55 replies to this topic

[Sebastian Landy]

The thing about the starts that they do in today's Le Mans Classic, such as the one in that video, is that the starts are really just for show. What they do is regrid the field just a few corners down from there in the correct order (or sometimes incorrect order). So it isn't really a Le Mans start as much as Le Mans "run into the cars and fly off for a corner" start.

 

I think you mean one like this:

 

P.S. Jacky Ickx won that race.  

[Glenn Davis]

Le Mans start?  Heck, why don't you just put a 2k swim and a 5k run before the race?

[MPR22]

Le Mans start?  Heck, why don't you just put a 2k swim and a 5k run before the race?

Now your talking, some of us would like a head start based on personal ballast.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

If u do LeMans start... charbs will win race by a mile since he races without seat belts... only sm raver u know who can turn sideways in the car to wave to you as he passes. Charbs would probably start race with either just lap belts or no belts... lol

[nickatgt]

Many thanks to all those that contributed. I received some good ideas and I think we will be able to give you a fun race. Right now it looks like we will do a start similar to what Danny suggested. Still working on the payouts. I will be publishing supps and schedules in the next week or so.

 

BTW, I know what a LeMan's start, what I couldn't figure out is where the pace car fitted in. The underwear idea is creative and well as the 5K run and 2K swim prior to the race. Other ideas of a wet T-shirt contest at Tech to determine winners were rejected by the TransAM guys because they thought it would take spectators from their race.

 

Thanks again, see you at the ARRC.

 

Nick

[RussMcB]

Years ago at Lime Rock Park we had a Little Lemans for IT cars.  At the sound of the starting gun, a crew person from each team ran to the race car (which was on the front straight, backed up to the pit road guard rail with driver already buckled in).  The crew person snatched a plastic cup that was taped to the car's trunk and the driver could take off.

 

It worked okay, but there were a LOT of cars in the grass on the way to T1.

 

I don't think Rd Atl's pit lane would work for something like that, though, since it's not next to the front straight like LRP's.

[davew]

Why not a 3 way split start

 

1.6

1.8

99+

[Todd Lamb]

Well we can all agree the 1.6's need a half lap head start, right?  RIGHT???

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Start allconference champs and all previous national champs at the back and then grid the rest of us on our qualifying times...

[Bench Racer]

Well we can all agree the 1.6's need a half lap head start, right?  RIGHT???

Yup, sure, like this one. 

 

[nickatgt]

Once again thanks for your feedback on the feature race that we are trying to pull together for the ARRC.

 

"The Luck of the Draw" Spec Miata Challenge will be held on Sunday November 3rd at approximately 12:10 PM during the ARRC Prior to the Trans AM Race. There will be a warm-up session in the morning but grid positions will be in inverse order based on best times from qualifying or races on the previous two days. Cost for the race will be $200 with $100 going into the prize fund. Prize money will be distributed based on a drawing at the conclusion of the race. We are still working on the distribution of the tickets for the drawing but everyone that races in the event will have a chance to win and the top finishers will receive extra tickets increasing the chances of winning a cash prize.

 

One remaining question...We are thinking of bringing all cars into the pits after 10 laps draw for a new grid place and restart for 10 more laps of racing. Leaders at the half stop will receive additional tickets. We feel that this will add to the excitement for the spectators.

 

Does this appeal to you?

 

Again trying to make it fun and different.

 

Thanks again for your feedback.

 

Nick

[Jim Drago]

One remaining question...We are thinking of bringing all cars into the pits after 10 laps draw for a new grid place and restart for 10 more laps of racing. Leaders at the half stop will receive additional tickets. We feel that this will add to the excitement for the spectators.

Does this appeal to you?

Again trying to make it fun and different.

Thanks again for your feedback.

Nick

No, not at all. inversing the field is fine. Stopping mid way is manufacturing excitement that few if any will want and could end badly. probably a bad idea. Do whatever on start, but once the race starts, let us race.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

If there is more than one start on purpose I am out... why risk damage on a start twice...

[Bench Racer]

One remaining question...We are thinking of bringing all cars into the pits after 10 laps draw for a new grid place and restart for 10 more laps of racing. Leaders at the half stop will receive additional tickets. We feel that this will add to the excitement for the spectators.

 

Does this appeal to you?

 

Again trying to make it fun and different.

 

Thanks again for your feedback.

 

Nick

As a Spec Miata owner I have no direct dog in this hunt at Atlanta. Take the most popular class in the SCCA at the most high profile regional SCCA race of the SCCA and have a race titled, Bring on the Clowns.

[nickatgt]

So far it looks like a mid race stop is a non-starter.  Will give it a little more time but I don't think we will do it. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Nick

[FTodaro]

Can we make it that you chug down a 20 oz beer then run to your car and start? I need some advantage.

[LarryKing]

How about a ramp on the pit straight that jumps over old school buses? Crowds love that shiz!

[RussMcB]

Road & Track magazine use to have backwards races, where the cars raced in reverse for about 2 laps.  I heard manufactures started cheating up their cars with taller reverse gears.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

it could be really cool to run the track in the opposite direction... 

[Brocodile]

School bus jumps and backwards races are a cool idea, but not needed for good entertainment. About three years back, Miata was the featured marque at the Mitty and somebody had the bright idea to invite Spec Miatas to participate. About a dozen of us showed up. We were repeatedly admonished to comply with the vintage racing no-contact rules and we all nodded in unison, solemnly swearing not to hit the vintage cars. It was not openly discussed, but all the SM guys assumed it was open season between the SM's, as long as no collateral damage was incurred by the vintage guys. We proceeded to race each other hard and trade paint in the usual way, using vintage Vettes and Mustangs as picks. They would blow by us on the back straight, then we would swarm them like angry bees in the twisties. Crazy fun. At least for us.

 

As far as I know, the dents and scuffs were confined to the SM class, and there was no collateral damage, although I did once "help" a 914-6 up the hill out of Turn 5 (huh?). Incidental. Besides, he needed it. Where's the gratitude?

 

The Mitty draws quite a crowd, and all of us SM drivers received a jubilant standing-O on the cool-down lap from spectators all the way around the track. They enjoyed watching some real, earnest racing, rather than the usual parade of show cars. The organizers and some of the vintage participants were less amused. Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted.

 

For what it's worth, I think the inverted field is a good idea. Base it on qualifying times. Using race finishing order introduces too many vagaries. Qualifying is a better indicator of inherent speed. Race in legal SM trim. Be as creative as you want with the prizes past the top three.