Pit Vehicle vs Race Car Right of Way

[65signet]

The kids at our National Open race on scooters was crazy, i don't understand why they are riding around like the own the road.

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by 65signet

The kids at our National Open race on scooters was crazy, i don't understand why they are riding around like the own the road.

That's the parents fault!

[Jim Caughlin]

I thought there was a minimum age on scooters in the pits, how about we just enforce the rule? Secondly, why don't they stop letting non-racers driving their cars into pits? I see a steady flow of street rods, motorcycles, etc just 'cruising' the pit lanes. This isn't supposed to be a rod run, keep vehicles not associated to the function of a racer out of the pits.

Jim Caughlin
6019 SS

[voltdr]

Originally Posted by 65signet

The kids at our National Open race on scooters was crazy, i don't understand why they are riding around like the own the road.

The time to complain about a problem is when it happens and not days later on a forum that has no control over the issue. Do you think that the people doing this will read about it here and, miraculously, change there behavior? Go to the tower and talk to the DD and make a real report about it. You may actually save someone injury or worse.
This is also one of the reasons that I have insurance on my car that covers it while driving in the pits.
Dan Foley
SC 4698

[Jim Caughlin]

Dan, I can't speak for Div 4 but I can tell you I would be in the tower at every Divisional race on the west coast if I were start complaining about kids bombing around on motorized vehicles. Yes, you are correct that we are lucky so far that (to my knowledge) no one has been hurt but if I am seeing it, are you telling me that multiple NHRA officials aren't seeing the same thing? My 4 year old comes to the races with me, he is not allowed to even touch his bicycle (non-motorized) until all of the cars are shut down for the night and then only with me supervising.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[GTX JOHN]

A few years back at LVMS during Nationals: Darren Smith's National champion Superstock Dart was hit by the crew of another car who ran a stop sign at a pretty fast speed. Darren was bang up (He is a tough Kid)..... BUT his beautiful race car was virtually destroyed! He was coasting slowly right on the big wide main road down to the staging lanes. The crew in the SUV that hit really must have be flying by the looks of what was left of the Smith's car!

I do not believe the crew of the Alcohol Dragster received any sanctions or fines of any kind! Darren and his Dad Dave were much calmer throughout the whole ordeal than we would have been in that deal!

[Jon Sarrett]

Last year at Norwalk Divisional I had a heated exchange with a very well known TS driver after he ran his cart in front of me while I was pulling into my pit spot on Saturday after a pass. We were pitted right next to one another the entire weekend. I was willing to let it pass but he approached me in my pit spot and threatened to kick my *** if I didn't calm down. They came flying down the pit lane and I was 2/3 of the way through my turn when they zipped in front of me coming from the blind spot in my car. I didn't call them any names but I did shout an expletive INSIDE my car. The guy is a real piece of work. A couple of wally's and a fast car doesn't give you the right to act like an arsehole. I've noticed a huge lack of respect in the last few years regarding this topic. It's only going to get worse....

[Jim Kaekel]

Originally Posted by Jon Sarrett

Last year at Norwalk Divisional I had a heated exchange with a very well known TS driver after he ran his cart in front of me while I was pulling into my pit spot on Saturday after a pass. We were pitted right next to one another the entire weekend. I was willing to let it pass but he approached me in my pit spot and threatened to kick my *** if I didn't calm down. They came flying down the pit lane and I was 2/3 of the way through my turn when they zipped in front of me coming from the blind spot in my car. I didn't call them any names but I did shout an expletive INSIDE my car. The guy is a real piece of work. A couple of wally's and a fast car doesn't give you the right to act like an arsehole. I've noticed a huge lack of respect in the last few years regarding this topic. It's only going to get worse....

Sounds familiar, Jon. I had trouble many years ago, also at Norwalk with a TS racing team as well. The team owner wanted me to move from my own pit spot and when I refused, called my car a "piece of ****". I suspect the same clan.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Jim Kaekel

Sounds familiar, Jon. I had trouble many years ago, also at Norwalk with a TS racing team as well. The team owner wanted me to move from my own pit spot and when I refused, called my car a "piece of ****". I suspect the same clan.

I'm not the vindictive type but have had damaged race cars due to others being neglectful and downright rude. You should call out active racers who act like this so others can avoid pitting in the same vicinity; same goes for obnoxious generators or failure to mount generator exhaust stacks and subsequent fuming your trailer/motorhome all night long.

[TBR151J]

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

A few years back at LVMS during Nationals: Darren Smith's National champion Superstock Dart was hit by the crew of another car who ran a stop sign at a pretty fast speed. Darren was bang up and his beautiful race car was virtually destroyed right on the main road down to the staging lanes.

I do not believe the crew of the Alcohol Dragster received any sanctions or fines of any kind! Darren and his Dad Dave were much calmer throughout the whole ordeal than we would have been in that deal!

Sounds like my deal...normal raceday at Englishtown like 15 years ago and a track employee t-boned my Nova right in the door coming from a side road as I was going to the lanes for the semis. Thankfully I only got a couple of bumps and bruises as opposed to what could have happened, but the car was hurt bad. Dude drilled the door all the way to the door bar on the cage, wiped out the quarterpanel, bent the rear, spun me around 180 degrees. Funny part was the door glass didn't get broken (I still have it!).

To say I wasn't happy would be an understatement and in my 20 year old youth probably went a bit overboard expressing my anger, disgust and contempt and probably warrented the rest of the year vacation I got plus losing my job working the burnout box there. Kicker was the kid kept his job and I got 2 tickets, one for reckless driving and other for failure to produce insurance or registration.

Name of the game is keep your eyes on the lookout all the time...people are, well, stupid...