It depends on playing style.
Ramming on purpose IMHO is not good racing etiquette.
Weapons are to be used or absorbed, it's part and parcel of the game, I must admit to once or twice with other forum members here, ganging up on particular racers who have been sending rude, boastful, insulting, or sin of sins- accusations of cheating messages after races.

There is an old thread somewhere in the HD section about PITA none zone pilots who send messages after races like that, some funny stuff in it.

Turning around in a race and waiting for the front runner so you can shoot at then is not on, god help anybody I find doing that [I've only had one fool so far], I will make a point of remembering your name, find a room you are in, join, send the game invites out, and then you will know what it is like to get ganged up on by elite zone pilots.