leejo

That's funny. Maybe I'm too green or something, but that starter pulled a helluva dick move to start him LAST. Is that sort of petty tyranny typical or does this video show one of the biggest jerks I could ever hope to come across?

Veloce Raptor

Driver did not make the false grid on time, then tried to insert himself in the starting order as cars were released. The grid person properly prevented this. Then, when finally released, passed nearly everyone on the pace lap in order to get back to his qualifying position.

Grid person did nothing wrong. Driver should have been arrested on the spot and sent to Novosibirsk for incredible stupidity & arrogance

leejo

Yeah I thought some more about it last and I have to agree. It seemed like a dick move but what were they supposed to do - hold up the entire start and go have a chat with that nut who won't go when told to go and won't sit still when told to stop? Totally agree.

hf1

I don't see this in the video.

I disagree. He was in the grid. A car was released from his left. She also pointed to him for a release but he hesitated for a second, not wanting to go ahead of the car he thought should have been in front. He should have just gone when pointed but I didn't know that grid release was a 'you snooze, you lose' type situation.

I completely agree that what he did in the pace lap was idiotic and inexcusable.

Veloce Raptor

the video does not tell the full story, IIRC

hf1

I agree, but the fact that she did point at him for release was confirmation enough for me that he was in the grid on time. His only mistake up to that point was listening to his conscience (about not gaining a grid spot unfairly) and hesitating to go for 900ms. Making him sit and watch 70 cars go buy in front of him was lame, IMO.

This was his 2nd race ever, and he was just pushed 70 places back in the grid for no apparent reason, so maybe we should cut the guy some slack. I also liked his self-deprecating sarcasm in (what I assume was) his video.

raspritz

Yikes. I've never been black flagged. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough.

dbf73

for passing under a yellow I couldn't see - large sedan between me in a Spec Racer and the flag station. but just in a practice session - no harm done

mrbill_fl

fwiw, I've worked grid... (scca and pca)



Regardless if you were gridded in the right spot or not, when you are given the 1 min warning, and then told to go, you can go, or, you wait till all cars are cleared.

This is the same as if your car didn't start, didn't have your belts on, or other mechanical issues.

if you miss the grid you are often started from pit lane after the green flag. (they close the grid at 3 or 1 min depending on race control)


The correct thing to have done was alert the grid staff well before the 3 minute warning.



-Passing under double yellows on the pace lap? at VIR?

I'm actually shocked they let him finish the race... he should have been black flagged on lap 2 for passing under double yellows.


-its still my favorite video, way better than 'I drive flat out'.

leejo

Yeah that's where I landed in my thinking - the time to sort out the order is NOT while all 70 cars are pulling onto the track. Gotta go with what you got by then.

In most other sports, if you're not ready to go when the guy tells you to go, you're DQ'd. So starting last isn't nearly as harsh a penalty for wanting to have a chat or suffering mechanical issues as it could be.

Veloce Raptor

Correct. People thinking this clownshoe was somehow "picked on" or that the grid worker acted inappropriately need to buy a dog and name him Clue.

dan212

One or two times. My reaction is embarrassment.

That includes a student who was black flagged for a pass without a point by. I thought I saw it and so did he. I told him to go, go, go. Flagger didn't see it. I went down to pit out afterwards and told the track meister that this was on me. I was sure we had a pass signal and I told my student to go. As the instructor I was responsible - I wanted it clear that this was not the students fault.

Once I got black flagged for a pass while under open passing rules at NJMP/Lightning T5 (the hump) and the other car (Miata) apparently went off while tracking out. The flagger thought that I had forced the Miata off. The other driver was gracious enough to tell them that she went off ALL ON HER OWN (her words) and it had nothing to do with me. She made a point of telling them three times (Thanks Mindy!) before they believed her. I really appreciated that.

hf1

People. They're the worst.

leejo

VR just fails to grasp my broader view of that TYPE of situation...

mglobe

That's an instructing technique. Not going to say much more except that it is rarely ever used during the orientation laps. :-)