lateapex911
Super Moderator
Listen Todd, you get EITHER, and entries will rise................
So, who's goin'?
- Thread starter lateapex911
- Start date
RSTPerformance
New member
3. My feelings towards split starts is fineIts the Chief Steward who makes the call. There was a really bad accident at Mid-Ohio about 7 years ago during a split start. Litigation and other ugly things came out of that mess. So SCCA stewards tend to shy away from split starts. ( My opinion here
Todd
[/b]
I don't want to bash stewards but... the chief last year wasn't on his game. The chief steward last year didn't even understanding what split starts and/or split grids were and was completely against listening to us (the drivers) to help make the racing safer and more fun. I begged and pleaded for him to work with us and to try split starts in at least one of the races sunday... It was a fustrating experience that really made me question the investment/fun ratio for a return.
If you want split starts my gut feeling is that you will need to have it in the supps. Todd, if you want split starts then why not have it in the supps???
Good luck!
Raymond
downingracing
New member
And Split Starts aren't always Safer and More Fun.... It can make Turn 1 safer and more fun, but you then have WAY faster cars that now need to negotiate the slower cars (in the faster class) for the first few laps. Usually you are coming up on these 'slower' cars towards the end of the race. With a split start, they are dicing w/ the other cars in their class (start of the race!) and that can make getting past them a harder thing to do. (more frustrating and definately not safer...) Just my .02¢
RSTPerformance
New member
Matt-
Agreed... and reviewed.
The problem at Mid Ohio with the ITB/ITS cars is that the grid is split based on times, meaning that ALL of the ITS cars turn faster laps and the ITB cars wont catch the ITS cars. Sounds great we get a split grid (Not the same as a split start), however the less performing cars and drivers are slower in the first few laps with traffic and ITB cars can easily stay infront of some backmarker ITS cars. Then mix in the slower back sections with the fast front sections and you get one holding up another for at least 5-10 laps before things are sorted out. The ITB leaders are forced to make risky moves to stay infront of the ITS cars at the end of streights so that they can keep thier advantage over the next car. It reallty caused problems for us at this particular track.
I also understand that ITB cars would be lapped much faster... That to me doesn't seem as an issue because the cars that would be lapping us are not cars with similar speeds and they will easily pass down the streights.
Raymond - My .02¢ after experiencing it first hand
Agreed... and reviewed.
The problem at Mid Ohio with the ITB/ITS cars is that the grid is split based on times, meaning that ALL of the ITS cars turn faster laps and the ITB cars wont catch the ITS cars. Sounds great we get a split grid (Not the same as a split start), however the less performing cars and drivers are slower in the first few laps with traffic and ITB cars can easily stay infront of some backmarker ITS cars. Then mix in the slower back sections with the fast front sections and you get one holding up another for at least 5-10 laps before things are sorted out. The ITB leaders are forced to make risky moves to stay infront of the ITS cars at the end of streights so that they can keep thier advantage over the next car. It reallty caused problems for us at this particular track.
I also understand that ITB cars would be lapped much faster... That to me doesn't seem as an issue because the cars that would be lapping us are not cars with similar speeds and they will easily pass down the streights.
Raymond - My .02¢ after experiencing it first hand
dj10
New member
Raymond if the front running ITB cars are catching the backmarkers ITS cars it seems to me that you will have to make some moves on these people sometime and somewhere during the race. If you catch them latter on in the race they may screw you up just as bad. Just be carefull what you wish for.
gran racing
Super Moderator
It wasn't the back markers I (and Ray) had challenges with - it was the mid-pack ITS cars. I'm not sure which is best.
Andy Bettencourt
Super Moderator
Isn't the main benefit to a SS at MO the fact that not everyone in the session can see the green flag as it's thrown?
That should be manditory.
That should be manditory.
gran racing
Super Moderator
Ah, good point.
What about starting it on the back straight as done in some other events?
What about starting it on the back straight as done in some other events?
lateapex911
Super Moderator
Yea, THAT is a great point. On one start, i just freakin guessed. I could kinda see the flag stand...out my left window, ....I remember thinking, "THIS is sorta screwy!"
Why can't we use the back straight line?
(If we can, I promise not to ask for standing starts!)
Why can't we use the back straight line?
(If we can, I promise not to ask for standing starts!)
Lets see,
Split starts: That one is a decision only the Chief Steward can make. I can suggest that its really wanted but to put it into the supps. will never fly. Now if the front row of the slower class were to slow way down and make a gap..........
Back Straight starts: 1st lap = 1/2 lap.
Pro Straight: As far as I know Topeka only recognizes and lists track records established on the club course for regional events.
Split starts: That one is a decision only the Chief Steward can make. I can suggest that its really wanted but to put it into the supps. will never fly. Now if the front row of the slower class were to slow way down and make a gap..........
Back Straight starts: 1st lap = 1/2 lap.
Pro Straight: As far as I know Topeka only recognizes and lists track records established on the club course for regional events.
dickita15
New member
I believe it is normal for the chief steward to review supps before they are published. Split starts are a great idea as long as they are executed well and there is time to plan for them. To do it well it helps to have two pace cars. There needs to be a large gap between the two groups, 40-60 seconds. The big advantage to having it in the supps is that everyone has the same expectations.
Recipe for disaster
Each different course configuration is recorded by timing and scoring as a separate track record. I do not believe Topeka has anything to do with track records.
downingracing
New member
And if we move the start to the back straight (which I would actually like!), I won't get the benefits of the radios telling me "GREEN, GREEN, GO!, GO!
Seeing the flag at Mid-Ohio (front straight) is hard for anyone outside the top few rows...
Seeing the flag at Mid-Ohio (front straight) is hard for anyone outside the top few rows...
gran racing
Super Moderator
I was on pole for ITB in one race last year and couldn't see the green (it was just out of sight). Like Jake, I saw other cars look like they were going and just went with it.
The more I think about it the more I'm a fan of doing the start on the back straight. Using the Pro course would also open up another passing opportunity and maybe help eliminate some of the need for a split start.
The more I think about it the more I'm a fan of doing the start on the back straight. Using the Pro course would also open up another passing opportunity and maybe help eliminate some of the need for a split start.