148 replies to this topic

[LarryKing]

Does tech still test fuel? Did they ever?

[Danica Davison]

Michael
This is very accurate! I don't like talking smack before big events. Always prefer to just try and show up prepared and see what happens.
The rest of your post accurate as well.. My car is being completely repainted as we speak.. New trans, calipers and rotors will be going on. The head will be coming off and new valves and springs installed. Hoping to buy only 4 sets of Hoosiers and one set of wets, but i am sure I will probably add to that at the track.

 

Psssssssh....you just don't talk smack on HERE! But you talk smack ...

[Jim Drago]

Psssssssh....you just don't talk smack on HERE! But you talk smack ...

well true

[MPR22]

Psssssssh....you just don't talk smack on HERE! But you talk smack ...

True, he refers to it as "busting your balls" and goes from camp to camp sharing his special insight into why you suck this weekend.

[Danny Steyn]

Any idea why the Indy test day sessions are limited to 50 entrants?

[Danica Davison]

Any idea why the Indy test day sessions are limited to 50 entrants?

 

They structure the test days by giving more track time earlier in the week ... and thus charging more for the days with more track time.  So they limit the number of entries, yet charge at a premium so you are getting more track time and more room on the track to test. So I think it works out like 40-50-50-60 per session from Thursday thru Sunday.  I get why they do it for the Thursday-Saturday ... but I am not sure why they limit it to 60 instead of 72 on Sunday ...

[powerss]

Does tech still test fuel? Did they ever?

Pretty regularly in the HST events that I have attended. It looks like we will be required to run the 93 Octane that is provided at the track according to the Supps. It doesn't say what it will cost but I hope it will not be a $9/gallon gouging.

[Jim Creighton]

I just posted this on the prod car website. It was a question about 112 fuel but applies to SM also. Someone said they had their fuel from before the Runoffs tested and it was OK. Runoffs fuel does have a marker. I'm not sure how John B will pick whose fuel he'll want tested. I just leave it up to the fuel test crew. Plus, I doubt all of you will visit tech for post qualifying but I do know there are some random positions picked prior to qualifying so everyone has a chance to be there.

 

"Unless you want to gamble on losing a qualifying time, either drain your cell or have your fuel tested. The 112 does come in barrels and it's possible you had marker fuel before the event. The tech inspector who checks fuels says 112 varies quite a bit and some times what is sold as Sunoco is not. It also gets contaminated. The fuel used at the Runoffs is specific for the event.

There were a number of drivers in 2016 who where penalized for using fuel not as per the supps. Again, this is not a rule tech writes. As a matter of fact, we write none of them. We only check for compliance. This is a case just like weight where you should check your car. It's a no brainer.

And all of you will be visiting tech post qualifying and some will be tested as part of post qualifying compliance. The cars tested are random and have no bearing on fastest qualifiers. The fuel testing team picks who they want and how many they want. You can request a test if you wish. They will test your fuel. But, there is a limit to how many we can do in one group depending on the size of the next groups.

And be sure you have your fuel testing port compliant to the GCR. And have a hose, if needed, with you. Tie wrap it in the trunk or make sure it's in your pit tool box. And bring whatever tools you may need, pliers, etc. If you have panels that need to be removed, bring that tool. We want to get you out of tech as soon as possible. Having to go back to your pit area to get tools only slows things up for all."

[FTodaro]

They structure the test days by giving more track time earlier in the week ... and thus charging more for the days with more track time.  So they limit the number of entries, yet charge at a premium so you are getting more track time and more room on the track to test. So I think it works out like 40-50-50-60 per session from Thursday thru Sunday.  I get why they do it for the Thursday-Saturday ... but I am not sure why they limit it to 60 instead of 72 on Sunday ...

They did it this way last year at Mid Ohio also, that if you signed up to test earlier in the week the cost was more but there were more sessions and they limited the car numbers. as you got to Sunday, it was just two sessions and the cost was lower but the car count went up. Having driven this track the practice will not be needed to learn the track just to dial in a set up.

[steveracer]

The Runoffs in general and specifically at Indy is serious business for the pointy end. Racers are a superstitious lot so they are probably going to be pretty quiet so as not to run the risk of bad Karma.

Engine, brakes, hubs, probably trans, maybe half shafts, maybe diff. All or some of those items will be new or rebuilt.
Some will have new paint.
4-7 SETS of stickers. 2 sets of H2Os.
$9 per gallon fuel.
Ridiculous entry fee
2 or more test days
8-11 days away from work and family.

Low side of this equation is 10k high side is 15k. There will be 20 -25 folks who spend that much money for the chance to get wrecked in turn 1 by some asshat that thinks p33 has a shot the win. Could be the asshat in p9 also. If most guys are like me, we are more dreading this race than looking forward to it.

 

Reasons # 1-10 I decided to spend the  money getting  my WRL car ready to race instead of going to Indy.

[powerss]

Am I calculating this correctly for event Oversubscription?

Total Entries: 999
SM Entries: 96
Amount of total cars SCCA can accommodate 700-750. Let's assume 750.

Percent of SM registrations: 96/999= .096
.096 * 750 = 72.07 cars (currently exactly what we can have on track)

I assume that the 700-750 number is flexible and could be increased but I hardly think we will get 90+ for our class.

 

Anybody else think about this scenario yet?

[Johnny D]

Is there a longer track version so we could stuff more cars on ??

 

J~

[Jim Creighton]

Where are you getting the 750 limit number?  All that went away months ago. The limit originally was because of lack of paddock. However, SCCA contracted more paddock with Indy. There is no limit other than the 72 cars on track at the same time.

[Danica Davison]

I'm just confused.

[powerss]

Sorry, I guess I missed that memo.  So what you are saying is that there is no longer the possibility of Event Oversubscription.

 

Event Oversubscription

• There will be a finite amount of space on the grounds of the Speedway for paddock. We should be able to accommodate approximately 700-750 cars, but are still in the process of designing the paddock maps. We will need to limit the event entries to what the paddock can handle.
• Should we need to limit entries due to paddock space, we will do so with the following process:
  • 1.Each class will be seeded individually per the above "Class Seeding" process.
  • 2.The percentage of total pre-event, qualified entries that a class constitutes of the total entry will dictate how many invitations will be extended for each class. For example, if there are 800 total pre-event entries, of which 80 (10 percent) are Spec Miata, and we need to limit to 750 total entries, SM would receive 75 invitations (10 percent of the total).
  • 3.Invitations will be sent after the early-entry deadline date (to be published with the supplemental regulations in the spring).
  • 4.Drivers not receiving invitations will be placed on two separate wait lists, a per-class wait list and an overall wait list.
    • Per-class wait list is seeded as above (Class Seeding) and only for drivers entered before the pre-entry deadline. Spaces opening up in a class due to withdrawals will be filled in with class wait-listed drivers.
    • The overall wait list will be based on the below order. If an invited driver withdraws from a class and no one is on that class' wait list, the next driver in the overall wait-list will be invited to the event, regardless of class, space permitting.
      • 1.Defending Class National Champions
      • 2.Hoosier Super Tour total points earned per class (not limited to best six races). Must score at least 1 (one) point. Tiebreakers as follows:
        • Most 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on place finishes in Hoosier Super Tour races within that class. If ties cannot be broken by finishes, they will be broken by entry date.
      • 3.SCCA U.S. Majors Tour total points earned per class (all events, regardless of Conference, no point minimum). Tiebreakers as follows:
        • Most 1st, 2nd, 3rd place finishes and so on in U.S. Majors Tour races within that class. If ties cannot be broken by finishes, they will be broken by entry date.
      • 4.Remaining drivers by entry date.
    • Drivers entering after the pre-entry deadline will be added only to the end of the overall wait list by entry date.

[Tom Sager]

Is there a longer track version so we could stuff more cars on ??

 

J~

Maybe a hairpin turn into pit lane? 

[Danica Davison]

Maybe a hairpin turn into pit lane?

 

I like it. We should also add a joker lap.  One lap during the race ... you have to bypass turn 1 and complete a whole oval.

[LarryKing]

 

We should also add a joker lap.  One lap during the race ... you have to bypass turn 1 and complete a whole oval.

 

Best idea I've read all week

[Johnny D]

That would help with Lap 1, turn 1, cluster.

 

J~

[BNaumann]

I like it. We should also add a joker lap. One lap during the race ... you have to bypass turn 1 and complete a whole oval.

I fully support this silliness and was even thinking we could have an unofficial agreement, but when I used to go to MotoGP they parked people on the backstretch. Better take a sighting lap. 😀