In the last few races we’ve had a few incidents regarding overtaking and we feel that the time is right to re-emphasize race courtesy amongst all the racers for safety and to ensure we all enjoy our passion for motorsport.

All racers on the track have equal status and each of us have the same right to be there racing. However, there needs to be awareness and mutual respect amongst all the racers to ensure everybody’s safety. We reach speeds in excess of 200km/h and the speed differential between class A and rest of the field is huge and the potential for serious accidents is very real.

The biggest danger is when cars are being lapped. It remains the responsibility of the car overtaking to do so safely, however, the car being overtaken has a duty to allow the faster car past safely. This does not mean that the slower car has to jump out of the way, but mutual respect will help us all race more safely.

It is very important to be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Make sure to check your mirrors regularly and keep your eyes open for flags at all times.  Make a habit of determining where the marshal points are on your out lap (the reason for all the marshal points showing green flags on your out lap is to alert you to their positions), and then glancing at the marshal posts as you approach every corner. The very fact that we had numerous incidents of alleged overtaking under the safety car shows that not all competitors are aware of their surroundings at all times.

Should you see blue flags or a car coming up to lap you, try to anticipate where the car will catch up to you. If you are able, stick your hand out of the car and point to the side you would like the car to pass you. This not only helps you to plan your line ensuring you lose as little time as possible while being lapped, it also lets the faster car behind you know that you’ve seen him and he can pass you with confidence knowing you will not turn in on him. The golden rule when being overtaken is to stick to your line and do not try and swerve out of the way. That way, the faster car does not have to guess which way you will be moving. The exception would be if you have clearly pointed the faster car past and you are moving in the opposite direction to make space. Also be aware that there might be more than one car lapping you at the same time so please check your mirrors before retaking the racing line. If you are ever unsure about the number of cars lapping you always remember the golden rule: stick to your line.

This courtesy is not only for the races, but also for practice and qualifying.  If you see a faster car behind you, even if it is from your own class, allow the car past so that both of you will lose the least amount of time and can carry on with the job at hand. Racing each other in practice and qualifying is just nonsensical. Lastly we all make mistakes, if you made a mistake own up to it and apologize. A quick apology will go a long way to avoiding unnecessary tension between racers.