I'm getting snipits of info that the race start was such a mess that they didn't get the green, then got a "black flag all" and then the checker and no race at all. Anyone there? A video would be interesting.
I'm getting snipits of info that the race start was such a mess that they didn't get the green, then got a "black flag all" and then the checker and no race at all. Anyone there? A video would be interesting.
You described what I heard happened from multiple sources. The SM community is suuuuper ticked off and texts are flying around. At this time of year a huge chunk of the northern contingent is still in Florida after running the January majors, so it's a pretty big field of people upset they didn't get their Sunday race, not because of weather (which happens at Sebring) but because of a stewarding decision.
Being discussed here with a video from someone standing overlooking start/finish about 1/2 way down.
The only thing in racing more arbitrary than a Lemons Judge is a SCCA steward.
In reply to johndej :
I watched the video. Had to laugh at the 5th or 6th row cars getting to the start line first, which would explain the wave off, but not the rest of the decisions.
I'm not surprised this has happened; I read some of the comments and I can see both sides of it. The guys who were playing by the rules got the short end of the stick but in the other hand I get the frustration that likely led to the decision.
Years ago I remember Marge Binks threatening to black flag the entire Spec RX7 run group if they didn't start behaving. Given they way they were driving I understood it.
Tom1200 said:Years ago I remember Marge Binks threatening to black flag the entire Spec RX7 run group if they didn't start behaving. Given they way they were driving I understood it.
And you did NOT mess with Marge Binks - ever.
In reply to L5wolvesf :
I found her to be tough but fair. Loved having her as a Stewart, you knew people wouldn't drive like complete idiots.
The chief steward responded and said he didn't think they could rearrange the grid in the pit lane in the time remaining, so he called the race.
Seems like the decision was based on the lack of time. Race was supposed to be 20 minutes. Sebring is a pretty long track. By the time they brought everyone in and then if they sent everyone back out with a pace car the 20 minutes would be gone before the green flag.
Several cars jumped the start and a restart was declared, double yellow flags were displayed at all stations. The race was called because cars kept racing past several stations that were displaying a double yellow. It was purely a disciplinary decision.
In reply to tooms351 :
I have to wonder if the racing the corner workers saw wasn't the front of the grid trying to rearrange itself for a restart. The 5th row had to let at least eight other cars by to get back to their proper spot and they weren't the only pair who had jumped. There would have to be a lot of passing to get that mess back in order. The first guy across the start line admitted it was all his fault, good on him. Between long laps, a badly jumbled field and the time needed to sort it out in pit lane they were done anyway. I'm sure the whole thing will remain a contentious issue for quite some time .
I heard the call over the radio from turn six. So they raced past four flag stations under double yellow. I'm sure there are a lot of factors that went into that decision , they might have been able to get a couple of laps in after regridding, on Pit Road by the way. There were a lot of shenanigans going on during race 1, with multiple incidents around the track at basically the same time. One car Ashley rear-ended a Sebring safety vehicle during the double yellow. Yes there's no doubt a lot of guys got screwed for basically what maybe a tenth of the field did , but the way they are now safety rules.
Someone rear ended a safety car??
I think some driving standards need fine tuning. Here's an in-car from yesterday's afternoon race. There are four wrecks and one car was involved in three of them.......Cabin Fever 14 Feb 2021. Sebring. SAARC RACE Spec Miata Wreck Fest - YouTube
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
A Spec Miata race was scheduled, and a NASCAR Cup race broke out....
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
Well, whoever was in car #46 (the orange car) should clearly be asked not to return, but other then that it looked typical Spec Miata.
Just to clarify, that was NOT the race that wasn't run, right?
dyintorace (Forum Supporter) said:Someone rear ended a safety car??
Yes right in the rear LOL under double yellow black and white flag condition , there really aren't many flags left to throw at the guy.
Spec pinata be spec pinata.
I remember flagging school T1 at summit point, older flaggers telling us to basically be on our toes or duck and cover for the spec miata start.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:I think some driving standards need fine tuning. Here's an in-car from yesterday's afternoon race. There are four wrecks and one car was involved in three of them.......Cabin Fever 14 Feb 2021. Sebring. SAARC RACE Spec Miata Wreck Fest - YouTube
The driver of the orange car should have been set home. What a clown.
In reply to Rodan :
You are correct. The 20 minute morning race was black flagged and I think this was from the 30 minute race in the afternoon.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:I think some driving standards need fine tuning. Here's an in-car from yesterday's afternoon race. There are four wrecks and one car was involved in three of them.......Cabin Fever 14 Feb 2021. Sebring. SAARC RACE Spec Miata Wreck Fest - YouTube
Wow! That's some terrible driving! The wreck on the straight was particularly egregious.
You know, I raced a SpecMiata at Waterford Hills for two years, a track with a bit of a reputation amongst the local SCCA membership, and when I sold the car it didn't have a mark on it. That was 2007 and when I go watch the races now most of the cars have some visible indication of contact. I don't know why it has gone that way over the last 14 years.
APEowner said:DeadSkunk (Warren) said:I think some driving standards need fine tuning. Here's an in-car from yesterday's afternoon race. There are four wrecks and one car was involved in three of them.......Cabin Fever 14 Feb 2021. Sebring. SAARC RACE Spec Miata Wreck Fest - YouTube
Wow! That's some terrible driving! The wreck on the straight was particularly egregious.
That guy is an ass and should lose his license.
This is a big reason why I don't do wheel to wheel. I don't want to get stuck with a busted up car and thousands of bucks in losses because some loser thinks that rubbing is racing and Spec Pinata is a funny nickname. Hitting someone as a substitute for talent is uncool.
Keith Tanner said:That guy is an ass and should lose his license.
This is a big reason why I don't do wheel to wheel. I don't want to get stuck with a busted up car and thousands of bucks in losses because some loser thinks that rubbing is racing and Spec Pinata is a funny nickname. Hitting someone as a substitute for talent is uncool.
+1
Stuff like this is a big factor in why I do TT and have little interest in W2W. You're still on the track with other cars, but you're not racing for position.
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