Need input on endurance racing strategy
03-25-2009, 09:09 PM
#1
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Need input on endurance racing strategy
Our season opening enduro at Road America is fast approacing, and I've been tossing around some thoughts to help us beat the pesky Spec Miatas (Same endurance class as Spec 944).
3 hour race, 2 driver car, pit stops have no minimum time rule (time is usually dicatated by getting the fuel in - 5 gal, gravity feed tanks only). Planning on one pit stop only. One driver runs 2:47's, other in the 2:50 range. We have a good radio for communication to the pits.
We need to get 10 gallons in during the Pitstop to make it in one stop, so the first stop must be at least one hour in. With full 21 gallon tank, the first stint could comfortably be as long as 2 hours.
Who should drive 1st, and for how long?
The faster driver will be faster than the best Spec Miatas, the slower one close to a bit slower.
Thanks!
3 hour race, 2 driver car, pit stops have no minimum time rule (time is usually dicatated by getting the fuel in - 5 gal, gravity feed tanks only). Planning on one pit stop only. One driver runs 2:47's, other in the 2:50 range. We have a good radio for communication to the pits.
We need to get 10 gallons in during the Pitstop to make it in one stop, so the first stop must be at least one hour in. With full 21 gallon tank, the first stint could comfortably be as long as 2 hours.
Who should drive 1st, and for how long?
The faster driver will be faster than the best Spec Miatas, the slower one close to a bit slower.
Thanks!
03-25-2009, 09:17 PM
#2
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I have only participated in karting enduros but our thinking was the fastest driver drove the anchor leg. That way if time needed to be made up, it could be done or if a lead was handed over, then it would almost be a foregone conclusion. I was never the anchor driver...maybe the anchor...
03-25-2009, 09:51 PM
#3
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Who is easiest on equipment? Who has the most on track "incidents"?
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03-25-2009, 10:10 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
First driver needs to be the one less likely to wad the car up in the nearly-inevitable 1st-corner-1st-lap mess.
Slow driver needs to speed up.
Are pits open during FCY ? If so, Miatas have the same fuel interval, so pit lane will get crowded on the first FCY after the 61 minute mark.
Drivers need to judge the time for clean-up of any FCY incident. Pit accordingly.
Pit as early into your fuel window as you can...as long as it's under FCY. Otherwise, wing it. Pray for somebody to hit something.
Read the Supps. Then read them again.
Knock the unleaded fuel restrictor out of the filler neck, if you haven't already done it. Size fuel can filler spout accordingly.
If you can pit on a FCY, don't be the first car in. Wait until the pack slows down and is collected by the Safety Car. You'll likely avoid going a lap down that way.
Don't fall off the track. Don't get hit. Go faster. Don't get in over your head. Take care of your tires. Pants first, then shoes. Eat more vegetables. Don't run out of gas.
You're not racing an enduro. It's two sprint races. Plan accordingly.
The Miatas are gonna kick your asses. Enjoy the ride.
Slow driver needs to speed up.
Are pits open during FCY ? If so, Miatas have the same fuel interval, so pit lane will get crowded on the first FCY after the 61 minute mark.
Drivers need to judge the time for clean-up of any FCY incident. Pit accordingly.
Pit as early into your fuel window as you can...as long as it's under FCY. Otherwise, wing it. Pray for somebody to hit something.
Read the Supps. Then read them again.
Knock the unleaded fuel restrictor out of the filler neck, if you haven't already done it. Size fuel can filler spout accordingly.
If you can pit on a FCY, don't be the first car in. Wait until the pack slows down and is collected by the Safety Car. You'll likely avoid going a lap down that way.
Don't fall off the track. Don't get hit. Go faster. Don't get in over your head. Take care of your tires. Pants first, then shoes. Eat more vegetables. Don't run out of gas.
You're not racing an enduro. It's two sprint races. Plan accordingly.
The Miatas are gonna kick your asses. Enjoy the ride.
03-25-2009, 10:24 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Interesting info, thanks
Pits are closed during FCY.
Why pit early inthe fuel window? It seems we'd carry a heavier average fuel load than if we pitted later in the fuel window.
Faster driver is more consistant/fewer incidents as well, though neither a problem child.
Road America is our best track versus the SM's - while HP/wt. similar, our higher HP allows better speed down the long straights, and the high speed corners are better suited to the greater stability of the 944 platform (higher polar moment), vs. other, smaller tracks. Finally our bigger tanks help - Miatas are going to be harder pressed to make the 250+ miles on two tanks on a track your wide open on much of the time.
We've had pace on the SM's last yearat Road America, lost d/t a blown R&P. New car is entirely fresh this year.
Keep it coming!
Pits are closed during FCY.
Why pit early inthe fuel window? It seems we'd carry a heavier average fuel load than if we pitted later in the fuel window.
Faster driver is more consistant/fewer incidents as well, though neither a problem child.
Road America is our best track versus the SM's - while HP/wt. similar, our higher HP allows better speed down the long straights, and the high speed corners are better suited to the greater stability of the 944 platform (higher polar moment), vs. other, smaller tracks. Finally our bigger tanks help - Miatas are going to be harder pressed to make the 250+ miles on two tanks on a track your wide open on much of the time.
We've had pace on the SM's last yearat Road America, lost d/t a blown R&P. New car is entirely fresh this year.
Keep it coming!
03-25-2009, 10:52 PM
#7
Here's my thoughts.... You are talking about a 3 second spread between the two drivers with an average lap of somewhere aournd 168 seconds. It will take approximately 56 laps for the slower driver to be lapped. 56 laps at 2:48 per lap means that it will take approximately 2.5 hours for the slower driver to get lapped....
This means that any full course caution will give the slower guy a chance to regain a lot of lost ground.... However, you are talking about Road America, and there's a strong possibility that there will be no full course cautions during the race....
Now, let's pretend that there would be no full course cautions... I think the answer of who should go first would depend on the qualifying position. If the faster guy can qualify on or very near the pole, then he may be able to distance himself from the pack as the rest duke it out behind him and he gets clean laps...
On the other hand, if you are midpack, then I'd recommend that the slower guy goes first, as the midpack group is going to do the first several laps slower as the group sorts itself out. By the time the faster guy gets in the car, hopefully the pack is spread out a bit so that he can pick people off without having to deal with huge packs of traffic.
If you expected a lot of yellows (unlikely at Road America), then it's a no-brainer. Let the slower guy go first because no matter how slow he is, he'll catch up on the full course yellows.
This means that any full course caution will give the slower guy a chance to regain a lot of lost ground.... However, you are talking about Road America, and there's a strong possibility that there will be no full course cautions during the race....
Now, let's pretend that there would be no full course cautions... I think the answer of who should go first would depend on the qualifying position. If the faster guy can qualify on or very near the pole, then he may be able to distance himself from the pack as the rest duke it out behind him and he gets clean laps...
On the other hand, if you are midpack, then I'd recommend that the slower guy goes first, as the midpack group is going to do the first several laps slower as the group sorts itself out. By the time the faster guy gets in the car, hopefully the pack is spread out a bit so that he can pick people off without having to deal with huge packs of traffic.
If you expected a lot of yellows (unlikely at Road America), then it's a no-brainer. Let the slower guy go first because no matter how slow he is, he'll catch up on the full course yellows.
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03-25-2009, 10:58 PM
#8
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Run the slower driver first, since no pitting is allowed under FCY then only fill the car for an hour and 15 minutes for the start versus filling it full to start the race. Just after one hour, pit and put the faster driver in. It will make your stop SLIGHTLY longer having more fuel to put in than if it were full to begin with however the lighter fuel load will hopefully allow him to keep up easier with the rest of the pack keeping you in contention with the front runners.
You want the fastest in at the end. Your position on lap 15 doesnt matter, your position on the last lap does. Having your fast driver in the car first to 'get a gap' on the field is highly unlikely in any race unless it isn't very competitive and even if you do get a gap then it is all negated when you get a FCY and then you are stuck with a slower driver at the end when it counts.
Andy Brumbaugh
www.andybrumbaugh.com
You want the fastest in at the end. Your position on lap 15 doesnt matter, your position on the last lap does. Having your fast driver in the car first to 'get a gap' on the field is highly unlikely in any race unless it isn't very competitive and even if you do get a gap then it is all negated when you get a FCY and then you are stuck with a slower driver at the end when it counts.
Andy Brumbaugh
www.andybrumbaugh.com
03-25-2009, 11:00 PM
#9
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Run the slower driver first, since no pitting is allowed under FCY then only fill the car for an hour and 15 minutes for the start versus filling it full to start the race. Just after one hour, pit and put the faster driver in. It will make your stop SLIGHTLY longer having more fuel to put in than if it were full to begin with however the lighter fuel load will hopefully allow him to keep up easier with the rest of the pack keeping you in contention with the front runners.
You want the fastest in at the end. Your position on lap 15 doesnt matter, your position on the last lap does. Having your fast driver in the car first to 'get a gap' on the field is highly unlikely in any race unless it isn't very competitive and even if you do get a gap then it is all negated when you get a FCY and then you are stuck with a slower driver at the end when it counts.
Andy Brumbaugh
www.andybrumbaugh.com
You want the fastest in at the end. Your position on lap 15 doesnt matter, your position on the last lap does. Having your fast driver in the car first to 'get a gap' on the field is highly unlikely in any race unless it isn't very competitive and even if you do get a gap then it is all negated when you get a FCY and then you are stuck with a slower driver at the end when it counts.
Andy Brumbaugh
www.andybrumbaugh.com
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
03-25-2009, 11:05 PM
#10
Run the slower driver first, since no pitting is allowed under FCY then only fill the car for an hour and 15 minutes for the start versus filling it full to start the race. Just after one hour, pit and put the faster driver in. It will make your stop SLIGHTLY longer having more fuel to put in than if it were full to begin with however the lighter fuel load will hopefully allow him to keep up easier with the rest of the pack keeping you in contention with the front runners.
If the slower guy thinks it makes a difference, then have someone distract him and fuel the car all the way up. Tell him that you just put enough fuel in for his stint. Hopefully you have a fuel cell so that he doesn't have a gauge to determine that you lied to him. The mind is a powerful thing, so if he thinks he should be going faster due to less weight, maybe he will actually go faster.
03-25-2009, 11:58 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
This is helpful, thanks! We had a FCY last year d/t pouring rain, but they are pretty rare!
We are mandated to running the stock fuel neck restrictor (can take out flapper door), so fueling is painfully slow - nearly 25 sec/gallon. We have rigged up a longer hose on our can so it can be held higher, but it still won't be fast
Maybe we'll send the slower guy out, and see how we doing. Pull him in earlier if we are losing ground...
We are mandated to running the stock fuel neck restrictor (can take out flapper door), so fueling is painfully slow - nearly 25 sec/gallon. We have rigged up a longer hose on our can so it can be held higher, but it still won't be fast
Maybe we'll send the slower guy out, and see how we doing. Pull him in earlier if we are losing ground...
03-26-2009, 12:04 AM
#12
If the goal is to win, then let the slow guy run as little time as possible. It'd help though to know how much slower he really is. Is he going to be at the back of the pack and watching the crowd run away, or is he going to be midpack?
03-26-2009, 09:25 AM
#13
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I think there is more to it than fast vs. slow, there is also race craft. While a slow driver may not be able to catch up from behind he may be able to hold off faster traffic if he is defending a lead. Being faster than the car in front of you and executing a pass are two very different things.
I would start with a full tank with the faster driver. Maximize that stint and let them drive until empty, then swap drivers with just enough fuel to finish the race. Faster driver gets the most seat time and the slower driver gets the lighter car to drive. It also minimizes the time of your pit stop. If the pack catches the slower guy from behind hopefully his race craft is good enough to defend. If he isn't, the team may not be ready to compete for the win regardless of the driving order.
Another advantage of the slower guy at the end is that over worked tires can be an equalizer. If the fast guys on track lose their tires, lap times will increase. Good chance of this happening in an enduro. The slow guy probably is not pushing the envelope enough to use up the rubber (unless he is over driving the car) so he may be able to lap all day long at his best times. Good chance then that he can keep a lead that was handed to him.
There is validity to the arguement of the the first driver being held up by race traffic in the opening laps and not getting clean laps in, so I might rethink this if the qualifying position was poor.
As stated, RA very rarely has FCY, no reason to plan a race around that event happening.
I would start with a full tank with the faster driver. Maximize that stint and let them drive until empty, then swap drivers with just enough fuel to finish the race. Faster driver gets the most seat time and the slower driver gets the lighter car to drive. It also minimizes the time of your pit stop. If the pack catches the slower guy from behind hopefully his race craft is good enough to defend. If he isn't, the team may not be ready to compete for the win regardless of the driving order.
Another advantage of the slower guy at the end is that over worked tires can be an equalizer. If the fast guys on track lose their tires, lap times will increase. Good chance of this happening in an enduro. The slow guy probably is not pushing the envelope enough to use up the rubber (unless he is over driving the car) so he may be able to lap all day long at his best times. Good chance then that he can keep a lead that was handed to him.
There is validity to the arguement of the the first driver being held up by race traffic in the opening laps and not getting clean laps in, so I might rethink this if the qualifying position was poor.
As stated, RA very rarely has FCY, no reason to plan a race around that event happening.
03-26-2009, 10:30 AM
#14
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All of this was good except for the advice on how much fuel to put in the car. You are going to lose HUGE amounts of time putting fuel in the car during the race as opposed to doing it before the race. The fact is that the slower guy is not driving at the limit of the car and having the extra weight in the car is not going to affect his lap times as much as someone who is at the limit.
If the slower guy thinks it makes a difference, then have someone distract him and fuel the car all the way up. Tell him that you just put enough fuel in for his stint. Hopefully you have a fuel cell so that he doesn't have a gauge to determine that you lied to him. The mind is a powerful thing, so if he thinks he should be going faster due to less weight, maybe he will actually go faster.
If the slower guy thinks it makes a difference, then have someone distract him and fuel the car all the way up. Tell him that you just put enough fuel in for his stint. Hopefully you have a fuel cell so that he doesn't have a gauge to determine that you lied to him. The mind is a powerful thing, so if he thinks he should be going faster due to less weight, maybe he will actually go faster.
Andy Brumbaugh
www.andybrumbaugh.com
03-26-2009, 11:25 AM
#15
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definitely fill the car up before the race to minimize fueling/pit time during the race