Defending Your Position vs. Blocking

We have some of the top IndyCar and ALMS drivers giving their views, along with Race Officials explaining the rules on one of the most controversial issues in racing today.
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[@Davus55]

Thanks, his is what i send to blockers in iracing from now on.

[@ToddTheMadDog]

A dude literally swerved at me to keep me from passing. I came here to see if it was a racing thing, but nah I think the guy was trying to kill me

[@schmiddy8433]

"moving chicane" im going to use that lol

[@bugsam]

Yeah great line from Simona.

[@TheFakeIce_]

I love making my car wide and I do so respectfully. But because they can’t get past, they call me out for blocking. It’s fun

[@rickyrock70]

You must be able to defend your line, but with respect!

[@mattalford3932]

"I've earned the right to defend that position". If you want it your gonna have to work for it. What sim racers need to learn is when to pass, and when not to. So many wrecks that could have been avoided if they just waited a few corners lol.

[@CaroFDoom]

1:28
HOLY SHIT ITS SUPER GT

[@Jojo_Bee]

Blocking should only be done once on every attempt, because more than once is weaving. If you "prevent" the guy from overtaking (by blocking) that is not racing. That's why this IS a sport and not a showing off of ones ego -- that kind of ego believing "I am faster than you because I blocked you from overtaking".
The correct sporting mentality is, "I was faster because the other guy can't catch up to me (specially on the corners), and I didn't make mistakes."
Racing will always include overtaking, if you don't want to be overtaken, then make sure the car behind you does NOT CATCH UP TO YOU. Blocking only confirms your opponent is faster than you and/or made less to zero mistakes on corners.

[@mx_nana_banana]

Blockers are my biggest pet peeve, because instead of blocking, you can let the other car by, then catch up to him and take your position back, it's all about strategy not force.

[@Spyker8921]

Blockers are generally slower so they do everything to not lose the position

[@mattalford3932]

Are we racing or highway driving? Wtf is this move out of the way lol.

[@mattalford3932]

I'll break the tow, and break your momentum without blocking you. Nobody has to let you go by. That's not a thing lol.

[@Jojo_Bee]

Blocking is okay but the rule is only one attempt. Because the driver behind is would want to go the other side after being blocked. Having said that, this means the car attempting to overtake still has more speed than the car ahead of him. If a block happens again, then that was intentional and any resulting crash is caused by the other guy who was blocking. Racers forget the cars are continuously increasing in speed and they think blocking will always warrant the guy behind to brake. If he brakes because of being blocked, it's because he wanted to prevent a collision. Racers always believe blocking is rightful but only realize when it is wrong (blocking more than once) IF it's done on them.

[@Dalesi]

I'm going to share this video with the people I race with online. It's clearly not all that complicated !

[@khaled_ismail]

Excellent explanation. Thanks :)

[@rickyrock70]

So right about the mirrors!

[@Senna458]

LMFAO this video describes Max Verstappen's brand of racing to a T.

[@caseylloyd2715]

Wise words from Johnny Rutherford!

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

I think Johnny Rutherfords comment is just spot on to Verstappens attitude. He can't walk into a garage unless his Dad is there whispering into his ear.

[@racerfranco5175]

Defending is positioning the car in a way which makes the overtake more difficult and risky (for both). Blocking is positioning the car which makes the overtake impossible.

[@juliovasquez3039]

Very informative. Thank you for posting!

[@edgarsantiago_3908]

Here after Castroneves won his 4th Indy 500 🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@andrewr7982]

Like IndyCar but always thought this was the dumbest rule

[@GoldenGate003]

done.

[@chrisbrowning360]

Max "The Moving Chicane" Verstappen 😁

[@philippegerondeau4351]

Verstapen and his family didnt like this

[@Catcrumbs]

F1 rules are different (not that Verstappen stays within those).

[@MikeSmith-vb8ul]

1:31 Fonzie???

[@mattalford3932]

I own the track until you are next to me. I can go anywhere within track limits whenever I want to. Blocking is a matter of perspective for race car drivers. They all have different definitions of what blocking is lol. One drivers blocking is another drivers momentum breaking. Kind of like intentionally moving to break the tow of the car behind you. Some people hate it. Some people love it.

[@mattalford3932]

If open wheel is so dangerous you can't race then maybe close the wheels lol.

[@spaceweed1025]

Asking a woman's opinion on driving, is like asking a man's opinion on giving birth.

[@lejink]

spaceweed10 You think you're more talented? I'd like to see you put down a lap in her car.. You'd probably struggle to even get the tires up to temp

[@BollocksUtwat]

+spaceweed10 Having the privilege of asking a woman's opinion on professional level driving is the sign that you're asking questions in the 21st century.

[@r92cp49]

Why don't you ask Michele Mouton, Denise McCluggage, Hellé Nice, Sabine Schmitz, Pat Moss, Courtney Force, Jutta Kleinschmidt, Marie-Claude Charmasson, Lyn St. James, Shirley Muldowney, Susie Wolff, Desiré Wilson, Keiko Ihara, and Angelle Sampey for their opinion?

[@Strate2]

you are just jealous because you can't drive that well

[@konekoray9323]

As a woman with dreams behind the wheel, I really appreciate all of these replies.