Clearing the track
 

I’ve noticed over the past couple years that there have been a number of racers who seem to take an excessive amount of time to clear the race track on what I will, for now, describe as a “variety of reasons.” Personally, I think the only valid reason to take 30 seconds to hit the 1/4 mile mark is if you’re broke. Otherwise, the racer owes a duty to those behind him/her to get off the race surface in a reasonable amount of time. We all take great pains to ensure that our water, oil, and ATF temp’s are where we want them to be.

I’m not looking to start an argument, though I expect there may be one. There was one instance of a Stock racer this morning who came up -.004 and then proceeded to take 27 seconds at 34 mph to get off the race track, which clearly caught the attention of the announcer. I watched and could see the driver lift about 150’ out. Absent breakage, which should necessitate stopping on the race track at those speeds, I think the racer owes it to the balance of the field to get off the racing surface in a reasonable amount of time.

Hoping to start a discussion is all. We have probably all been guilty of delay in the eyes of other racers at some point. This is coming from the guy who caused a long delay in E1 at the Sonoma National last year when I broke a trans tail shaft and didn’t know it, but got to watch cleanup anyway.

Re: Clearing the track
 

Yeah, I saw that today, took forever to go down track like he was getting even for his redlight-lol.And he could have taken the early turnout but proceeded to go all the way down.

Re: Clearing the track
 

Thoughtless butt.

Re: Clearing the track
 

A little off topic but still a holdup. Does anyone know what the whole deal was with Gary Richard? First rnd stock, Seems he didn’t want to go down track but was waved on to do so, leaving a 1/4 mile mess??? I know he is a good guy and great for d1 just curious as to what really happened

Re: Clearing the track
 

That guy is what BEVIS would call a BUTTHEAD


Ron

Re: Clearing the track
 

For those of us that are old enough, remember what time trials at Indy used to look like in the sixties for Stock and Super Stock?

It was like standing next to an Interstate Highway the cars were going by so fast.

There are folks that say that it is not pit space that is driving quotas at national events but the ability to get cars down the track.

What can we do to fix this?

I personally feel it would take an aggressive starting line crew and racer cooperation.

Re: Clearing the track
 

Things actually went very smoothly at the Baby Gators last weekend. Most of the time they were ahead of schedule. It seemed that the stock and super stock racers were getting to the staging lanes pretty quickly once called. All in all a very well run event. D2 has been doing a great job running their events lately. Rich and his crew are top notch.

Re: Clearing the track
 

I was at track and saw Gary Richards weird episode. I think he stopped his run, it was a single, he probably saw no oil psi and decided to shut off but it look like his crew to him to make a pass anyways,oops he leaked trans oil.

Re: Clearing the track
 

The last turn-off , of probably the longest track on tour. If that driver pulled that stunt during a Nat event I'm guessing NHRA would fine him. Alan Rienhart sounded pissed.

Re: Clearing the track
 

I was pissed,I was the one behind him in the water box. There was lots of swearing going on to myself and even more when he didn't make the first turn off.

Re: Clearing the track
 

Those of us old enough to remember also had Buster up there motioning for us to get our tails up there, and get ready to go. Didn’t want cross Buster.
I always got a smile and a nod, or small wave from him up there. Figured I was following instructions well enough. LOL

Re: Clearing the track...in a timely and prudent manner!
 

With regard to what certainly appeared to be a rather petulant act, I would have immediately invited him in for a discussion.

If the discussion did not prove fruitful, I would have extended my best wishes towards his upcoming sabbatical.

My thoughts were centered around the two competitors immediately behind and I could likely recite at near verbatim the starting line crew dialogue.

Re: Clearing the track
 

I sometimes find the drive and ask him what broke on the car and if he needs any help to fix it.Most of the time it nothing.Then I explain to him how he is putting the next two drivers out of their routine. They usually clue in then.