41 replies to this topic

[Jim Drago]

Many have the wrong interpretation of bump drafting, especially newer drivers to the class. Here is my 2 minute explanation of who, when and where.

First of all, if it is a hit of more than 5 MPH difference in speed, it is a collision, not a bump draft. YOU SHOULD go around if closing by more than a few MPH.

MOST use bump drafting WAY too much and incorrectly IMO. The only time I bump anyone is if it is a team mate or a competitor who is running the same
times as I am. Then only if I am barely getting back to his bumper on the straights. If we are the same speed in the corners and I am faster on straights, I ALWAYS go around. The only time I will ever stay behind a car that I am faster than is if that person is a team mate and we are working together to catch the leaders. I must stress, in that case, the other car is running almost identical times to me. NEVER push a car more than .5+ a lap slower than you for any reason.

Here is an example of when you should go around and not push When your tow hook spears through a bumper cover and through an aluminum rebar, that is a pretty good indication The next step is a broken diff housing. I have seen that happen several times, thankfully, never to me.

[tony senese]

I believe we call that slam drafting...... and everyone would be well served to remember its cousin, slam dancing and the havoc that causes!!!!

[Bruce Wilson]

Somebody miss a shift?

[Caveman-kwebb99]

So... You were going 5mph or more slower than someone? Dude your slipping!!!!!! the Gas is the one on the Right, you know, that one that you bent the living hell out of

[LarryKing]

Well done Jim. I hope everyone sees this and takes it to heart.

IMO bump drafting helps the bumpee more than the bumper (providing it's not a slam) Personally, if I can get to someone's bumper I'm going to try to pass them, not help them.

(You should see what happens when the entire field whoas-up after the checker flag... except for one guy)

[Mitch Reading]

Jim, great post.

[Alberto]

My first experiences in SM with "bump drafting" qualifies as collisions. I'm 8-10 seconds off pace in my rookie season with a bright orange rookie plate and a couple of shiny happy people decide to slam into my bumper rather than going around me for some reason. Happened in quali as well as race. I especially appreciated being "bump drafted" going into a braking zone setting up for a corner and then again at the exit when I got slowed down keeping the car under control.

Almost seems like some people think of it as a rookie initiation. It stopped once I threatened to file paper at a driver meeting.

[Jim Creighton]

Watching the "bump drafting" at Homestead was a treat. One incidence of bump drafting resulted in the driver of the bump drafted car having to reach up and pull his helmet back down on his head. Another wasn't quite as bad but I did see his entire body go back and then so far forward that he was straddle the steering wheel with his whole body. Funniest thing was watching a lapped car pull way down & out of the way so Von C did not "bump draft" him.

[Ron Alan]

Almost seems like some people think of it as a rookie initiation. It stopped once I threatened to file paper at a driver meeting.

No chance it stopped...you just got a little quicker and or move sooner It's part of the game...but only(as Jim says)at very similar speeds...and on the straights!

[granracing]

Do most regions look the other way towards bump drafting? I've been at a few events where stewards sent out warnings to groups that if they saw bump drafting, cars would be black flagged. It would be nice if the ruling were consistently applied. There sure is an advantage using it in situations like Jim referenced at certain tracks.

[LarryKing]

It's part of the game...

No it's not. First time at VIR many years ago Squirrel got a "Welcome to VIR" slam in the climbing esses for no other reason than because they could. Moose thinks it's bullshit.

This stuff ain't dangerous enough for y'all without playing grab-ass at 90 mph?

[Bruce Wilson]

That's not bump drafting. Bump drafting is when you are working with someone to either stay in line or widen a gap. Everything else is just roughing someone up, which is not part of the game and should garner a visit to the steward -- during the session. I usually play the (real) bumpdrafting game with friends, teammates, or when I get the hand signal. It's that missed shift (other guy) while I'm checking my mirror that causes problems

[Keith Andrews]

Agreed Jim, I know there have been times where I thought it was the right thing to do and other times I realized it just wasn't.

The best one I had was coming out of a corner behind a guy and having him wave me up and then he missed a shift WHAM DAMN the result was similar to your bumper.

[Jim Drago]

Also at Homestead, as we were lapping a car, the lapped car raced the leaders as we passed him, gave us all the bump draft sign and seemed really mad that no one pushed him. Also raced me deep into turn 1-2 and caused me to drop a two wheels at two, didn't lose a position, but I was catching first and second, after that I lost contact. I mistakenly assumed a lapped car wouldn't race me for to the corner, I was wrong. That's what I get for assuming.

[Randy Thieme]

Do most regions look the other way towards bump drafting? I've been at a few events where stewards sent out warnings to groups that if they saw bump drafting, cars would be black flagged. It would be nice if the ruling were consistently applied. There sure is an advantage using it in situations like Jim referenced at certain tracks.

This was before my time but apparantly a few years ago at PIR there was a famous (or infamous) episode where a frustrated steward taped mustard packets to the bumpers of the Spec Miata's. If your mustard packet was broken at the end of the session you were in trouble.

[Bruce Wilson]

This was before my time but apparantly a few years ago at PIR there was a famous (or infamous) episode where a frustrated steward taped mustard packets to the bumpers of the Spec Miata's. If your mustard packet was broken at the end of the session you were in trouble.

Proved to be useless. Have you ever tried to open a mustard packet

[Glenn]

This was before my time but apparantly a few years ago at PIR there was a famous (or infamous) episode where a frustrated steward taped mustard packets to the bumpers of the Spec Miata's. If your mustard packet was broken at the end of the session you were in trouble.

Tried it at Summit Point 2 years ago......they will NEVER do that again Mike ate their lunch!!!!

[Rob Burgoon]

Tried it at Summit Point 2 years ago......they will NEVER do that again Mike ate their lunch!!!!

A very dry and uncondimenty lunch no doubt.

[Ron Alan]

No it's not. First time at VIR many years ago Squirrel got a "Welcome to VIR" slam in the climbing esses for no other reason than because they could. Moose thinks it's bullshit.

This stuff ain't dangerous enough for y'all without playing grab-ass at 90 mph?

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you...mistakes can be made in a high speed push. I'm just saying it's not going to stop as a practice...especially the cooperative portion. The unexpected push or very hard "tap" is uncalled for. Missed shifts aren't part of this equation as most drive around those...it's when they occur and the following car can't react that things get a little. lets say, "bumpy" I think Jims definition of collision is accurate in these cases

[FTodaro]

Can we also talk about the folks who want to bump draft at the entry to the corner which is likely not to friendly,

Jim that looked to be a pritty good lick, it looks like you were used as a brake to slow down.