Another example of why you need a HANS device

[Pestodude]

Originally Posted by fishguy

...
informational flags are just that, they give the drivers on course information, and are open to interpretation for the driver. flags like, the surface hazzard flag(its a warning, not a comand to do something in an action), the blue/with yellow, informs of a faster car coming, but is not a command to let it pass, just check your mirros and beware, though i will allow the pass when i see that flag.

Well, see there ya go...I thought I knew my flags. I always thought that blue with yellow stripe was a command to let the faster car behind me pass. It's just giving me a "heads up" that someone (presumably faster) is behind me?

[SteveLevin]

It's definitely not a command! For HPDE, I've seen them thrown incorrectly (often because the flagger's not fully aware of what's going on around the track).

And if you are racing, certainly, you don't want to hold up cars lapping you, but at the same time, if you are in your own race for position, you don't have to mess up YOUR race for the leaders to get by.

Steve

[JonOrangeElise]

Originally Posted by davecarama

tee hee hee
group 4 is the instructor only group.

I pray you mean group 3.

Is it? I think in Nor-Cal, Group 4 is simply open passing. Here is how the website describes it:

"Group four (4)
Congratulations! You have made it, no passing restriction except those of good judgment and rules of the road etiquette. You and your peers are now experiencing the joys of doing it right in a safe environment! You can now enjoy high performance driving at its finest. Those that wish to can petition to apply for a competition license."

[davecarama]

Originally Posted by JonOrangeElise

Is it? I think in Nor-Cal, Group 4 is simply open passing. Here is how the website describes it:

"Group four (4)
Congratulations! You have made it, no passing restriction except those of good judgment and rules of the road etiquette. You and your peers are now experiencing the joys of doing it right in a safe environment! You can now enjoy high performance driving at its finest. Those that wish to can petition to apply for a competition license."

Very interesting...
With NASA Mid-Atlantic, group 3 is pass anywhere with a point by, Group 4 is instructors also pass anywhere with a point by. From what I know, there is no pass anywhere / anyhow, similar to racing, without having a comp liscense. See the link below
Welcome to NASA Mid Atlantic

Group 1: "Novice" drivers are those who have driven at zero or very few track days and have never been "signed off" by an instructor for solo track driving. Signing up for Group 1 requires an instructor. Passing other cars in Group 1 is only allowed on straights and only after the driver of the lead car signals that it's safe to pass.

Group 2: "Intermediate" drivers are those who have driven at some track days on at least one track and have been "signed off" by an instructor on at least one track. Signing up for Group 2 requires an instructor. Passing other cars in Group 2 is only allowed on straights after the driver of the lead car signals.

Group 3: "Advanced" drivers are those who have participated at 10 track days on more than one track and have been "signed off" by an instructor for each track driven. Group 3 drivers can request instructors at additional cost. Passing other cars in Group 3 is only allowed after the driver of the lead car signals but may be done anywhere on the track.

Group 4: "Instructors" are those who have participated and completed Instructor Certification clinics we hold at various events each year. Passing other cars in Group 4 is only allowed after the driver of the lead car signals but may be done anywhere on the track.

[anucci]

I was running in the intermediate group this past weeked at NHMS, doing a HPDE event with BMWCCA. This was my first time in a non-novice run group. The first thing the instructor did BEFORE we went out onto the track was ask me what every flag meant and what to do when it was given. I am happy to say that I knew every one, even the meatball. But that was the first time any instructor ever asked me directly.

[MyElise]

Originally Posted by anucci

The first thing the instructor did BEFORE we went out onto the track was ask me what every flag meant and what to do when it was given.

Hopefully, the second thing he did was to have you point to every flag station on the warm up lap.

[mgoroff]

Originally Posted by SteveLevin

When it comes to being on the track, it's easy to forget how fast in real time things happen, and that often you just do the wrong thing. Or even just slightly "less than ideal." Here's an example of something that happened to me this past weekend:



A more experienced driver looked at the video and said "you were doomed as soon as you made the first correction. You should have just tried to go off and get the car slowed down from that point" (rather than try and catch it).

I suppose eventually I'll be that Zen with the car. But when you put a car on the edge, even with a lot of practice and instruction, still, when things happen you may make the wrong choice.

Steve

Sorry to say this, but I feel a little better after watching this. I did the exact same thing in the exact same place on turn 9 earlier this year in my Elise. I almost managed to stay on the pavement while spinning, but the two right wheels wound up in the dirt. It ended my day as there was a large amount of gravel stuck between the front tire and the rim and it looked like the tire was about to come off the rim!

Marc

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

As posted on the Noble forums

Re the 1st vid on p1, how does one recover from that, I guess it started at .36? Turn wheel much more quicker to the left and all the way before straightening?

[Darth G-F]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Re the 1st vid on p1, how does one recover from that, I guess it started at .36? Turn wheel much more quicker to the left and all the way before straightening?

Quicker counter-steer and re-application of throttle, might have saved it. Depending on how fast the rear was coming out on him.

His throttle lift was too aggressive. It's hard to tell from the video if the car was actually catchable after that lift.

You have to be careful with throttle lift.