With recent discussions regarding length of time taken by the starter to start our races, which is how we have started races for our entire history but now appears to be a high concern, I would like to get your feedback on the use of auto start for our Corvette Challenge series (we already use it for our Pro series').

This is a public poll so if you don't want your opinion known, contact me directly by others.

Consideration for the use is for next season, not this season.

How autostart works is as follows

Once three sets of stage bulbs are on, the non-staged driver will have a set number of seconds, usually 7, to get into stage by lighting his/her second set of bulbs, the fourth set of bulbs. If the non-staged driver takes longer than the given amount of time, that driver will have fouled and lost.

Stated another way, driver A lights prestage bulbs, driver B lights prestage bulbs (two pair), driver A then lights stage bulbs (three pair) and the clock starts. Driver B is now on the clock.

Now before we get into a debate as to how long the timer should be, consider it only takes a second or two to bump in to that stage light.

Once both drivers are staged, a random counter will automatically start the tree. It could be 1 second or it could be 5 or more anywhere in between. It is random and it is computer generated and will vary with every pair of cars that comes to the line.

This eliminates "the starter was too quick" or "starter was too slow" and completely puts the drivers in control of when that tree is activated. Whether or not that is better is what I am looking for.

First question is what about deep stagers? Raceway Park allows deep staging as a courtesy and will OVERRIDE Autostart for a deep stager. It is our responsibility to communicate to our opponent that we plan to deep stage and to know if our opponent is going to deep stage and we don't need to go into that on this thread.

Next question is what if someone double bulbs me? Clock does not start until three pair of stage lights are on so if you are double bulbed, regardless of your opinion of that opponent, you still have the same amount of time to light the fourth pair of bulbs after lighting the third so you must know that as you approach the stage light and get in the habit of never taking more than the allowed amount of time to ever light your second set of stage bulbs (this is why this will not change till next year if it does, again, another courtesy of Raceway Park).

I would like to poll your opinions and will field your questions before you make your choice if you have any. Feel free to add comments as well.

 

I would like it. I cant tell you how many times I am late on the tree because of the starter. I am late on the tree because the starter will hit the switch while I am still bumping in. If the other driver rolls up and activates both bulbs - I am done. I need to bump in 3 times to be able to hit the tree. I brought this up to the track last week. If my car is rocking forward and moving - I guess I am not ready. I maybe bumping the car in. This method is very popular on Sundays. One out of three cars are doing this in the Points Classes on Sunday. There must be a reason for it and it must work.

 

Is the reason you like the autostart because you can bump in within the 7 sec. from lighting the first stage light if you were double bulbed?
I would think autostart would make your bump in procedure rushed.

 

I stage deep and I like the procedure as it is now.

At the National Corvette Challenge in Richmond autostart was used and I had disastrous results trying to adjust to the autostart.

On the other hand if autostart is used I'll adjust to it, but I would prefer it not be used.

 

I've been racing at MG this season. I deep stage with the 10 second autostart. MG doesn't hold the tree for deep stagers. I have no issues with autostart and perfer it over a manual starter. I know when autostart is activated but don't know when a human starter is going to pull the trigger.

 

Redgar..

If someone double bulbs you.. (he has both lit & you have none lit) you can take 3 full min before you light the TOP set (then 3 pair are lit) and then the autostart starts...

So if you get double bulbed... just take your time lighting the TOP bulb... then remember you have 7 - 10 sec to get the bottom pair of light lit...

 

JP if someone takes three minutes to stage the will have violated rule number 845.89 sub section 8 clearly found on www.corvettechallenge.info and will not only be disqualified and docked a point but will also be forced to help you find team points on the web site for a week!

There can be malicious intent in either case so that point has no place in this thread as it has nothing to do with autostart

 

Where did you get 7 seconds from? I spoke to the track and they gave me an idea to what the time will be. It will be the same as the Sunday racing or close to it. Sunday racing is on a Auto Start. I can tell you this much, 7 seconds is a long time -To long for RP to use.

If you are going deep, You roll slow till the top bulb is out. You dont bump a car in to go deep. I run deep on a pro tree, I roll till the top yellow is out. I am not rolling fast but I am not taking my time. Bumping will take more time. As JP said, The clock starts with the 3rd yellow.

I have raced Sundays for 8 years, I know how it works very well. I think it will help most if not all.

I think 10 seconds is way to long, You will never see that at RP. Look at your watch for 10 seconds, It is a long time if your at the line. I think waiting 5 seconds on a tree is a long time when racing someone 5 seconds slower.

 

The only problem I have would be a 1 second start once both at staged.

I think 3-5 seconds is fine after the pair are staged.

A 1 sec start is kinda quick, especially for the 2nd staged person..
Its like as soon as he lights the bottom bulb, down comes the tree..

 

Rob he got 7 from my example which is he example I got from RP. 7 is not a mandatory wait. If the second driver stages in 1 seocnd from the three pair then away the tree goes. 7 or whatever the number is, is a max no a min

 

I like the idea of the ECSCC having Autostart. It is a points series as is Super ET, Pro ET and Street ET on Sundays. It is also a bracket eliminator race as are the above categories.

My only suggestion would be if you are a new racer to our races series someone such as myself or one of the E'town staff should take the time to sit down with the new racer and explain what Autostart is and how it works.

If the new Autostart tree is to be introduced it should be done starting the 2008 season and one rep. from E'town should have a quick driver's meeting with all the racers before the first race to review how Autostart works and remind all racers that Autostart will be on for all the races of the ECSCC for the 2008 season.

 

Autostart works good in the pro series .
as for deep staging -ithink etown said last Saturday " it had too be written on both side windows"
Double bulbing - do what many GOOD racers told me to do "run your own race" Thats racing.

Bob - Good ideas

Edgar- Great to post this thread so early this season.I'm glad 2 hear you talk about 2008.

ps. Icould not find that 3 min rule in section8 J/K.

 

2008? I was done with 2008! I am working on 2010

 

 

Glad to hear that. I really don't mean to be a hemorrhoid , just trying to help.

 

I thought I read some sarcasm there but maybe not.

Really I started working on 2008 since the banquet and national race.

Help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Yo, Whats up Edgar? I can HELP. I am not that stupid. I can do something. I am semi retired.

 

I'm all for autostart, I can't tell you how many times I've seen guys with their revs up for what seems like forever.
At least on the timer, it would get you out quicker.

Everyone has their routine and it will take getting used to, I still want to vote to bring back the incandescent bulbs. Get rid of those friggin redlighting LED's.

 

I like auto start

You don't need a poll if you think it would be best for the series JUST DO IT !

When did this become a democracy ?????

 

I say lets give a try. There may be some people who need to adjust how they stage ( me included), But it's sounds like a better system for everyone.