It should be noted that Steve paddocks with Bret and the RP Performance group, who somehow manages to pack about 17 cars in the space others require for just two or three.
The rest of the DC regulars have paddock spots that many have been using for years, but they are always welcoming to strangers. We used to park with the SM field until we got tired of camping in Lake Summit Point and now tend to park up front near the ITA crowd, who has always been friendly and accommodating. Most of the ITB guys are out in the woods where they can't hurt anybody, the GT Pintos are off in a corner where they can't scare anybody off, the open wheel and SRF folks tend to park on the pavement near the IT7s (I guess they are deaf enough to sleep through that noise), and then there's always the Free Turn Five crowd...
Hero To The Momentum Challenged
At some of the Labor Day MARRS events I've attended where there were over 300 entrants, it was nice. "Fortunately" we don't have that issue in the N.E. lately.P.S. and to be honest, pre-arranged parking is not a terrible idea, thanks for bringing it up...I've never had an issue with stepping up, have you? IF it were a concept that my run group were interested in trying, I wouldn't have an issue helping to cover it.So you'll be taking care of it then. Sounds like the problem is solved - Dave's going to cover it. See you at grid.
Dave Gran
Real Roads, Real Car Guys – Real World Road Tests
Go Ahead - Take the Wheel's Free Guide to Racing
Art Jaso
Former 1989 Toyota MR2 #55 ITB
DC Region SCCA
DC Region Board of Directors
Coordinator of Racers Helping Racers Fund
http://www.racershelpingracers.com/
PDX/TT Committee Member
PDX Co-Chief of Grid
PDX Chief Technical Inspector
SCCA Pit Marshall
SCCA Pace Car
SCCA F & C
Producer of "Racing Summit Point" Video
http://vimeo.com/67177646
Paddock space or early grid are never a problem at NHMS, but how would Dave know?
One trip/event a year at LRP for NER and no one complaining, well accept for one!
hardly requires a new rule
and....Thompson is an unknown right now!
Jerry
NER South
I do hate NHMS! LOL
I also never said paddock space is an issue in the N.E.
How was my first post complaining? Merely an idea to discuss something other regions do to determing if regions running races at LRP and other tracks could benefit from this. And I'm not the only one here who likes what the WDCR does. That's fine that many think it isn't a good idea and is a part of this discussion.
And yes, people do complain about this at the track. Absolutely. Not a huge deal to me but it would be one additional item which could reduce stress even just a bit on a race weekend.
Dave Gran
Real Roads, Real Car Guys – Real World Road Tests
Go Ahead - Take the Wheel's Free Guide to Racing
SEDiv tracks this matters a lot. You go out first in a tight group at CMP or Roebling or VIR and you are likely to ensure the all important first few clean laps on HoHos.
So yeah, we "fight" for pole position in qualifying by lining up early. Basically when the group before you GOES to grid, you go line up outside teh grid.
NC Region
1980 ITS Triumph TR8
We should do it in reverse order of lap times, like Driver's School. Actually, there's no spectating at Summit T1 anymore, so nevermind...
Seriously though-
One of the issues I had at Labor Day last year was the ITS/ITB gridded by MARRS points. I had run previously in the year and gotten a 2nd and a 3rd, so I figured I'd be in good shape. Apparently though, my points were never counted, so it didn't help me. Combine that with the fact that my car # is 96 (I think that's how they ordered the no-points crowd), and I was near the back. Keep in mind, the real problem here was not the methodology, but the implementation. Also, I guess if I'd have been more vigilant, I'd have noticed that my points weren't on the list (though I swear that they were at one point).
Aside from that one incident, I'm mostly in favor of it. It's certainly much better than the mad rush I experienced at MidO at ITFest a few years back.
Matt Green
ITAC Member- 2012-??
Tire Shaver at TreadZone- www.treadzone.com
#96 Dodge Shelby Charger ITB- Mine, mine, all mine!
I was around when they actually improved Improved Touring! (and now I'm trying not to mess it up!)
Matt, your points may or may not have actually been there at various points last year. I know that I had to contact Heidi two or three times to get my points corrected. Each time she was gracious and and corrected things quickly. I don't know what issue they were experiencing last year with points, but I seemed to fall into some sort of (uncharacteristic) black hole in their registration system as well.
Two or three times my registration was so spectacularly hosed that it took Gail to straighten it out. It got to the point where she would see me coming and just tell somebody to "register him how he tells you to do so, I'll fix it later." Not to knock the fine folks in Registration - in fact, just the opposite. I am certain my issues were in the minority, and the people there worked quickly and efficiently to resolve them each time, after time, after time, after time...
That's one of those things that keeps me racing with WDCR. Unlike other regions in my recent experience, they know customer service. Problems are few and far between, and when they do crop up the path to resolution clear. And the drivers (I hope) appreciate how good we have it.
Rob, who knows he has just invoked Mr. Murphy in a large way.
Hero To The Momentum Challenged
Also GLD bitching, but last year we had an occurrence where we lined up along the road waiting to get to the false grid. The group before us pulled out and just before the false grid was opened a group of about 5 Miatas just drove by us to the front. Pre-grid opens and in they go. But what are you going to do, protest someone for passing in the paddock?
Seems like about 1 out of 5 races there is at least modest discomfort in pre-grid about qualifying order.
Jim Hardesty
ITC 1986 Honda Civic Diablo Rojo Verde
Never argue your tab at the end of the night. Remember, you're hammered and they’re sober.
Art Jaso
Former 1989 Toyota MR2 #55 ITB
DC Region SCCA
DC Region Board of Directors
Coordinator of Racers Helping Racers Fund
http://www.racershelpingracers.com/
PDX/TT Committee Member
PDX Co-Chief of Grid
PDX Chief Technical Inspector
SCCA Pit Marshall
SCCA Pace Car
SCCA F & C
Producer of "Racing Summit Point" Video
http://vimeo.com/67177646
Matt Green
ITAC Member- 2012-??
Tire Shaver at TreadZone- www.treadzone.com
#96 Dodge Shelby Charger ITB- Mine, mine, all mine!
I was around when they actually improved Improved Touring! (and now I'm trying not to mess it up!)
I'll take up a collection next time and don't forget your MARRS stickers.
Art Jaso
Former 1989 Toyota MR2 #55 ITB
DC Region SCCA
DC Region Board of Directors
Coordinator of Racers Helping Racers Fund
http://www.racershelpingracers.com/
PDX/TT Committee Member
PDX Co-Chief of Grid
PDX Chief Technical Inspector
SCCA Pit Marshall
SCCA Pace Car
SCCA F & C
Producer of "Racing Summit Point" Video
http://vimeo.com/67177646
Wow - 3 pages in a day on the "race" to get into the race. You can tell it's been a long winter.
Having raced in WDCR I can say having a procedure is great in taking the uncertainty out of the process but it did have it's downside. Notably out of region guys (or those that only make the trip a couple times a year like me) get consistently shuffled to the back and it's one of the reasons I don't race there anymore. I expect the same would happen in NEDIV where people from outside the division would not find any system to be particularly fair.
Second, maybe it's me but I've never had a problem making it into the front of the group in NEDIV just by getting in a driving up after 2nd call. My position on grid for qualifying is less of a concern than the people that block the track on the out lap. I'm more of a heat up the tires by putting them under real load kind of guy. If you want to spend half of the track weaving side to side please keep an eye on your mirrors to make sure you aren't holding people up.
~Matt Rowe
ITA Dodge Neon
NEDiv
WDCR MARRS event pre-grid for the first qual session each weekend is entirely up to the desires of the individual run group. the drivers reps in that group tell grid how they want to be set up at the beginning of the season. options used include, but are not limited to:
random (small bore)
random by class (this is how ITS/ITB does it. fast class in front)
fastest lap time of the season to date (big bore)
MARRS points to date (miata?)
no matter what group you are in, the lack of a pre-grid traffic jam is wonderful.
MARRS has used a reserved paddock area process for many years at summit point (I am the guy that does the reservation map). the amount of space a class gets is based on the average participation of the class in the previous years races. out-of-towners are welcome! as it says in the supps, just call the drivers rep of the group you are in a week or so before the race, tell them what you have for car/trailer and they will try to find you space either in the reserved area for their class or nearby if possible. we routinely "trade" space with adjacent classes as need be.
the goals of both grid and paddock space processes are to reduce stress and chaos on race weekends. more focus on FUN!
Marshall
ex-ITR, now ITS/STU
Last edited by mlytle; 03-04-2014 at 09:16 PM.
I think that now Dave is in ITA, he's a little worried he's gonna lose the race to grid for qualifying!
I am one of those that likes to be out in the front for qualifying. Many times you can get 3 plus laps of clear track. And I've never seen it congested or heard anyone complain. But I've NEVER blocked anyone on the out lap and have NEVER seen that happen except at the first IT Fest race at Mid Ohio. Apparently there was an unspoken rule about the regulars there dictating the out lap pace......... but it would have been nice if they let the rest of the grid know........... it created some VERY dangerous situations.......
Hmmmmmmm, isnt there some video of qualifying at the Run Offs where there was an incident <he says, stirring the pot>
I dont see it as a problem in NER......... But maybe because 3/4 of the ITA/IT7 group are a bunch of slackers and can barely get to grid before the one minute................. Man, I crack myself up!!
I cant wait for the season to start...........
.
Jeff L
ITA Miata
2010 NARRC Champion
2007 NERRC Championship, 2nd place
2008 NARRC Championship, 2nd place
2009 NARRC Championship, 2nd place
Not too worried buddy, the Kessler engine is coming along nicely!!! I figure the easiest way is just to paddock near you and when you start getting ready, I'll know it's time.
But yes, looking forward to the race season! I am glad it's still a bit off for me to get some funds together.
Dave Gran
Real Roads, Real Car Guys – Real World Road Tests
Go Ahead - Take the Wheel's Free Guide to Racing
To be clear, if a session is released under the green - as opposed to being FCY for the "first lap" - I'ma gonna be passin' some folks up in heah.
K
In SEDIV they are generally shown a white flag on the out lap....react accordingly, but if you are the first 5 or so cars and take it easy for half a lap, you get the couple of clean laps needed.
Chuck Baader
White EP BMW M-Techniq
I may grow older, but I refuse to grow up!
Jim Hardesty
ITC 1986 Honda Civic Diablo Rojo Verde
Never argue your tab at the end of the night. Remember, you're hammered and they’re sober.
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