Driving at regionals

[cmgreen]

Guys, since i started racing again this year, i have noticed that know one understands what to do in qualifying. What i mean is, we are not accually racing each other, just against time. So when someone comes up behind you and passes you, you dont lose any position. Its quicker to let the faster person go through than hold them up.

I had this on sunday. Some one in the race heat as me, said, i as was comming to pass them, "are you lapping" i said "dunno, let me through next corner, it will be quicker", "no i will lose position". At that point i just barged my way through.

But my point is he didnt know what to do and didnt understand the logic behind it.

I later explained, but didnt believe me.

I think it would be benifical to announce this at every regional/competition.

[jim76]

i agree. but most drivers won't let people through unless they are a full lap ahead because if the guy behind passes them and finishes a few seconds ahead, undoing the stagger, then they would drop a place under round by round qualifying.

they also fail to realise that it is MUCH easier (and usually quicker) to chase a faster guy and try and hang onto him for a few laps than have him inches off your rear wheels for the whole race!

[bigred5765]

agreed,
if you set of 1-2 seconds apart, and you catch them your already in front of them on the computer, qualifying is about your time on the PC not were you are in that heat, what counts is were you are at the end of that round, its much quicker to let them go,as one crash can cost you 3-5 seconds with a good marshal , and god nos were with a slow one,
for example if you won your heat in heat 1 with a 12 lap in 301
and in heat 12 the last person in the heat came last with a 13 325 he is still in front of you,
so heat position matters not a jut
let the faster cars go

[Northy]

Worsley actually announces in drivers briefing at each National that the racing doesn't start until about 4pm (finals). Maybe we need to announce at regionals too?

Also at nats we have a ref on the rostrum with a pc who can see who is where, and has in the past helped called cars through if they are on a good time.

G

[bigred5765]

sounds like a good idea northy

[loose]

From a novices point of view do they try put you in with similar standard racers in qualifying. Just thinking that the slower drivers have the right to focus on their own laps too, and if they're having to get out of the way every minute to let someone pass then they're adding time onto their own laps, and wouldn't that possibly knock them down in their own final average?

Not saying that I think it should be up to the faster guys to get past without help, not sayinf that at all, in fact I probably agree with what your saying, just putting the other side and enquiring as to whether there's any pre-grading to ensure you dont get first timers in the same heat as Johnny 'the bullet' fastpants.

[jim76]

yes, the heats are usually of similar standard drivers

[Spencer Mulcahy]

Originally Posted by loose

From a novices point of view do they try put you in with similar standard racers in qualifying. Just thinking that the slower drivers have the right to focus on their own laps too, and if they're having to get out of the way every minute to let someone pass then they're adding time onto their own laps, and wouldn't that possibly knock them down in their own final average?

Not saying that I think it should be up to the faster guys to get past without help, not sayinf that at all, in fact I probably agree with what your saying, just putting the other side and enquiring as to whether there's any pre-grading to ensure you dont get first timers in the same heat as Johnny 'the bullet' fastpants.

I want to chang my name to Johnny 'the bullet' fastpants what a cool name

[Chrislong]

This is one of those subjects that some of us who do understand it, take it for granted that everyone else does too.

Its also one of those subjects that some who understand it, forget all about it once on the track.

We could do with a proper written up "How it works" info page, one which is locked and sticky for all to read and refer to when anyone fails to spot it.


Personally, I like the staggered start. One thing I have always wondered, if a lap is 20 seconds and there are 10 cars, can we stagger the cars so car no.1 is almost completing a lap. 2 second stagger? Might not be possible though, just one of my random thoughts for the day.

[ashleyb4]

But letting a faster person through isnt much of a disadvantage if done properly.

A

[mattym0310]

hi, i agree with everyone on this, as it has happened to me from both sides.
it doesnt take much time to just go slightly wide or just move out of the way for a faster car. even if you believe your faster, im sure they will return the favour if you catch back up and are then the faster car.

it just helps so much. and saves stupid little arguments aswell, when people are shouting at each other trying to find out if they are being lapped, which puts drivers off.

also if you stay in front of the faster driver it could cause a crash and then waste alot of time. if you are behind them it might help you get faster times as you will be getting better lines.

i think it should be announced during the drivers briefing so that people do not forget and it makes those drivers who really arnt sure aware of it.

[modelimages]

the biggest issue at regionals is ability and the racers who book themselves in as an 8 when in reality their a 4, i do the race directing at CML its easy when bookng lee,neil etc but some total stranger you don't know says they are a 7, i look at practice and look at the car and then drop them by 2 it usually is accurate.

[loose]

Originally Posted by Spencer Mulcahy

I want to chang my name to Johnny 'the bullet' fastpants what a cool name

In my eyes you shall forever be Johnny my friend

Good advice all round, if ever I race a big event I'll get out of the way. Not usually an issue though as I spend most of my time on my roof or kneecappin poor marshalls.

Do you stickin your qualifying heat for every round or are drivers swapped if its obvious they're in the wrong heat. (I'd imagine not, too much of a headache to organize). Or do drivers get an idea of their ability and tend to be hinest when checking in, so you all find your level? Soz for the dumb questions.

[jim76]

Originally Posted by modelimages

i look at practice and look at the car and then drop them by 2 it usually is accurate.

like it John!

[modelimages]

in your case i took a couple more off

[jim76]

Originally Posted by modelimages

in your case i took a couple more off

aren't i leading the 4wd CML standings? i must surely be a 10!!!!!

[Spencer Mulcahy]

I agree with putting drivers in there own ability brachet as the other week at the York regional I was put in a very high heat which I didnt like, I was more bothered about getting in the way of the faster lads than concentrating on my own race so I did pants. If I was in a heat with drivers of my own ability I would be alot more relaxed and drive better. If it is done right you can let faster drivers through without losing time, you dont need to stop to let them through or slow down to much I will tell the faster driver which corner to take me and I pull offline just a little to let them through (then push to keep up with them and crash). If they are true talented drivers they will know how to take you properly.

[bretts]

if there's one thing I'll take away from this year's indoor regionals is the word 'LAPPING!!!' .

Serves me right though for not doing any outdoor regionals for a few years.....

I've dropped right down to an F5 so heat 1 for me at Batley and heat 2 at York!! You try telling Derek that I should be moved up a few heats when it says F5 next to your name. At Teeside I got the very nice man to move me up to Heat 4 (10) which was a little better, but I didn't finish lower than 3rd in my heat all day.

I really feel that every second counts at regionals, and I'm sure it put me off all day at Batley & York.

A different rating for Indoor and Outdoor would be nice for those who don't like the mud!!!

Anyway, moaning over outdoor here we come!!!!!

[bigred5765]

I'm not being nasty or pedantic here, but you don't finish any were in heats your racing against the computer this is what we were discussing in here
quote
but I didn't finish lower than 3rd in my heat all day
its the end of the round that counts
3rd in your heat means nothing

[cmgreen]

So are we all agreed that something should be mentioned at regionals?

Information is the best way of learning not complaining