Endurance Road Racing Strategy & team management

there's a saying, "stay out of the box and out of the rocks"; ie minimize pit stops (or time in the garage) and accidents and let the race come to you.

an Fchatter was on the pit crew for the winning GT car at this year's Daytona 24; hopefully he'll chime in.

 

I've never seen any books on the subject.

In my case, experience has been the best teacher.

 

Agreed. Not much written on the subject that I'm aware of. Most of the knowledge is in the heads of the crew chiefs, team owners and drivers.

However, from my own perspective, strategy is to be running at the end of the race. That's your starting point. Therefore, don't do anything foolish, such as trying to win on the first lap. Endurance racing has morphed, however, from running at a semi-comfortable pace to a flat-out sprint. Often there are multiple cars on the lead lap when the winner crosses the finish line. So, you must have the speed, also.

But, all that said (which is obvious), other good points are stay out of the pits, if possible, don't trade paint, don't off-track much, yadda, yadda. This is all good common sense stuff. Flag management, tire management, logistics management all are important, too. I can't think of one aspect of modern endurance racing that can be ignored.

Practice, practice, practice. This includes pit stops and driver changes. Practice common repairs in pit lane under simulated conditions, if possible (i.e. in the dark). Make the crew guys (and drivers) stay up for a simulated 24-hour race so they know what it feels like to be fatigued yet have to do their jobs. Put the clock on them.

In terms of race logistics, you'll have to be carrying spares. Have them all inventoried, and have someone know exactly where they are. Have someone get situated in advance at the track. Know where the tire trailer is. You'll be changing worn tires out with them repeatedly. Know where all of your vendors are located and the easiest, most direct routes to them. Have alternates. That goes, also, for spotters around the track. Put them in good locations. Test radios in advance. Have back-up batteries for every team member with a headset. If it's a race that has volatile weather, bring sunscreen, colder weather gear, sleeping bags and raingear. These are just stupid details that often get forgotten in the excitement of racing. Guys like Penske, Ganassi and Doran perfected this aspect of it, and for the most part, there's not a winning team on the grid that doesn't do all of this. Luck is a function of preparation.

Oh, and don't forget a good cook should be along. Keep the crew fed well. Happy crew = productive crew. Cold, wet and hungry crew = not as productive crew.

CW

 

If any spare is adjustible in any way, make sure it is adjusted just like the one on the car before the race starts.

 

I seem to recall one or more of the great sportscar team managers (Neubauer, Wyer, Yorke, etc) wrote an autobiography, which might prove illuminating. I don't know if any of Carroll Smith's books (e.g. Prepare to Win) covers specifically endurance racing topics.

 

i think the two biggest ones that catch you out are hydration and driver changes.

 

PM me....

 

As an aside, or maybe not, I have always wondered if the best strategy for a long race like Indy, Le Mans, or Daytona would be to run hot enough to qualify and then lay back a bit and let everybody else kill each other. You might not win, but it seems like you'd finish in the money.

Dale

 

I believe I've told you everything you need to know, probably not the best weekend of showing by example, but we'll be back.

If I had the time, I'd write a book about it - or maybe just a blog - of course there is the whole remembering every weekend of preperation (and lack thereof) and the actual race weekends (a lot more difficult due to the time, beer, space, travel continuum).

 

Just finished "Racing in the Rain" by John Horsman who managed the Wyer teams of GT-40's, Mirages and 917's in the "Golden Era" of endurance racing in the '60's and 70's. Not a "how to" by any means but a fascinating read and good information to be gleaned from the many anecdotes... Recommended...

Best,
Tom

 

I've always thought this as well but I think that the big teams are under so much pressure to lead or compete for the lead and "on air face time" that this strategy goes by the wayside... Maybe better for the privateers or small teams!

Best,
Tom

 

first I think you need an idea of what it takes to win your class. How did last years leader do? There is your starting point. work backwards from there, with amount of tires needed plus spares, plus fuel, how many pit stops.......from there it is taking advantage of yellows...the number one thing you can do is know the rules inside and out, know them better than the marshalls. One mistake on a pit stop can cost you the race. Knowing the rules can prevent you from coming in the pits when the marshall was wrong about something (as they sometimes are) Glen Long from Freedom Autosport is amazing at this. Strategy that works in Grand AM does not work in SCCA, and may not work in PCA or BMW. Knowledge is power!

 

Dave, being time efficient by planning is key too. It's the little things that add up. One small addition helps our pits stops go more smoothly (our that means you and I) - medical tubing to keep in place the harness during pit stops. Nifty idea by Jason W. who raced in Team DSB early on.
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The strategy changes and differs depending on Track, Series and Car.

ALMS/ACO is not the same as Grand Am, and Grand Am is not the same as VLN.

What track, car and series is it specific to?