Driving standards is an interesting topic that I was discussing with a few other racers this weekend. my gut feeling is that there are a couple of key factors that add up...
1/ Electric cars, especially 4wd, on grippy astro, are missiles. Anyone can whack in a 6.5 - 5.5 motor, punch it and hang on. If people are honest, how many of us are 100% in control of our cars all of the time? If you're racing nose to tail; you need reactions like lightening.
2/ 5 minute races. You have 5 minutes to get it done, so you have to be 'on it' all the time. I race 8th as well, where typically we have 20, 30, 45 or 60 minute finals. The longer duration means people aren't so flat out, elbows out, the whole time. You have time to sit behind someone and plan a way past. The race tends to ebb and flow more, and cars typically aren't so bunched up.
__________________
|