Rolling Starts in Historic Racing (from Masters Snet thread)

[Robyn Slater]

Maybe a silly question but,
Why were all the races rolling starts?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Robyn Slater

Maybe a silly question but,
Why were all the races rolling starts?

Because all Masters races are nowadays. They adopted them for some series then spread it to all of them.

[johngee]

Originally Posted by Robyn Slater

Maybe a silly question but,
Why were all the races rolling starts?

I take most of the blame . I campaigned hard for rolling starts for all Masters series races as I believe it's safer and certainly it's kinder on the transmissions of historic cars.

[morninggents]

Sorry, but that's one more reason now I won't race with Masters.

[terence]

Each to their own,but at least we have never had any StartLine Shunt's.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by johngee

I take most of the blame . I campaigned hard for rolling starts for all Masters series races as I believe it's safer and certainly it's kinder on the transmissions of historic cars.

Very valid reasons for them, John. Personally don't have an problem with standing or rolling, only thing that grates when using latter is when in a big grid and not near front some drivers still don't get the bit about not overtaking before they cross the start line! (Spa & Portimao easily spring to mind )

But all this has been covered before.........

[terence]

Quite agree Mike,only thing to try is regular use of rear veiw and block if you need to!

[Robyn Slater]

I've never done rolling start but watching on sunday there always seems to be alot of stragglers at the back who need to play catchup.

[terence]

Quite strange just how many we sometimes get Robyn,what the 'Stragglers' obviously don't realise is that they are holding the rest of the field back,on some occasion's the SC will be traveling at a very slow 35mph in an attempt to get the grid correctly 'bunched up',that,in some instances, is still too quick!Very frustrating for those in V8 engined cars and not really making use of the opportunity to warm up tyres and brakes.

[zefarelly]

only rolling start I did was Spa . . . daft, as we came round La Source in 1st lead cars where drifting through EuRouge, it was catgoriaclly stated 60 Kph until start line, a majority nailed it out of La Source.

rolling is a good idea for longer races, I always think the mad dash for a suicidal first corner pile up is nuts when you've got another 59 minutes and 55 seconds to get the job done properly

[terence]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

only rolling start I did was Spa . . . daft, as we came round La Source in 1st lead cars where drifting through EuRouge, it was catgoriaclly stated 60 Kph until start line, a majority nailed it out of La Source.

rolling is a good idea for longer races, I always think the mad dash for a suicidal first corner pile up is nuts when you've got another 59 minutes and 55 seconds to get the job done properly

That's traditional at Spa Zef,everyone thinking they cannot be seen by Race Control!

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

....... I always think the mad dash for a suicidal first corner pile up is nuts when you've got another 59 minutes and 55 seconds to get the job done properly

Totally agree....as the saying goes, you certainly wont win a long race at the first corner.....you may lose it there....but you certainly wont win it!

A correct rolling start is the safest start I think, and if the competitors listen at the briefing as to how we want it done then there shouldn't be a problem. The pace car should be driven at a reasonable pace for the first part of the rolling lap, enabling the cars to warm tyres/brakes etc but, as Terry pointed out by the last part of that lap, should be down to around 40mph (dependent on whats behind it) when it exits the circuit. What the drivers have to realise is the race DOESNT start when that pace car exits the circuit , it should not be a dash to the line either, it starts when they cross the line so they should still be in two by two formation when they cross the line and when everyone obeys that rule...it works and works very well....it also looks quite good as well. It is kinder on cars (particularly older cars) and there is less risk with regard to stalling on the grid etc

There, i shall now return my soap box to race control

[Robyn Slater]

I cant knock it as i havn't tried it.
It must be frustrating if you've not qualified well and you get stuck behind the stragglers until you reach the start line

[terence]

Or indeed a huge amount of fun!

[Moosehead]

I've done both rolling and standing starts and have no problem with either but must admit there's a much greater sense of excitement when sitting on the grid with 30 odd revving engines waiting for the lights to go out.

[midgetman]

I did Pieter's rolling starts for few years, and they were always fair and exciting. It's fun going round in convoy on the start lap, gives you a bit of a chance to look at the crowd, your mates alongside you, out-psyche them in the run to the line, and we still seem to bunch up nicely for some good dicing into the first corner.

And I never damaged a halfshaft or a gearbox in 3 years, even using standard equipment. I'm a fan!

[JimW]

From observation over many years I agree with all the comments about safety (and I'm sure, mechanical sympathy) but there are some circuits which do not have a startline position/layout which is optimum for delivering a safe and fair start. In the UK Donington must be the worst example followed perhaps by Thruxton.

Just a comment; I'm not sure there is a remedy.

Regards

Jim

[johngee]

Originally Posted by JimW

From observation over many years I agree with all the comments about safety (and I'm sure, mechanical sympathy) but there are some circuits which do not have a startline position/layout which is optimum for delivering a safe and fair start. In the UK Donington must be the worst example followed perhaps by Thruxton.

Just a comment; I'm not sure there is a remedy.

Regards

Jim

I think this is the first time we've ever disagreed Jim . In Masters series races, we've had some of the best, fairest and regulated rolling starts in over 3 years at Donington - I always put that down to the 'chicane' just before the startline and the subsequent short entry of the pace car into the pit lane entrance.
I'm always anxious to listen to competitors views but I believe that my views seem to be vindicated.

[terence]

Quite agree John,the position of any slowish corner certainly doe's make for better Rolling Starts.Far easier to control,but there is still the problem of competitors lacking the ability of actually Reading Regs/Listening to whats being said during the Pre-Race briefing.After reading through Pieters Reg's,sound's as though he has some good ideas on the matter,certainly should make the drivers take note?

[zefarelly]

too true Moosehead . . .and it highlights how many people don't know how to pull away in a controlled fashion especially in the wet!

[GORDON STREETER]

Well just to put my tuppence worth in, I have done both for years and I agree that rolling starts are the safer option especially with capacity grids. Also my tiny single plate sintered clutch doesn't like being slipped with 9500 on the clock.
As for stragglers that wont keep up, I was in a race at Spa a few years back and had a problem in qualifying that put me near the back. Before I got to La Source the front runners had gone through Eau Rouge and were going up the straight the other side. However there was a coming together at the top of the hill and all hell let loose, as I had a clear view I could see a way through and gained about 20 places immediately.

[morninggents]

But this is HISTORIC racing we're talking about and I don't seem to recall rolling starts in period.

[p261brm]

Originally Posted by morninggents

But this is HISTORIC racing we're talking about and I don't seem to recall rolling starts in period.

Yes of course OT again! Grey matter stirring Spa 1000kms 73? Definitely not 72, though almost, 2x2 grid, famous for two mechanic's trying to push start a 911 as the flag dropped in the middle of the grid Can Am starts, and a couple of Euro 2litre rounds were rollers, if memory intact

[morninggents]

Looks like I'm on a loser on this one, then.

[MGDavid]

as a matter of interest when did Le Mans do away with the trot across the track, and did they go straight to rolling starts or were there a few years of grid starts in between?