Need input from last HPT and MAM on starts please.

[Burt Munro]

I should have put this up a week ago so it would have been fresher in everyones mind......

I didn't get a chance to talk to many of you at the track so I'll try it here.....

Be gentle with me please - I hope I won't regret asking this!!

The June HPT races and the 4th of July MAM races were my first shot as working as Starter on my own. Any helpful input or comments on how I did would be appreciated.

And before anyone jumps on me about where the Starter was located at HPT - I know, I know.... it stunk.  It wasn't my idea of the best spot either but, we had to work with what we had - that's until they get the Transmitter antennae loop relocated to more of the middle of the front straight.  Honestly, when we were there in March I didn't like the idea of where they elected to put the Finish line on the rerouted front straight either.

For those of you who raced Sat & Sun at HPT we made a change on Sunday as to the location of the number boards in relation to the Starter.  I know,  the setup we tried on Saturday was crap.

As far as input on the Starts at MAM, that track presents some challenges as well.  With the main straight being so long it was a Catch-22 on the spacing between the 1st and 2nd waves.....  waiting long enough to make sure the 1st wave would make it safely thru turn 1st before sending the 2nd wave - but trying to keep the gap short enough so that the 1st wave wouldn't have work thru the entire 2nd wave of lappers before the end of the race.

Anyway.... any other input would be appreciated.  Too quick between the 2 and 1 boards?  Too quick between the 1 and half boards?   Unnecessary movement of the green flag before it dropped?  1/2 way, white and checkered flags not being out soon enough to catch them coming to the finish line?

Any info would be appreciated and I promise not to hold it against you at the next race! ;D   Just trying to make my mentor Cindy proud!  Not trying to run this as a democratic election - I only want  to make it fair and consistant for everyone.

Thanks!

Rick Weaver

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     You had me totally screwed up! I look up at the starter at MAM and there's a male on the bridge! :o ::) ;) I have been racing since '96 and I can't ever recall seeing that at a MW /GP race! LOL

     I personally don't recal any complaints on my part about your 'performance' ;). Keep up the good work!

[tigerblade]

I personally thought the 2-wave MAM starts were better than they have been in the past.  I can understand letting the Experts clear turn one before letting the Novices go, but it seems like half a track isn't necessary.   ;)

[Burt Munro]

Thanks Mike and Kris!  

Mike, hope you weren't so confused that you forgot to put it in gear!  Cindy has become a bit of a consistant figure for a lot of racers.  She does a great job and helped me a lot!

Kris, I definitely tried to tighten things up on Sunday.  Fortunately, most everybody was playing nice and everyone was able to make it through clean.  Have to admit though, it takes a lot of faith in you guys to send the 2nd wave out before I'm 100% confident that you'll have a clean track thru the 1st turn - and confidence in the cornerworkers that they'll immediately get a waving yellow up quickly enough for you to react if needed.

Rick

[Protein Filled]

I was at both rounds and nothing stands out in my head about the start/finish flags, so you must have done a good job. Funny how you only remember when people screw up...  ;D