For several years, as part of my Christian Ministry and in my role as a Motorsports Christian Chaplain, I have sponsored racing "leagues" in iRacing. My goal has always been to create an atmosphere where drivers could compete while still being Christ Followers in obedience to His "Love Thy Neighbor" (Matthew 22) and "Love Each Other" (John 13) command.
Competition as a mature "born again" Christian is a difficult activity filled with temptations to fall into the "ways of the world".
The essence of maintaining your Christian "walk" as a follower of Christ in auto racing is to avoid doing harm to others.
The "worldly" racer competes to win---which by definition is to finish ahead of the other guy or other guys---and to most it means to "beat" or defeat the other guy. It is a fight--or a war. There are limits, official of normative, but most of the time, the greatest satisfaction and pride comes from "winning" no matter how much harm is done to others. (Excess pride and seeking outcomes to build up pride are not consistent with God's will for Christians.)
God delights in people who use and display their abilities and skills. Christians understand these "gifts" are from God who created us. So mastering the controls of a racecar, driving it with skill and speed is glorifying God. Using that skill to force others to slow down to "make room" for you is not. Forcing others to slow down is in fact doing harm and is in clear violation of the "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Love Each Other" commands.
Racers will understand that once on the track, competition will inevitably involve one car passing another. For the purpose of illustration, think of a race track as a series of a corner followed by a straight, followed by a corner. Passing occurs during corner exit, on the straight, or during corner entry.
A faster car can almost always pass a slower car during corner exit or on the straight without causing the slower car to do anything in response--in other words, no harm is done to the slower driver. Problems inevitably occur when a pass is attempted in the corner entry.
There are sporting codes, rules and norms regarding this passing in corner entry, but there is a great deal of disagreement as to what is OK, vs OK but not "good sportsmanship". Dive bombing is a term used to describe what is least tolerated and considered unfair by most---but also allowed in almost every racing league--especially professional ones.
Dive bombing is where the overtaking driver brakes later than normal, surging ahead and blocking the driver being overtaken from his normal racing line, or forcing him to use brakes or to reduce throttle to slow more than he would normally do so. The Divebomber typically slides out and must slow more than normal at the apex, so he also creates an additional obstacle to the overtaken driver. (In oval track racing, this form of Divebombing is called a "slide job".)
In more refined settings, divebombing is frowned upon, but it's cousin, the corner entry blocking pass is allowed and sometimes even encouraged as "doing battle". It is referred to often as the "Corner Entry Attack". This is where, because of a draft during the preceding straight, a mistake by the overtaken driver in the previous corner, or by superior use of brakes, the overtaking car is able to pull along to the inside, partially or fully at the turn in point. This creates a form of a "game of chicken". If the overtaken driver does not yield, a collision can occur, or in some instances, if the two drivers are skilled and/or able to predict each other's behaviour, the cars can enter the corner side by side. Side by side is very dangerous and can only be accomplished safely with great skill and if both cars slow.
There are many opinions on the best way to avoid this side by side confrontation---by defining who "owns the corner". Front wheel ahead of rear wheel, fully aside---whatever---no matter what the "rule" there is almost always an argument--things are happening so fast, nobody is using a measuring stick---both cars are guessing the other's exact relartive position. The turn in point is a busy place and eyes should be on the apex, not the other car. Often, the overtaken driver will feel "cheated" and "abused" by the overtaking driver who has "stolen" the corner. The overtaking driver will argue that he earned the corner and he "owned" the corner. Lots of opportunity for anger.
One thing is for sure, passing during corner entry ALWAYS causes the other driver to have to slow down---therefore it does harm to that driver. (BTW, it also causes the overtaking driver to have to slow as well.) Make no mistake--a Dive Bombing and the Corner Entry Attack is just that---an "attack" on the driver being overtaken, and unless the driver ahead "surrenders" it will become a "battle". This "attack" can be defended against, if it is anticipated by the driver ahead---he simply occupies the inside line way prior to corner entry, making it impossible for the overtaking driver to pass on the inside. This is sort of like a soldier raising his shield to defend against an attacking adversary. In addition, in some corners, it is possible for the overtaken driver to perform an "over/under" manuever where by using a late apex, he can go under or inside the car that passed him and retake his position on corner exit---this is more common in oval track racing, but is still possible in some corners in road racing.
When the overtaking driver is clearly faster than the overtaken driver, most times, the pass is easily accomplished during the corner exit or straight. Problems occur when the two are close to the same speed and ability--in these cases, passing during corner exit or the straight is much more diffucult unless the overtaken driver makes a huge mistake.
So when "equals" or "near equals" are running close together, there is a great temptation to pass during corner entry AND to follow too closely.
Following too closely results in the overtaking car bumping into the car ahead on corner entry or exit---it is often the result of being previously passed by the car ahead who "forced" a pass in corner entry.
There is a way to "legally" defend against this corner entry passing. The car in front simply occupies the inside line early. This requires a slower speed thru the corner. Although it is "defending" and prehaps less aggressive than attacking, it is still a form of conflict.
Another factor to consider, is that the driver that is passed or is prevented from passing often feels that competition is a bit or a lot unfair. So passing AND defending creates conflict and anger. Not condusive to "Friendly" competition.
My view is that passing during corner entry (the "attack") and following too closely is not consistent with Christ's commands. Even in a "game", attacking others is just not consistent with Christian behavior. Racing can be a demonstration of skill and speed--it does not have to be a fight, and it does not need to be a game of beating the other guy. I also believe that you can compete and win races without doing harm to others----practice---qualify well---learn how to start well---develop skill and do your best at all times. Colossians 3:23-24
One should also remember that The Gospel is all about salvation being possible because Christ died to pay for our shortcomings--past, present and future. None of us is perfect. We will make mistakes. Salavation comes with our justification when we accept Christ---Sanctification takes time---so do not judge your fellow Christians---just set a good example. Racing and competition presents many temptations---we are taught to be in the world, but not of it. So do not avoid competition---just do your best to compete in a way that brings glory to God and not just to yourself.
