11 replies to this topic

[dtfastbear]

Hey NASA NorCal gang,

I think the Petite Enduro format was a big hit this past weekend. I also think the grid inverts made for more racing action throughout the field.

Did you like that format? Would you like to do it again?

What other race format ideas do you have? Some other ideas to get your creative juices flowing...

- 2 20 minute races with only 20 minutes between them
- Different track configurations (like the NASCAR chute or IRL T11 at Infineon, just the front half of T-Hill)
- 1 hour race w/o pit stop
- Longer race with mandatory tire change (just a wheel off then back on) pit stop
- Random draw for pole position before race

I'd like to collect some ideas and run them by Jerry and the NASA race directors to see if we can continue to keep things more interesting this season.

Cheers,

Dean

[Charlie Hayes]

D all of the above.


I think the races should be longer if a pit is required. The 1 hr long race felt like a 25 minutes because I spent most of the race in the pits trying to get my belts on....

[Johnny D]

Llihrednuht

I heard there was a problem in 5 so maybe not?
Only the back then?
J~

[dtfastbear]

Unfortunately, the driving community has voted with their wallets on Llilrednuht. The events NASA has run backwards over the last few years have had significantly lower attendance. It really seems to be a love/hate thing on Thunderhill clockwise. I personally LOVE it. For me, it is a toss-up between Infineon and T-Hill backwards for my absolute favorite track configuration. But, don't expect any NASA weekends to run that configuration any time soon, as I seem to be in the minority in my love for that config.

Sad but true.

[Johnny D]

I'm not looking for a crash feast so maybe use chicanes at TH...

But how about a figure 8?

CCW to turn 7, bypass to 13 (11)
CW to 8, bypass to 15, repeat.

Definitely a Lemons track layout.
I'm sure Gotbluemilk would sell a lot of pictures.

And you can always offer free stuff for people that come up with the ideas you use to attract more ideas.
J~

[tahoez]

how about nasa doing some open wheel racing too!

[Sean Allen]

Did somebody buy a formula mazda...?

Dean,

I'm not racing anymore, but I always wanted to run the nascar track at Infineon... Motorcycle course would be interesting too with the bus stop, and the short turn 11...

[dtfastbear]

I think Kim has an FE open wheel car, not an FM. Kim - there is an open wheel series that runs with NASA, but it's just for the FM's.

Sean - we have run the motorcycle chicane/bus stop at Infineon but with the long T11. The SM guys loved it, and we'll definitely do that again.

I think the NASCAR configuration cuts out some of the best parts of the track, but I want to race that configuration for ONE PURPOSE: it will allows us to compare our lap times and speeds with the NASCAR boys! It would be pretty cool to queue up your in-car and look at your apex/exit speeds compared to the nascar cars in June. I imagine the guys that race at The Glen can already do this.

Keep the ideas coming.

Cheers,

Dean

[Charlie Hayes]

haha last weekend we were talking about the ls1 miata in the CTSCC now lets see if it can hang with NASCAR!!!

[ToddW]

Dean,
I am with you on Llihrednuht...absolutely great!

1) Thunderhill 20min, FCY, turn around and run Llihrednuht 20min.

2) Draw names for qual order, and replace qual session with another race
(Sets grid for 2nd race...throw in occasional top 30% inversion).

3) Infinion backwards...

4) SM drifting competition on the TH pad (disconnect front sway bars)

5) Run Laguna once per year

6) Do more petite enduros, but don't require driver to exit car (simulate pit/driver change with min time in pit stall). Allow driver change as optional.

[Jeff Lyon]

Dean I am with you, I love Llihrenduht, was really bummed it wasn't on the schedule this year.

- Back in 08 we ran the track in both directions in a single race which was fun but it took a long time getting the field bunched up and then pointed in the opposited direction.

- The hour long race was awesome, just which I hadnt lost a lap by going back paddock with an imaginary flat

- My renter Phil, also really enjoyed the longer race as it was his first tast of an extended time behind the wheel.

- The inverted grid is great, especially for the longer races. I like Todd's suggestion of a random draw as well to add more race time.

- Basically anything that adds more race time to the schedule is a plus.

[Johnny D]

In regards to the 1hr with driver changes, I don't know how they enforced the 25mph on pit road rule or if any driver were caught but...
I did a karting enduro with driver changes this weekend and they had used radar guns in the past. This time they used small "stop boxes" with cones at pit in, mid and out. You had to come to a complete stop, in the box and not hit the cones. Some drivers got caught and were black flagged.

Not sure you want an autocross course in pit lane but just throwing out the idea.
J~