It has been a long winter....
35 cars will be taking the green for the first points race of the year, and we want to start off with a hugely fun weekend, with no bent cars, bans, hurt or hard feelings... just a great, positive weekend. If you are not in the right frame of mind, talk to the steward or to myself. This is a challenging sport and you need to be at your best... if, in doubt, we're here to help.
Unless you have been karting or testing all winter, your muscle memory of Laguna, is of a warm August day, not a cold, early spring day, with tires that feel like rocks. So keep the following in mind and let's avoid/eliminate the main causes of contact, stress, and aggravation.
Important things to keep in mind
High Driving Standards - This group thrives because everyone focuses on becoming a better driver/athlete primarily, beating your friends in a fair fight, is a secondary focus. So we are here to learn, develop, share and have fun. That means you need to drive so that people are excited to see you at the party, so you can look every athlete/driver in the eye and feel good about your performance.
See the steward - We will have group steward this weekend. Dr. Nic Colyvas. He will sort out disagreements, answer competition and driving questions, he will monitor the start, car weigh-ins and will be generally watching for behavior or technique that needs improving. He has 100% discretion on points and other series penalties. If you need a refresher on our rules, see them here.
Take care of the new drivers - We have at least 4 people stepping into a race car for the first time in a very long time, help and support them, that's how we keep the party fun and growing.
Fast guys have no extra rights - Just because you are fast, does not entitle you to anything, in fact, it puts the burden of care for the majority of the grid who run at more moderate speeds, on you.
Avoid spins - This is a largish grid, so losing it in front of a bunch of cars can really suck. So brake with the steering straight, ease the throttle on once your hands have opened back up. And keep your vision up, and hit your marks... at Laguna early apexes plus power on a cold morning leads to instability.
Passing - Keeping his/her momentum up, is the obsessive focus of every formula ford driver. This however, can lead to The ill-judged pass... the leading cause of angst and damage. Basically, if you are not next to the car in front, prior to the turn-in zone (and you should know where that is), you're not going to make it cleanly. Amateurs (and pros sometimes) commit to their passes from way too far back or expect to be seen, even if that means the driver in front has to dislocate his/her neck to look back.
Passing in an ill-judged spot - The inside of turn 6, the inside of turn 9, these are NOT good places to attempt a pass, and if its a late pass, it will have consequences. The outside of 6 tight has room, but most drivers don't perceive it, so stress is high, and the outside of 9 is covered in marbles and is off-camber. You need to be next to the car head, by the turn-in point to be cool here.
Splitting backmarkers - Two or more cars passing a slower car on both sides, is to be avoided at all costs. Drivers being passed can generally only focus on one side, so the natural tendency to move over will create a moment for the other passing car. If there is a group of cars being passed, follow the leading car around them.
Squeezing - Pressuring the car next to you, by leaving no room or only poor choices... is NOT okay in this series. If the car next to you only has the choice of backing out of the throttle or, hitting the wall or going off track, you are not in the right zone. In particular on the main straight, in the draft, leave room to the left between you and the wall at all times. And if you go into a corner side by side and you are on the outside, the guy on the inside is more loaded up and less able to predict grip... so leave 12-14 inches, you might both need the room.
Being passed - If you are slower than the car behind, hold your line, or if you adjust it, or lift, do so only a little and mostly to communicate your intentions and relieve a bit of stress.
Communicate properly - If you see a yellow, put your hand up and wave the "Figure 8" so everyone around you is aware.
No Racing during qualifying - We want a clean grid, so during qualifying do not impede or compete with each other. It is not allowed in F1, or Indy, so we frown on it here as well. The goal of qualifying is to do your best and let everyone's true speed set the grid.
Messy racing - Jumped starts, excessively fast starts, missed flags.... all lead to cars getting lapped too early in the event and the group looking bad (some of you may remember that special driver's meeting last year... let's not do that again)
So yes, that is all a lot to keep in mind, but its racing, you love it because of the challenges and all the different facets of the sport, so get stuck in and do your best.
Resources
If you need a visual guide to what we mean by starting a pass too far back, here is an example of getting it wrong.
Example of getting it right and wrong
If you have not been to laguna in a while, here is a video to help you visualize.
If you want help, our series coaching service can turn around a coaching video overnight... contact Racers360 for help... here is an example of the single lap analysis
Reminders
The Party is at 5:45 Saturday night at Revival Road, 160 Calle Del Oaks Place, Monterey, California 93940 you must be present to win prizes.
And again, thanks to Car Week Concierge for the celebration!
More soon and best to all!