Driver Standards & Team Handbook

Aetherwing eMotorsports is a competitive simulation racing organization. We have transitioned from the "BellSouth" era to the "Aetherwing" era to professionalize our approach. We compete for Constructor Championships, not just individual wins.

Disputes regarding strategy or setups should be handled in private channels, not public voice chat. Public undermining of team leadership is a conduct violation.

New drivers enter via the Development Roster. Promotion to the Primary Roster is earned through consistency, safe driving, and integration with the team culture, not just raw lap times.

If a driver disagrees with a penalty or team decision, they may file a formal appeal to the Team Principal via DM within 24 hours. Arguing in general chat channels is prohibited.

All Aetherwing entries must utilize the official 2026 vector assets (Logos, Number Fonts, Sponsors). Unauthorized modification of the "Feather" emblem or sponsor placement is prohibited.

Drivers wishing to run a "special event" paint scheme must submit the file to the Design Team for approval 48 hours before the event to ensure sponsor obligations are met.

If a driver streams their perspective, they must use the official Aetherwing overlay or include the team logo on their broadcast layout.

Drivers are encouraged to run the official team suit and helmet files to maximize brand visibility during broadcast interviews and victory lane celebrations.

When sharing race results or car photos in public channels, use high-quality screenshots. "Phone photos" of monitors are unprofessional and should not be used for social media promotion.

Aetherwing has fully transitioned into operational status. Drivers accepting a seat for a Championship Series are committing to the full schedule. "Cherry-picking" races is not permitted for points-paying entries.

If a driver cannot attend a scheduled league race, they must notify management via the #availability Discord channel at least 24 hours in advance.

All drivers must be in the team Discord voice channel at least 15 minutes prior to qualifying for the pre-race briefing. "Radio silence" during a race is discouraged; communication regarding pit cycles is mandatory.

The car must be on the grid on time. Missing the grid or starting from pit lane due to poor time management forfeits team points and will be reviewed as a performance infraction.

Following the conclusion of a race, drivers are expected to remain in voice chat for a brief "cool down" and debrief to discuss strategy hits and misses, regardless of the race result.

Speed is secondary to intelligence. Drivers are required to demonstrate situational awareness. This includes the "Duty to Lift" during wreck avoidance. Telemetry data showing 100% throttle application through an active crash scene is grounds for immediate suspension or contract termination.

Your conduct follows you. Whether you are driving the Aetherwing #13, a rental seat for another team, or a public lobby truck, you are an ambassador of this brand. Reckless driving in any event is a liability to our sponsors and partners.

Aetherwing operates on data, not excuses. All incidents involving contact will be reviewed via replay and telemetry. If the data shows negligence (late braking, no lift, unsafe rejoins), the driver will be held accountable regardless of their intent.

If a driver goes off-track or spins, they must hold their brakes and wait for a clear gap before re-entering the racing surface. An "unsafe rejoin" that collects another car is considered a Major Infraction.

While we race to the end, lapped cars must respect leaders. Do not fight the leaders excessively if you are multiple laps down. Facilitate a clean pass to protect the team's reputation.

Arguments with other teams or drivers on public platforms (Twitter/X, Reddit, League Discords) are prohibited. "If you type it, you own it." Brand damage via social media is a punishable offense.

Leaking internal team strategies, setup files, telemetry data, or private Discord screenshots is a breach of contract and results in an immediate ban and blacklist.

Drivers shall not make disparaging remarks about team partners (e.g., Kmart, PetSmart, Simagic) or use competing branding that conflicts with team exclusivity agreements during official events.

If interviewed by a league broadcaster, mention the team name ("Aetherwing") and key partners. Avoid blaming other drivers on-air; save the frustration for the internal debrief.

In the event of a major controversy, do not post statements without consulting Team Management. Silence is often better than an emotional reaction.

Specific actions bypass the strike system and result in immediate termination. These include: Intentional Wrecking, Hate Speech/Slurs, Cheating/Hacking, or "Rage Quitting" an official event.

New drivers, or drivers returning from a suspension, are placed on a 3-race Probationary Period. Any infraction during this time results in immediate termination.

Minor strikes (Strike 1) expire after 90 days of clean driving. Major infractions remain on the driver's internal record permanently.

If a driver feels they cannot compete safely (anger, fatigue, equipment failure), they may voluntarily park their car. This mature decision will not result in disciplinary action.

Drivers are responsible for maintaining a stable internet connection. Consistently high ping or "netcode" issues that endanger other cars are grounds for being parked until the issue is resolved.

While a Force Feedback (FFB) wheel is highly recommended for precision, it is not mandatory. Drivers using a controller/gamepad are permitted provided they can demonstrate smooth inputs and lane stability consistent with team standards.

A functioning microphone with "Push-to-Talk" enabled is required for all official sessions to ensure clear communication during races.

Drivers are expected to update their simulator (iRacing/Roblox), Windows, and GPU drivers before race night. Missing a race start due to an "unexpected update" is considered an unexcused absence.

Drivers are encouraged to calibrate their FOV correctly. Running a distorted "fish-eye" view creates blind spots and misjudged distances, contributing to avoidable contact.