The FFRL is a PG-13 league and the overall goal is to bring friends and family together, have some fun, make new friends and experience some good, competitive racing. The FFRL hasn't forgotten that drivers are here to compete and race hard against each other. That's a big part of the fun of sim racing and it's encouraged in the FFRL. These rules are not intended to muzzle drivers' instincts or discourage hard, clean racing and respectful competition. Just the opposite, they are here to ensure that drivers understand what is expected.

The admins and members of the review committee are here to enjoy sim racing, too. They are volunteers who have lives and better things to do than review replays for cautions and argue with drivers over grievances and penalties. In an effort to minimize their work and the impact on their time, all drivers are reminded to exercise discretion, race with respect and remember the rules.

Scoring will be based on the 2011 Nascar points system for each stock car series.  Additional series added to the lineup may introduce a different points system which would be added here if need be.

In the event of a tie, the championship will be decided in the following order of consideration; most wins, most top 5's, most top 10's, most races participated in. If a tied condition still exists, the championship will be determined by a head-to-head race off between the tied drivers. The league administrators will determine the track and settings used for the race off.

1.1 Provisional's - Provisional points are equal to that of 20th position or 1 position beyond last place (the lesser applied).  "Cup" series are permitted 5 prov's a yea.  Alternate "Series" are permitted 3 prov's a year.  To request a provisional, a driver must post the request within the designate area within the FFRL Forums.

2.1 FFRL Server/Voice Communication/Driver - Information such as server IP's, passwords, voice communication passwords, driver(s) emails, or personal information regarding the FFRL or it's drivers is strictly confidential to the FFRL and it's drivers. Giving out such information is a ban-able offense

2.2 Driver Name - The "handle" that you input on your application will be used throughout the FFRL.  This "handle" is to be widely used as your login server name, forum account, and voice communication software.

2.3 Forum Account - All drivers will be registered to the forum boards upon approval of membership. Account creation will be made once approval of your application.  Your "handle" on the application will be used as your login name.

2.6 Punctual - Each event starts with 90 min practice followed by qualifying.  Servers will not be reset for late comers nor for those not ready at the start of the race.  *Rfactor - drivers who are dropped by the software prior to the race start, 1 reset will be put in place for 5 min to allow the driver to rejoin.

2.7 Connection quality - It is the responsibility of each driver to assure the league and his/her fellow driver the best possible connection.  If any driver has been informed by the Race Administration that he/she is warping, the driver either has to go to the rear of the field and discontinue close racing and wait for the connection quality to improve.  The race administration has the right to eject a driver if they persist in competitive racing or refuse to leave the event.

2.8 Conduct -  Driver will not flame (yell at and/or insult) another driver before, during, or after any event. If a driver feels another driver has acted inappropriately, they should contact the admin through private email. Flaming, offending and disrespecting another member or potential member will not be tolerated. Private messages in the game, forum or email to insult or threaten another driver could call for an instant dismissal.

2.8.1 Language - Foul and/or abusive language will not be tolerated.

2.9 Car Files - All drivers are allowed to start with 1 car file per series.  A maximum of 4 Cup and 2 Thursday Series are available with the purchase of driver salaries. All car files are posted on the weekend.  Submission of car files on Sunday will be posted the following weekend.  Any car files submitted with nudity or artwork in bad taste will be refused at the sole discretion of the FFRL staff. Please submit car files to admin@ffrl.org.  Files are to be named "FFRL11_#_A", B, C or D.

5.1 Event Practice - Practice session prior to the events race runs from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm EST. “Hot lapping” is only permitted in the first ½ hour of practice, 7:15 pm to 7:45 pm EST. The remainder of that time, drivers are encouraged to adjust their setups (if an open setup series), tire wear runs, and practice running in traffic.  All drivers should exercise courtesy and caution as if under race conditions.  Drivers causing grief by continuing to “hot lap” through the remaining hour of practice may be told to park their car for the remainder of the session by the race administration.

5.2 Restarts - A race will only be restarted; (1) if within or on the first 6 laps 25% of the field is out of the race due to accident (damaged or retired cars do not count toward the 25% ), (2) if the race server crashes, (3) or 50% or more of the drivers are disconnected. If one or more drivers suffer from any form of connection troubles that can result in loss of track position or individual disconnection, but the aforementioned criteria for a restart are not met, the results of that race are final and cannot be disputed. A caveat to this rule is that an administrator can decide to restart a race at any time solely for the sake of playability and enjoyment for all.

5.3 Chatting - Chatting, whether in type or vocal, should be kept to minimal race related topics while under green and final lap of yellow.  No chatting while qualifying is in session.

5.4 Blocking - Allowed only in the last 3 laps of an event.  Blocking is described as changing your line to match the movement of the car behind you, thus preventing that car from attempting a pass.  Blocking is not the same as guarding your line.  If a driver is found blocking by the race administration, a warning will be given.  Continued blocking will result in a penalty.

5.5 Your Pit Box - When entering and exiting your pit box, you are permitted to use the pit box before and after yours. At no time may drivers drive through the entire line of pit boxes to reach their own, or to exit the pits. Not following correct procedure to enter/exit your pit box may cause you to have to re-pit under yellow or serve a drive-through penalty.  After exiting their pit box, drivers should use the far right lane for exiting pit road.

5.6 Using the Apron - On ovals, cars are not allowed to use the apron as a racing lane or as a passing lane. On most ovals there is a yellow or white line that designates where the racing line ends and the apron begins. All cars must stay above the line except when qualifying, when it may be used to run fast lap for pole position. Instances that may force you below the line, avoiding an accident, etc.. will be judged by the Race Administration.

Penalties:
1st offense – sacrifice position
2nd offense – black flag
3rd offense – park car

5.7 10 Laps to Go - All drivers 1 lap down or more must pit the 2nd or 3rd time by to allow lead lap cars to race for the finish.  Failure to pit by the drop of the green will result following the pace car in or an admin penalty.

5.8 Intentional Wrecking - Flagrant and intentional wrecking at any time during an official league event will not be tolerated. This is otherwise known as "punting". Using this type of system to gain on the field, or payback a driver,  is considered as unsportsmanlike conduct.

Penalty:
1. Driver is ejected and DQ’d from race without provisional points.
2. Driver benched the following race WITHOUT provisional points.
3. Void of receiving ROTY award.
4. Void of receiving Sportsman award.
5. Driver put on probation for the remainder of the season with all Series in the FFRL.
6. Further aggravation could lead to ban.

The opening series of the FFRL was called the Pro Cup Series.

5.9 No Passing until Backstretch - At the drop of the green, there will be "no passing or forward advancement" on the car in front of you until after exiting turn 2.  If a two wide start, both sides must hold their position (lead lap car on high side, lapped cars on the inside).  If single file start, the field may drop to the inside through turns 1 and 2.  Making a pass prior can result in giving back position or falling back to end of line. 

Drivers that wish to allow a pass must move to the inside lane to signal the field for the pass.  A driver moving down to allow 1 driver to pass may not move back in to prevent others.

Passing on the start prior to turn 1 is permitted if that start falls into the last ten (10) laps of the race.

Drivers or Teammates abusing the rule by allowing a driver in front to gain a jump on the field will result in the driver being issued a black flag for "setting" the race and placed on probation for the remainder of the year for all series within the FFRL.  The driver may be required to submit a replay showing their throttle/brake input.  Failure in submission of the replay falls into the rules and guidelines of "2.5 Replays".

5.10 Jumping the Start - Accelerating faster than pace speed before the drop of the green is considered as "jumping the start". Another example of "jumping" is staying back in the field and timing it so that when the green drops, you're on top of everyone. Both methods are illegal moves in the FFRL and in NASCAR. Pace speed is announced on the opening laps of the race.  The Race Administration allows a 5 mph buffer due to internet and replay.  If found over the 5 mph safety zone, you will be considered as jumping the start.

6.0 COMPLAINTS & GRIEVANCES - Complaints alleging violations must be made within 24 hours after race completion in order to be considered by the administrators. Complaints are only accepted via email at admin@ffrl.org. A detailed explanation of events is to be provided, including the lap numbers in which the incident took place.

The league administrators will rule on all violations. All judgments made by the administrators are final. All penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the administrators. To be able to reach a fair judgment the participants will be responsible for providing a replay of the incident in question. As such it is advisable for all race participants to retain a replay of each event for a minimum 48 hours. The replay submitted should show two laps prior to the incident through two laps following the incident. Do not submit an entire race replay. If a full-length replay is provided to the administrators, it will be discarded and not used in reaching a final judgment.

Rules updated and revised October 2011.