I believe at Nationals they target initilly for a 25-30 second spacing between
starts, with an idea to working closer to the 25-second ideal.
Keep in mind that Natiolnals are run on a site which is basically square, And
permits a course design that almost never puts two cars in different parts of
the course in close proximity to each other. No crossovers, no re-used loops,
etc. One factor in the design philosophy there is the flexibility to have
four cars on course at a time (one just finishing as one is just starting,
in effect). So a 60-second course maY only have three clocks (of 4 in the JAC
timer) running, while a 70-second course may have all four going for a moment.
Therefore, the only proximity problems are one car catching another, and
workers having time to replace hit pylons. One car catching another is usually
a result of spinout where the driver of the spun car is slow in gathering
himself up and getting going again, so obviously the separation between cars
also serves to give the needed buffer for workers to get a red flag out.
I heard once that 25 also seemed about minimum for the people in timing to keep
things straight without getting hopelessly behind.
BTW, on the comments Mark Sirota made ... he did not say so but he speaks from
the viewpoint of having been a Nationals course chief, so that is a pretty
solid source.
If ever timing gets behind, of course, they should call for a brief hold rather
than screw things up worse by a misguided effort to "stay on time." The time
a hold takes will usually be less than the time a few reruns to straighten
things out will take.
And of course, starters should be aware of the exception. My daughter Stephanie
ran Nationals once, had a great time, but she is not really what you would call
aggressive. I made a point of telling the starter he would be well Advised to
give Steph double the normal spacing before sending out the following car.
Hey, she was only 20 seconds behind Kim Bollinger! But of course, 20 seconds
eats up nearly all of that 25-second ideal spacing.
Given a Nationals-style design where two cars never really have a situatioin
where they can be close to each other, a timed separation usually works well.
If the course crosses itself, re-uses a portion, or has some other car-to-car
proximity situations, then you must wait until that proximity is cleared. And
I've found that means do not anticipate. Starting Car 2 knowing that car 1 will
be clear of the suspect location ignores the possibility of car 1 having a
problem (spin?) and being late getting to that specific portion of the course.
KNOW the possibility of a "chance meeting" has been eliminated before starting
the next car. Same goes for the possible need for pylon cleanup before #2
arrives.
In solo II, we go on course reasonably confident that we will not have any
hazards unexpectedly appearing, especially in the form of another car in what
is supposed to be another part of the course (the second time through a
crossover is "another part"). The only car I ever expect to "meet" would be
one I just caught up to, which usually is a situation where workers have
ample time to redflag me.
While you may start out with a 25-second spacing, the starter will quickly
learn that 25 seconds mean start #2 when #1 is ... THERE! But then, keep in
mind that where THERE is may be 25 seconds for an HS but 20 seconds for an AM.
It thus becomes a constantly adjusted standard through the event. Of course,
use a quick car to set the standard of where THERE is, and you may be golden
for the entire event.
--Rocky Entriken
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
>From Rocky Entriken, Salina, Ks. Ikke sa Hurtig Racing
R.Entriken@mcimail.com #4 DP Spitfire [Old Fartz #001]
Phone: 785-827-5143 Freelance Motorsports Journalist
FAX: 785-823-0213 <If I said that, I misquoted myself>
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