Just a suggestion.

Would it be possible to auto-spectate midrace joiners whenever they get in the position they recieve a blue flag?

This would have the following benefits:

• Midrace joiners who stay out of "sight" of racers can carry on. Just a matter of good timing. (and not doing it in a crowded server/short track)
  
• Midrace joiners get spectated when they pass a racer. (which they are not allowed to anyway)
  
• Midrace joiners get spectated before they get physically in the way.
  
• Less reports need to be filed which may relieve the admins a bit.
  

I can not think of any downsides but these will undoubtedly be expressed in this thread.

This is just a suggestion and I do not even know if it can be implemented in the insim but logics tell me it should be possible.

How would this be a good feature? People are not given a chance to learn blue flag etiqutte because they're booted off the track.

But midrace joiners are allowed to overtake racers, I think - So long as they do not interfere in any way. I do it all the time and I've not gotten any trouble from it (just pass them quickly, but only if you're significantly faster than them)

Many-a-time has a mid race joiner ****ed my race up because they decide to pile into a tyre wall or pull out onto track or something, and as much as this may irritate me, auto spectating them would be intrusive, annoying, and would solve nothing.

Quote from S14 DRIFT :

But midrace joiners are allowed to overtake racers, I think - So long as they do not interfere in any way. I do it all the time and I've not gotten any trouble from it (just pass them quickly, but only if you're significantly faster than them).

CTRA rules 7.2
Mid-Race Joining (Waved Blue): Drivers who have joined the race after the race has begun, or who have rejoined the race after pitting/spectating, are allowed on the track solely by the grace of the race marshals. They must not impact the progress of the current race or its competitors in any way. This includes, but is not limited to:
*Closely following a competitor
*pressuring them or feigning overtaking moves on them;
*Obstructing the track for competitors
*Overtaking competitors
*Voting to restart an ongoing race.

They must not impact the progress of the current race or its competitors in any way

If you get past cleanly and are doing 1.44 laptimes and the person you've just past is doing 1.47 then that's not impacting the race

A midrace joiner ought to be faster than a genuine competitor. They have fresher tyres and no T1 damage.

The rule is quite clear, however, and overtaking genuine competitors is absolutely forbidden. Ignore it at your peril. If you get reported for overtaking someone when you're a midrace joiner, expect a big points hit. It's not actually about whether or not you shaft their race (though god help you if you do), it's about whether or not you abide by the rules.

GTR midrace joiners can overtake GT2 and GFR cars on Race 3, but the procedure for doing so is very explicit and must be followed to the letter.

Quote from S14 DRIFT :

They must not impact the progress of the current race or its competitors in any way

If you get past cleanly and are doing 1.44 laptimes and the person you've just past is doing 1.47 then that's not impacting the race

Which word of "includes, but is not limited to" and "Overtaking competitors" is difficult?

Being some seconds faster does not mean your pass does not impact a race or sacrifice some time.

Quote from SamH :

A midrace joiner ought to be faster than a genuine competitor. They have fresher tyres and no T1 damage.

The rule is quite clear, however, and overtaking genuine competitors is absolutely forbidden. Ignore it at your peril. If you get reported for overtaking someone when you're a midrace joiner, expect a big points hit. It's not actually about whether or not you shaft their race (though god help you if you do), it's about whether or not you abide by the rules.

GTR midrace joiners can overtake GT2 and GFR cars on Race 3, but the procedure for doing so is very explicit and must be followed to the letter.

Hmm, ok Sam, thanks for clearing that up.. Don't go checking any Race 1 replays recently.

Nvm Joris, I understand what you're saying but you don't understand what I'm saying.

Quote from S14 DRIFT :

Hmm, ok Sam, thanks for clearing that up.. Don't go checking any Race 1 replays recently.

hehe.. I won't

The ability to midrace join is an important one, for me. It's beneficial for the server and helps to ensure more full grids. It's also important that drivers learn the rules, and follow them closely. If they do so, there should not be any issues arising from midrace joiners in a race. If they don't, raise a report and we'll restrict their ability to join midrace and (depending on the offensiveness of the offence) possibly take a bite out of their points.

Maybe my suggestion was a little radical.

What about having to confirm having read 7.2 on each midrace join? (like the confirmation on everyones first CTRA session).

It seems this part of the rules is not very well known, or just disregarded by many.

Report people if they race against you while being a lap down, and if you are lapping them don't expect them to move over or throw themselfs off the road to get out of the way. I join in the middle of races so I can learn a track or get warmed up for a race. Sometimes I find people who are much slower than me and I pass them when it's safe to do so, my thinking being if I stayed behind them it would pressure them. Also when I do get a blue flag I wait until the car behind has a good run on me, or they are close enough to let by.

I think auto-spectate is a terrible idea, since a waved blue flag can be displayed when a car is a long distance behind. Making people agree to a rule before joining is pointless because they agree to all the rules when they sign up on CTRA, if they breach them people report them and they are punished.

Quote from S14 DRIFT :

They must not impact the progress of the current race or its competitors in any way

If you get past cleanly and are doing 1.44 laptimes and the person you've just past is doing 1.47 then that's not impacting the race

how about this; it's ok for s14 to mid-race join and pass, but the passee has the right to perform a PIT manuever on s14 s he goes by....

just kidding.

HAHHAHA

It happens already, don't need to ask them to do it.

Quote from ATC Quicksilver :

my thinking being if I stayed behind them it would pressure them

As the guy who mostly gets passed I think that is a good way to handle it. There is nothing more pressuring than a much faster car at your rear bumper.

Furthermore I think it's less damaging to your time to be passed by a faster car than being tailgated by one. And having to wonder whether his braking points are very different from mine. Yes I can report him after he wipes me out but I don't get any points for that.

If there is a significant difference in speed I tend to indicate for him to pass me. Besides if I let him through I get to learn from his line

As a mid race joiner you should NOT be getting close enough to apply pressure on a car that is racing. You are allowed out on the circuit to practice, but you should find clear track to do so.

If you come up on a slower car, unless it is a lower class (where you are allowed to pass on a straight where doing so does not interfere with their progress into the next corner), you must hold back - and by hold back I dont meen maintain a gap of half a second. If they are checking their rear view to look at the gap back to you then you are too close.

You are NOT permitted to effect the race, you are there to practice. If you feel that the driver in the race is impeding your practice then pull over and find clear track / drive through the pitlane.

Do NOT, I repeat do NOT, interfere with people who are racing. You are not racing. That is a clear distinction and you should bear it in mind.

Quote from z-ro 8 :

how about this; it's ok for s14 to mid-race join and pass, but the passee has the right to perform a PIT manuever on s14 s he goes by....

just kidding.

Quote from S14 DRIFT :

HAHHAHA

It happens already, don't need to ask them to do it.

Quote from March Hare :

As the guy who mostly gets passed I think that is a good way to handle it. There is nothing more pressuring than a much faster car at your rear bumper.

Furthermore I think it's less damaging to your time to be passed by a faster car than being tailgated by one. And having to wonder whether his braking points are very different from mine. Yes I can report him after he wipes me out but I don't get any points for that.

If there is a significant difference in speed I tend to indicate for him to pass me. Besides if I let him through I get to learn from his line

Quote from Becky Rose :

As a mid race joiner you should NOT be getting close enough to apply pressure on a car that is racing. You are allowed out on the circuit to practice, but you should find clear track to do so.

If you come up on a slower car, unless it is a lower class (where you are allowed to pass on a straight where doing so does not interfere with their progress into the next corner), you must hold back - and by hold back I dont meen maintain a gap of half a second. If they are checking their rear view to look at the gap back to you then you are too close.

You are NOT permitted to effect the race, you are there to practice. If you feel that the driver in the race is impeding your practice then pull over and find clear track / drive through the pitlane.

Do NOT, I repeat do NOT, interfere with people who are racing. You are not racing. That is a clear distinction and you should bear it in mind.

CTRA-section mod -> this might be some job for you. Just make it happen, will you?

Cheers
DrBen