MX5 CLUB OF QLD TRACK DAY 20 MAY 2013

[JBT]

My thoughts on some points raised:

Car category - look at the rules as they are published and then enter your car in the class in the "spirit" of the rules or we'll end up with a list of schedules like CAMS. I compete in NCM just because I have after market sway bars FFS. If you can't figure it out, ask the Competition Secretary for a ruling...and then abide by it.

Passing - QR have changed their approach and now allow passing anywhere on the assumption that people will be "sensible"...not that I necessarily agree that "sensible" always applies once the red mist descends. I would prefer to limit passing to the straights but, you then have the problem with cars up to four abreast trying to get around each other on the straight...which will end at a corner and possibly messy. The rule is that the overtaking car is always in the wrong. The rest of us need to look in the mirrors to note that we are being caught and follow our line. Remember, if someone keeps catching you in the corners and you lose him on the straight due to a power advantage, just let him go by and re-seed yourselves for the next run.

The word is SPRINTS and the term "racing" does not apply to our track days. Be adult about it and re-seed yourselves within your groups from fastest to slowest and not according to ego. Then you should get a a pretty free run without getting tangled up with slower cars. Someone has to be in the last car to go out in each group, someone will get FTD and someone will get STD.

We are playing for a $30 trophy and not sheep stations - it's supposed to be fun, without speed limits except in the designated areas (which, from where I was standing, most people seemed to be incapable of applying yesterday) and as individuals against the clock. Can we just keep it that way guys?

The club aims to give you the best value possible for your $$ within the capability of our volunteer resources. We started 15 minutes before our officially allowed "on track" time yesterday thanks to QR and managed to get you all 10 runs with 4 groups in 255 minutes. Rejoice

Next track day is all day for the same price at Lakeside. Rejoice again

[Steampunk]

Passing/allowing to pass seem to really sort out maturity. Been like this for years hasn't it? Shame.

Ages ago I was pissed off at someone (who shan't be named but if you want to get an idea his initials are PC and drove a white NC) who was driving miss daisy pace around corners, lets me pass only to use me to slipstream on the front straight so he thinks he can get a hot lap, or two. But obviously then gets in my way in the corners again. The above repeats and it's freakin frustrating.

"Straights are for fast cars, corners are for fast drivers"

[Trackphotos]

... without speed limits except in the designated areas (which, from where I was standing, most people seemed to be incapable of applying yesterday)...

Interesting, I didn't see a single person speeding obviously. Do you mean in pit lane, or paddock?

[gslender]

... without speed limits except in the designated areas (which, from where I was standing, most people seemed to be incapable of applying yesterday)...

Interesting, I didn't see a single person speeding obviously. Do you mean in pit lane, or paddock?

JBT could be referring to me, but honestly as someone who has done like 3 track days it wasn't explained when you can put your foot down, and I thought it was as soon as the line was given the signal to get out. I wasn't doing 100, but I was over the 40 k limit trying to the obey the "hurry up and get out" hand signals. There is no sign saying, go fast here either, so I spent rest of the day wondering where the official, you can go fast point was, so I stayed under 40 until I was right on the main strait. After that I had a few others right up my arse as I left the pits because of that.

Also, the driving briefing was a contradiction with being told to "not muck around and keep the speed up so we can all gave more track time" but also, drive slow under 40 in the pit lane. Probably best to be super clear where you expect above 40 to be, so that newbies like me clearly understand - I didn't think it was a big issue, but if JBT feels it necessary to tell the group without signalling out anyone in a private message, I feel I should respond like this.

Folks, you run with a lot of people with little knowledge about the "ways things are done" so please have patience and consider that questions are reasonable.... or at least they should be if you are trying to attract more people to regularly attend.

BTW the race car category has no definition, so other than Stuart suggesting it being trailered and un-registerable, there is no definition so i'm unsure why you'd all be all flustered about questions being raised about that?

G

[JBT]

I'm not singling anyone out Grant. I would if I thought it necessary...but in private and not on a public forum. A lot of cars were speeding in pit lane after the wave off point. No, I wasn't taking names but I was disappointed with the demonstrated inability to follow instructions. Doug also made a public announcement during one of the line up calls about speed in the pits because it was annoying him.

It was specifically briefed by Doug (I asked the question at briefing) that the speed limit in pit lane is sign posted with standard road signs, and that the speed limit applies until you reach the standard derestriction sign (circle with a diagonal line) just short of the spectator area on the pit departure lane. QR normally have their Radar going there but had it off for some reason on Monday. They get extremely 5h1tty when people ignore the limit and I have seen some drivers from another club be specifically invited by the GM to leave for disobeying. We don't need the MX-5 club to get a bad reputation from such a petty thing and ruin our relationship with QR before we even get onto the track.

Yes, I was waving cars on and that meant "you don't have to stop and are clear to go keeping a safe distance from the car in front as you get onto the track" - as briefed. I'm sorry if anyone misinterpreted that as "hurry up and exceed the pit lane speed limit". Being tailgated in pit lane does not mean you should exceed the speed limit. Tailgating someone in pit lane is a sign of immaturity.

The reference to "not muck around and keep the speed up so we can all have more track time" was regarding the cool down lap - as briefed by Doug.

Everyone needs to be attentive at the briefing, no matter how many times you've heard it. If you don't understand something or you are unsure about anything then ask questions - there are no stupid ones. If you think of something later, ask Doug (or one of the QR officials if he isn't around) or the Competition Sec. Keep your eyes open in the pits and the entry/departure points to/from the track and avoid the red mist tunnel vision.

[corners]

the speed limit applies until you reach the standard derestriction sign (circle with a diagonal line) just short of the spectator area on the pit departure lane.

This is the sign for future reference.

[gslender]

the speed limit applies until you reach the standard derestriction sign (circle with a diagonal line) just short of the spectator area on the pit departure lane.

This is the sign for future reference.

I just checked all my videos and whilst the (40) sign is seen twice and clear, I cannot once see any sign as such as above nor anything marking where the speed restriction ends. I'm not trying to be a douche about it but if I can see the 40 signs from the onboard video camera mount behind me, then you'd think the "go fast here" sign should equally be as visible - no wonder I never saw it.

Has anyone got a video shot of it to show that it is actually up?

G

[corners]

Has anyone got a video shot of it to show that it is actually up?

http://i.imgur.com/T7qyxwn.png

[Gladiator]

Maybe it's because I'm a noob, but I'm watching the track in front of me, not reading the sponsor signage on the side. Thanks Corners, we all know where it is now.

[JBT]

It's clearly visible from the control tower point at track eye level and the sponsorship signs do not interfere. The image is distorted compared with human eye off-centre vision.

[MINX]

Has anyone got a video shot of it to show that it is actually up?

It is the end of the pit wall
It is perpendicular sticking out from the wall - not along the wall like the sponsorship adverts.
Once you know where it is you will find it easy next time.

(ninja edit- just noticed my speedo in shot - lucky i was behaving )

[Cal]

Yes people that was me, It was wrong to get pissed off, and lose my rag. I'm sure we all Know what it's like to get stuck behind a car with a s#it load of straight line speed. For that I'm very sorry and should know better, it was wrong.

I pm cal, told him why I was upset, even stated that I was happy to say sorry to his old man, gave him my phone number to call etc.

Seems you like to type not talk.

So on the red bull thing, yep I'm happy to say I have to pay for my rides....

Seems to be you are the champ? Or so it says in your sig at the bottom correct. Tell you what, if I'm goose, who can't drive, my car QR National, Clubman or sprint, I'll put up $1000, I'd be within 1 second off your time. Shake hands at the end.

No more been a Whinny bottom name caller on line, it's un cool. What do you say?

Cheers Nigel.

Thanks for being a man and admitting it was a bit over the top. Gary is fairly new to all this and certainly wouldn't have cut you off intentionally. Please post the incar footage of the incident. If what you say is correct, I'll be the first one to apologise for calling you a goose. I called you a goose because of the way you handled the situation, not your driving by the way.

I understand you are a wealthy man. I'm not and do not wish to lose $1000 on some bizarre bet. I'm sure you are punching above weight in your NA. Well done, why don't you bring it racing?

I don't have time to deconstruct this on the phone. Just post the footage, we'll all learn from it and move on.

[ljs18]

To the topic of overtaking and watching the mirrors. As the resident slow coach of group 3 I try not to stand in any ones way and enable passing as quick as possible. It happens sometimes that a faster car is behind me happy to follow the speed I am doing or just testing something while I am trying to work out how to get this car past me. This slows me down even more. In the last couple of track days I have held the line in corners and in the approach to corners then stayed on one side of the straight to gauge whether the car behind me actually wants to overtake or not. Anyone should be able to outrun a standard NA6 on the straight. I appreciate any advice from other drivers.

Lakeside July

[JBT]

...while I am trying to work out how to get this car past me. This slows me down even more. In the last couple of track days I have held the line in corners and in the approach to corners then stayed on one side of the straight to gauge whether the car behind me actually wants to overtake or not.

Just be aware of the car behind you and never try to second guess the driver's intentions because you've got a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong and an 80/20 chance of stuffing up your own driving. If he wants to pass it will be obvious.

Just changing to the subject of classes and rules:

If you have an amendment proposal for the definitions or rules, please send them to the Competition Sec who will welcome them for consideration. However, please bear in mind that the club is trying to maintain the KISS principle as far as these things go and want people to enter in the spirit of those rules so that we can all enjoy the fun of affordable track day sprints and regularity with a little competition rather than get bogged down in minutiae.

[jeffreyg]

might I suggest that next time we are at QR pit lane speed limit is covered a little better in the drivers briefing perhaps using the track map on the white board-most club members would be lucky to see QR twice a year and we were encouraged by Doug to get out on track quickly to maximise the number of runs. In relation to passing I was not aware that the rules had changed-the rule was passing was allowed in specific areas. Has this changes to passing allowed anywhere with care?-if so not covered in the briefing.
Chiil guys-its supposed to be fun