OK, not only in histerics, but not long ago there were two distinct procedures adopted by different organisers.
The first dictated that when the SC lights went off and it pulled off the circuit, green flags would be shown at all Marshals post, competitors could immediately start racing, and if possible, overtake, wherever they were on the track at the time.
The alternative dictated that green flags would be shown at all Marshals posts, as above, BUT cars had to hold position, and not overtake, until passing the start line.
It seems now that most historic organisers have settled on the latter approach, but why? First- It can be very unfair, here’s an example from Dijon recently. The slowest car in the race can only manage 138kph on the straights, the next slowest just over 160kph, your car 210-230kph or higher. You’re behind, and have just passed the start line when green flags are waved. So you have almost a lap following before you can overtake a car that laps 20 seconds slower. Meanwhile, the cars you were chasing have disappeared..... I know that in a perfect world, all the competing cars would be line astern behind the SC, but in reality that is seldom the case. What happens on many occasions is that the odd individual ignores the rule, overtakes one or several cars, but is not penalised. Surely if everyone was allowed to overtake, that scenario would be eliminated?
At the race meeting in the above example, one competitor took it upon themselves to ask the CoC the reasons behind the ‘no overtaking until’ rule, but he wasn’t able to give one!
Anyone have an answer as to why the procedure was adopted?
