Poor grid choice for Fun Runs

[wales78]

For the record, I would like to state my objection to the way some clubs run grid during fun runs. Some clubs take cars one entire line at a time; others run one row at a time, pulling the first car from each line. I think running successive rows is a bad idea.

First, by running successive rows, drivers must remain in their cars the whole time, just to keep moving up a few feet every minute. This prevents drivers from chatting with friends, checking the car, making adjustments, and going for rides with friends. Not to mention using the bathroom.

Second, cars must be kept running the entire time in grid, just to move up a few feet per minute. This wastes gas and creates needless pollution.

The only possible advantage I can fathom with running rows, is that is reduces line jumping. But, in my experience, line jumping is well self-policed. And in any event, I'd rather put up with a few line jumpers than be forced to stay in the car breathing exhaust fumes.

[Roostie]

When one whole line is moved at a time, in addition to line jumping there is also the problem that if just one person in a line is away from his/her car when it moves, it screws things up for everyone behind. This leads to a lot of yelling.

Yesterday the grid was properly placed on a slight downhill gradient so the cars didn't have to be kept running. I turned mine off and used the handbrake to let the car roll forward.

I used to feel like you do, but after yesterday I believe taking one car from each line at a time is a good system for fun runs.

[wales78]

So what happens when grid is uphill or flat? And how is an absent driver any different when you run by rows?

[Bimota Guy]

It is mostly done row by row for line jumping purposes. And I disagree, that is not well policed by the masses. Grid is not always downhill, but that is always the goal. As far as checking tire pressures and the like, you can do that as long as you do it toward the back so you don't cause people to lose a turn. Or you could pull off to the side and it will take a little longer between your runs.

[Monster8V]

I think that placing the car in grid indicates a level of readyness.

Make your adjustments and potty breaks outside the grid so other people's experience is not hampered by those not ready to run. By the time you are at funruns, your tire pressures should be pretty close to where they need to be from the earlier runs.

[nalbar]

The fact is;

PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR CAR!!!!

They wander around and are not ready to run, holding up the lines. And yes, it IS a problem during regular runs and drives the grid workers CRAZY.

It must be the mood I am in but I will say this;

If you don't like the way grid is run during fun runs, don't get in line. You don't HAVE to take fun runs. Protest what you do not like by not participating.



nalbar

[woodrufj]

By the time you are at funruns, your tire pressures should be pretty close to where they need to be from the earlier runs.Most of us bleed our tires as they get hot. So tire adjustments are necessary. Some find it necessary to water tires as well. If we all got out of line, you'd have quite the grid lock.

Not many people like the take-one-car-per-lane method, but it pops up here and there as some grid guys don't know any better.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[Monster8V]

Most of us bleed our tires as they get hot. So tire adjustments are necessary. Some find it necessary to water tires as well. If we all got out of line, you'd have quite the grid lock.


I agree as most people dont seem to have a problem with adjusting the tire pressures for regular runs. My comments are directed at funruns, assuming you had already run earlier, you are not going to have a 7psi gain in pressure from the assumed earlier runs. So fine tuning the pressures on the grid for funruns should be quick and easy and not an issue.

But is is for at least someone. :D

The solution comes from within ones self. :eek:

[Roostie]

I worry a little, but not a lot, about things like tire pressure during fun runs. After all, these are supposed to be *fun*! :-)

[wales78]

And I think they'd be more fun if you could get out of your car during the 15 minutes between runs. You could go for a ride with someone else, use the bathroom, adjust tire pressure, etc., all without losing your place in line. Apparently, some folks think otherwise...

[frosty]

I've been kicking around this problem in my head on and off and I have a couple ideas.

Idea #1:
Just like in the practices (atleast, like the January practice), give each car a colored sticker. They can only grid in the line for that sticker. Make it very clear to everyone what the system is so that no one is upset because they got sent to the back of the line 'cause they didn't know where they were supposed to be.

Idea #2 (lesser idea):
Have a second person working the back of the grid. Cars returning from the course or entering the grid would be directed to the correct line (effectively, at the end).

Both require a little more setup, communication, and work on the part of organizers.

Thoughts?

[jason]

My thoughts: They're fun runs, they shouldn't require any extra work to setup. Personally, I don't have any problems with taking a car from each row. It might be a little annoying to have to move your car a few times, but it didn't prevent me from having time to adjust tire pressures, water tires, chat with people, etc. You don't have to stay in your car the whole time... even if you don't move your car up right away, it's no big deal since the line moves slowly. Overall, I think people just need to chill out. :cool:

[Rick Perry]

Don't forget, fun runs are a gift of the club putting on the event..........

[MX5bob]

Don't forget, fun runs are a gift of the club putting on the event..........

Hmm, last time I had to pay money for gift is when I got a cheap toaster for opening a passbook savings account. :D

[Monster8V]

Hmm, last time I had to pay money for gift is when I got a cheap toaster for opening a passbook savings account. :D


dangit.... beat me to it. :D

[Bimota Guy]

Hmm, last time I had to pay money for gift is when I got a cheap toaster for opening a passbook savings account. :D
I think it is a "gift with purchase" but you pay a handling charge. :D

[froggy47]

For what all the clubs charge for fun runs, I'd say they are "almost free".

At TART events (and other SDR events) the club works the course.

What I've seen at CSCC the few times I've been there for FR's the group is split & you work and do FR's. There may be some clubs that work the FR's up there also, I have not done a full season there yet.

Is there such a thing as FR's at the Tour or Pro Solo?

[Andrew]

Is there such a thing as FR's at the Tour or Pro Solo?
No, but there's impound, where, if you're really serious about the sport, you get to check out your fellow racer's cars to look for illegal mods. If you're just out there for fun, impound is where you get to wait for all the two-driver cars to finish.

[MX5bob]

No, but there's impound, where, if you're really serious about the sport, you get to check out your fellow racer's cars to look for illegal mods. If you're just out there for fun, impound is where you get to wait for all the two-driver cars to finish.

Only the cars that have min. weight go to Impound. :)

[froggy47]

I think Andrew means the time where you park back in grid & everyone pokes around the top guys cars. What do you call that?

:)

[73STS]

I think Andrew means the time where you park back in grid & everyone pokes around the top guys cars. What do you call that?

:)
Impound at the tour in San Diego will be at your grid spot.
If you are in a class that gets weighed, first you stay in your grid spot, then you go to the scales only one of the days and only when you are directed to. Otherwise your car stays in your grid spot until released. This is the time to check out everyone else's car. And file paper. And tell those excuses you've been working on. And...:)

[frosty]

And tell those excuses you've been working on. And...:)

"But, I thought this was the trim that comes without a back seat... or a passenger seat..." :D

[MX5bob]

I think Andrew means the time where you park back in grid & everyone pokes around the top guys cars. What do you call that?

:)

Uh, oh yeah, I guess that's part of impound. :o

[Bimota Guy]

Uh, oh yeah, I guess that's part of impound. :o
You are getting warmer, Bob...it IS impound. :D

[MX5bob]

You are getting warmer, Bob...it IS impound. :D

Thanks, Steve. And here I just thought of it as plain ol' grid. :D

[Andrew]

<old man voice>
Back when I ran National events, impound was in a separate area of the parking lot.

And we were happy about it!
</old man voice>
:D

[LarryC]

<old man voice>
Back when I ran National events, impound was in a separate area of the parking lot.

And we were happy about it!
</old man voice>
:D
Andrew, you forgot ...

You have to drive there. It was uphill, both ways.

[RandyC]

..in the rain.

[Bimota Guy]

Thanks, Steve. And here I just thought of it as plain ol' grid. :D
Think of it as multi-tasking...for parking stalls! ;)