Jerome had a good idea in other thread that we should still look at improvements although most things seemed great at the first Sebring event. I didn't have any problems with other cars or the racing, which like WCH I had some reservations coming from the SCCA Club Racing world. Even the drivers off the pace were as professional or more so than the average SCCA or NASA racer. my only minor input... 1) grid - Friday much better than the Thursday mess. not sure if there's anything to be learned from this because grid procedure will vary based on the track and organization. can't expect this to be smooth as SCCA where they have a designated grid martial that has been doing the same thing for 40 years straight. 2) grid out - Thursday we had the SCCA style left or right designations so you knew which side. Friday we had the NASA Texas style where you lined up straight until last corner and person ahead chooses side and then so forth. I'm indifferent on the method, but the formal designation ends up with less problems. 3) green flag line-up - I thought both races were pretty good. Near impossible from Club Racing even to Pro racing to get everyone to perfectly line up not trying to get a run, jump, or better view to side. 4) using AMB can we upload all timing to MyLaps.com? 5) website updates - nice to get results and points updated to site in timely manner. wow, that list was way shorter than any SCCA or NASA race I've ever done.
Great points, Rob. I also like having the splitter at grid out to get everyone oriented but I would hope we can spend most of the lap single file until the last turn just so we can stay on the clean line throughout the lap. Some more thoughts include: 1) grid marshals having number boards that show how many minutes until the cars will be released onto the track (for qualy and race). At a minimum the marshall could hold up their hand for 5 minutes and 1 minute. 2) Maybe a little orange (magnetic) utility strobe light for the top of the pace car 3) Some mechanism to tell cars during practice if their transponder is not being picked up by T&S. NASA holds up a 'white board' at start/finish that says TX 29 to tell car #29 that timing and scoring is not 'seeing' their signal. These are certainly not complaints, just punch list ideas as the year goes along. Paul
The only complaint I have was enforcement of the racing rules. I saw three people pass on a black flag. Nothing happened to the drivers. They need to be pulled into pit lane and explained the rules. I could also tell a lot of drivers did not understand the localized yellow flag. It can be confusing on a 3.7 mile track. Honestly, A lot of fast cars were not looking in there mirrors. I drive a 355. it's very slow. If you don't see the other driver, for example going into T17 and you close the door. it can be a real problem.
Thanks for the feedback guys, we will incorporate the suggestions. We are in the midst of changing web site hosts so please be patient.
