Track etiquette: Dos and Don'ts?

[terence]

I did,nt put an entry in for it.

Or did you mean that running thingy that weird people do?

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by delta

Crikee Peter i thought your Capri was rebuilt last Winter. So we have got you worried with the re run at Spa next year.Next you will be telling me Terrance has been out jogging.

I'm apparently a profit centre, it gets rebuilt every year!

[jerryk]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Wrong.

Can't do a quick snatch if the handbrake is on.

I know you are right Peter but do you honestley believe one of our stupid little handbrakes would stop one of those great big yellow things doing "a quick snatch" . They would tear the axle out and not know they had done it.

[Peter Mallett]

Not if the marshals have to move the car first, which was my point.

[Al Weyman]

It was underway Pete don't worry! remind me to give you some lessons in sticker application:-)

[delta]

Ive allready mentioned Peters stickers on the Spa thread Al. "nice and straight" arn't they.

[Pretty Vacant]

Another word of advice is not to swear heavily whilst in the capable hands of the medics in the medical centre if you've been unfortunate enough to need their help.

They do charge and expect donations in the swear box!

[terence]

%&x**)== xx ing cheap at half the price.!!

[jerryk]

Originally Posted by terence bower

%&x**)== xx ing cheap at half the price.!!

ask a certain tr driver if he agrees

[delta]

Ive allways made a point to go back year after year and see the medics at varios circuits.Not sure if they remember me but i like to say thanks.One medic at Oulton took pictures of my leg when i got burnt on the Compte's FJ. He's allways keen to see how the leg's getting on.

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Wrong.

Can't do a quick snatch if the handbrake is on.

Oh whoops, didnt word it right. what i meen is: ensure your car is parked in such a way that it is not likely to endanger youself or others (craig inskip nearly run himself other at lydden)

In older cars i wouldnt rely on the handbrake anyway

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by westfieldbend

Oh whoops, didnt word it right. what i meen is: ensure your car is parked in such a way that it is not likely to endanger youself or others (craig inskip nearly run himself other at lydden)

9 April 1995, I followed that advice. I parked the car on its roof over the barrier at Park Corner at Cadwell. That far enough out of the way for you?

[AGD A105/6]

My ha'porth on the main topic, mostly obvious but anyway:
- on your practice outlap, watch for the marshalls' posts holding out the green flags so you know where to look once you're at speed; the marshalls are extremely good at giving you vital information
- at the start line, remember to select the right gear (come on, who's dropped the clutch on neutral or 3rd ? At least I haven't done that....yet...)
- mirrors, keep an eye on mirrors as well as the blue (and other) flags
- agree with earlier comments, if you get to the corner racing line first, it's yours, you can stick to it; lapping cars should have enough performance advantage to find a way round you if they know where you are going
- however, if you do decide to stay out of the way of the gaggle of rich kids in huge V8s storming up behind you, decide early and plan ahead, because you'll probably put yourself on the marbles with less grip, and you really don't want to spin in front of them
- if you start haemorrhaging fluids, pull off the racing line and off the circuit as soon as it is safe to do so (ie don't lunge onto the grass, lose it and get spat back on), so that your leaks don't ruin someone else's day
- if you go into the gravel but can rejoin, stay off the circuit and do what you can to shake loose gravel from the car rather than dump it all over the exit and braking points
- if you are about to be lapped and you have a car where hand signals can be seen, and you have a spare hand apart from steering, changing gear, remapping your engine, knotting your tie, holding the door shut and putting the gearknob back on, point to the side you expect the overtaking car to go; they might even thank you
- double-check rolling start procedures (number of green flag laps), they vary...
- take it easy, enjoy yourself - it's fun, not F1

[delta]

Crikee Andrew and all thats just getting to collecting area

[AGD A105/6]

Well you buggers who've been racing since the last century might not remember your first race but I can, and it was completely overwhelming...First time round Brands...In the rain...In a borrowed, more powerful car because mine broke...I don't think I stopped shaking for days...

[delta]

Recon your sand bagging Andrew. Just to let you know Jims having the Westminster engine rebuilt and the engine builder recons on a lot more power for next year. Mind you they all say that.!!!

[AGD A105/6]

Hope he's checking with Mike Harris before he spends too much money? How much is magnetic paint these days?

Another tip Smokystove, don't listen to competitors who try to psyche you out before the season even starts

[john ruston]

He's in regularity.He has no chance if he follows your tips.

[smokystove]

Originally Posted by john ruston

He's in regularity.He has no chance if he follows your tips.

I really DO understand that there is a difference between circuit driving and regularities, and understand your concern. I started this thread specifically about circuit etiquette because that's one of my aspirations and want to know more before jumping in (again, probably some time down the road). But it brings to mind that perhaps someone as yourself with the experience of both should start a thread on Regularity etiquette, that would also be informative, and perhaps put your mind at ease!

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Andrew Davenall

- at the start line, remember to select the right gear (come on, who's dropped the clutch on neutral or 3rd ? At least I haven't done that....yet...)

That's no problem, I've been in a couple of races where the drivers have selected reverse !, one was at Brands and as we all went for it a Camaro came flying back through the field at the rate of knots.
I won't mention his name but he used to run a lot of Ford Motorsport teams !!!

[john ruston]

There all racers on here,pretend and actual,and are not regular in any way so it would be a waste and they would all tell you I not good at etiquette or do's and dont's

[Zola]

How about paddock etiquette?

Have been at some meetings where the paddock is higher at one end than the other. And guess what who ever is at the top decides to purge fluids from their car which then roll all the way down throught the rest of us! Not nice at all! you end up swimming in oil, brake fluid, water and god knows what else!

[zefarelly]

a certain Capri driver washed his car at SPa a few years ago and sent a ravine through our awning

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

a certain Capri driver washed his car at SPa a few years ago and sent a ravine through our awning

Must have been Dell Boy with the Ghia !

[terence]

Nah,he did.nt bring any with him.Theres always the option of arriving a little earlier Zola.
Now,about that big switch!