Been thinking hard about this one and I guess I'm the one to post it.
I noticed a rule that the Mojave Mile folks are using that got me thinking. The 1.5 mile track at Loring is unique to say the least. For some of us folks who mainly run the mile, going that extra 2640 feet yielded some surprising speeds.
Instead of using the ECTA/LTA 5 mph cushion rule maybe we ought to rethink a slightly modified version. Under the current rules, if a vehicle that is teched up to 200 mph traps at 206 then racing ends for them. That 3% error basically has cost them the entire event. You can say well they deserve it, but as we saw last August, some vehicles picked up as much as 20-25 mph from their 1 mile runs else where and I can say for sure that gauges (speedo, tachs, etc..) can easily be off by 5-7% as they approach their limit.
Which is why I suggest: That we set a realistic maximum speed limit based on their safety tech plus a percentage (over by 5% or 7% or 10%) in which the participate, if going more than 5 mph to x% would get their one and only warning. That particular run would not count for anything and the participate would not receive their speed slip. If said participate goes more than 5 mph over their safety limit again, they go home. At any time a vehicle goes beyond the x% over, they go home. In all cases of obtaining speeds above the safety tech limit, the vehicle must be brought up to the next safety tech level before participating in the next event.
Ransom,
I'm not pretentious enough to compare our still wet behind the ears venture to any other LSR type venue, I only know we choose to be a safe as possible.
Math here is 5 mph over 200 is 205, <10% over is still up to 219, NOT an option.
I'm getting steamed just remembering the handful that exceeded the limits imposed on theirselves or vehicles and still broke past, some by ridiculous differences. If you can't tell if your car is 20mph over your assigned limit you are either very inexperienced and/or a liar, both of which are not welcome on our venue.
We did not throw out all the 5-10 mph violators, just the flagrant ones that obviously knew exactly what they did on purpose.
Build your car to it's potential, pass tech, drive fast,that's it.
Like I stated, The LTA is pretty new, and even if we are still around 20 years from now, we'll continue to protect everybody's ass in spite of themselves.
PIA Bob W, LTA Guy