lateapex911
Super Moderator
I concur, though you are well aware my motivations had zero to do with "racing" him. I'd have been just tickled pink if he'd been able to run away and hide.
GA
P.S., I concede to the "passing driver's responsibility" rule, always have. But I'm still looking for that "door handle rule", where it's OK for me to move out - or turn in - on someone alongside as long as there's less than 1/2-car overlap. If you find that, let me know.
True. on both counts.
The second one is interesting.
The common perception is that a guy has "overlap sufficient enough to own the corner when the nose of the passing car is about halfway up the car being passed."
Even that statement is grey, and many can and will poke holes in it.
But that's not where I'm going.
I submit that if we assume that is a basic guideline, circumstances alter that "go/no go" condition drastically. (ignoring the actual drivers involved, for the purposes of this discussion)
For example, if I'm racing Dan Sheppard (my fiercest local competitor in my class) for the win in class, that's a good guideline, and i know if I'm passing him, I damn well better be to that point at turn in or he's a comin' down, LOL. On the other hand, if I'm racing one of the other guys in IT7, I know I might get away with only having a nose inside. And I'll try that, leaving a leeetle reserve in braking so I can jump back should they decide to claim the corner.
Conversely, I know I will come down on Dan Sheppard as if he isn't even on the track unless I think he's got a nose up to my door. (Key word: "think". I'll check the mirrors of course, and I'll use the usual spacial awareness and timing clues, but in the end if I feel he COULD be that far alongside, I yield, if I can't confirm that he actually is.)
Now, in the rain, I'll change that go/no go. In qualifying, I wouldn't think about fighting for a corner like that. Dumb. My lap is ruined, so it's better for all concerned to not draw it out.
In a test day and if I come up on say, a Legend car, there's no way in hell I'm sticking a nose in unless I have my nose even with his nose at turn in...at the least. Or I just back out and give him a 20 second gap.
In a race like this? If I'm slower, I let the in another class fast guy through. Maybe I'll learn something.
So, I think the whole who owns the corner thing is highly dependent on situation and requires judgement and consideration of the current circumstances.