YouTube video <--whoops! that isn't how that is suposed to work!
Barry had a good bout with Jay w/ Team Mayhem’s Honda Civic. For over a dozen laps they changed positions and rode each other’s bumpers. Doing so Barry flat spotted two of the azenis, people in the pits saw the cloud of smoke way over in turn 3! During the bout a yellow flag was thrown, both our team and Mayhem got penalized “for being overly aggressive in a yellow”….which in our opinion is poor call….we were told no passing and back it down to 75%...well that is what they did…anyways….
Bob went out and spun the car in the clover leaf on his 1st lap, opps! No harm done. Dave L. went out w/o no real drama other than the rain clouds coming in meant we gambled by keeping in on the worn azenis (which are horrid in the rain). The Check Engine Light is now on constantly....I personally am hoping that doesn't mean that the motor is knocking so bad that it is upsetting the knock sensors.
I went out for the last 25 minutes of the race after switching to the Dunlops. About 5 laps in the rain clouds opened up and dumped on us…passing on the inside of turn two in the rain at over 90mph is real scary. Lap times dropped significantly, down to 2 min 20 seconds. However having “good” tires and front wheel drive meant we were gaining on several of the competition. Wheel spin in 4th gear, drifting turn four, clipping the apex in turn 13….all good times! I believe we ended up 11th.
Far as I am concerned, we won a major victory! The team held together, we took the checker both days. The car might as well be named “Thomas the Little Train VW that could”….No one thought the motor would hold together, we all figured the tranny wasn’t going to make day one. The car is only slightly wrinkled, hell we drove it back on the trailer!
"the silver BMW trying to pass him on the inside of turn 12. Dave H. says he was give a wave by, but the BMW driver didn't allow him room......under racing rules the BMW would be at fault."
ReplyDeleteHowdy Team SB. Without any intent to escalate an already moot point, let's clarify a few things and use the video I've got to help out (just happened to have the cam facing backwards on Sun). First off, you guys were making a pass on us and not the other way around. This means it’s your responsibility to make it clean and off line. Second, nobody gives a point by coming into turn 12 when the entire 13-3 section would have easily allowed your car (much faster) to pass us (slow as hell). Third is the driving line. Last time I checked, the line through most corners (unless it's a throw away) is out-in-out. As you can clearly see through the entire 9/10/11/12 complex, our super slow car and EC's very nice driving is fully utilizing the entire track. This should be a clear indication that when we go way out coming into 12, we're gonna go way in and clip it, meaning an inside dive bomb is risky at best. We can always discuss this over beers down in Newton. Enjoy
Big Jim Slade
http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk196/evoatcha/?action=view¤t=ECincident.mp4
SCCA GCR 6.11.1 On Course Driver Conduct:
ReplyDeleteD. The overtaking driver is responsible for the decision to pass another car and to accomplish it safely. The overtaken driver is responsible to be aware that he is being passed and not to impede or block the
overtaking car. A driver who does not use his rear view mirror or who appears to be blocking another car attempting to pass may be black flagged and/or penalized, as specified in Section 7.
NASA CCR:
ReplyDelete25.4.1 Passing General
The responsibility for the decision to pass another car, and to do it safely, rests with the overtaking driver. The overtaken driver should be aware that he/she is being passed
and must not impede the pass by blocking. A driver who does not watch his/her mirrors
or who appears to be blocking another car seeking a pass may be black-flagged and/or
penalized. The act of passing is initiated when the trailing car’s (Car A) front bumper
overlaps with the lead car’s (Car B) rear bumper. The act of passing is complete when
Car A’s rear bumper is ahead of Car B’s front bumper.
25.4.3 Right to the Line
The driver in front has the right to choose any line, so long as not to be considered
blocking. The driver attempting to make a pass shall have the right to the line when
their front wheel is next to the driver of the other vehicle. Note: This rule may be
superseded by class specific rules.
So...just to say, neither I nor anyone on TSB has anything against Big Jim or the team. My driver still claims to be given a pass signal...this part is now a "he said/she said" ordeal, which makes it a mute point.
ReplyDeleteNow, we can tell from the impact on the driver door of the BMW that the Golf was nose to nose w/ the bumper, or at the very least had its bumper next to the BMW wheel. We know this because if the Golf was any further back the impact would have been into the BMW's rear quarter pannel.
We can also tell from the video that the Golf was there a long time, and it made its intentions well known long before the turn.
It is a responsibility of all race drivers to know where the cars in close proximaty are at all times. If their is a red car behind you that all of a sudden dissapears, that prolly means it is right beside you!
So I must disagree with you and say that BMW did not do a good job at being aware of the situation, did not allow for "racing room", and turned into the Golf.
25.4.2 Punting.
ReplyDeleteThe term “punting” is defined as nose to tail (or side-of-the-nose to side-of-the-tail)
contact, where the leading car is significantly knocked off of the racing line.
Once the trailing car has its front wheel next to the driver of the other, it is considered
that the trailing car has a right to be there. And, that the leading driver must leave the
trailing driver enough “racing room.” In most cases, “racing room” is defined as “at least
three quarters of one car width.”
Why can't I edit my own comments? Anyways...I learned much later that the "yellow flag" deal...aparently our driver was "talked to" the previous day for the same situation....so okay we prolly deserved that penality...that driver will recieve 50 lashes w/ a wet noodle! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso the BMW was indeed dive-bombed....this is just another part of racing, note i said racing, not HPDE, lapping, or time trials. To simply say "it is the over taking drivers responsibility period, end of story" is far too naive and incomplete. That being said, would I have attempted that pass? Prolly not. Dive bombing is the most dangerious way to pass, but it is part of racing, and is one of the only ways a lower power car can get by an higher powered car.
Hopefully we can put this issue to rest....now if you will excuse me, I have a fender to unwrinkle! :D