Derek, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I am also opposed to grandiose and
all inclusive statements like these becoming conventional wisdom. I am Race
Chairman of SOVREN. We have run Group 6 as a mix of Formula cars and Sports
Racers for 10 years. I know of NO incidents that have been related to a mix
of open and closed wheeled cars. However, when we started doing this you
should have heard the howls of protest--"you can't do that, it is unsafe."
"It's never been allowed because it is unsafe." What finally allowed us to
institute this policy against the dogmatic naysayers was a look at the history
of racing in the Pacific Northwest, and we clearly showed that this practice
had been going on for years "in the era" i.e. at the SeaFair races. It has
now become accepted policy and no one questions it. As for your first point,
SOVREN unlike many other vintage racing clubs groups their cars by age and
engine size as opposed to lap times or speed potential so we do have fairly
big speed disparities in many of our groups. I totally agree that the danger
of speed differentials or rapid closing speeds is the element of surprise.
When the slow cars are cognizant that they are running with fast cars and are
watching their mirrors there is less chance of surprise, and when the fast
cars drive responsibly by passing in "the usual places" and don't do bonzi
(s?) late breaking maneuvers, overtaking the slower cars line at the last
minute, then there is less chance of surprising (scaring) the drivers of the
slower cars. I always tell people that what we do is Gentlemanly Racing for
the "love of the sport." (I don't want to rehash that Corinthian thread of
last year again!) A Gentleman is courteous and doesn't want to have fun at
the expense of someone else. (Of course that doesn't mean you can't whup 'em
"fair and square.")
Dick Buckingham, Jr.
Race Chairman -- SOVREN
Past President -- VMC
Derek Harling wrote:
> Someone recently wrote:
>
> > With lower speed differentials, you lessen the likelihood of
> > serious incidents.
>
> . . . . and if you don't take your car on the track you lessen it even
> more.
>
> Seriously - if there are two racing "truths" that I think are far too
> frequently believed they are
> - big speed differentials are dangerous - and -
> - mixing closed wheel and open wheel is dangerous.
>
> Bunk. Both.
>
> Big speed differentials are only dangerous if they surprise anyone. Use
> your eyes, your mirrors and your brain and you won't be surprised.
> Obviously that applies to both overtaker and overtakee. We have mirrors -
> use 'em. If you don't know what is going on all around you at all times -
> you shouldn't be out there. I still shudder at the comment heard many years
> ago while walking away from a drivers meeting - "I don't have time to look
> in my mirrors when I'm out there".
>
> Open wheel and closed wheel - dangerous? - why? Not as dangerous as mixing
> open wheel and open wheel.
>
> If you believe either of the above "truths" you're not thinking straight -
> please don't race with me.
>
> Derek
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