2014 Road Atlanta March Major
A couple of pictures from Saturday AM.
Alex Mayer's new JDR looked nice. All new parts with zero miles. A very brief time in a race car's life...
Jason raced very well and lead for a long time but Coop got by on a restart, and Jason spun while trying to get the lead back. Impressive drive by both, and also for Alex to move up to third place. Did I mention he (nor anyone) had driven the car before today?
Saturday, lets "...start..." there
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JohnPaul
..... Complete carnage in today's race. At least 3 FA's and 1-2 P2's also came in on the hook. What a mess of a weekend ! (Saturday's race was indescribable)
.... it was extremely DANGEROUS
and I am just talking about SATURDAY's start ....!
-- First - mixed class racing is hear to stay - that is the reality of today's SCCA - The tri-group start was (and is) a good idea BUT everyone must be behave including drivers and officials - I was with several FF drivers and crew and watched the start right at the paddock at turn 1 turn in -This was we all agreed it looked like-
The groups were let out with three different pace cars (PC1, 2, 3) WAY TO FAR APART - the G1/FAs were well into the esses before the G2 group left and the G2 group were up and over the hill when the G3 group let go with their PC [Query were pace cars' speeds mandated - or was it "driver's" discretion ?]
The PC-1 left the track and the field was in horrible shape and NS - the PC-2 came in and NS for the G2 ... but then the PC-3 stayed out !!! and and at a very reduced speed for G3 group and continued at the slow rate up the hill -- we could her the FA's coming and sure enough they and much, much later later G2 got the start - We believed the FA were in about midway into the backstraight when the G3 cars [with PC-3 now in the pit entrance] started down the hill/12 -- They get the green flag and here come the FAs - full song and bearing down upon the tall end of the much slower starting G3 group in the middle of turn one !!!! OMG ---
For the driver(s) in FA:
The jump start was clearly to get a another pace lap albeit for more tire heat or for a faster start speed [one or two back flags for an infringing driver(s) will stop that activity] - :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:
For the officials:
FIRST race control and pit out procedures - the distance between letting the cars/groupings out was WAY TOO FAR - :thumbsdown: I speed limit should be mandated
SECOND the pace car drivers (who I believe should have a National License and be certified to serve in that capacity of now multi groups starts) maintain a rapid pace and should always have the next group at least in sight - :thumbsdown:
THIRD the Starter (who I believe should have a Majors License, be certified to serve in that capacity and travel to each race - nee: Charley Whiting/F1) should have ordered a start finish YELLOW when it was clear to EVERYONE at that the groups were spread out way to far and the FA were going to catch G3 at/before T1- it was again OBVIOUS to all who watched :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:
FOURTH - race control to corner workers - Yellow flag -- do not pass incident off the tract proceed cautiously; but a :yellowflag: is necessary especially when there is a car on/next to the surface a DANGEROUS location and BE PREPARED TO STOP - This is what I learned/was taught 35+ years ago - I have not read the rule book so apologies in advance if they have change BUT the should NOT have - [in F1 - if you do not slow down and verified by your data at a yellow flag sever penalties arise]
And - I am at a loss why the FF - F600/500 - FV cars in Group 2 were NOT given the same split start treatment - or maybe I have answered my own question.
A safe event is the responsibility of drivers and officials and should NOT be take lightly
Many many years ago a young FF driver was killed when he ran into the back of a safety vehicle reportedly trying to make up time at a yellow flag station - Earlier that year I had competed with him and parked next to him at the PBIR Pro FF race he was a great chat-up ---- Even today I remember him - I cannot recall the winner of either race - nor do I care.
This racing is done for competition, enjoyment - the total package for a club BUT it is very serious and dangerous business with extreme consequences and should be so treated as such by ALL ...........
EJ