But when it isn't, and someone's sole means of trying to win is trying to knock you off the road, they're a w**k. I've been in races with one other person, on courses that go round the whole map, 10+ miles, and within ten seconds of starting they're trying to spin me. Learn to drive and you might actually get somewhere.
GTA races are generally fair game. I don't mind bumping or incidental contact either, but deliberately ramming someone is just complete scum of the earth stuff.
Ed - I just realised my original post said "GTA races," I meant races in the game in general, whoops