Yep, that’s right. We drive around in circles on Sundays and we all wear a hat.
However, as per out there on the road, if we come across a SAD, we don’t have the right to break the rules of the road in our frustration to get past, nor can we legally inflict road rage on them, they have the same right to be on the road as we have. And as a SAD, the annoyance you find with people tailgating you and trying to get past does not give you the right to brake test them or deliberately block them.
The same rules apply on the racetrack!
Whether you are leading the race, being lapped, dicing for 10th or just driving around in qualifying, anyone that shares the circuit with you needs to protect your safety, and vice versa. Respect all other drivers out there, and you will be respected.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watching your mirrors all the time is dangerous and slows you down, however, checking them at key points increases safety. A quick glance in the mirrors before turning into corners is a good start. Always have a check on the longer straight to judge who is coming up behind, and when. As you gain experience you will discover the minimum amount of spots to check to stay safe, and to stay fast.
When lapping cars, its important that they know your coming, and that you are decisive. Placing your nosecone beside their rear wheel does nothing but annoy people. If you are overtaking, just do it! Try not to take people by surprise, but if you do, get it over and done with, don’t hesitate, hesitation leads to accidents. As a faster car, it’s entirely up to you to get past. Just like on the road, the car behind is always in the wrong, whether you are leading the race or not. That means, you do not have the right to crash into the lapped car, or the car you are dicing with. Remember, the new driver coming last is concentrating just as hard as the experienced driver winning, you both share that burden, this needs to be respected.
If you are being lapped, the most important thing for you to do is stay as close to or on your racing line, and let the faster car make its own way around. I have often witnessed the slower driver waving furiously while looking in the mirrors, and ending up spinning or driving offline into the quicker car’s path, try and avoid this. If you see the blue flag, check the mirrors, stay online, and a quick wave to let the faster driver know that you can see them is all that’s needed. Also, if you are on the straight, and staying online while being overtaken, DO NOT BACK OFF. Its highly likely that the faster car will try and tow / slipstream you, and backing off will cause catastrophic results.
Its best not to drive on people’s lawns while on the streets, try and keep that in mind while racing also. You reduce your grip dramatically out in the green stuff, and like on the road, there is usually some sort of gutter waiting to rip your rims, tyres and sump.
Always observe the flags. The marshals can see way more than you can.
Leave your ego in your helmet. Don’t disrespect a fellow driver on the circuit, let alone come back in and road rage them after the event. Adrenaline makes people do very stupid things, I for one have been guilty of this many times, and teaching myself to walk away and calm down first has turned punches into handshakes over the years. Remember, we don’t spend all this time and money to go home cranky.
Lastly, we are all in control of our own destiny. As soon as you put that control into someone else’s hands, your right of complaint about the result is waived. Take hold of the wheel, take control, stand by your decision and blame yourself first before blaming others, you can only make yourself better as a result.
In summary,
Respect.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Be decisive, don’t hesitate.
Stay as close to or on your racing line.
DO NOT BACK OFF while being towed / slipstreamed.
Bitumen is grey. Grass is green. Stay off my lawn!
Always observe the flags.
Leave your ego in your helmet.
Blame yourself first before blaming others.
Enjoy spending so much time and money, life is too short.
Have fun, see you at the track.
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