USAC Racing Forum

General Chat => Point .25 => Topic started by: bracing on January 17, 2010, 08:55:05 PM



Title: indoor
Post by: bracing on January 17, 2010, 08:55:05 PM
Yesterday at indoors there seemed to be a little confusion on different situations.in one race paticular people were not ready and cars were sent off anyway. They were lined up and the green flag was thrown with the yellow right after. Then more cars were shoved off from staging and allowed into the race. I am all for waiting for the correct line up seeing how people come from far away to race indoors. Why didn't they just wait instead of dropping the green flag? Or left it green and the race ran how it was rushed! Hell if they could give a guy suspected of tire dope 10 minutes to change his tires the why this confusion. We were in this race we were ready to race and it was just a cluster! They should have either waited or made there decision stick with the green flag!!!!! Would they have waited on us??? Don't no but it certainly needs to be brought up!! Fair playing field for everyone!!!! So if my tires are shiny do I get 10 minutes to change them? If I'm not there on time for my race do they drop the green then a yellow and let us push off !!!!! Just want the rules same for all of us!!!!


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: jdracing on January 17, 2010, 10:16:43 PM
Another question When 2 cars get together and spin in front of you that brings out the caution and your car is not involved but stops to avoid plowing into the 2 cars.What is the reason for him to go to the tail.It happened to my driver on 3 occasions and he had no were else to go.Is he to just drive through them and keep going to keep his spot or be safe to the other drivers and stop.I have went to indoors for a few years now and never seen one so poorly run as this one.Just the way I felt.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: bracing on January 17, 2010, 11:04:23 PM
To my understanding if you become stopped on the track under usac rules you go to the back! No we should not have to plow threw cars to keep your spot. There were just 1 of many issues yesterday that made it a long day for everyone. Just feels like to me that rules need to be either enforced or made out more clearly! We love racing with the best kids from around the country,but be fair to all of us not just make rules as we go! I understand that events can be a lot of work and sometimes more people need to pitch in and help but I really am confused! Thx buckeye club for this event. Hopefully we can all get a answer and go racing again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: jdracing on January 18, 2010, 10:46:17 AM
If I rember right that rule was changed about 3 races in the season.If you were not involved and stopped with no where to go to not hit the wrecked cars you get your spot back.It was a major safety factor.If you were 100% not the cause of the wreck you would remain in your spot.I love indoor racing there is nothing like it.I thought it would run much faster being I paid 5 more dollars for paid officals and only needing 2 judges.It was not the races that took long either I thought all the races ran good just the between time.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: ssssmoke on January 18, 2010, 09:57:40 PM
well like most races we all learn from mistakes and i think buckeye will do the same. its a hell of a job to put a race on with national size car counts in one day. i agree on some of the issues but i must tip my hat to them because i think the tire doping was absolete.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: d4hall on January 19, 2010, 05:50:28 PM
All of your concerns seem to be raised in a tone that is constructive criticism, and I appreciate that. As a club we want to here from the racers so that we can make adjustments, corrections, and improvements to our events. I will try to answer or better understand the points raised so far by you here on the forum and those that have called me. As well as give you some insight that you may not know.

Roof Leak/ Water on track/ 2hr Delay
I want to apologize for this unnecessary delay. I was off property, taking my son to his basketball game when this problem escalated. I should have been more proactive about the minor leak on Friday so that when it became a major leak with the thawing of snow, it wouldn't have been a problem at all. I have contacted the Fairgrounds about the situation and will be working with them over the next couple of weeks to find a better long term solution. Unfortunately that morning delay had a snowball effect on the event.

Waiting or Not Waiting on cars to start race.
First I need to say that it is the responsibility of the Handler/Driver to be in the hot chute or staging area prior to their race with enough time to strap in and be ready for the Pit Steward to check them. We try to announce the race numbers that are on the track throughout the event. We have even put a display board atop the tower to help inform the participants. Unfortunately, the PA system cannot always be heard by everyone inside and outside the building. One of the problems we had was that we did not have a pit steward on duty at all times. When there was no Pit Steward then the Race Director/Steward would try and do safety's. This was part of what caused the confusion and inconsistency of when waiting happened and didn't happen. It is not our policy to wait for someone that was not in the hot chute in time. The only exception is if there is a drivers change from the previous race. The handler should let the Pit Steward know when this is going to happen. We will need some volunteers to step up to help fill the Pit Steward position. It is our hope that we can be as fair and consistent as possible.

Cars in a Caution
The rules that are in place are that if a car is involved in a caution, weather they come to a stop or not, they go to the tail. If the Race Stewards determine that a car was not part of the cause of the caution and tryed to stop to avoid the wreck, then that car will get their spot back. You have to understand that is a hard task but the Race Stewards try to be fair. Just like strikes sometimes it is hard to catch everything.

Long Delays Between Some Races
Most of these delays could be traced back to no Pit Steward. You are correct, these delay's did not help our situation. We will try to fix this problem.

"Suspect" Tires
It has been our policy that if prior to a race we observe a tire that we think might be chemically treated, we ask the handler to change the tire. This is not a DQ or a confirmation of guilt, but rather a fair and efficient way to help keep the playing field as even as possible, and yet give that driver a chance to race, in case we are mistaken about the tire. In that instance our Tech Director felt that to give the handler time to get other tires from his trailer was appropriate.

I hope that this has been helpful. Please feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any other questions, concerns, comments or accolade's.

Dale Hall
Indoor Director
BQMRA
614-402-6227


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: JP3Racing on January 19, 2010, 08:41:45 PM
Last weekend was our first opportunity to race the indoor and we had a good time.  It was truly a long day, but I understood the leak issue to begin with.  I honestly saw the puddle on the floor the night before and hoped they would be able to fix it in time, as it was right in the middle of turn four.  I had been forewarned that the indoor moved fast and you had to be on your toes, so we were prepared and I had my cars up front three races ahead.  Others were laughing at me for my anxiety, but I didn't want to miss a race.  I was told by veteran people there that is moving slow compared to past races and they were a little frustrated.  Being our first time I didn't have anything to compare to other than where have raced before.  I have raced at a good number of places this year and have watched them struggle to facilitate 20 races in a day, much less forty or fifty.  All in all, we are looking forward to returning in a couple weeks.  If it moves faster that will be great too.  Thanks to the club for the opportunity to race when we normally can't at home.

John Pitman
Region 3
Music City QMA


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: jdracing on January 19, 2010, 08:55:50 PM
My main concern was the cautions.I was a so called judge for a few classes and the there was another judge that weas very jumpy to call a strike on any car that stopped on the track.I seen many cars go to the tail and not be involved in the wreck.I asked the other judge and his response was anyone that stops on the track goes to the tail.I asked about avoiding a wreck if you stop he said no matter what reason.I just want to make sure people that judge know of this rule so a kid that is being safe and stops to avoid the wrecked cars in not penalized.You guys did a great job keeping the track dry.That roof has tons of holes and when the snow melts it rains inside.So as for that you guys did great.I always love going indoor racing for the best drivers in the country are there.I just want everything to be fair and not jump on a call as soon as a car stops in an accident.Hope to se all at the next race.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: bracing on January 19, 2010, 09:07:27 PM
I would like to thank you guys again on a great event. I just didn't understand the green to yellow to more cars added to a race then green again! 


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: Thomason on January 19, 2010, 09:45:10 PM
If you have questions about how the Chief Steward and his assistants should call races, look at USAC's revised rulebook, Appendix II, under section 1704, Duties of the Chief Steward.  Points #8,9 &10 pretty well summarize most of the situations.  It's still a human process, subject to individual interpretations.  All we should ask for is consistency.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: miketsmith on January 24, 2010, 10:54:30 PM
We were thinking about coming to race there but it is along way to take a chance on what all I hear on these comments. I am glad to see our buddy Christan Pittman doing good there.

Thanks,
Mike


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: JP3Racing on January 25, 2010, 10:37:20 PM
Thanks Mike.  I think you guys would have a good time.  Just takes some adjusting to.  A little intimidating the first time. 

We applied to join you guys track today and look forward to racing the USAC events down there at Metro.  Christian says to tell Chandler hello and we'll see you guys soon.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: Live Strong on January 26, 2010, 03:31:16 PM
Miketsmith,

Don’t let this chatter keep you from enjoying some of the best and most competitive racing you’ll find in quarter midget racing. There are always going to be some bumps and issues when you race this many cars in one day. I have attended these events for the past four years and I am still impressed with how fast my drivers learn in this environment compared to outdoors. 

I spoke to Liz (BQMRA President) this week, she said that the issues were discuss at length and measures put in place to resolve them.

A little better communications and synchronization is all it takes to resolve most of these things.

Great event - go race, learn and enjoy with your kids!!...


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: miketsmith on January 26, 2010, 09:05:42 PM
I am sure we would enjoy the indoor a lot. It is just a long way from here at the Ga. Fl. state line up there. I think it is around a 12 to 14 hour trip one way. The chatter doesn't bother me, it is just so far for a one day event. We would never make it with him getting out of school at 4 pm and then driving all night. Chandler says hello back and hope to see ya'll soon. Are you racing at the Eastern Qualifier or are you joining our club and racing our local series also.

Thanks,
Mike


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: JP3Racing on January 26, 2010, 10:56:04 PM
Planning on running the qualifier and whenever we can make the schedule work.  We like racing with you guys and Christian has fun.  That's what is most important for me.  Were not looking at points this year since its a half year for him.  He turns nine in mid July.  We really want to learn the USAC format and try something new this year.  Since Nashville members decided to wait to look at it until next year, Metro will be our closest option.  We are going to continue to travel as much as we can this year.  It's really helping Christian to develop faster than just the same place week after week.  Thanks.


Title: Re: indoor
Post by: miketsmith on January 27, 2010, 04:00:00 PM
That is the bad thing about any .25 racing. Their age cut offs are totally different from any other youth sport. I have been lobbying for both organizations to say if you turn nine after June 15th then you can run the entire year in Jr. divisions. You can debate on this anyway they want, but i personally know of at least 16 kids who want run .25 midgets for this reason. No telling how many across the USA have this same reason. They can play baseball and have fun all season and not worry about moving up in the middle of the season. Some have said move up at the beginning but it then puts a big burden on the child to compete with the older kids. Have fun at Columbus and see ya!!!

Thanks,
Mike