From: sgccgdc@citec.oz.au (Greg Clough)
Subject: RE: When to step on it
Organization: CITEC
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 22:03:10 GMT

Gerry Green writes:

> Bob Kehoe asked when racers "step on it" (whether they wait
> for the green flag, etc.).

> Well, with my vast (8^) experience of six rolling starts in
> three Skip Barber Formula Ford race weekends (Hi, Steve Thompson),
> I'll give you my view: If you key off (only) the green flag,
> at best, you'll lose a number of positions. At worst, someone will
> drop kick you in the butt. Luckily, I learned this *before*
> my first race, by watching/reading about/flagging/listening to races
> and drivers (including the Skippy instructors).

> Being a rookie, my aim from the first race 'til I get more
> experience has been just not to lose any positions. To do this,
> my primary key is the pole sitter. That's who sets the pace.
> Luckily, I've never started below 5th, so I've had a good view of the
> pole sitter. The trick is to look for the "squat" on the rear suspension
> of the pole sitter. If you wait for any engine noise rise,
> you're too late. Of equal concern is the car directly in front
> of you. If this driver gets caught sleeping, you're skrod
> (assuming the pole sitter nails it before the green), as you
> risk getting nailed for jumping the start if you pull out
> to avoid the snoozer. At the same time, you have to be looking
> for the flag and checking your revs. You have to be looking
> a the flag in case the *pole sitter* gets caught napping.
> As soon as the green comes out, you can nail it, pull out,
> and pass. You have to check your revs, as the pole sitter
> may drop you out of your power band, so you have to grab a lower gear.

> Using this method, I have never lost a position on the start,
> and have gained a position on a couple of occasions. If and
> when I feel comfortable with my level of experience, *then*
> I'll think about employing techniques to get a "jump" on the
> others. All in all, the time from when the pace car pulls away
> to getting through the first corner is *incredibly* intense.
> I probably wouldn't want to know my heart rate.

> One last piece of advice: expect the unexpected. I've seen
> drivers jump on it from the time the pace car pulls away
> (effectively chasing the pace car to the pit entrance), to
> absolutely creeping until the green flies.

> Hope this helps,

> Gerry Green
> gerry@usl.com

I think that this is an interesting point.  Being a speedway rookie last year I
was curious as to when I should "Step on it" at the start, but alas nobody could
tell me. I am of the opinion that you should bring in a brisk (but not
accelerating) pace to the start line in _anticipation_ of a start.  I really get
annoyed when the cars in front or beside me start 'forcing the pace', especially
when I am on the pole.

It has even got to the point where the track marshalls have to put a white line
on the track and say "Now don't step on it before this line!".  This approach
has stopped people 'nailing' it in the back straight, but I am awaiting the day
when I will start a race as the green falls, not when the person in font 
decides that NOW is a good time to go. (Leaving everybody else with little
chance of making ground on 'green flag sleepers')

Hopefully this only reflects the current state of speedway in Australia.  How
is it in the rest of the developed world? (ie. Those with speedway tracks...)

Regards.  Greg Clough. (E-Mail: sgccgdc@citecuc.citec.oz.au)

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