Is SRF really safe?
Liz thanks for your thoughts. You have obviously "been there" before. Splits can work but are very track dependent. At VIR or the Glen, a big separation is created. At LRP or NHMS this is less so. I think the track particulars have a lot to do with success/failure of mixing classes.
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BTW, on the SCCA website, there are no names listed under the Safety Committee.
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Yes, Fred. Apparently Joe Doyle suffered a broken shoulder and cracked ribs after being slammed by the SPU Honda, who had no place to go after Joe spun. By the way, this was on the first turn of a split start. The fast, much heavier SPU cars started with the SRFs in that event. I can tell you that the SPU drivers were not happy about it, just as I would be about running with FVs. Whether it's SPU, Miatas, or any other heavier street-based vehicle, these cars should not be grouped with us under any circumstance, for any reason. We can't alter the laws of physics. |
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You are welcome Tom. After looking at the video closer it appears that ther was an incident going on at the start of the No Name straight and maybe that is why the driver of the Miata that you made contact with slowed down abruptly. I have the feeling that you could not see the incident ahead. Perhaps you care to comment. |
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SRF riding behind a production car really cannot see much other than a rear bumper! |
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I posted back on page 1 about the shunt. Yes I couldn't see much but a Miata trunk. As I said, I will not hold myself blameless as there looked like I might have had a sight line ahead had I not been pre occupied with the Miata.
I need to figure out how to post my video. I am desperately searching my neighborhood for a 10yr old. |
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The FBI monitors the internet for phrases like this. |
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Ready to Write a Book
Posts: 61
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:36 am Location: Cabin John, MD Chassis: 390 |
Ouch. The Glen does have a very short distance from s/f to turn one. I forgot, those SPUs take off like rockets but boy can they throw out the anchors, too. Elizabeth Miller
fast cars, slow food WDCR Asst. Race Chair, Competition |
Ready to Write a Book
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:13 am Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Chassis: 812 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1079944414 |
I'm with Todd on this... Smaller SRF race groups should be put in with wings and things. Most of them may be faster, but they see us, and we see them. Put the "couple production cars in a class" groups in with the Miatas or like cars. I believe it is very unlikely that a "SRF ONLY ALL THE TIME" run group would pass a vote due to some divisions small SRF entrys. Larger SRF race groups should be in one stand alone SRF group. Split starts usually put the slower cars even closer to the front of the lead pack by starting them farther back. We catch them sooner and therefor they have had less time to "thin" out. Lets come up with some good solutions soon... Robert Reed
N.E. SRF#03 A.M.E.C. VW#99 |
Some paths end badly.
In the northeast, the "mini cup" cars got dropped into Super Production - a GCR-defined catch-all class - but they should NOT be there. Even a casual reading of the SP rules would make you think "no way in hell" on the "mini-cup" cars. But...that's where they ended up. At first, there were no other SPU (under 2.5 litre) cars, so the mini cups and Legends and SRF's could be safely ("safely", not "happily") grouped together. Fast forward to today, where we have big SPU cars (remember, it's 2.5 litre...I could run my Datsun 240Z in SPU) getting dropped into race groups with SRF. Not good. It's attractive to the double-dippers, but it doesn't serve the SRF community well. How to fix (at least in the northeast) ? Create a regional "Min-Tube" class for the tiny cars. Then the real SPU cars can run with the big cars...IT, ST, etc. SRF can coexist with the small GT and small Prod cars. That's probably the best solution...we need to make sure that we communicate workable solutions to race organizers, either on the regional or divisional level. I've been in my SRF on track with the fast wings & things, and it's truly terrifying for them and us. Although FVee's sometimes run with SRF, I have nightmares running with Vee's and 500's. Yikes. I don't understand the resistance of many race organizers to running split starts. Yes, they take planning and coordination...cuz they can go bad. I hope we're not saying "NO" to splits just because it's the easy road. JW |
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