Forming up grids in the assembly area and races run to fixed times

[Alan Crook]

I have heard that VSCC are considering forming up in the assembly area then going straight to the grid or green flag lap, this will mean no startline marshals on the grid.As soon as the cars are in position the start will commence.This type of start has been used by HSCC at some circuits, for best results a good briefing is required to the drivers telling them where they should be on the grid including stagger and grid line markings to look for, if there are enough people row number boards held out will help.

[MikeM]

Sorry to be simplistic but startline marshals line you up on the grid, sounds easy but for a driver - the markings can be old and difficult to see and often there are different markings for bikes and cars. They stop us drivers getting confused!

[Sheila M]

Originally posted by paddock.one

ALL SPECIALIST MARSHALS - PADDOCK / ASSEMBLY / PITS / PITLANE / STARTLINE / PARC FERME / RACE ADMIN / RACE COMMUNICATIONS / RADIOS / SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A NEW MSA SPECIALISTS TRAINING PRESENTATION WHICH WILL BE USED AT SPECIALISTS TRAINING DAYS AT VARIOUS CIRCUITS NEXT MONTH - GET TO SEE IT.

I hope this has been substantially revised and improved from the draft I was asked to comment on last November. That presentation was extremely basic and lacked a lot of correct information. :confused:

[Fay]

HSCC started to grid the cars in the Assembly Area last year, have the minute boards, then released onto row boards on the grid. No-one is allowed onto the grid, the drivers must position themselves as per the grid sheet. If they are in the wrong position then they can be penalised during the race if necessary. Most of them manage to grid themselves up in more or less the right place, although the stagger sometimes was non-existent. As soon as the last car is in position then the 5 second board is shown and the red lights. This worked well last year, especially if you have not got any startline marshals. In fact I believe the VSCC are adopting this policy this year so they do not have the problems of cars stopping and being turned off.

With regards to timed races, you do not have to show a last lap board and in fact HSCC do not. This gives you the oportunity of making sure that as soon as the 15 minutes (or whatever is up) the flag goes out to the leader when he comes round. 750MC also do not show a last lap board, as there was occasions when it got missed and it caused no end of problems. It is also useful not showing it if you are short of people to hold the board out.

[Tim Falce]

With regards to timed races, you do not have to show a last lap board and in fact HSCC do not. This gives you the oportunity of making sure that as soon as the 15 minutes (or whatever is up) the flag goes out to the leader when he comes round. 750MC also do not show a last lap board, as there was occasions when it got missed and it caused no end of problems. It is also useful not showing it if you are short of people to hold the board out.

I was at in the lead at Lydden a couple of years ago when the last lap board came out. There was quite a large gap between me and the second placed man so not wanting to fall off the track on the last lap, I eased up slightly. As i came round to take the chequered flag the bloody last lap board was still out and by this time second placed man was catching fast, to make things worse I got stuck behind someone I was lapping coming down to paddock and as I finaly took the chequered flag the guy behind was now along side me
I still don't know if the marshals had decided to throw an extra lap in to liven things up
I would rather not see another last lap board, ever.

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by pixie
and we provide you with the Lunch pack

And a brekkie......or haven't they told you about that? Come to think of it, I've never seen you in the Kentagon......hmmmm, is Pixie barred or is he just not risking the possibility of having to buy a round?

......... then deduct your money for finishing early

Don't you believe it - Uncle Ron just says that to avoid having to pay you!

[mark_l]

How's this for a novel idea.

Grid the cars in the assembly area, send them out behind a pace car, then at the end of the lap the pace car turns off the circuit and the cars have a rolling start.

No minute boards, no messing about on the grid with mechanics/wifes/hangers on, and a warm up lap as well.

[thebear]

Originally posted by mark_l
How's this for a novel idea.

Grid the cars in the assembly area, send them out behind a pace car, then at the end of the lap the pace car turns off the circuit and the cars have a rolling start.

No minute boards, no messing about on the grid with mechanics/wifes/hangers on, and a warm up lap as well.

That is how I described the operations in the US. See earlier posts.

[mark_l]

Yes, but in the UK rolling starts are generally only used for long distance GT races.

I'm talking about implementing it for UK clubmans racing

[thebear]

Originally posted by mark_l
Yes, but in the UK rolling starts are generally only used for long distance GT races.

I'm talking about implementing it for UK clubmans racing

Nothing to preclude a complete stop at the appointed positions on the track, is there? Aides and "hangers-on" would be left in the staging area.

[thebear]

Please disregard prior post. I tried to delete it but was refused.

[Fay]

The MGCC do rolling starts for all their races at Rockingham as they deem it easier than trying to get over the wall on to the grid. It works well, although the cars are going quick into the first corner.

[petestenning]

As a point of interest 750 Motor Club Are talking of introducing timed races this year, with last lap boards being used, as you know 750 do try
to cut down on wasted time.

[mark_l]

How about more series doing rolling starts, and not just at Rockingham?

Rolling starts are woefully underused, especially when they require less startline marshals (who are in short supply anyway).

[Alan Green]

As Fay said, the downside would have to be the higher approach speed into the first corner, but also the confusion that reigns if a rolling start (or non-grid start, I think they're called), has to be aborted because cars aren't lined up, up there's a breakdown or incident on the parade lap (as the Maseratis at the GP this year, or the fire under dunlop bridge for the ISCs one and only race)(BTW they were both at my post, sorry!). If the parade car has gone lights out and left the pole man controlling the pack then you're in big trouble.

Positively, no need to stretch resources with startline marshals, or have the problems with stalled cars or out of position cars (which then causes a full 3minutes board, green flag lap, then hopefully restart unless the same happens because the cars are hot then, and subsequent huge delays).

[pixie]

And a brekkie......or haven't they told you about that? Come to think of it, I've never seen you in the Kentagon......hmmmm, is Pixie barred or is he just not risking the possibility of having to buy a round?

Buy a round....at Breakfast.....you'll drink at anytime

mind you living with the curse of kaybee can have that effect on you.