10-17-2008, 09:47 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 847
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by rob burgoon
Hey guys,
At the 10-12-08 Race at WSIR I had an issue with at least one person pointing to the left to indicate that they are pitting.
I confused it for a point by and got a surprise!
Do we have a standard way of signaling intention to pit, like the fist in the air like many other organizations?
It might be worth a brief mention in the drivers meeting at a place like WSIR...
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We don't require "point-by's" and "pit-in" hand signals in either TT or race groups. Hand signals are a courtesy we like to see our drivers extend but they are not a requirement. TT drivers are required to pass cleanly and safely on the left on designated straights; race drivers are required to pass cleanly and safely wherever they elect to do it. Every organization I've encountered seems to do things a bit differently. This is partly why driver's meetings are so important. We need everyone to know the set of rules we are operating under.
In our drivers meetings we try to make it very clear that it is the responsibility of the overtaking driver to make a clean, safe pass. In the situation you describe, especially in race group where drivers are dealing with arm restraints and/or window nets, it's easy to visualize how an arm out the window might be confusing and it's exactly this kind of confusing situation we are trying to avoid. So, when you run with AROSC, whether a driver in front of you provides no hand signal, a raised finger or a clenched fist, your responsibility is the same, as an overtaking driver, you must make a clean, safe pass. If you're not sure you can do that, you should wait until you can.
As far as T9 at WSIR goes, I'd say the chances are very good that a driver intends to pit if he/she has an arm out the window in any part of the turn. T9 is an intense turn where drivers usually keep both hands on the wheel if they are doing anything other than slowing to get into the pits. Still, there's no guarantee of this so it's important to drive accordingly.
__________________
Bruce Colby
Competition Director, AROSC
'65 Sprint GT (TS race)
'69 1750 GTV (TS street)
'71 Jr. Z (special occasions)
'89 E30 (the dark side)
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'69 1750 Spider (sold  )
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