|
Post by curtis on Jan 25, 2011 6:08:57 GMT -5
I came up with something...plow the left bank after the start back 80 feet
|
|
|
Post by downtown on Jan 25, 2011 9:35:55 GMT -5
I suggested yesterday a standing start and the reply was "that would create a safety issue". Someday someone from the club will have to explain to me how what happens now is any safer. I've read alot of comments about drivers having the ability to simply back off or brake when they can't see but that only works for the cars at the tail. IMO half of these wrecks are caused by guys slowing down and someone hitting them from behind and ....well you know the rest.
At the very least we should consider moving the Flag Stand to a slower portion of the track, possibly the end of that "straight-away". This won't eliminate crashes in the first corner but with the lack of speed will make them "minor" bumps and bangs and not season ending wrecks.
|
|
|
Post by johnsacek on Jan 25, 2011 10:15:21 GMT -5
The club eliminated standing starts due to the rear end collisions that have taken place in the past. (Ask Don Hupe) about this.
The bottom line guys is that we as drivers have control of our cars, if the snow dust is so bad you can't see, then why chance a collision by barreling through it.
Perhaps we need to put a rule in place for starts, where by cars must stay in single file formation (side by side) until past the flag. This would eliminate any complaints that the other guy jumped the gun, and more importantly the safety of our flag man.
|
|
|
Post by Don Hupe on Jan 25, 2011 13:30:53 GMT -5
Okay I can wade in the pool, IIRA moves the flagman on the start to the next corner or very close to it AND there is NO PASSING BEFORE BOB!!!!! ( don't ask how I know this , Bob is the flagman) yes there are some blind starts caused by snow dust but the speeds are lower and it ends up being a little bumping not alot of carnage. our track here might work with Mike starting the race just before the half track crossover, Mike is right OUR real eastate is the track HIS is the snowbank and the 2 should never meet!!! As racers our responsibility is to win the race not destroy everything in our path to do it! We all have responsibility to finish the race with our cars and our fellow competitors cars in tact ( ok a little different colour in spots )BUT intact! No finger pointing cause we all at one time or another have done wrong!Rob and Peter I think the desicion to cancel the afternoon sucked But before anyone jumps on me for the comment I SUPPORT THEIR DESCISION it just sucks we couldn't race BUT THEY HAD TO MAKE THE CALL cause as racers we are not smart enough to do it on our own we are racing no matter what! thank you to all the volunteers for keeping us safe! Please bear in mind this comment was made after a night shift with 3 hours sleep
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Jan 25, 2011 15:49:46 GMT -5
Slower starts could help.The part about standing starts is what if the guy in the front row stalls?Could a 5mph start help?I don't think so cause the people barreling into the snow dust are the ones that think there way behind and they think if they floor it for that couple of extra seconds they can win. Before i took the rookies out for a couple of laps(not sure why peter was out there at that time) I had made them aware of what can happen if they floored it through the snow dust.obviously telling them didn't work one bit. so telling the people that have experience to slow down when you can't see is just wasting your breath. I am sure that everyone learned after the first weekend and the second should be way smoother.
|
|
|
Post by gadomko on Jan 25, 2011 20:21:21 GMT -5
I agree with alot of the points. But the bottom line is the drivers need to understand this is ICE not pavement and you have to respect the environment . If you can't see slow down! As said earlier the race is not won on the first corner. This is my ninth season and I would have to say the worst day I have every seen at the track.
|
|
|
Post by mark stewart on Jan 25, 2011 21:05:24 GMT -5
I don't know what happened on Saturday that caused the crashing cause I wasn't there when the "BIG 1" happened, but Sunday the main reason for the snow dust was the fact that the track didn't get cleaned off after the break! I understand there was some problems with the plow trucks and the snow dust was left on the track causing poor visibility for the cars not starting in the front...SO... maybe we should focus on correcting that issue and keep the danger areas clear before trying to re-invent the wheel or change the track layout?
also if anybody needs to straighten out their wrecked racer, my shop has floor anchors and pulling equipment! give me a call.
|
|
|
Post by gadomko on Jan 25, 2011 21:14:17 GMT -5
Hey Mark, Good to know , my car has just taken a trip to the frame shop to get straighten and this will not be a small bill! - I think downhill sking was cheaper but golfing is warmer.
|
|
Doug
Member
Posts: 75
|
Post by Doug on Jan 27, 2011 10:50:31 GMT -5
Mark Great idea!! I wish I had set up for that when I built my shop. However with in floor heat I am a little scared to start coring out holes for pullers now. If I can ever figure out for sure where my pex lines are I am going to set up for pullers. For now a couple of big trees, a winch and my port-a-power will have to do. I thought I had a line on a pull-dozer at one time but it fell through.
I bet that broken shifter doesn't seem so bad now after the carnage the other cars suffered!
|
|