This past weekend I spoke to some people in the SCCA about the debacle of the black flag all qualifying session at the Runoffs and they have asked for some input and I agreed to start a dialogue here.
Here is what I came up with from solutions offered at the meeting and conversations with other drivers. We need to solve this, we don't want to turn this over to the SCCA. Personally I did not have a problem with just leaving as is. Apparently many of those not running at the front believe those of us at the front caused much of this and are afraid to protest. This is our club, if wronged speak up, protest if need be.
The issues as I see them...
Those at front want clean laps.. going out slow not to catch the back.
Tire scrubbing and swerving aggressively not to let drivers pass as the drivers up front feel they earned their spot on time
Team mates passing to get with teams etc..
Here are my thoughts, only my opinion and possible solution...
1- line up in qualifying always by fastest practice time or national points, never by how we signed up.
2- no passing on out lap at all, double yellow
3- if you want to join your drafting partners, pull in pits and wait for all to leave
4- All cars must maintain 1355 ( best guess) of pole on out lap in order to maintain all get adequate time on track unobstructed
5- Any cars on pit lane must exit within 20-25 seconds ( best guess of the last car or wait until the field passes on track the next lap. that stops stragglers coming in at the front of the pack
Any thoughts and procedures you can come up with will be appreciated.
Jim