What is the idea of joker laps?

brands hatch · 29 Dec 2008, 08:54 (Ref:2362166)

Hi im new to rallycross as a spectator and was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the principle of the joker lap is?

chunder · 29 Dec 2008, 10:23 (Ref:2362202)

I think its to promote overtaking, or at least the modicum of it.

It gives drivers a kind of pitstop in F1 option of trying to pass if you dont get a good start.

Starts are the be all in rallycross and if say Hansen gets a bad one in a heat, if he is in the right place he will take joker early guaranteed, that way he can use rest of race to catch up to leaders and when they take joker he will swoop past.

I like them, they providea bit of tactics, and also at some tracks there are often collisions!!!! All good

rx-guru · 29 Dec 2008, 12:20 (Ref:2362258)

What the idea of joker laps is?

To ruin the original idea of RX – as most of the tracks are simply not able to be in keeping with the times of the nowadays machinery!

Graz · 29 Dec 2008, 13:08 (Ref:2362277)

Quote:

Originally Posted by brands hatch

Hi im new to rallycross as a spectator and was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the principle of the joker lap is?

I'm not new to rallycross and I have no idea either!

Seriously, it's a daft concept.

chunder · 29 Dec 2008, 13:12 (Ref:2362281)

I happen to think it breathes life into a sport that is boringly decided usually by who gets the best start.

It invokes a bit of interest and althougth I agree that some tracks are unable to equip a joker lap, some of them use it very well.

Ramah · 29 Dec 2008, 15:57 (Ref:2362348)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

I happen to think it breathes life into a sport that is boringly decided usually by who gets the best start.

It invokes a bit of interest and althougth I agree that some tracks are unable to equip a joker lap, some of them use it very well.

I agree Would love to see it tried in Mondello where I recon it would work well

mivec · 29 Dec 2008, 18:28 (Ref:2362392)

Looks like i am the only one who likes the joker lap here to.

Chessmsport · 30 Dec 2008, 09:45 (Ref:2362618)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramah

I agree Would love to see it tried in Mondello where I recon it would work well

Dont think Mondello needs one as there are plenty of overtaking places.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mivec

Looks like i am the only one who likes the joker lap here to.

When I first heard about them I was very sceptical, but have grown to like them, at a lot of European tracks that are tight and the racing can be a bit boring/processional thay add to the spectacle, but I am not sure all tracks need them Lydden for instance.

dangermouse606 · 30 Dec 2008, 10:04 (Ref:2362630)

i personally think the joker lap spoils the race, but hey, each to there own, maybe we should stop after 2 laps get out the car , run round it three times and then set off again, that should invoke a bit interest or not as the case maybe.

Barrie · 30 Dec 2008, 10:24 (Ref:2362637)

Don t really need a joker lap in UK or Ireland, the tracks have plenty of overtaking options, Brands Hatch was always a great rallycross track for overtaking, There were over taking options on just about every part of that track, that B final 1984 GP always sticks in my mind where the lead changed about 10 times between Nittymaki, Mavropoulas, and Wahlund. I ve watched joker system for myself in Belguim, I m not a fan at all, no need for it, not even on these tight circuits, if a driver has a bad start its up to him or her to drive there pants off to try and make up time and places, thats why the likes of Schanche and Arnesson were so popular.

chunder · 30 Dec 2008, 11:20 (Ref:2362669)

I guess it only suits some tracks, but the awful tight tracks where there are just hairpins and short straights I think need something, brings something new and that is all I am interested in!

Hickey · 30 Dec 2008, 14:20 (Ref:2362748)

I am a fan of them, think they add something different. But have to agree that the one at Belgium was a bit half-arsed and dangerous; there were several collisions on the exit of it. Great for the fans and TV, not so great if you happen to own the £200k car!

The one at Kerlabo was much better. A lot longer and looked like real effort had been put into designing it. Plus a barrier separating the exit of it. Let's hope that if Lydden have to use a joker (and it looks as though they do) it will add something and be designed well.

HrRACING · 30 Dec 2008, 14:51 (Ref:2362776)

So many people in the UK have never seen it live and moan and moan and moan etc etc

Wait until you actually see it working in a competitve race then decide!!!!!!!!

chunder · 30 Dec 2008, 16:02 (Ref:2362814)

The thing is collisions are easy enough to avoid arent they!! You dont have to go ploughing into the car!!

I guess the important point is to ensure that the drievr leaving the JL has enough vision to be able to see his rivals on their normal lap, thereby leaving him the option to take upmthe challenge or not!!

rx-guru · 30 Dec 2008, 16:41 (Ref:2362829)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

I guess the important point is to ensure that the drievr leaving the JL has enough vision to be able to see his rivals on their normal lap, thereby leaving him the option to take upmthe challenge or not!!

Will become more difficult with the HANS device...!

WJM · 30 Dec 2008, 18:23 (Ref:2362879)

The jokerlap spoilt a lot of enjoyment I had for the sport. They don't always distract from the racing but they certainly don't add anything ever. I still be going to Lydden because it's such a nice spectator experience, for the rest I only plan to go to non-jokerlap tracks.

Warning, what follows is a rant and does not necessarily represent the opinions of Ten-Tenths.
(To be honest, it probably doesn't even represent the opinions of the poster when they aren't ranting.)

If they wanted more overtaking they should have started by mandating that tracks should actually have gravel sections. Belgium, Holland and France for example are completely tarmac tracks. While on other circuits the gravel sections are better described as dusty tarmac, they are so super smooth. I liked it better when the cars bounced around, struggling for grip, trying to get the power down at the right time, sliding around on the tarmac because the setup was so soft, etc. The differences between the cars are too small nowadays.

We now return you to our normal ramblings.

brands hatch · 3 Jan 2009, 22:25 (Ref:2364735)

Went to the lydden hill meet today...brilliant racing, if a little short on entries! The joker lap seemed to work well, and i know understand it now i have seen it in action!!! Thanks for all ur replies.

The Eye · 3 Jan 2009, 23:26 (Ref:2364767)

Where have they put the joker lap at Lydden Hill?

brands hatch · 4 Jan 2009, 11:38 (Ref:2364923)

around the first half of chessons (the first corner) Coming back onto the dirt section.

ebby · 4 Jan 2009, 16:34 (Ref:2365077)

Any photos of the joker lap at Lydden?

brands hatch · 4 Jan 2009, 19:22 (Ref:2365184)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebby

Any photos of the joker lap at Lydden?

try snappy racers: i think there is one which shows the new loose section....but maybe not the whole joker lap
http://www.snappyracers.com/album/Ly...109/index.html

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