I've stated in the conduct guidelines and the second post of this thread, for clarification.
Granted, it was quite recently added, so, I understand why you didn't notice it. My fault.
Otherwise, I'll copy and paste various sources, for different wordings:
Conduct Guidelines
Section 2.4:
(This thread-second post, turn 5 explanation)
The person who is dive-bombing makes contact with the car on the outside of them or the other car has to break his racing line to avoid contact. He does this by applying his brakes later than the car in front of him/her. This extra speed on corner entry causes this. Use good judgement when trying an out braking pass. Don't be from here to Jupiter from someone and try to pass them.
I need to explain in simple English again...
Negative Situation:
Driver A is behind Driver B.
Driver A tries to brake much later than Driver B.
Driver A crashes into Driver B.
Driver A gets reprimanded.
Positive Situation:
Driver A is beside Driver B.
Driver A tries to brake slightly later than Driver B.
Driver A passes Driver B.
Yes that is simple. Enough said
I was hoping for a few different definitions but we'll run with this. Remembering we have 16 different drivers interpreting these rules, here's what I see as some potential for confusion:
The person who is dive-bombing makes contact with the car on the outside of them So if I try to outbrake someone and we rub slightly, is that a divebomb? Define contact. What is excessive contact? It might be different between you and me.
Use good judgement when trying an out braking pass. What is good judgment? Define good judgment? After an incident don't most people say, "I thought I could pull it off, sorry". Don't most people think they use good judgment even when they don't? If I believe I used good judgment am I off the hook?
Don't be from here to Jupiter from someone and try to pass them. Where is Jupiter? Or more aptly, how far back is too far to attempt a braking pass? 50ft? 2 car lengths?
Driver A tries to brake much later than Driver B. Define "much later" How much later? 1/2 second? 3 car lengths? 4 car lengths? What if your definition as the lead car of "later" is different than mine? How do you review an incident when "later" is not defined?
Driver A crashes into Driver B Define "crashes into". If I try to outbrake you and tap you in the back bumper, unsettle you a bit but don't take the position is that ok? If I do it repeatedly is that ok? If I do get alongside under heavy braking entering the corner and rub the outside car just slightly, but don't unsettle them is that ok? What if I rub them and they move 2 feet outside? 3 feet? 5 feet? 10 feet? Is that ok?
You see what I'm getting at? These definitions leave everything to interpretation. It isn't clear what is a violation and what is not. Now let's look at the GTPLanet Racing Rules and see what they say, noting that there is no definition of "divebombing"
08: Corner Rights:
A:
When approaching the turn/apex of turn, the car which "holds" the inner side of turn has entrance-advantage and other driver(s) must refrain from endangering him by his actions.
B:
You must establish substantial overlap with the car ahead before they reach the corner’s turn-in point to have the right to drive up their inside, or to expect them to leave inside room for you. At least the front of your car should be up to the driver’s position in the ahead car. The ahead driver has the right to be fully committed to the racing line of their choice without any interference if there was no substantial overlap before he turned in.
C:
If sufficient overlap is established before the turn-in point, then the behind driver has the right to sufficient side room. The ahead driver must also leave sufficient side room for the behind driver. This means that each driver has a right to their respective "line", or side of the track, right up to the exit point. Neither driver should squeeze the other toward the inside or outside of the corner during the apex or exit.
D:
If an ahead driver has clearly made an error to warrant a passing move, a behind driver may attack their position, with due caution and care, regardless of whether there was any pre-existing overlap. However, the overtaking driver must still avoid contact. Small errors by the ahead driver may not justify a passing move. The ahead driver getting a bit out of shape at times doesn’t give you an automatic right to pass. You still have to judge if their error allows for a safe pass to take place.
E:
Drivers who are using PS2/PS3 controller MUST make additional effort in driving due to the fact they can't use side-view, and their perception of the other cars is thereby limited - extreme caution while maneuvering is required. If you are using a controller, you are required to set buttons up for side views as "I didn't see you." is not an excuse if you collide with another driver when racing.
So here we have a clear definition of when a passing driver is allowed to maintain his position beside another driver in corner entry and when he must back off. No overlap by turn in, you lose the right to maintain your position and must brake slightly and drop in behind the lead driver. If you get overlap, you have the right to the inside, but the other driver has the right to the outside and you can't run wide into them either. Both have to leave room for each other and respect their respective position on the track.
Most importantly, when stewards watch a replay, it's easy to determine where responsibility lies. You can freeze the replay at the point where the lead car is turning in if you want and look at the overlap of the cars in camera mode. If there isn't enough overlap or none, any contact becomes the responsibility of the following driver, regardless of how it happens. The lead car can move down to the apex of the corner and expect that it'll be clear of the following cars' nose, and if it is not, the following car is at fault, even though on the replay the lead car appears to have moved down into it.
Everything is clearly defined, no interpretation.
What this also does is leave it open for the RD and Stewards to make certain track specific designations such as, "
The first two left hand corners at GVE are considered 1 corner. If you do not have overlap entering the first left hander, you cannot pass until the exit of the second corner, unless the ahead driver makes a significant driving error and you can safely make a pass. "
I've seen some people say they don't like the GTPlanet Rules but they are generally the ones doing all the rubbing and using other cars as guardrails and see these rules as making it more difficult to pass, which they do. At the same time, it dramatically increases everyone's enjoyment because you always know what they other guy is going to do. At Tsukuba this is especially true, as you have three hard braking corners and two short straights and it's tough to pass. But at least you know, if everyone is following the rules, that entering the first corner for example, if someone shoots from 50 ft back in trying to pass you, and forces you outside onto the marbles, there's no interpretation of the event. It's a clear violation.
The Rules also provide for contact concessions. What you do if cause an incident. You are expected to pull aside and let that driver you hit, pass you, regardless of how many positions it costs you. This will make most guys think twice about making risky, braking, divebomb passes.
. MrM could you update the track description in the first post. I would like for you to add a precaution in the last turn. When your tires are old/worn out and you are battling for position, the driver on the outside usually gets tapped out on corner exit.
