Joker Lap In Rallycross?

[Ramah]

What about introducing a joker section into Mondello, eg full straight use for 1 lap then back into the normal lap

Just for thoughts but would give the spectators more to see and introduce a little extra.

Any thoughts.....................

[BertMk2]

Personally I don't like joker laps. I really really don't like them. I just don't get it at all. Overtaking yes - but not by going a different route thanks, might as well just do a super special stage.

But having said that - yes it would be quite easy to do at Mondello as you say. The same at Lydden really - there are options you could use for joker laps (use the tarmac at Chessons or use the cut through half way up the hill).

[Ramah]

Ahh lydden ! one day I will get the starlet over there, I agree with the comments on overtaking but wounder would it be worth trying for a round to see how it would work out, might be interesting

[Hog]

I'm with Bert - I really can't stand joker laps.

What's the point in starting all the cars off together for a good tussle and close racing, only to split them up again?

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Rallycross doesn't need joker laps to improve the spectacle - it's exciting enough as it is.

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by Hog

Rallycross doesn't need joker laps to improve the spectacle - it's exciting enough as it is.

Well said! What I'd like to see at Mondello though is better spectator access to view the third section of rough, but given the location it would be pretty much impossible. However, as they don't use all the main straight then for a couple of rounds why not put in a gigant-o-vision screen down at the armco showing the action in that part of the circuit from a camera on top of the race school?

[Graz]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Personally I don't like joker laps. I really really don't like them. I just don't get it at all.

I agree. It's got a bit of the NASCAR's about it. They'll be bringing out full course yellows for 'debris on the track' soon.

[mel tyres]

I'll do the driving of the PACE CAR !!!!!!

[Hickey]

I hate to disagree with a fellow Maidstonian, but I enjoyed the Joker Lap at the French ERC.

Whilst I agree that a lot of races are exciting enough as it is, and that if they aren't they are soon over and the next race is guaranteed to be exciting, I thought the Joker Lap added a bit of spice to races where, either the leader was miles the lead, or a quicker car was struggling to overtake down the order.

It would be interesting to get some drivers' views on this. I know Mad Mark wasn't the biggest fan of it at the French.

I cannot speak for Mondello, but at Lydden, I would have thought the best place to put the Joker would be in conjunction with the MiniMoto loop at Chessons, i.e. turn off a bit sooner, have a tighter Chesssons then power out towards the Dover Straight. Trying to ensure that the exit speeds were similar to avoid crashes/using an armco for a bit to divide the two tracks like in France.

[Ramah]

Originally Posted by Hickey

I hate to disagree with a fellow Maidstonian, but I enjoyed the Joker Lap at the French ERC.

I have never driven one but recon it might make for some interesting results all the same. In Mondello the armco feed back in would not work but there is plenty of warning another car is coming as there would be a really good view from both entry points. The point was that it might bring a bit more excitement for the specs, and would be a hell of a lot cheaper than a screen to see rx3

[rx-guru]

Instead of joker lap it should be called load-a-crap!

Gamblers should go to Monte Carlo or Las Vegas!

[Ramah]

The general drift I am getting from the commments is negative but someone likes them because they are still there !

[chunder]

I really think it's an OK idea.

You can see the tactics from the quick guys in a joker lap situation and they just peel inot the joker lane if they get a poor start.

In sweden for instance, Stecka and Croon knew that Smerud would not be able to pull away and made a split decision to take their lap straight away

I think it also prevents some of the silly contact, unless the lap is badly set out like Norway and the cars come out side by side at 80 odd mph flat out into each other!!

At Lydden they should just go flat out round teh tarmac Chessons!! Other than that I think Pat could build somehting on the inside of Chessons that includes a bit of a chicane to take a second or so off the normal line.

I think its goo and bad, bad coz it spreads the field out too much, but good coz it enforces a bit of tactics, anyone who can remember Jusse Rasku will know how much of a nightmare it is to have a guy behind you with a quick carwho doesnt care about penalties, bans or anything!

This way pople like him never win, coz they aint as quick!

[HrRACING]

Bert and Co...

The joker lap is good! I didnt like the idea until I saw it for myself, then having raced in europe a couple of times it great, makes it much more tactical and makes the racing very very close.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by HrRACING

...makes it much more tactical and makes the racing very very close.

It may be good if you're driving (I can't comment on that) but from my point of view as a spectator I don't want tactical - I want wheel to wheel racing (F1 is "tactical" - and therefore dull). I don't want drivers sitting back waiting for the joker lap to make a move - just go for it!

[rx-guru]

BTW, As in my own language Joker is an adopted English word and solely used for an advantage (playing card, additional chance, etc.) can any of you anglophones explain to me why in RX a longer and/or slower lap (thereby a true disadvantage) is called Joker Lap?

AFAIK in Denmark they do Joker Laps with a shorter and/or faster alternative route which IMO would justify the use of the name.

[tkiwan]

Mark it was looked at but wont work on safety, cars would not be joining together in Parallel but at right angles and speed diffrence and lines out of corner would lead to cris cross which would only have 1 outcome there damage to cars.

[the learner]

i think it would be good but dont think it would work
what about instead of going through rx3 you take the run through the dummy grid into dunlop......
that would be safer,??

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by the learner

i think it would be good but dont think it would work
what about instead of going through rx3 you take the run through the dummy grid into dunlop......
that would be safer,??

Depends on who's on the dummy grid at the time!

The serious problem there would be visibility, you wouldn't be able to see over the bank separating the two. At least with Armco you can see the positions of the other cars.

[tkiwan]

What do you think ?? Coming straight across to Dunlop with your drivers door pointing at cars coming flatout up the ford straight. Plus loosing the dummy grid slows the event so reducing track time.

[the learner]

yeah never thought of visibiltly
what about coming out of the hole in the hedge and taking the holiday in ireland loop, re-joining going into rallycross 3
you dont lose the dummy grid and you have visibilty and you are both facing the same direction.?

[TWRv12]

No way. Adding a joker lap, just means your main circuit is a joke. Fix the main circuit if you have too, but don't do something that dumb.

[Cryos]

Originally Posted by the learner

yeah never thought of visibiltly
what about coming out of the hole in the hedge and taking the holiday in ireland loop, re-joining going into rallycross 3
you dont lose the dummy grid and you have visibilty and you are both facing the same direction.?

Again... corner exit angles.....

Its not really fiasable in mondello

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by TWRv12

No way. Adding a joker lap, just means your main circuit is a joke. Fix the main circuit if you have too, but don't do something that dumb.

FULL ACK! RX organisers/track owners should spent the money available for the joking lap to improve the main track or produce more spots for safe(r) overtaking possibilities.

[peespeed]

hard to judge it on TV as your only seeing highlights.....anyone fancy setting up a committee to look into it and we'll go to a few Euro rounds to assess the idea...........all expenses paid of course.....you up for it Mark, bring the Skoda and throw it around like you did last Sunday lol

[Graz]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

BTW, As in my own language Joker is an adopted English word and solely used for an advantage (playing card, additional chance, etc.) can any of you anglophones explain to me why in RX a longer and/or slower lap (thereby a true disadvantage) is called Joker Lap?

That's actually a good point!! Maybe they meant 'Joke' lap and somebody misheard and Joker caught on.