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There are many terminologies in esports racing and not all of them are easy to understand. In this short dictonary you will find the most important terms for your esports racing adventure.[anchor]Aerodynamics[/anchor]Aerodynamics: This describes the air line around the car, which has great influence on the driving behavior.
Black flag: It is shown together with the driver’s start number. The driver concerned is excluded from the race and must immediately pit.
Checkered flag: The race or the respective session has ended.
Curbs: They limit the route from the run-off zones or gravel beds.
Cockpit: The driver’s workplace. He can controll everything in his vehicle from this place.
Donut: A form of art and in many racing series the ritual of the race winner: having the car spinning in a circle on the spot with the wheels spinning, thus ensuring proper smoke and causing marks on the asphalt in shape of a donut.
Downforce: This is the force with which the cars are pushed onto the track. It is primarily generated by aerodynamics, caused by aerodynamic parts such as wings or suspension parts.
Drive Through Penalty: If the penalty is imposed, the driver must drive through the pit lane once, of course at the prescribed reduced speed. They may not combine the mandatory pit stop with the penalty.
DRS: Motorsport fans know the “Drag Reduction System” from Formula 1. The rear wing can be opened, which reduces the air resistance for a short time. Therefore, the car is faster which is useful for overtaking.
Exit zone: The area next to the regular route. Asphalted on modern courses it is no longer as fatal as on old-school tracks, where the driver ended up in gravel beds.
Flags: They are used regularly during a race weekend and are waved by the marshals. They serve as a means of communication between race management and drivers. They are standardized and worldwide the same..
Free practice: During this time drivers and mechanics work on the setup which will be used for the upcoming race. Every driver can join in on the action, but it is not mandatory.
Graining: Refers to the “grain” of the tires. As a result of overload, the tire begins to peel. The surface slowly dissolves, the rubber chips stick to the tread of the tire. The consequences: less grip and more understeer.
Green flag: The danger is over; everyone can speed up again.
Grid penalty: Some offenses are punished by a grid penalty. The punished driver has to start from a position further back in the starting grid. A grid penalty is often imposed during qualifying.
HANS: Abbreviation for “Head and Neck Support”. A system designed to protect the driver from injuries in the head and neck area in the event of an accident.
Ideal line: Basically self-explanatory – the ideal line is what you should drive on the route. If you leave it, you lose time.
Indy restart: Once the safety car phase after an accident has ended, the “Indy restart” is used. This means the cars drive in two rows to the start line. The saftey car sets the pace. If they start, so can the others. Important: Before crossing the start line, no car may leave the formation.
Introductory lap: It takes place before the start of every race. After the introductory lap the drivers then make another lap to bring the brakes and tires up to temperature. After that follows a standing start.
[anchor]Oversteer[/anchor]Oversteer: If a car oversteers, it’s rear wheels tend to slip away in the corners, breaking out with the rear.
Pit board: It is an information board hung at the start or finish straight to communicate with the driver. However, communication is severely restricted. The driver can only be told if they must come into the pits or if there is an emergency.
Pit lane: The narrow lane directly in front of the pits, which is separated from the race track. There is a speed limit here. Exceeding this limit will get you a penalty.
Pit stop: During a pit stop mechanics can change the tires, fix technical problems, or repair the car. The time of the stop is also a tactical component in every race strategy.
Pit traffic light: Works like a normal traffic light, shows red or green. It stands at the end of the pit lane and regulates the access to the track.
Pole position: It is all about qualifying. Whoever drives the fastest time is at the top of the grid and owns the pole position.
Push-to-pass: An overtaking button on the steering wheel. This allows the driver to temporarily increase the power by approx. 30 hp. It can, but does not have to be used in conjunction with the well-known DRS.
Qualifying: Takes place before each race. During this time, the starting line-up is determined based on the best times of the individual drivers.
Rain tires: They have a special profile for wet tracks. In Formula 1, a tire can displace up to 60 liters per second at top speed.
Red flag: The session is paused. A red flag is therefore always a bad sign. Most of the time, something bad happened that forced race management to interrupt or even cancel the race.
Rubber abrasion: Describes the wear on the tire surface. The better you protect the tires and handle them, the less abrasion they have which makes them last longer.
Safety Car: If there is an accident on the track, Safety Car can be used until the accident site is cleared. Overtaking is prohibited during this time.
Slicks: Slicks are tires which are optimized for dry conditions.
Session: Every training or qualifying session in motorsport is often referred to as a session.
Setup: The right setup is primarily sought in free training sessions. Ideally, the setup should perfectly match the respective track conditions, so that the best possible driving experience is guaranteed.
Stewards / Race Committee: They are the rule keepers and always have an eye on the whole event via monitors. They also impose penalties.
Understeer: The opposite of oversteer. When understeering a carits front tires lose grip. The car drives a line which is straighter then intended.
Yellow flag: Used in the event of danger, for example in the event of an accident. It means: drive slower and do not overtake.
Screenshot credit: iRacing
