The procedure for taking the starting order and getting to the start is the same for all races.
The procedure is explained in detail here, step by step.
Step 01
The session is switched to “Race”
After the server has been switched to “Race”, all drivers go to the start.
When the countdown to the start has expired, all drivers remain in their positions.
! The race does not start!
About 10 seconds before the countdown, this is reminded again in the chat by
„>>> ! DO NOT START ! <<< reminded.
Step 02
The pace cars take up their positions
The two pace cars (PC_1 and PC_2) drive through the middle of the field.
Form a lane to allow safe passage.
Only form a lane for the pace cars, do not drive off.
The rear pace car (PC_2) drives to the first bend (La Source) and stops there.
The front pace car (PC_1) drives to the first chicane (Eau Rouge) and stops there
As soon as the pace cars have taken up their parking positions, the sorting of the drivers according to their starting position begins.
This is announced in the chat with „>>> Starting grid <<< “.
Step 03
Taking the starting position
The drivers are called by name and in the order of their starting position in the chat.
The called drivers then drive carefully through the lane in the middle of the start/finish straight, past the waiting drivers and the pace car behind (PC_2)...
... and stop one after the other, in their order, behind the pace car in front (PC_1) before the first chicane (Eu Rouge).
Step 04
When the last called driver has passed the rear pace car (PC_2) and has taken up his position, „>>> GO <<< “ appears in the chat. This is the signal to drive off slowly.
The ride to the start
The front pace car (PC_1) switches on its lights and drives off.
Now all drivers drive behind the pace car (PC_1) in the order of starting position.
Driver 1 drives behind the pace car (PC_1),
Driver 2 drives behind driver 1,
Driver 3 drives behind driver 2,
etc ...
The rear pace car (PC_2) drives behind the field.
! Overtaking is prohibited during the entire lap !
Make sure that the distance to the vehicle in front is not too large.
The distance should be approx. 1-3 vehicle lengths so that no driver is endangered and the field is not spread over half the distance.
If necessary, the pace car in front (PC_1) will reduce speed before the last chicane (bus stop) to bring the cars closer together.
Remember the yellow flag when you come around the last corner (Blanchimont) before the last chicane (Bus Stop chicane).
This procedure, from the start (countdown) to the last chicane (bus stop chicane), is the same in all races..
The start of race 1
The start in race 1 step by step
The first race is a flying start (Indy start).
It starts directly after the formation lap.
How to start the first race is explained here step by step.
Step 01
The front pace car (PC_1) drives into the pits.
The pace car (PC_1) switches off the lights and drives into the pit lane.
From here on, the driver in the pool position determines the speed.
! Overtaking is still prohibited !
Step 02
On the start-finish straight
Line up properly and leave some space to breathe.
Special consideration is required in this phase.
The race goes further than just the first few bends.
An accident in the first few meters would be more than just annoying.
Step 03
Let the race begin
Overtaking is permitted after the first turn (La Source).
From here the race for positions begins.
Please bear in mind that the race takes longer than the first run through the Eu Rouge.
So don't risk everything right away.
The start in races 2, 3 and 4
The start in races 2, 3 and 4 step by step
In races 2, 3 and 4, the start will be standing and will be called by the organization.
For this purpose, the drivers gather in their starting order on the start-finish straight at the pit wall.
How the start in races 2, 3 and 4 works is explained here in detail and step by step.
Step 01
The lineup
The drivers stop at the pit wall on the right-hand side.
The first driver stops at the marker.
All other drivers stop in their order with a small gap behind them.
Driver 2 is behind driver 1 (pole position),
Driver 3 is behind driver 2,
Driver 4 is behind driver 3,
Driver 5 is behind driver 4,
etc ...
Step 02
The pace cars take up their positions
The front pace car (PC_1) turns around and positions itself behind the start/finish line, against the direction of travel at the pit wall.
The rear pace car (PC_2) stops in the last corner on the green stripe at the pit lane entrance.
Step 03
The start when prompted
It is displayed in the chat 10 seconds before the start of the first driver with
„>>> ! 10 SECONDS ! <<< to indicate the start.
By >>> GO <<< in the chat and 2x Flashlights from the pace car (PC_1) the start signal for the first driver is given.
After the first driver has started, the second driver takes up the starting position at the marker.
All waiting riders move up.
The following riders receive their start signal with >>> GO <<< in the chat and 2x Flashlights from the pace car (PC_1)
with the respective time intervals from the results of the previous race.
The starting drivers must show consideration for the participants already in the race.
In the area from the rear pace car (PC_2) to after the first bend, overtaking is prohibited for drivers in the race.
Starting participants may be overtaken. This is considered “passing”.
Participants in the race have priority over the starting drivers.
! Special and mutual consideration must be shown here !
As soon as the leader has passed for the second time and starts his third lap, this is indicated by >>> ! START ALL NOW ! <<<
in the chat and continuous Flashlights
from the pace car (PC_1).
! Now ALL waiting drivers start !
The yellow flag
The yellow flag in races 2, 3 and 4
As long as the pace car (PC_2) is at the pit entrance, the yellow flag is valid in the area from the beginning of the last corner to the end of the first corner.
There are still waiting and starting cars on the start/finish straight.
Drivers in the race and starting drivers must show special consideration for each other in the start phase.