Start procedure

[David Church]

I want to see what your opinion on the start procedure, line start or staggered.

You can explain as well if you want!!!
I think line starts worked well last year, but after the first round it seemed not as good, perhaps our series has become more competitive and staggered would work better??? What do you think???

[David Church]

I voted for staggered start. I think as our series is now much more competetive, this makes it more fair!!!

[mw02veg]

personally i think we should start our races as u would do the finals. all lined up 10 sec count down and go! if u have 8 cars in a heat with 4 rounds u would start on the front of the grid one round. the next round 2nd row 3rd round 3rd row and 4th round 4tt theres are 4 comvbos and everyone would start on each row at some point in qualy. i like the way in qualifying you are still trying to catch the person in front so keeps racing all the way through the run just my 2 pence

[reg]

ready teady go

[David Church]

Originally Posted by mw02veg

personally i think we should start our races as u would do the finals. all lined up 10 sec count down and go! if u have 8 cars in a heat with 4 rounds u would start on the front of the grid one round. the next round 2nd row 3rd round 3rd row and 4th round 4tt theres are 4 comvbos and everyone would start on each row at some point in qualy. i like the way in qualifying you are still trying to catch the person in front so keeps racing all the way through the run just my 2 pence

Ok cool, so vote.....

[mw02veg]

wots the point on voting its an awesome idea skip the vote ill do the griding up at the next meeting u know it makes sense

[David Church]

Staggered start is looking favorite on the vote though!!!

[mw02veg]

i recon for one meeting we should try it if it all goes to pot then go back to staggered

cant u put grid start as an option??

[niggs98]

was about to sudgest mike/grants idea as a change. think it could really work. i love the line starts but feel it makes or breaks a race before it has even started. if we cant have a full grided start like said previous then id go for staggers

[David Church]

Just checked cant change the poll, sorry, a good idea though, people that read this should comment about Grants idea and then we will get some idea of peoples opinion.

[tiny tom]

I think Grants idea is good, staggered starts is what I voted for.
But the line starts are good for carnage

[Gnarly Old Dog]

Line Starts all the way for me but I do concede that perhaps the placement of the start line needs some consideration.
TBH - I know that line-start fans are in the minority but hey, who said we should live in a democracy

In all seriousness, if you're gonna run staggered starts, you need a ref to ensure that the faster cars get called through because otherwise whats the point of them?

Without refs, many racers feel the urge to 'race' each other even on staggered starts and so this 'perceived' advantage goes out of the window.

Yes, the first corner can be carnage with line starts but if you don't train people in the art of the line start, is it any wonder that the finals get so messy ??

I'm old skool - Line starts all the way

PS - No, I'm not going to ref either


PPS - I'll turn up regardless of start procedure - whatever is easiest / best for the club is fine by me but my pref is for Line Starts

[Extreme]

I like Grant's idea

[Andy71]

Firstly, everything DC said is correct. I checked my opening lap time against others and in some cases I was losing around 7 seconds in one lap which when you consider how competitive the last meeting was (which is a very good thing ) it makes quite a difference BUT it is fun to go back to oldskool and because of this I think giving Grants idea a go could be the answer and give us the best of both!!

I did however vote stagger starts because that is the best option of those available.

[MattADH]

As one of the EPR offcials who has to look at the big picture, I am hapt to consider a four row line start but we would almost definitely have to start on the main straight and this would require someone from the club doing this job ALL DAY! I am not sure we have someone available or ask a responsible volunteer to do this...

Lets put it this way, with out current two row line start system, lots of the racers cant remember what number they are and if they are on the front or back row - what would it be like with a four row grid?

If we do run a four row line start grid start, potentially people could argue that they are eight metres (or so) behind the guys on the front and already at a disadvantage...

[chris_dono]

I'd like to see staggered starts, quickest car from previous heat first etc
I watched the line starts last time and there was carnage in some of them at the first corner.

[brookie]

As many of you well know I was dead against Line Starts when we were persuaded to try them a couple of winters ago but as the meetings have passed I and many others have got used to the methodology and the way that you have to approach your opportunities whether you are on the front or the rear line!

I also think that the structure of the heats and the numbers of new drivers, both new to EPR and the hobby generally, may well have been contributing factors during the first meeting. As Matt has said elsewhere, drivers will be seeded for the next meeting, primarily based on their BRCA formula for the 2010 season.

However, in the interests of fairness to all, but on the basis of it only being a trial, I've voted for Staggered Starts.

I'm with Matt on the rotating 4 line start idea. Having spent much time over recent winters re-arranging drivers who still seem unable to grasp the idea of the rotating two line starts, I think four lines would be a logistical nightmare and a full time job!
Unless we've got any volunteers to give up their days racing to run the Start Line? DC, Grant?
Also space would be an issue and the main straight would be the only option and this would once again open up the possibility of the traditional first corner pile much the same as the finals!

[mw02veg]

all fair points guys! i was kinda getting at starting on the straight and hopefully this would help a few ppl practice starts to the finals and be a bit more considerate to the ppl around them
i would quite happily volunter for the job of gridding up just as long as everyone does have a number on their car or another option the marshal closest to the main straight could line them up after he/she has marshaled.
i think this could be the way forward bit of space around urself when u start and still racing the ppl around u.

[David Church]

I am not sure this will work though, because your time doesnt start till you cross the loop for the first time, this could still lead to a reckless start.

[mw02veg]

surely line starts are on the basis when the buzzer goes ur time starts? wot happens with the timing in the finals when u start on the main straight?