What are Track Limits in Circuit Racing?

This article will explain:

• What does the term ‘track limits’ actually mean?
• What are the rules surrounding track limits?
• How are track limits offences penalised?
• How can you optimise track limit rules when on track?

So What Exactly Are Track Limits? 

Track limits are defined as the usable area of a race track, usually outlined by a painted white line and kerbed area. For example, if you look at the image below, the white line defines the track limit or the edge of the race track. As well as the use of white lines, track limits can also be defined to be within kerbed areas or grass/gravel.

Track limits are enforced to ensure that no driver gains an unfair advantage by either cutting the track or by using excessive runoff areas.

‍

What are Track Limit Rules? 

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut definition for track limits that applies to all circuits and championships. Many circuits have different track-specific rules when it comes to defining the circuit edge. These rules will always be explained to the drivers either in a pre-event briefing or via the championship rulebook.

There will also be different rules for different championships. For example, the F1 track limit rules are not the same as those for the British Touring Car Championship. Luckily, however, sim racing track limits are pretty straightforward; they are either on or off. Usually, at the top level of esports, track limits are enforced, so it is important to understand how and why they are being enforced.

In UK motorsport the MSA (Motor Sports Association) declares that a “Driver must use the track at all times and may not leave the track without justifiable reason. The white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track. A driver will be judged to have left the track if any wheel of the car goes beyond this line”. The regulations also state that kerbs can be included in these limits. However, what defines the usable kerb is not always clear!

In sim racing, finding the track limits is usually a trial-and-error experiment that can be easily tested in a free practice session. In iRacing or Gran Turismo 7, track limits are always consistent. This means that no matter what car or session you’re in track limits will always be the same.

Penalties and How They’re Issued 

In simple terms, if a driver exceeds track limits then that should be a ‘strike’ against the car. However, in real-world racing, other factors come into account which are more subjective, such as “Did the car exceed track limits for a reason outside the control of the driver?” in which case the race official may decide to ignore it.

Often championships will run a three-strike rule, where the third offence will result in a penalty. Further penalties are then issued if the offence is repeated. F1 operates with a four-strike rule before a penalty is issued.

Common real-world penalties are:

• Five-second penalty (added at the end of the race)
• 10-second penalty (added at the end of the race)
• Drivethrough penalty 
• Stop and go penalty
• Race exclusion 

Abusing the track limits in qualifying will usually cause your lap time deleted.

In sim racing, the penalty system is slightly different and is issued differently depending on what game you’re playing.

‍

iRacing’s Track Limit Rules

The track limits within iRacing are unique to every corner, so establishing them is a trial-and-error process. You are deemed to be exceeding track limits when the centre point of the car passes over that invisible line. 

If you exceed track limits, you will be given a ‘1x Off-Track Penalty’, or a ‘Slowdown Penalty’. Both of these will result in the lap time being deleted.

‍

Assetto Corsa Track Limits 

Assetto Corsa uses the traditional rules of ‘four wheels over the painted line’. As seen in the pictures below provided by ACRL Cuts – Imgur

Other Sims

Other sims use differing methods to determine track limits. For example, in rFactor 2 and Le Mans Ultimate, players can change the strictness of track limit enforcement, choosing to disable them entirely. Lifting off after cutting the track in Le Mans Ultimate can also decrease the severity of the punishment.

‍

Tricks and Tips 

In the world of motorsport, people will try anything to find an advantage over their opponents. It is therefore commonplace for the track limits rules to be carefully scrutinised by both competitors and officials alike. Often at circuits, different turns will have different track limit rules. A top tip is to ask the track officials which corners they will be checking more closely. This will give you a clear idea of where you need to be careful and where you can push the envelope. In some cases, they will be checking the entire circuit.

At some circuits, run-off areas are marked with pressure sensors that alert officials when a car is exceeding track limits. It is worth knowing where these corners are because you usually won’t get away with running over them.

Another way that circuits mark track limits is by placing marker boards or posts on corner apexes or exits. Normally, the rules suggest that if you knock down one of these posts you have gone beyond track limits and this results in a penalty. However, in a lot of race cases, these posts are knocked down due to close racing conditions. As soon as these posts are removed, you can be sure that every driver will use that previously marked area to their advantage.

On the first lap of a race, officials will tend to be more lenient against track limit infringements due to the busy nature of the track. A lot of cars in a small space usually means that competitors will be hassling for position, resulting in cars sliding wide or being pushed off track. In these incidents, you can get away with running wide or using the track limits to your advantage. Be careful here, however, as gaining an obvious advantage and passing a large number of cars off the track will get you in trouble.

‍

Written by the teams at trophi.ai and Driver 61.