264 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

Congrats to Mark.

Hat off to the whole field. Some good posts

 

So Why isn't he signed up for Daytona ??

Some Majors Requirement not fulfilled ?

 

I know, Florida isn't CA, yea I heard that before.

J~

[MPR22]

Tony Senes, Xavier Calderon - you two are EXACTLY what Spec Miata needs to flourish. From the moment we arrived, you guys were inclusive, you asked us our opinion, and you welcomed our feedback, even when it wasn't exactly what you wanted to here.

 

Apart from a few minor issues within your control and several which had nothing to do with you or NASA, the event was run in an exemplary fashion. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the two of you on how you and your team conducted the event. 

 

Thank you on behalf of all Spec Miata drivers

+1

[dfuser]

Alex Bolanos moved up 34 spots in about 30mins of green racing. I bet that was fun!

He made almost 15 spots by turn one.  When I get my car back I'll pull the video. I tried to stay behind him most of the race.  I started 30th and finished 10th.

[dfuser]

I wrote a long post about Friday's qualifying race and the decisions made by NASA officials. I decided not to post but I will say that if they were my employees they would be terminated for gross incompetence.

I am writing a letter also to nationals about the mess, specifically on the black flag and the second pace car that 4 of us a lap down.

[dfuser]

Now that it's over I'm looking to work on some data. Anyone running 17's willing to share a Traqmate file? PM me please.

 

Thanks

Paul Redante #51

Paul  I did not run in the 17's till Sundays Race, but I can Share.

[john mueller]

I am writing a letter also to nationals about the mess, specifically on the black flag and the second pace car that 4 of us a lap down.

 

 

JohnMueller@DriveNASA.com

 

You too Pat...  Please send me your thoughts.  Things can't improve if we don't see all angles.

[Ricoch3T]

I am writing a letter also to nationals about the mess, specifically on the black flag and the second pace car that 4 of us a lap down.

 

I was one of the four that got stuck behind the second pace car. I really couldn't understand how it was possible to finish behind people that were stuck in the gravel pit. I didn't fuss about it too much since apparently there wasn't much that could or was going to be done about it. 

My video from sunday. I tried to cut out the double yellows best I could. Has Henderson and Bolanos cramming it up the middle into turn one. dfuser you rolled on by me around the 3 min mark. 

[mhiggins10]

I was one of the four that got stuck behind the second pace car. I really couldn't understand how it was possible to finish behind people that were stuck in the gravel pit. I didn't fuss about it too much since apparently there wasn't much that could or was going to be done about it. 

My video from sunday. I tried to cut out the double yellows best I could. Has Henderson and Bolanos cramming it up the middle into turn one. dfuser you rolled on by me around the 3 min mark. 

Great camera angle- is that a GoPro stuck to your helmet?

[Ricoch3T]

It is... I watch a lot of Kicera's videos which is where i got the idea. I switched the cars incam to mobius so I had the go pro to use for something else. 

[Ron Alan]

Some good discussions and more info on what happened in the 1st qual race. Couple more questions...

How many laps is an official race in NASA?
What lap did this happen on?
How many cars went off? And of those how many had contact and or stuck in the gravel?
Did NASA go double yellow right away?
Did they know they weren't going to restart?
Were there people fighting to get the race results tossed and resort to qual times?

Doesn't sound like this "rain" on just one portion of the track(to start)..was normal at all. The first group of cars to find enough water on the track to suddenly hydroplane had no chance at all. Those behind had the benefit of seeing cars spin and maybe a frantically waving yellow...and I'm sure most reacted properly. To not resume racing because of this major incident and the same amount of water now on the rest of the track makes sense. But to penalize those who found a lake where there was wet pavement 2 minutes earlier after piecing all the facts together after the fact is a head scratcher??

[FTodaro]

Ron i think what happened in the qualifying Race format was unfortunate for some, lucky for others is the unintended outcome of the format. It can benefit the fast guys when all goes well.

 

I like the SCCA Major formula better but qualifying races are a part of our sport and as they say "that is racing"

 

Our region uses several ways to qualify for the Sunday race

 

Best time in qualifying, or Race sets the grid for  Sunday

Or finishing position in qualifying race sets grid for Sunday.

 

when your fast and can stay on top, your on top all weekend.

 

The counter point to people complaining about the format is that some guys can rip off one fast lap but are not consistent to stay there, the qualifying race format puts and keeps the consistent guys up front.

 

So as you can see, there is good and bad in both formats but i personally like the fastest lap as i am in the less than consistent camp.

[Parity]

Some good discussions and more info on what happened in the 1st qual race. Couple more questions...

How many laps is an official race in NASA?
What lap did this happen on?
How many cars went off? And of those how many had contact and or stuck in the gravel?
Did NASA go double yellow right away?
Did they know they weren't going to restart?
Were there people fighting to get the race results tossed and resort to qual times?

Doesn't sound like this "rain" on just one portion of the track(to start)..was normal at all. The first group of cars to find enough water on the track to suddenly hydroplane had no chance at all. Those behind had the benefit of seeing cars spin and maybe a frantically waving yellow...and I'm sure most reacted properly. To not resume racing because of this major incident and the same amount of water now on the rest of the track makes sense. But to penalize those who found a lake where there was wet pavement 2 minutes earlier after piecing all the facts together after the fact is a head scratcher??

 

Coming down the front straight you could not see cars going off. Fortunately for me my spotters were right there and were screaming on the radio to slow down. I reluctantly complied and watched several cars pass most of which went off. It was like driving into a car wash. By the time you could see cars being beached it was too late to react. If you hadn't already slowed significantly you were in trouble. It probably took less than 30 seconds for all this to happen. Having been there I think they made the right call going to FCY and then black once they realized how bad it was. Outside of that they went to the GCR and format to determine the outcome. The few guys who got caught behind the second pace car were arguably penalized.  Again IMO it was a strange set of circumstances which resulted in unforeseeable outcome but decisions made were in accordance with the format.

[Xav]

Parker Chase...2:15.9 fast lap from back of field? Bolanos 2:17.2 and Drennan 2:17.6

 

Thought I would comment on this. I have gone to our timing and scoring with regards to this issue. It was a manual entry that was put in and is invalid. Results will be updated.

[dfuser]

In my opinion Friday Qual race should have been scrapped considering what happened.  That would basically leave the Qual speeds and the Saturday race to determine Sundays format.

[dfuser]

Updated results:

 

 http://racehero.io/events/2015-nasa-eastern-championships-by-toyo/results/1073742941

[Ron Alan]

Ron i think what happened in the qualifying Race format was unfortunate for some, lucky for others is the unintended outcome of the format. It can benefit the fast guys when all goes well.

 

I like the SCCA Major formula better but qualifying races are a part of our sport and as they say "that is racing"

 

Our region uses several ways to qualify for the Sunday race

 

Best time in qualifying, or Race sets the grid for  Sunday

Or finishing position in qualifying race sets grid for Sunday.

 

when your fast and can stay on top, your on top all weekend.

 

The counter point to people complaining about the format is that some guys can rip off one fast lap but are not consistent to stay there, the qualifying race format puts and keeps the consistent guys up front.

 

So as you can see, there is good and bad in both formats but i personally like the fastest lap as i am in the less than consistent camp.

I believe I have posted several times to the ++ and -- of both formats...and as I said before, pick your poison. Not debating either.

 

I just wanted to hear from those who were there if they felt this particular situation would be considered "normal racing...shit happens" or was this really a freak thing that warranted a deviation from the written rules?  As John requested...feedback is welcome. In hindsight, did NASA make the best call...did they serve all there customers fairly? Cant change the outcome but a future scenario may be handled different depending on what will or already has shaking out of this particular mess.

 

I didn't get an answer to a previous question about 2nd qual race grid. Was it set by finishing position of qual 1? If that is the case, NASA was not consistent between West and East coast Champs...West coast grid was set by fast lap. Maybe this was because it was mostly just CA drivers? 

[Jim Drago]

NASA format... I actually like parts of it.. The time commitment is much better than a 10-11 days we will spend in Daytona.  I think the qualifying races and the pressure on all to advance in NASA contributes to unnecessary carnage.

 

Maybe in a perfect world..

 

1)qualifying

2) qualifying race

3) qualifying race 2

 

Take your best two finishes and that determines your qualifying position for the big race? That way if you break or get taken out, you can discard that session.  Just a thought

[chris haldeman]

Ron, qual race 2 was gridded by fast lap of qual race 1. Same as west champs

[dfuser]

NASA format... I actually like parts of it.. The time commitment is much better than a 10-11 days we will spend in Daytona.  I think the qualifying races and the pressure on all to advance in NASA contributes to unnecessary carnage.

 

Maybe in a perfect world..

 

1)qualifying

2) qualifying race

3) qualifying race 2

 

Take your best two finishes and that determines your qualifying position for the big race? That way if you break or get taken out, you can discard that session.  Just a thought

This would have worked for this race and solved the issue we had.

[Ron Alan]

Ron, qual race 2 was gridded by fast lap of qual race 1. Same as west champs

This doesnt make sense...Danny S for example gained 20 spots and finished 8th in qual race 2. He had the 3rd fastest lap in qual race 1??

 

MCCallion, Charb, Ross, Ellis all had huge gains in race 2....??