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[seningen]

Originally Posted by seningen

Mixed class fields are very common (in fact I have never raced only SPB, even at COTA with 36 SPBs, we had a 65 car field) -- technically you are only racing within your class.

You are gridded based on lap times, which will typically congregate like cars together.

But it is not unusual for the classes to be mixed even at grid. Faster drivers of a slower class are often rear to mid pack of the next class up. This can create some interesting dynamics where
"slower cars" are side by side racing with their class, with faster cars who are also racing. Usually after a few laps, this sorts itself out.

During sprints, lapping typically only occurs with the fastest cars in a run group -- and that can have issues is folks don't play nicely, but you learn how to be lapped (or lap) and without significantly affecting either lap times. However, using traffic to your advantage is just part of the racing tool chest.

(novice PCA racer, joe average endurance chump)

Mike

In fact in my NOLA Sprint 2 race, it was gridded by the Sprint 1 race times. I had some fuel relay issues, so my car would cut in/out at times -- so my gridding was behind some 944s. Somehow, probably same mechanical issues, a GT3 was gridded behind me. He passed me on the start but I tucked behind him through some slower sections knowing that he'd "push" open a path that I could slip stream behind him -- which is what happened -- unfortunately, the point where he broke through, I couldn't accelerate to keep on his bumper, and the door closed before I could get through. So much for good plans...

Mike

[husker boxster]

Turn 1 of a Club Race at COTA is a sight to behold. Cars go 4 or 5 wide and a couple of rows deep into the turn but rarely everyone survives.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Turn 1 of a Club Race at COTA is a sight to behold. Cars go 4 or 5 wide and a couple of rows deep into the turn but rarely everyone survives.

I prefer to be way outside here -- but I remember on race last year that I was straddling the candy-stripes, while at my door was a SPB, that hadn't rotated yet. I'm staring at his front bumper.

Fortunately he was just tip-toeing and no issue insued -- but the way T1 at CoTA is,
it is very enticing to take the inside line, but then you get squeezed out and you
basically have to park it waiting for the Walmart traffic to let you through :-)

I like the outside line for several reasons, there's room to bail further outside, you can maintain some semblance of momentum, and it opens up after the turn, even if T2 is a right hander, it can be taken at moderate speeds (race start speeds) and hold a decent line into the Esses.

That all said -- I'll get pinned on the inside this weekend just because I typed this :-)

Mike

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by seningen

I like the outside line for several reasons, there's room to bail further outside, you can maintain some semblance of momentum, and it opens up after the turn, even if T2 is a right hander, it can be taken at moderate speeds (race start speeds) and hold a decent line into the Esses.

I believe it was Scott Dixon who pulled your outside in T1 at the start of Sunday's IndyCar race and picked up 2 spots by doing it. Maybe he saw you execute that move and liked it.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

I believe it was Scott Dixon who pulled your outside in T1 at the start of Sunday's IndyCar race and picked up 2 spots by doing it. Maybe he saw you execute that move and liked it.

I was just watching F1’s Drive to Survive, the COTA episode last night and Seinz was penalized 5 sec for going beyond the racing surface on T1 start and gaining an advantage...

I’ll take 5 sec over a busted car :-)

Mike