Round 7: Weather Tech Raceway at Laguna Seca (May 13)

[jeromef1]

Race Time of day: 2021-05-15 17:45 1x
Race Length: 36 laps
Max Incidents: Drive through at 11x, DSQ at 20x
Max Fuel: 65%
Start: Rolling
Fast Repair: 0

 

[mclachlanol]

Here you go guys, I was able to get into the high 18s with race fuel. The right front tire takes a beaten so I'm taking tires for sure during the race.

This track is a great challenge, hit your marks correctly and you will be rewarded, miss and you could end up in the dirt and then who knows where you are going. Lap traffic will be a little tough here and there are always tons of off tracks so patience is going to be key to getting a good result.

See you guys on Thursday!

 

[bonaduce]

Just got home and have to be back at work in 8 hours to begin inventory, heading to bed, have a good race gents.

 

[Gunner]

Sorry Neil, I completely ruined your race. I was trying to clear the racing line and was in 1st gear not reverse. I knew I should have just parked the car.

 

[Neil Alexander]

Thanks, that seems to be the story of my season.

 

[Seca]

Sorry Neil, I completely ruined your race. I was trying to clear the racing line and was in 1st gear not reverse. I knew I should have just parked the car.

I didn't mean to rear end you going into the corkscrew but you slowed down way more than I thought you were going to. I was already on the brakes and coudn't stop.

 

[Alessandro de Tullio]

For those who don’t know what blue flags are.... this might help lol

 

[TRG]

If blue flags were ignored, please submit a replay to the stewards.

 

[brettclutch]

1) This one was my most interesting for me from a blue flag perspective in the AM/PRO mash-up. In that, I was fighting for the podium in the AM class and therefore I didn't immediately let the lapping PRO car by as I normally would. I still planned to let them through on the straight but I think I checked up Greg enough to where his competitor was too close behind him and their-for hit him (we only needed to make it one more 2 more corners to the straight and I had planned to let you by ). I'm still not sure if that was my fault, I don't think so but it was an interesting one for me to actively decide that one at the moment. Greg, you have any advice for me on that one? Sorry about that if you felt it was my fault.

2) The blue flag video posted above is actually misleading/wrong for PRL in my understanding, the rules are different for PRL where you are asked to respect it and move over as soon as possible. Daves video suggests run your line, be predictable and the lapping car will find its way around. It still apparently is confusing to our member PRO/AM alike. Although I passed a lot of respectful racers out there respecting the blue flag so I didn't see an issue in my race at least. Well at least the PRO/AM in their own race problem will simplify things for next season with the split.

3) I'm pretty sure I had AM first place in the bag in lap 16 due to the leaders wrecking in front of me but I shot myself in the foot and forgot to turn on my Crew Chief and I didn't get auto pit stop fuel and had to then, therefore, pitstop twice. Crap! Oh well was still a fun race.

 

[gseitz]

It can be tough but I did follow you closely for over a lap so a slight lift on one of the straights would have been all it took to let us safely by but I also get that you were in your own race as well. Ideally the whole group would have lost similar time in the end so things probably would have been nearly the same once Alessandro and I got by all of you.

 

[Alessandro de Tullio]

1) This one was my most interesting for me from a blue flag perspective in the AM/PRO mash-up. In that, I was fighting for the podium in the AM class and therefore I didn't immediately let the lapping PRO car by as I normally would. I still planned to let them through on the straight but I think I checked up Greg enough to where his competitor was too close behind him and their-for hit him (we only needed to make it one more 2 more corners to the straight and I had planned to let you by ). I'm still not sure if that was my fault, I don't think so but it was an interesting one for me to actively decide that one at the moment. Greg, you have any advice for me on that one? Sorry about that if you felt it was my fault.

2) The blue flag video posted above is actually misleading/wrong for PRL in my understanding, the rules are different for PRL where you are asked to respect it and move over as soon as possible. Daves video suggests run your line, be predictable and the lapping car will find its way around. It still apparently is confusing to our member PRO/AM alike. Although I passed a lot of respectful racers out there respecting the blue flag so I didn't see an issue in my race at least. Well at least the PRO/AM in their own race problem will simplify things for next season with the split.

3) I'm pretty sure I had AM first place in the bag in lap 16 due to the leaders wrecking in front of me but I shot myself in the foot and forgot to turn on my Crew Chief and I didn't get auto pit stop fuel and had to then, therefore, pitstop twice. Crap! Oh well was still a fun race.

That post wasn’t meant as actual advice, more like a joke cuz of what happened lol

 

[TRG]

Brett,

A lot of what you said is why we are separating the classes next season. This should alleviate the pressure of any pro vs am speed differences while in a divisional battle.

Alessandro, what happened? I don't want to shame anyone, but we can have a helpful discussion to help others improve. It works to the benefit of everyone. Case in point is Greg's response above in providing feedback (thanks Greg!)

 

[Alessandro de Tullio]

Brett,

A lot of what you said is why we are separating the classes next season. This should alleviate the pressure of any pro vs am speed differences while in a divisional battle.

Alessandro, what happened? I don't want to shame anyone, but we can have a helpful discussion to help others improve. It works to the benefit of everyone. Case in point is Greg's response above in providing feedback (thanks Greg!)

Separating the classes will definitely avoid and help situations like these.

 

[TRG]

Definitely, and should improve the racing. That said, please let us know what blue flag issues there were and we can all learn and improve.

 

[kart7990]

There's an issue. Don't act like you're going to go off the racing line, then pull back onto the racing line. Especially when you're down 40mph for whatever reason...If you can't maintain a decent minimum speed, park it.

 

[brettclutch]

I don't know the scenario and normally I should stay out.... but why do you think it's "act like you're going to go off the racing line?" I don't see that here at all. In fact he stays on the racing line but is just slow as hell...... This commentary is incorrect based on the video posted. This is further evidence of the divide of PRO vs AM and hopefully is resolved next season.

 

[ruffalostarks]

A few things I think a lot of folks on iRacing don't understand: (not pointing fingers, just general observations and PSA that I occasionally want to scream through the radio )

1) There are different blue flag etiquettes for different types of series. In a single class, open wheel series, it's expected that the lapped cars move off the racing line and lift on the straight to let the lead lap cars through. Owen says it at the start of every race... trying to let faster cars past in braking zones or corners costs everyone more time and causes accidents. The information in the video above is incorrect not just for PRL, but for single class series in general.

2) The gaps close faster than you think. A PRO will likely close from 1.5 seconds (when the blue flag is shown) to the point where the AM is impeding the PRO in 1-2 corners at the most. And a faster driver is generally going to be overly cautious around a slower driver, costing additional time.

3) Those lost tenths especially hurt at the front of the field where drivers are very consistent. Its not uncommon to spend 10 laps running the car ragged to break the draft behind, or build an 8 tenths gap. It's extremely frustrating to lose that work due to the scenarios above!

 

[TRG]

I respectfully disagree with the analysis of the video. There is nothing wrong with the Actions of the slower car. Looks to me like the overtaking driver was caught off guard. The slower car held his line and may have reacted at the end to avoid a collision.

Contrary to popular opinion, this series does not aim to please or cater to only the top drivers, it is here to do so for all drivers regardless of skill level. Again, these reasons are what drove us to evolve and separate the classes. It'll provide a better product and experience for all drivers on track.

Finally, if you feel someone broke a rule or conducted themselves outside of generally accepted racing etiquette, please use our protest system. I won't allow shaming of any individual driver by another on these forums.

 

[kart7990]

Not trying to shame anyone, I thought it was mentioned to share issues here so we can learn. Maybe I need to look at the video from a different perspective, but my initial thought was slowing to a crawl on the racing line on the exit of a fast sweeping turn does nothing to help facilitate a safe pass, it is dangerous. Yes, I was absolutely caught off guard. The only reason I could think in the moment for such a speed difference was so the driver could hug the inside out of the turn, giving the passing cars the racing line. It looked like that was going to happen to some degree, then he turned back up towards the racing line. It all happened so fast it is honestly hard to tell. There's no reason it should have happened that quickly though, the speed difference from slowing on the racing line was dangerous.

We can drop it if needed. I guess I misunderstood your previous post, Tyler.

 

[TRG]

No need to drop it. I know you weren't intending to shame. I just didn't want it to head that direction as these things sometimes do.

Discuss on, busy day at work for me so I will have another look this weekend. I know I speak for others when I say that I appreciate you faster guys taking the time to help out us slower guys. We need more of that around here.