My MWSS Turn 3 Crash @ VIR

[FastBoy]

The guys I saw on the baby blue GSXRs weren't winning anything. They were starting in the first wave but I passed them in several races starting from the back of the second wave. The ones I'm referring to had only yellow plates and they were riding WAY over their heads. Smooth = fast ... somone needs to tell them that.

[Dawn]

So if there are riders like that on the track that continually cause problems, isn't there something the officials can do about it?

Talk to the Referee or Race Director, he will talk to the rider.

[Litespeed]

As far as the first post here, it could be that the guy didn't know you were there.  It seems some people know about everything going on around then and others are oblivious to it.  I was passing a guy in practice this past Friday and while I was on the outside of him he just slowly drifted towards me and the edge of the track.  I leaned in on him and we hit but I got nothing more than a little head shake.  He turned his head and as soon as he saw me he changed his line to make room.  I'm sure that he didn't know I was next to him just based on his reaction.  If you are ever getting close to that situation again, make sure the other rider is aware that you are there...

[FUBAR606]

As far as the first post here, it could be that the guy didn't know you were there.  It seems some people know about everything going on around then and others are oblivious to it.  I was passing a guy in practice this past Friday and while I was on the outside of him he just slowly drifted towards me and the edge of the track.  I leaned in on him and we hit but I got nothing more than a little head shake.  He turned his head and as soon as he saw me he changed his line to make room.  I'm sure that he didn't know I was next to him just based on his reaction.  If you are ever getting close to that situation again, make sure the other rider is aware that you are there...

Litespeed,

That is good advice, which I will excercise in the future. Like I said, we should all learn from each of these experiences. The lesson I have learned is to not assume the next guy is going to be a sportsman or as courteous as I would be.

It is a shame that some riders have to have a wake up call by bumping, elbowing, or kneeing them, but I now understand that may be exactly what is called for. If for no other reason than track survival.

[r6_philly]

just to hijack the thread for a second  ;D what would you do, when you are absolutely even with the person you are trying to pass, but you are on the inside, then he makes his turn in, even though you 2 are dead even. I back off regularly, and sometimes I think I should just take teh line, but then he would have to run wide, or even off track. But I have gotten my front wheel sawed off (touched his leg/pipe) quite a few times... I am real late on teh brakes, and that is how I usually past people, by brake into the turn and turn in at the same time, but some turns are just too narrow and have narrow exits. thanks

[MightyDuc Racing]

IMHO...I tend to be very late on the brakes into the slower corners (still working on th fast ones...lol), but as long as I can remember, if you are even and have the inside, it's the other person's job to miss you.  I let up once at Homestead and if you read my article in RRW (hint, hint ;)), you know that it might have cost me a win in my first weekend cuz the guy cut my nose off and it costed me too much ground to make back up.  Again...just my .02.

[r6_philly]

I know the principle, but somehow I don't quite trust the other person to miss me. They seem pretty determined to get through the turn without giving in. sometimes I am aggressive and just take it anyway, but many times I back off, and it has costed me better finishes because when I do get around, the leader is long gone. there have been races where I just go for it and take it, and people have almost run off track before, because that usually happens in a rain race where I just go for it :D VIR's turn 4 is the best example, there isn't much room on the outside(you almost run off track when you are on the line), and although I really have the position, I usually back off so no one has to try to avoid crashing.

[FUBAR606]

VIR's turn 4 is the best example, there isn't much room on the outside(you almost run off track when you are on the line), and although I really have the position, I usually back off so no one has to try to avoid crashing.

I think this is an excellent example of clean racing!! I applaud you ;)

At our level or racing I think it does not hurt to keep things in perspective. I'll be more than happy to buy anyone a 10 dollar plaque in order to receive a little courtesy...if a peice of wood really means that much to somone.

[r6_philly]

I think this is an excellent example of clean racing!! I applaud you ;)

At our level or racing I think it does not hurt to keep things in perspective. I'll be more than happy to buy anyone a 10 dollar plaque in order to receive a little courtesy...if a peice of wood really means that much to somone.

Hey don't take the plaque so lightly ... as an amatuer I was fascinated with it for an entire year, and wanted so badly.

I was laughing hard in my helmet during that one race at VIR. I saw there were quite a few people watching the race from on top of the dirt mount, and they saw me back off, almost loose my front wheel, and shaking my head every time I go past there. It was funny, they must be like "that guy just can't pass"  :D I enjoyed it though, I actually get a bit of a clear space when I have to back off, and drive hard off the esses and pass them braking for the uphill.

Back to T3, I love going deep and wide on the entrance, late apex and just rail through there. But you need to use all of the track, and come out on the edge. That is the fast way around that turn, but also leaves 20 feet on the inside for someone to try it. They don't quite make it through at speed, and you have nowhere to go. I suppose when you are in traffic, or dicing with anyone, or know someone is close, don't go out as wide, still turn in late, but don't enter from the right, rather from the middle of the track. I know you have to scrub off more speed, but that closes the door. And if someone shoves himself in there, then it is definitely a bad move on his part.

I guess we should all try to use good judgement whenever possible. And I admire you for not wanting to beat him til he can't get up for making you crash. From your reaction, I know you will extend all the courtesy a fellow racer needs. Lets all try to be the same