Quote:
Originally posted by bldn10:
The way I see it, Matt, is that if I am trying to pass you and I know exactly where I need to get by a certain point, I can make the mental evaluation whether I can do it or not, and act acordingly. Or, as you said, responsibly. Conversely, you will know when you have to give it up.
Yes, there should be a "safe" point that you have to get to. In fact under the current rule there already is. It's the point where the other car knows where you are because any contact can potentially be his responsibility. Oh and just because you get along side someone don't expect them to give it up. You get room, not an engraved invitation to complete the pass.
Quote:
Originally posted by bldn10:
As I'm sure you know, if you get the rep of being the guy who always acts "responsibly" and avoids contact at all cost, you will be a sitting duck for the guys who will take advantage of your good intentions.
I used the word responsible for a reason. It means that although I might provide racing room, incidental contact might still occur. And if it does I know that depending on the situation I also take some RESPONSIBILITY and it doesn't matter if the person was dead even, at my rear wheel or at my front well.
Quote:
Originally posted by bldn10:
On the other hand, if you do have a rule that gives you "the 'right' to cause contact," then the other guy knows he has put himself in a position where you can indeed take your line and he will have a pretty good notion that it will be he who gets penalized if contact occurs.
But what if the overtaken guy doesn't quite get close enough to complete the pass but he is alongside. A rule that eliminates a driver from blame allows the lead driver to run the other off track without fear of protest. So much for racing a guy side by side for 3 turns, he can put you off in the first turn.