At the October 19th Pro IT race we were under starters orders for the restart. The lead pack of three cars at the front and two lap cars, ITB and SSM 4th and 5th and then my car, ITS.

When the green flag waived for the restart I laid back not being sure that I was able to pass the ITB or SSM cars until I had crossed start finish. Laying back killed my chance at running with the lead pack - these guys were 15-20 car lengths ahead by the time I hit the gas at start/finish and passed the lappers.

My question is - do I have to lay back until I cross start finish or can I blow by these guys the moment the green waives?

On a typcical start - not restart - I pass before start finish when the green waives. That is permitted, correct?

I looked at the GCR but didn't see anything but this entry in 5.5 under the oval track racing rules.

"Cars shall not improve position prior to crossing start/finish line. (Pulling out of line alongside the car in front of you is improving your position.)"

Have at it rules gurus :-)