Passing rules

[azoomm]

Oh, I'm not trying to tell you that you don't have experience - or that it will or will not make sense. I don't usually get into large explanations of why or how we do things online. There is a lot of mis-interpretation that comes with online written explanations, something I can't control with a verbal rider's meeting like I usually do.

Starting this company - one of the founding factors was getting rid of the group that is too fast [in their own mind] to be called slow. There is no other better way to explain it. We all know the group - and I know no one will ever claim to be *that guy*. It's the point-and-squirt, sand-baggers, and mental legends. And, they probably could qualify for a race group - but can handle being passed themselves, or maybe their ego can't. You should know exactly what I'm talking about.

I am making the best effort I can to protect the people that really truly belong in the Expert / Race group. The only way to do that is off personal evaluation and have EVERYONE earn the right to be there.

If a pass is to be made, there are a few spots on this particular track that make for an easy pass. And, by easy - I mean the rider in front will not ever have to do anything [brake, swerve, otherwise] in order for it to happen - as it should be. And, it isn't usually on a straight. By following another rider, it should become obvious where that pass can be done easily.

Is passing allowed? In Group 2 - yes. In Group 1 - online I will tell you no.

If passing is going to make or break your day, we might not be the place for you to come play.

[ROADandTRACK]

Point and Squirt!!! lol



I love you, Moira. :-)

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by ROADandTRACK

Point and Squirt!!! lol



I love you, Moira. :-)

I love you too Keith!!

[deals gap dragon slayer]

Originally Posted by azoomm

Is passing allowed? In Group 2 - yes. In Group 1 - online I will tell you no.

I'll have to keep that in mind

I know you can't say cus its on here, but I'm taking this as basically a situation of, if you're in group 1 you shouldnt pass, BUT if you know what you're doing, and are consistantly smooth and safe, its tolerable...

[TrackRider54]

I am hoping to come down to Tally and wave flags for Elite at the end of the month with a friend of mine who did some corner work last year.

I've ridden with NESBA, STT, PTT, Ed Bargy Racing School, and Reg Pridmore CLASS.

All of them have slight variations on the rules, but the rules are there for safety. I've seen a guy get a helicopter ride out of Barber, seen ambulances haul people away too. I don't want to be one of them.

I remind myself that the point of a track day is to have fun and work on skills....not to be the fastest guy on the track or set the track record lap time. There are no trophies at the end of a track day.

If I get behind someone who is a "parker".....wide open in the straights and parks it in the corner....and I can't safely pass him. I'll simply ride through hot pit.

Having ridden in novice, intermediate, and advanced groups....I can tell you that I feel the advanced group is the safer group. I'm typically mid pack in the intermediate group, and one of the slower guys (if not the slowest) in the advanced group, but I feel safer riding with the more advanced riders.

I like the idea of riders having to be evaluated before they are allowed to bump up. If you're a good, safe, smooth rider, you don't need to be fast to ride in the advanced group. As long as you hold your line and don't do anything stupid (and don't get spooked by close passes), then that's the best place to be. But if you're all over the place, running wide in the turns, not running a consistent line, etc.....even if you're fast as hell....things happen REAL fast at 100+mph. Best not to be the cause of someone riding the helicopter.

[baninja]

Originally Posted by smileyman

No race group means find another track day organization or get your novice license!!! You won't learn anything lapping behind some slow bozo every corner (even if you only pass in the straights you WILL catch another slow bozo before the next corner!)

Just because there is no "race group" doesn't mean there aren't fast riders in group 2. In fact, a good number of the people that run in group 2 are licensed racers. IIRC passing is allowed in the straights for the morning sessions in group 2. Passing while entering a turn or on the exit of a turn is usually allowed in the afternoon sessions for group 2 only. Moira can correct me if I'm wrong. Stuffing another rider (mid turn passing) is not needed during a trackday. If the rider is truly fast he/she will find a safe place to pass if they need too. My 12 year old son has never had an issue on his RS85 or his RS125, and he passes 85% of the riders in group 2. A racer on a SV650 or 1000 shouldn't have a problem either.

[Dnyce]

just curious, how do u physically enforce a rev limit? i understand making mention of it, but without tach recall or being on the back seat, id think its kinda hard, no?

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Dnyce

just curious, how do u physically enforce a rev limit? i understand making mention of it, but without tach recall or being on the back seat, id think its kinda hard, no?

It is obvious when observing the track who is smooth and consistent, and who is not.

Or, do you mean to ask what the penalty is?

[Mr Lefty]

I think he means how do you know how's hitting 12000RPM and who's hitting 12500... ya know?

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by ebbs15

I think he means how do you know how's hitting 12000RPM and who's hitting 12500... ya know?

Ah - it's more of a "race to the corner" rule. As it's explained, the intent is to have people maintain a consistent and smooth lap rather than parking it in the corners and binning it in the straights.