31 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

Not here. We were specifically told in SCCA school to NOT use headlights, and in the past ten years at SCCA events I have not seen even ONE car use them. Not once.

Hmmm, well that doesn't always happen. I know a person that has done it at Laguna ^^^^.
J~

[dtfastbear]

Then that is definitely a club-by-club, region-by-region custom. I've seen it done all the time here in NorCal in both SCCA and NASA. Also saw it at the NASA Nationals as the leaders caught lapped traffic. I see how someone could see it as obnoxious, but I'd argue they're just being a little too sensitive. It's information, not a command.

Cheers,

Dean

[Keith Novak]

Personally, I'd talk to him once I'm nice and calm and get his side of the story. A number of things could have been going though (or missing from) his mind. Asking the guy "Hey, did you know I was leading the field and you..." isn't threatening, he'll know it was a big enough deal that you came to talk about it. If there's a difference of opinion on what was the right course of action in that situation, you can discuss it, and if it turns out he's just an you'll know it for future reference.

A mixed group I was in last year played together a lot better by the end of the year than at the beginning. Some of it sorted itself out on the track as people figured out who's fast where. Some involved paint exchanges, and there were a number of discussions...not all bad ones. I had a 911 driver tell me that he saw a few of us racing hard in the final laps and backed off rather than try to get around, which I found rather cool of him. Knowing that, if I saw him in a similar situation I'd do the same.

[Ron Alan]

Not here. We were specifically told in SCCA school to NOT use headlights, and in the past ten years at SCCA events I have not seen even ONE car use them. Not once.

I guess all I know is SFR region, and it is common to try and get the attention of a laper or a back marker in another class, with headlights. I don't see it as being un-courteous...quite the opposite...making it so all parties are on the same page seems a benefit. Because most guys in this situation want to know, and are happy to yield in order to not get in the middle of a leaders race. It's great when the corner workers are on top of where the leaders are in mixed class(or the same class)races, because the blue/yellow flag usually waves long before the faster car reaches the slower car giving them a corner or 2 advanced notice!

Bill, we can just agree to disagree. But other than soliciting feedback, I don't see Craig trying to flame anyone...nor was I...I just stated what I saw...which in this case was a driver not being completely aware.

Dean nails this situation in every post he wrote...always the calm voice of reason

[Johnny D]

Dean nails this situation in every post he wrote...always the calm voice of reason

+1

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I think maybe a blue flashing light that you can slap up on the dash might work like Starsky and Hutch would use he was going slow enough he could have just pulled over on the shoulder anyway...

This happens in every group whether it be NASA or SCCA, I have had more guys let me by then try to race me, but I had an out of class car cost be big time a dbl national, put it on the pole and was running second as we came throught a field of SRF and one just chopped me off in a corner causing me to lock them up and get freight trained by 4 or 5 cars. That was tought to take, and I was to damn mad to go talk to him for fear it might get out of hand. No reason to ever let this stupid crap get out of hand at the race track, I aint gettin paid and, and I dont have fans coming out to see me race let alone fight with someone. Better to cool off and live to race another day. I would think this would be something that should be covered in Racing school but somehow I do not remember hearing anything about it when I did racing school.

[dtfastbear]

I'm putting together a classroom program on "racing essentials" for NASA NorCal rookies (all classes, not just SM) who are looking to get their license, and you can bet it will be covered in that!

[Bruce Wilson]

Not here. We were specifically told in SCCA school to NOT use headlights, and in the past ten years at SCCA events I have not seen even ONE car use them. Not once.

You were always too fast Jim. They get used.

[Bruce Wilson]

There are good stories out there too. I had Pratt Cole push me for about a quarter mile with his stang after he saw me lose a little ground becuase of him. He said I was watching an awesome race and didn't want to see it end becuase of me. I must have been going 130 as he pushed me back up the leaders

[Ron Alan]

There are good stories out there too. I had Pratt Cole push me for about a quarter mile with his stang after he saw me lose a little ground becuase of him. He said I was watching an awesome race and didn't want to see it end becuase of me. I must have been going 130 as he pushed me back up the leaders

I'd pay money to see that video And the other guys were thinking...holy crap...Bruce has a push to pass button???

[dtfastbear]

FWIW, I talked to a few drivers today and all reported MUCH BETTER inter-class cooperation this past weekend. I hope that wasn't just a fluke but rather was drivers in both classes "getting it" and making a concerted effort to improve the racing experience for the entire group.

Another FWIW, I spoke to the E30 driver in the original video that started this thread, too. Really super nice guy and the LAST thing he wanted to do was interfere with anyone's racing. I think a large contributing factor to the issues we've had between E30 and SM drivers is a lack of clear understanding of each others' cars. When I explained that SMs have no torque and that we'll lose a drag race every time away from a slow corner but that we have much higher corner entry and mid corner speeds, the driver totally understood how the cars could interact more cleanly on track. And that goes both directions between the classes. We also discussed that on the Sunday video, he was clearly engaged in battle with his own class and was very accommodating given those circumstances. Having these sorts of discussion in person at the track (after any sort of emotion has subsided...) will help us all learn more about cooperating with each other in a multi-class environment.

Just wanted to follow up on the original purpose of the thread.

Cheers,

Dean

[dp35]

IMO it would help in many situations if large, wide angle rear view mirrors were on every car (required) rather than OEM. Better yet if whatever mirrors they have are used, but that's another issue.