compete:
4) Late Model Series
Overview: One of USRT's two offseason series.
Mod: LMPv2 Mod
Models Allowed: Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2006-2007), Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Dodge Charger, Dodge Avenger
Times: Fridays - Practice starts at 8PM ET, Qualifying at 8:45PM ET
Schedule Length: October to February
Setups: Fixed
Aids: Allowed
Race Lengths: Announced in Race Info Section on site
Pit Frequency: 2x
Cautions: On
Damage: Realistic
Double File Restarts
Lucky Dog Rule in Effect
Requirements to Compete:
5) Modified Series
Overview: One of USRT's two offseason series.
Mod: Whelen Mod
Models Allowed:
Times: Thursdays - Practice starts at 8PM ET, Qualifying at 8:45PM ET
Schedule Length: October to February
Setups: Fixed
Aids: Allowed
Race Lengths: Announced in Race Info Section on site
Pit Frequency: 2x
Cautions: On
Damage: Realistic
Double File Restarts
Lucky Dog Rule in Effect
Requirements to Compete:
Section #3: Getting Started
1) Race Points Manager
Drivers are required to be registered on RPM as a driver to compete in a USRT sanctioned event unless pointed otherwise. For more information on RPM, please check out our tutorial here.
2) Team Restrictions
USRT allows teams to have up to 4 cars for single owners. Teams can have a second owner which will allow for 5 cars on a team.
All members of USRT are only allowed to be an owner or part owner of one team.
If one of the two owners of a team leaves a team during the season and the team has 5 drivers they will be allowed to continue having 5 drivers for the remainder of the season.
3) Contracts
USRT uses RPM version 3 which allows for driver contracts. A driver will have to have a contract with a team to compete unless it is a one race deal. Owners send contracts to the owners and they sign them.
Drivers will be held to their contracts for however long they sign them for. If a driver wants out of his contract, he can do so by asking his owner for a release. In addition to contacting the owner, league officials will need to be notified as well. All contract changes during the season will need to be approved by the league.
4) Claiming Sponsors
USRT requires that a team owner claims sponsors for use on their cars. Any unclaimed sponsor will be free to use by any team and will be free for someone else to claim.
Each car is allowed 2 sponsors to be used. Teams are allowed to use the sponsor on other cars then the one it is claimed for.
Sponsors claimed that are a product of a company will instead be listed as the company that makes it (Example: Mountain Dew is made by PepsiCo, so instead of having rights to Mountain Dew, the owner would have rights to all PepsiCo brands).
The sponsor list can be found on the USRT board.
5) Claiming Numbers
Team owners are only allowed to claim numbers for each of the cars they have (Example: A team has 4 cars so they can only have 4 numbers claimed).
The Number list can be found on the USRT board.
6) Paint Schemes
USRT requires paint schemes to be of an appropriate manner. No profanity, nudity, racist comments, bashing of other members, USRT also prohibits any promoting the use of illegal drugs.
Section 4: Pre-Race Preparations
1) Downloads
Carfiles must be up on RPM by 6:30PM ET on raceday. If a car is not up for download by that time it will not be allowed to be used in the race.
2) Entry Lists
To receive points, drivers will need to be signed up on the entry list. The entry will go to the car listed. If a driver's car isn't listed by the deadline, they are free to find a ride that is on the list that needs a driver and run it for points.
Entry Lists open after the last race and will stay open until 6:30PM ET. If a car is not on the list, the car can be ran up to 3 times without being on the list. After that they will not be allowed to compete.
3) Substitutions
USRT allows a driver to receive points for races they are unable to make for up to 3 races per series. If needed, a driver can put in a request for a substition or last place points.
If a driver has another driver sub for him then he will receive 75% of the points for the position the sub finishes in. The sub will receive the remaining 25% of the points. If a driver is unable to find a sub, last place points will be given.
Whether a sub is used or last place points given, it will count towards the 3 races allowed.
Substitutions and last place points will not be allowed or given during the chase.
4) Eliminating Distractions
Any TVs, Radios, any other electronic devices, or other possible distractions will need to be turned off before the race. This is to avoid an unnecessary wreck due to someone not paying attention.
Section 5: Practice/Qualifying/Happy Hour
1)Conduct
Any driver competing in USRT events is expected to take all events on the server seriously. During practice and happy hour, drivers are expected to take the time to practice and learn the track.
Any driver that is caught goofing off in practice and it is affecting other drivers then that driver will receive one warning. If the driver continues then they will not be allowed to compete in the race.
2) Qualifying
All drivers will be required to make a valid qualifying attempt (must complete at least one lap and be at a reasonable speed near the leader's speed). If a driver doesn't complete a lap during qualifying then that driver will be required to send in their replay to leauge officials. If USRT officials don't receive a replay within 5 days of the event then that driver will be removed from the results of that race and will be placed on probation.
3) Chatting during Qualifying
No chat is allowed during qulaifying. Any comments or congratulations need to be saved for Happy Hour. Any driver caught chatting during qualifying will have their qualifying time thrown out and will have to start from the rear of the field.
Section 6: Race
1) Conduct
Just like practice and happy hour, drivers will be expected to take the race seriously. While we want to see a variety of drivers win and everyone to get the chance to win, we ask that drivers respect the others on the track and race appropriately. Do not overdrive someone for a position if possible just to get to the front. If you want to pass someone, race them smart and clean.
If a driver can't show other drivers the respect they deserve on the track then they will not be allowed to compete in USRT competition for an undetermined amount of time and may be asked to participate in league-sanctioned tests to receive approval to compete again.
2) Chatting
USRT allows chatting during the race but needs to be kept to a minimum and autochat. Chatting will need to stop when the field starts rolling on the pace lap and when the field is given the one lap to green signal as well. Any driver that chats after that will be warned only once and then given a black flag once the green comes out.
Chatting during a caution needs to limited on the first lap of the caution. This is to allow officials to find out what happened and be able to notify the field as to who receives the free pass.
3) Restarting the Race
USRT will allow one restart of the race if it is within the first 5 laps of a race and 50% of the field is involved in a wreck that triggers the restart.
If a server crashes then the race will be restarted with the remaining distance and will be treated as a new race. Anyone not able to rejoin from before would receive last place points and not be penalized for it.
4) Black Flags
Drivers are responsible for the black flags given to them. If a driver is issued a black flag by the game or by an official, it is because you have done something that requires it. It will not be cleared unless posted otherwise in the rulebook. If you receive a black flag, serve it immediately even if it is a circumstance where it would be cleared. It is much better to be one lap down then to not be disqualified from the event for waiting too long to pit.
5) Passing on Restarts
Drivers are allowed to pass on the restart if they go to the right side of the driver in front of them. A move to the left will result in a black flag given by the game. The black flag will not be cleared by league officials unless it is determined that a driver had to go to the inside to take evasive action (such as the driver in front of them doesn't go on the restart and the driver passing goes to the inside to avoid hitting that driver in the rear).
6) Passing the Pacecar
Drivers will need to be aware of where the pacecar is as they come to pit road. The best way to do this is to press F2 until the standings show up and then hit the space key so show the real time intervals (where everyone is in relation to you). Make sure you do not pass the pacecar before you enter pit road.
Anyone caught passing the pacecar will be given a black flag by the game. This will not be cleared by league officials under any circumstances.
7) Aggressive Driving
USRT recognizes aggressive driving as overdriving a car and putting other drivers in danger of being wrecked as a result of a driver's driving. This can range from driving into a turn too hard and sliding up from the bottom to the top of the track to intentionally wrecking someone.
If a driver is racing too aggressive and have not wrecked someone as a result, then a warning will be given. If they continue to race that hard then they will be given a black flag.
If a driver gets into another driver and it is determined to be aggressive driving then that driver will be given a 3 lap penalty and be ineligible for the free pass for the remainder of the event.
8) Blocking
Blocking is allowed but on a limited basis. It will be up to the driver to know when to block and when not to. A driver can only try and keep someone behind them that is already at their bumper. If a driver is side by side with another driver and tries to force them to the apron then that driver will be forced to give up the position. If they cause a wreck or do not give the position up within 3 laps (driver will be told to give the position up by league officials) then a black flag will be given.
A driver would also be forced to give up the position if another driver is coming up on them at a faster speed and the driver about to be passed moves down to block the other driver.
9) Racing Back to the Line
USRT prohibits passing other drivers for position when the caution is out until 10 laps to go. When the caution flag waves, drivers are expected to hold their position. Lapped cars may try and pass the leader for a lap back if they can do it safely. Any incidents while passing the leader will result in a 2 lap penalty.
If a lead lap car passes a car for position then they will be penalized one lap during the caution and will be ineligible for the free pass on the next caution.
10) Free Pass (Lucky Dog Award)
Due to no racing back until 5 laps to go, USRT uses the free pass system, also known as the Lucky Dog Award. The free pass will go to the first car in the standings that is one or more laps down and is not involved in the incident resulting in the caution. If a car is involved in the incident it will go to the next driver on the list.
To receive the free pass, the driver receiving it will need to come down pit road on the 2nd time by (leaders will be allowed to pit first time by) and drive 5-10 mph over the pit road speed. On the restart that driver will be given one lap back by an official.
11) Passing Lapped Cars
Lead lap drivers and lapped drivers (or about to be lapped) will need to communicate with each other when a pass is about to be made. Lead lap drivers will need to inform the car about to be lapped as to which lane they want to take. Lapped cars will be expected to hold the line they are in and slow down going into turns as needed to allow the lead lap car by safely.
12) Retaliation
Retaliation is viewed as a driver bumping another driver to show them that they are not happy with their driving. This includes a driver tapping the bumper of a driver who got into them to intentionally wrecking another driver for wrecking them. Drivers not involved but tap the bumper of another car in retalization will also be penalized.
If a driver is caught retaliating then they will receive all of the following:
1 lap penalty
Loss of Free Pass eligibility for the remainder of the event
25 point penalty
Automatic Probation for one month
13) Warping/Connection Issues
Drivers that are having connection issues will be monitored throughout the race. If a driver is having issues, they are allowed to stay on the track as long they are not affecting other drivers geatly. Dreivers who are having issues are expected to give room to those who aren't, such as if a car behind them is faster and is trying to pass.
If a driver is having serious enough problems, they will be expected to allow any cars catching them as quickly as possible. If a driver with a serious connection problem such as a blinking in and out, for example, doesn't give room for the cars behind them to go by, they will be brought down pit road and parked until their connection clears up.
If a driver falls out of the server they will be allowed to re-enter the track (can re-enter the server multiple times if they haven't returned to the track) only once. If they fall through again they will be parked for the event. When returning, drivers will receive laps back depending on the size of the track. Superspeedways will be all laps given back, speedways will be all but one lap back, and short tracks will be all but two laps down.
Section #7: Post Race
1) Incident Points System
A separate points system will be used to help keep drivers under control on the track. Starting with 100 points at the beginning of the season (or their first race of the season), drivers will be deducted for each incident that occurs. Drivers will be deducted only once per race per type of incident.
Every each race, USRT officials will look back at the last 3 races. If less then 50 points were deducted during that period, then the driver's total points will be increased by 25 points. If deducted more then 50 points then their total will not increase until they reach a 3 race period in which it is less then 50 points.
If a driver reaches 0 points for their points total then they will be suspended one race in that series. Their total will then be reset to 100 points. If the driver is suspended 3 times due to their total dropping to 0 then they will be suspended from that series for the remainder of the 2009 season.
Incident Point Deductions:
Practice/Happy Hour
Wrecking others while goofing off -15
Overexcessive goofing off -10
Overexcessive chat -5
Entering track before drivers meeting is over (during Happy Hour) -10
Qualifying
Chatting at All - 15
Race
Intentionally causing cautions -20
Retaliation towards another driver -20
Intentionally wrecking another driver -20
Failure to Hold a Line Resulting in a Wreck - 15
Overexcessive chat during a race -10
Spins involving other drivers -10
Fake Pitting - 10
Self spins -5
Bringing out the caution -5
2) Protesting Calls
If there is an issue during the race that you feel deserves another look at it after the race by league officials then you are free to do so. To file a protest, it will need to be done within 24 hours after the end of the race and with the following information:
Your Name and Car Number
What Lap the Incident Occured
Type of Infraction (and rule in the rulebook it may pertain to)
3 laps of the incident (1 lap before the incident, the lap of the incident, and 1 lap after the incident)
Protests will need to be sent to racinthunder@yahoo.com. For replay files please send them either via the email address listed or upload it via yousendit.com (recommended uploading site as it is one easy click to get to).
Be aware that while you are sending in a replay of another driver possibly breaking a rule, if something you have done to break a rule is seen on the replay by league officials you could be penalized as well.
3) Appealing Penalties
Drivers may request an appeal for a penalty if they feel that the penalty they were given did not follow the rulebook. To file an appeal a request for one will need to be made via email (send to racinthunder@yahoo.com). A replay file may be asked for if needed.
A protest must be asked for first and have been reviewed and a call made before an appeal can be made.
USRT officials will pick several people at random who were not in the event to review the replay and make a call as to whether or not the penalty is the correct call or not. If those reviewing it agree that it was a needed penalty then it will stand and no further penalties will be given. If it is decided the penalty was wrong then the penalty will be removed.
Section #8: Disciplinary Measures
1) Probation
USRT will use probation when deemed necessary. Probation will occur when a driver deliberately breaks a rule such as trying to race when they are told not to, not sending in replays when asked for them, posting inappropriate comments on the board or server.
Probation will vary from one month to the remainder of the season. Probation lengths will be listed in this rulebook on each rule that it applies. USRT officials reserve the right though to penalize a driver as they feel is necessary, which may mean a longer probation time then posted.
If a driver breaks another rule that would normally result in probation while they are already on probation, then the driver will be suspended for one week from that series.
2) Suspension
Suspension will only be given out when probation is not enough or when a penalty is too severe to put a driver on probation. Suspension will usually be one week and will apply to the series that the incident occured in. However, USRT officials reserve the right to give longer suspension periods if needed and could apply it to all series.
During the suspension time a driver will still be allowed to view and post on the board unless decided otherwise by league officials.
3) Removal from USRT
USRT reserves the right to deny membership of our league to anyone if we feel necessary. This will be based primarily on a driver's past reputation and behavior at other leagues or inappropriate behavior while a member of USRT. Unless posted otherwise, the standard ban is 6 months.
After a 6 month ban, USRT will check into where that driver has raced during that time and their behavior there. After reviewing all the collected information, league officials will take a vote to decide on whether that person will return to the league or not.
Anyone caught cheating will also be removed from USRT. Cheating is a serious offense and will result in a lifetime ban from the league. In addition, if a driver is found to have been cheating in another league at any point, whether before joining USRT or while still a member, they will be banned permanently as well.
Section #9: Points
1) USRT Points System
This is the points system used by all USRT series (unless otherwise announced).
1st - 140
2nd - 131
3rd - 124
4th - 117
5th - 110
6th - 103
7th - 98
8th - 93
9th - 88
10th - 83
11th - 78
12th - 74
13th - 70
14th - 66
15th - 62
16th - 58
17th - 54
18th - 50
19th - 46
20th - 42
21st - 38
22nd - 34
23rd - 30
24th - 26
25th - 22
Pole - 10
Lead a Lap - 5
Lead Most Laps - 5
2) Precision Cup Series Chase Format
The final 5 races of the Precision Cup Series season will be the Chase for the Precision Cup. To qualify for the chase a driver must be in the Top 10 or within 500 points of the leader after race #20.
3) Rookie of the Year
To be eligible to compete for Rookie of the Year they must have ran no more then seven starts in a series in 2008.
All ROTY contenders must carry rookie stripes on their car.
Section #10: Officials
President/CEO - Jeremy Murray
Vice President/Series Director - Danny Boyd
Race Operations -
Director of Competiton -
PR Director -
Research and Development -
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