So I'm sitting here on a beautiful summer (winter for everyone below VA) day reading Carroll Smith's Tune to Win. He brings up a point on page 31-32, which he calls a "plea for sanity." His point is essentially that minimum weight restrictions for classes should include the driver. One car should not have an advantage over the other because of the weight of the driver.
I'm curious what all your thoughts are on this, and where this may have manifested itself in your time racing.
In circle track it almost always includes the driver, OR a 200 lb allowance for driver (car must be X + 200 lbs).
Kart usually has different weight classes, but their definition of Sumo stops (or stopped, when I was involved) at 200 pounds.
A lighter driver almost always has an advantage anyway, even if race weight is the same. The lighter driver can ballast their car where they need.
I think for scca solo, it's usually without driver. I lost 20lbs this summer to prepare for scca nationals. It earned me a 4th dfl finish.
mw wrote:I think for scca solo, it's usually without driver. I lost 20lbs this summer to prepare for scca nationals. It earned me a 4th dfl finish.
correct, save the karts since driver is so much of a percentage of the total weight.
Cars are weighed with driver for NASA events. Be sure to include helmet, etc.
mw wrote:I think for scca solo, it's usually without driver. I lost 20lbs this summer to prepare for scca nationals. It earned me a 4th dfl finish.
In autocross it is without driver except for Modified classes, they do weigh with the driver.
NASA time trials includes the driver, safety equipment, etc. So if you're close to your minimum weight, you have to be sure you have enough fuel in the tank after the run session to still make weight and be legal as they weigh after the race/time trial session is over.
Robbie Gordon caught all kinds of E36 M3 several yrs ago... when asked a question he answered honestly ... he was asked if he thought it was fair that the Indy cars were weighted sans driver... he said "NO" ... he pointed out that he weighted over 200# and Danica ( or some other light weight female) weighed less than 110.... decided advantage
It is most even when weights are "as raced" instead of empty on scales.
MotoGP weighs the bike sans rider, and there the pilot is a MUCH larger percentage of the package.
That being said, the extra weight is offset by extra reach and strength to an extent, which doesn't count much in cars (except for big speed/tires/weight and no power steering). On the other other hand, big riders are at an aero disadvantage as well as weight...
