4 replies to this topic

[Danny Steyn]

I suspect some of you like watching Indy Car. I really like the new Competition and Race Director Beaux Barfield's approach to the blocking rule.

Basically if you move in reaction to the cars move behind you - that's blocking and you will be penalized. If you make a preemptive (pro-active) move, that's defensive driving and will be OK.

In this weekends race at Texas, Barfield pulled in Will Power for a stop and go penalty for just such a reactive move on Tony Kanaan who had moved to the inside. Powers reactive move ended up breaking TK's front wing and he had to pit, but the stop and go penalty also put Will Power down a lap. NOW THAT IS A DETERRENT! Wont see WP making that move again in a hurry.

This seems such a simple and easy way to interpret the blocking rule and so easy to protest after the race with video.

You get a run out of the corner, come up on a guy and he moves to the inside line to protect the line, thats defensive driving. No harm no foul

But if you get the run out of the corner and you come up on the guy ahead and you make your move and then he reacts and moves to block you. That's not defensive - that's blocking. Protest and show your video. We will only have to hear about one or two blockees getting severe penalties and missing out on wins or podiums and this swerving left to right will disappear real quick.

Lets hear the opinions.

[MPR22]

Loved the rule and better yet loved its enforcement!!!

Really enjoyed seeing how the drivers handled tire degradation during the race. Much more interesting than seeing who's car had the best top speed or who saved the most push to passes at the end of the race.

[LarryKing]

The new chassis is butt-ugly. Homer Simpson draws an Indy Car.

Oh, blocking. Seems like it could, sometimes, be a fine line and somewhat subjective.

Senna would have been screwed by this rule. (sorry, couldn't stop myself)

[KentCarter]

Bump-drafting isn't very dangerous. Blocking, on the other hand, is. Both adversely affect the racing and both are common. I WISH the SCCA had even the slightest care about it.

Oh.... and Beaux's rule on it is damned near perfect.

[DrDomm]

Sadly, I forgot to tape that race. But I like the new philosophy on defending vs. blocking.

(I'm a former CART/Champcar fan, and like the new chassis. The only ugly part is that in front of the rear wheels. Hopefully new aero kits next year will make it more "openwheel".)