Start Race with Light or Flag !

[Jeff Stamper]

I really dont want to start a controversy but I really dislike the light ! I didnt say a word last Sat but I heard no less than 4 drivers say they cant see the light if they are in row 4 or farther back. Or maybe they said row 3. But anyway, I was in row 4 all day and I agree that I had a tough time seeing it.I just gave up and watched the karts in front of me. We tried this back in the old days at Utica Raceway and it didnt work there either. And not to just slam the light idea, I will give you the reason that I dont think its a good idea. If you use the light, you have to stare at the light , thus taking your eyes off the competitors. In my honest opinion, thats a bad idea. Anything can happen to a racing kart or engine at any time. If you are watching a flagman, you can use your peripheral vision to see the movement of the flag. I just dont want to see anyone get hurt. Just my 2 cents worth. On the brighter side, the scale works great ! Sure beats the days we had gto lift the karts up on the grain scale !

[avmaviator]

You want to make the lights brighter/more noticeable or just don't want to use the lights? I can't even recall where they are located.

[Patrick Gettings]

I guess the one advantage of a light is that it can't have direct a "tell" like a flagman could. Now if it goes green at the same point every time then it gain certainly be timed.

[CIR-Reed]

You should see a start at Road America with 80+ cars in the same class. The last 40 of them are at the bottom of the hill when the green goes and have no idea until the cars in front of them start accelerating. We had a driver starting near the back with a radio and I stood up by the start finish line. When I called the green to him he picked up no less than 25 spots. Most of the people he was passing weren't even aware the race had started yet.

I guess my point is that it could be much worse.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Hey Jeff-

Some of this I'm sure you know, but I want to start at the beginning for the racers that aren't here most weeks.

When we start with the flag, we have to do it as the lead karts are just exiting the corner. If we wait longer, the racers get too close to the flagstand to see that high. Starting in the corner gives the outside kart a momentum advantage.

Using the light allows us to start the race with both of the front row on the straight, and therefore, at the same speed. This has given us better starts overall.

This past race, the not seeing the light issue that you are talking about was discussed at the drivers meeting, and you aren't the only driver that it happens too. It was decided right there that we need to raise the light. This would allow all racers to see it, and still have the better starts.

How does that sound? I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water, but I do want to fix all the issues.


Andy

[Rick]

Regardless of method (light or flag), the guy on pole should set the pace and the start. It shouldn't be the guy on the outside.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Regardless of method (light or flag), the guy on pole should set the pace and the start. It shouldn't be the guy on the outside.

You are right, and this is what we do as well.

When starting in the exit of the corner, the outside kart travels a little further, giving him a little more speed to stay even with the pole sitter.

HPV uses a low stall clutch that makes this extra speed a noticable advantage. TAG has a similar issue. A little extra rpm at the bottom of the powerband turns into a decent advantage at the end of the straight.

Starting with the light allows us to start the race with both the front row on the straight, and equal distance - equal speed.


Andy

[Jeff Stamper]

Well, maybe raise it a bit, but to tell you the truth. I think my problem was the glare. It looked the same to me almost all the time. Maybe when you raise it, you can put an arm up from it and put a shield to cut down on the glare ! Just a thought. I have one on occasion !:clap: I remember when Bob put the first light in at Utica ! What a debocle ! LOL The top of the light was about 4 ft high. He hired a guy to do it and that dude thought "well the karts are real low, maybe we put it at face level " NOT ! LMAO:hum: