Another X On The Back of My Helmet!

[Paul Williamson]

I remember this topic coming up... I recently joined my new local sprint club, and am looking forward to my first real season of sprint racing to add to my handful of road races. I was happy to be informed that all newcomers put on an X and start at the back of the pack for the first few races, regardless of experience.

I was very happy to hear this, and recall some words of wisdom on EKN advising to walk away if the club didn't insist in starting new members at the back, regardless of racing experience. I don't think I ever cleaned off all the remaining goo from the last X, so it should be a perfect fit...
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My Behavior Does Not Reflect Anything

[Jason Lee]

I thought that is what qualifying is for?

That rule of all new guys starting in the back reguardless of experience would ensure that I would never do a race with that club.

it is nice when your lapping the field to see the x's. then you know who to give plenty of room when passing.
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Like a fat kid playing dodge ball.

[Bob Ogden]

[John Matthews]

Jason, if you're a hotshot and have mad skills what why would you be entering some local club race anyway?

The "X" works both ways, it keeps beginners safe by not subjecting them to being punted at the start. But, it also keeps ringers from comming in and messing up the local points championship.

The classiest thing I've ever seen in racing was one SCCA regional when Michael Lewis showed up at Sears Point to get some testing in. He qualified first and ran away from the pack as you might expect for a full blown Trans-Am car. But he pulled into the pits on the last lap so he didn't mess with our scoring.

On the other end of the spectrum I've seen an Indy 500 winner come out and race KT100 sportsman at a local club race. If you've won the Indy 500 you're no longer a "sportsman" class racer IMHO, you're a pro so why do you need to mess up the points championship for a bunch of guys who probably can't even afford to go sit in the stands at Indy?

No, until we have a national licensing system it's perfectly appropriate for local clubs to start newcommers at the back. If the officials see that you're competitive they can always pull the "X" off after the first heat but safety should always be their biggest concern.

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Jason Lee]

Bob you have been around long enough to know how the back half of the field at club races drive.

passing and wheel to wheel racing is the best part of kart racing.
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Like a fat kid playing dodge ball.

[Jason Lee]

John im not a hotshot and don't have mad skills.

I do like to race a lot though. on off weekends I find myself looking for places to race to fill the time.


if someone comes in and wins a race how does that effect the points?
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Like a fat kid playing dodge ball.

[charles hunter]

The very first time I raced at Perris we pea picked for starting spots and I got pole start position. No x's no nothin. Rick Blood was next to me on the start. Yee gads!!!
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swampwater smyth concurs "If you aint first, yer last."

------------------>DRSWAMP RACING INC<-----------------

[Jimmy McNeil]

A couple years ago my partner and I did our first club race at Perris (125 shifters). I remember one guy in our class had one of those mohawk things stuck on his helmet , he had probably done pretty well in the last race. Both my partner and I qualified something like a second faster than him, when the guy showed up for the first heat race the mohawk was gone
I understand why some wouldnt want to race at a club that made you start in the rear, but how cool is it when a "rookie" starts in the rear and still paddles some a--.

[Paul Williamson]

Well, Jason, that is what qualifying is for, and I'm sure if you are one of the fast guys right away, you probably wouldn't start in the rear. I'm not one of the fast guys. Although, I probably have just as much fun!
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My Behavior Does Not Reflect Anything

[Jeff DeMello]

[Randy Lyon]

[Doug Harden]

I think Jason is trying to say that he wants all drivers, reguardless of experience, to be allowed to start a race from whatever position they qualified for....especiialy those who aren't rookies, but are new to that track or series.

If one pays an entrance fee, they deserve to be able to "race" for what ever position / finish their talent allows them.

To arbitrarily assign someone to the back says to me, "we'll take your money, but stay out of the way of the regulars".

Where Jason and we race, only those who belong to the series are rewarded points....with the highest finishing member being awarded the highest possible point total....therefore the occasional entrant is able to win, but the point system is not affected.

To me this is similar to the debate over black flagging back markers at the national level races....which I also disagree about.

[Jason Lee]

[Paul Williamson]

OK, first off I told them how much experience I have, which is not much! However, I was told when I am within 2 seconds a lap, I can start where I qualify. I'm not quite sure what he meant by that, but I don't care. I went and did some laps for my first time with the new motor with 2 year old tires, no chassis adjustment, geared way to tall, and 2 seconds is what I was off of the front runners. I only got to do 10 laps, and there was some moisture on the track to avoid, so I think I can knock another second off pretty easily. The next second is going to take me a long time, I think!

Either way, I am happy to start at the back, at my level, and I will be happy when I am not! At least at the back, I will have a chance to pass a few of the heavy guys... might be my only passes tho whole season...

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My Behavior Does Not Reflect Anything

[John Matthews]

Hey Paul,

Glad to hear you did so well on your first outing with the Animal.

I love your attitude!!!!
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.