danielyonker

Ninja Bones, a.k.a.Crawford -

Thank you for the kind words, but you are a bit humble. You performed exceptionally well, and were only .2 seconds off my **** in both the 1st and 2nd Sprints......not shabby at all for a first-timer at Sebring. In fact, I'd say it is downright awesome. This was my 3rd time at Sebring, so actually you have progressed much quicker than I did. But then again, I didn't have i-racing. I'm glad you were not arround to challenge me in the enduro because I likely would have folded with your menacing 993 in my mirror. I do hope you are able to get your car in order for LRP.

Anyway, BIG HATS OFF TO DAWES MOTORSPORTS. Peter, Kevin and Trevor Dawe built me a car, from the ground up, in about 2 months time. Fortunately it was not Peter's first rodeo and it really showed. Peter kept saying we gotta "build a better mousetrap than the next guy", and by gosh if he didn't do it. I sheeeet you not when I say the car performed flawlessly, which is astounding considering there was no prior shake down period (oh yea, it rained the first session on Thursday, so I didn't go out until the second session on Thursday). The 3.4 L is a typical Dawe monster, the short ratio 6 speed is crazy smooth and perfect for almost any track, the one-off electrical system (compliments of Kevin) is a work of art, and the list goes on.....Also, the chassis set up was amazing. Peter kept asking "how is the car, what do we need to do?". All I could reply was that it is great, neutral, no complaints. Eventually I softened the front bar one notch and stiffened the dampers 2 notches, which was good enough for a new class lap record. Better yet, we still have some development to do and over 90 lbs. to get out of the car, so it should only get better.

Really sorry that the start of the cup car enduro ended up the way it did. Y'all will remember my mishap at mid-ohio last year, where I was a victim of other peoples errors......unfortunate but a part of racing. So to say I empathize with the victims is an understatement. There are a lot of good suggestions in the preceding thread; I can only hope people take them to hart.

Jimbo951

Results on mylaps.

Jimbo951

E class racer. Never been to Sebring.

That red sprint 1 start was a mess. I think part of the problem resides with the Starter and the pole sitter. The RSR grided in 13th and from his in-car camera, it was a completely unorganized starting grid. When he comes around last corner, he's at mid-speed, not a slow pace speed. Just not organized and it allows cars in the rear to get a run and that forms a wide crowd going into T1.

Hindsight's 20/20, but maybe the Starter shouldn't have thrown the Green.

Compare the starting formation for Sebring vs the Daytona 24hr:


And I agree with comments about the Practice Starts/Fun Race. If possible, I always do the Fun Race. I like to practice starts from both the left and right sides. I want to see and understand the sight lines from each lane, see how the cars bunch into T1 and see where the traffic goes single file. Plus it gets me in the right frame of mind for the real starts on Raceday.

I compared the Red Qualifying against the Red Fun Race. Of drivers Q1 to Q10, only 3 did the Fun Race. In Q11 to Q20, 5 more. So for 12 of the first 20 starters, the Sprint 1 start was their first start in 3... 4.... 5.... months??

Sadly the other groups weren't great either:

Orange: 49 Started Fun Race, 72 Qualified
Green: 38 Started Fun Race, 71 Qualified
Red: 42 Started Fun Race, 75 Qualifed

FrankyV

I agree with you about doing the practice starts as part of my preparation and planning for the race, even though it increases your overall risk of an incident during the weekend. I think that may be why many don't do them, but perhaps they should be mandatory unless you have a mechanical or some other issue. If only half the field grids for the practice starts, then any rookies required to be there are really not getting a true picture of what the race starts are going to look like and what the drivers who will actually be around them might do.

Remind me what car you race.

KaiB

While it's hard to disagree with mandatory practice starts/fun races, this adds cost, or another heat cycle to tires.

On a competitive weekend, I can promise I would avoid the practice to save tires.

MarkM

I do think many people skip the practice race for 'safety' reasons, but that's the point here isn't it? We want all starts to be safe and not viewed as an accident waiting to happen, pardon the pun. I think more starts = more safety.

As far as tires, quali is the next morning, so go out and burn your old tires up before you put on the stickers. If you are worried about cycles then skip session 3

KaiB

I'll play devil's advocate.

Why should I be forced on to the track at any point? Why should I be asked to drive laps around on old tires? Or burn 10$/gal fuel if I don't want to?

If the point of this exercise is to mitigate the damage caused by (you fill in the blanks) during starts and (again, fill in the blanks), because of (get the idea?), then why should the Club Racing structure be altered in a way which affects everybody?

Curious...

MarkM

First off, I'm fine with the current approach and mentioned I don't like things that fundamentally alter the race, like single file starts or split grids.

The idea I threw out was to require practice starts in your first race of the year, not all races. This is a consistent with getting a new license, as it is the one time you are required to be on the track in today's setup.

analogmike

Yes I often skip the fun race if I'm not on the front row. Or I will start from WAY BACK behind the last car if I need some more track time. If we needed to do the practice starts, I think people would be more careful, and it may extend to the actual race... certainly it would give EVERYONE more experience going into the first turns in heavy traffic.

U4EEAH

Though I don't like the risk or wear and tear, I have clearly noticed that as a guy who does not race every week, the practice starts are a great way to exorcise the adrenaline(red mist), tension and anxiety. Clearly allows me to approach the "real thing" more calmly and in control. Now of course some of us are just oh so proficient that that wouldn't apply, but for us mere mortals......

Juan Lopez

Sorry guys but if you are concerned with wear and tear, dont come to the track. I do the fun race because it is track time and an opportunity to drive the track more and improve.

Getting to know your competitors is very important especially if you are concerned about the "tear" part.

winders

Sorry, Juan. But not everyone has deep pockets........

Scott

Juan Lopez

Come on Scott.

Once you have left work and family, transported the car, paid fees, hotel, etc. you want to make the most out of it.

Its like buying a Porsche and not driving it the way it was meant. Me, i drive mine hard, ride my bike hard, play my stereo loud, etc. why buy it then, to pose?

I'm sure you built that beastly looking yellow car to drive it hard. Enjoy your hard work.

winders

I did build that car to drive it. But that doesn't mean I have the funds to drive any time and anywhere I want. Tires are expensive. 110 octane gas is expensive. I have to pick and choose when and where I run. I would skip practice race starts. I might skip some "fun" races too if funds were really tight or I had a limited supply of tires.

Some guys have the funds to drive whenever and wherever they want. That's great. I am happy for them. Others have budgets they have to adhere to that sometimes get reduced. You should respect that too....

Scott

Juan Lopez

I understand that. BTW, i don't see where or when i disrespected that.