Rolling start? Silverstone

[stevengriffin]

It is going to be a massive field at Silverstone. By the time the guys at the back get across the line half of the F3 runners will be down on the Hanger Straight. What do we all think of a rolling start?

[tristancliffe]

Some like them - nobody can stall on the grid
Others dislike them - higher speed into first corner, yet everyone is still very close together.

Personally, I think a rolling start would work out safer, but it does require everyone to be on the ball and play sensibly, and know exactly what the start routine is (i.e. no full throttle until the leader crosses the line, and no passing until each car passes the line). However, some people have been known to lack common sense, not be on the ball, and think they can win the race from 20th on the grid at the first corner.

In which case a standing start is probably safer as long as nobody stalls.

[Paperman]

We did ask competitors views about this before last year's Silverstone event (albeit it had "only" 44 starters compared to 54 this year)

The conclusion was that the lack of experience competitors have with rolling starts is a key consideration against using them on a one-off basis. In fact a significant number of competitors who have experienced rolling starts really do not like them. Reasons given were:

- safety during the formation lap. There is a lot of ducking and diving as the speed of the field changes
- fairness. If the cars in front of you do not maintain a good pace with a closed-up grid position then it is very hard to get a reasonable start, and this problem is commonly experienced by everyone other than the front two or three rows. Note that for time reasons organisers may well be reluctant to abort an untidy/unfair start, if they otherwise think its safe - this was demonstrated at the Motors TV Mallory meeting with a grid of only around a dozen.
- The (standing) start is a very exciting part of the race. People don't want to give up that part of the racing experience

None of the competitors who were questioned definitely preferred a rolling over a standing start.

Tristan is incorrect about not overtaking before you cross the start line in a rolling start. It is true that after a Safety Car period, when the track goes green you cannot overtake until you reach the start line, but in a rolling start you CAN overtake the moment the lights go green, even if you have not yet crossed the start line - this is the same rule as for a standing start.

However - if a strong new consensus did emerge in favour of a rolling start we can talk to the organisers about it.

Simon Davey

Monoposto Club Administrator

[tristancliffe]

Tristan is incorrect about not overtaking before you cross the start line in a rolling start.

That's why I go to the driver briefings and pay attention!

[lee]

Not that it would ever affect me as I wouldn’t be at the front but, girding up 50 something cars is quite an achievement. Cars at the front could be marginal on cooling and this in its self could be a problem. Or imagine if the leader stalls on the grid. The car in 50th place would be traveling at quite a speed by the time he/she arrives at the scene.

Even though I hate them a rolling start appears to be the safest option.

[tristancliffe]

When I've had big grids, or at Brands GP when we had to wait an extra 30 seconds for the F3 boys to start their race in peace, I simply didn't warm up my engine in the assembly area. That left me with a slightly cooler-than-ideal engine as I rolled onto the grid, and I was able to use a fast idle to get the engine exactly where I wanted it. Although most of that was down to pot luck than actual science.

Can be bad enough on a 20 car grid when the marshals get it wrong or someone firmly believes they should be on the left despite what the cars ahead are doing - can easily take 5 minutes to get it sorted, so I've started several races with my engine literally about to boil!

[Equipe Pigeau]

The worst start line shunts I’ve seen have always been rolling starts, some have even happened before the lights have changed from red to green, but thankfully rolling starts are mostly limited to the continent. Lets keep British racing pure with real starts and proper policing during scrutineering.

[stevengriffin]

Thanks for all that. I didn't post this because I wanted a rolling start, I don't mind one way or the other. It was more to guage everyones' thoughts.
We did a rolling start at Spa last year and it worked okay. It was great fun, everybody seemed to be going for it from Blanchimont to the Bus Stop, the race felt like it had started long before the green light.
I have a feeling that from where I will be on the grid I won't even be able to see the lights. I guess that's my problem. I'll just drive off when everyone else goes.
Either way it is going to be a terrific spectacle to be in such a huge race and I'm looking forward to it.

[scorchio]

You should see the lights if we start from the new grid.... Anyone know??

[andrewcliffe]

I've heard that the old pit complex is in use, which to me would suggest the traditional start position.

[Paperman]

My understanding is that the "old" Pits complex will be used (by the BritCar field), race starts will use the "old" grid and that the usual assembly area (reached round the back of the Medical Centre) will also be used.

Rgds

Simon Davey

MRC Administrator

[andrewcliffe]

Looking at the timetable, some people will be home for breakfast on the Saturday

http://www.britcar24hr.co.uk/newsletter ... Issue2.pdf

[ff90]

Off the topic a bit but any garages for this meeting

[andrewcliffe]

Unless you can convince them to open up the new pits as well, I doubt it. There aren't enough pits garages for all the Britcar teams as it is.

[stevengriffin]

Garages! You must be joking.
I think we will be lucky to get a patch of concrete for the vans. The meeting is huge.