Suggestion: Penalty for leaving the racing surface

[ChrisS]

I would like to make a suggestion for a permanent penalty to be added to the rules for leaving the racing surface excessively.  This came us in the last couple drivers' meetings, primary directed at the Spec Miatas (not that we didn't earn it).  I think I can speak for all competitors when I saw that we appreciate our marshals and don't want to be over working them.

Could we do something like a 2 second penalty per infraction, after a freebie or two with a warning bermuda flag?  Using a time penalty is not quite as harsh as a black flag, and can be reviewed & protested after the fact (eg. If I can show it was contact avoidance or other safety related choice that may not have been apparent from the marshal stand).  I think that is important so our officials can employ this penalty without a high cost of making a mistake.

Perhaps Sue or someone else familiar with timing & scoring could weigh in on how difficult time penalties would be to process.

Thoughts?

Chris

[Al36rx7]

Hi Chris.

I think this might be a usable approach...Depending on Timing and Scoring comments.  This might be a topic for discussion at the AGM.  2 wheel or 4 wheel off.  One freebie for 4 wheel off?  One freebie for 2 wheel off?  I think the two wheel off is harder to police.  We know there are some drivers that two wheel off more repeatedly than others.  Was any debris brought back onto the track?   

IMO...This could turn into a long discussion item with minor importance to the drivers (except less track time potentially), but does have a big impact to the volunteers work that are brooming unnecessarily.   We all know when we are running real close to the inside edge of a curb.  Is the Bermuda flag necessary? 

Just comments to add to Chris'.

[ChrisS]

Another option would be some Saturday night work parties to add grass pavers (http://www.paversearch.com/images/portfolio/big/menu_grass07.jpg) around a couple key areas.  Keeps the debris from getting brought onto the track, and keeps those pesky drop offs from forming.  I've seen this done at other tracks (like the ridge).

Chris

[MattB]

Grass pavers looks like a good solution. Less traction than pavement but more than grass, so makes for easier car control if racer does go off. And less stuff brought back onto the track.

[MandyLis]

maybe it's cool