If I'm forced to go slow, i certainly do whatever I can to warm the gear. That includes working the tires to get whatever heat in them I can. The result of that heat gained is not linear. 'Nuff said about that.
If I'm NOT forced to go slow, I won't. I might ADD some corners to the track, or axagerate the corners that are there, but i'll do it at a faster pace.
Jeff, I never knew about that method at the ARRC. When I was first on grid for qualifying, I knew I was in the slower class of the group (ITA, IT7), and would be in the top ten overall if i was lucky. In other words, there were ten guys behind me that were faster. Needing only one or two laps, i decided my out lap was going to be brisk, and I hoped for the best. My out lap and two fliers was all I needed, and i pulled in after 4 laps with the next guy barely visible in my mirror.
Atlanta is a long track, (relatively, 2.5 mi?) and groups at the ARRC aren't typically that large. (25+-) Further, the guys there usually are pretty sharp, so it's not unusual for you to see guys doing a couple fliers and calling it done if they like their time. So the whole 'group them tight" method makes little sense to me there, especially when you think that they aren't lined up according to practice times.
The problem is only acute when it's a short track like Lime Rock with fully subscribed groups of 35+, and lots of guys in it who will pound around at their full speed for the entire session. I can see a system being needed at Summit with the big groups there, and certainly at Lime Rock.
What about a random draw? First Q session, you pull in to grid, and you pull a grid spot out of a hat? Grid has a hat with all the grid numbers written on poker chips in it, not too tough,,, and at every LRP race I've been to, there have been PLENTY of grid people, so staffing shouldn't be too tough. I bet they'd have fun with it.
I don't block people if they want to get by. Does it give me an advantage? You bet!! Why wouldn't I take advantage of it??? 