Re. Track Safety

[Rich Hall <richh@xxxxxxxx>]

	I was interested and pleased to read the most recent posts regarding track
safety. Many of the posts addressed various ways to make the track a safer
place and identify areas where safety could be improved. One area that was
not given much mention was passing.
	I drive an 02 on the track so I'm probably a little more sensitive to the
subject for a couple reasons. The past  couple of years at most schools I
run in the advanced run groups with the likes of M3's, 911's, RX7's etc.
All faster cars. For this reason I'm very sensitive to what's in my rear
view mirrors and try to make sure that no one gets held up. Likewise when
an 02 shows up on the bumper of a "faster" car I expect the same courtesy.
Too often it is not extended. So you end up getting smoked on the straights
catching up under braking and being heldup in the turns over and over. 
	Back to my point on safety. Driver School Organizers, Instructors, and
Participants need to practice passing and not just give it lip service.
Students from the very first session need to be made aware that knowing
what's behind your car is as important as knowing whats in front. If some
ones on your bumper let them thru, less distraction for all parties
involved. Instructors should consider a drivers ability to let cars pass as
well as be passed when making the decision to sign someone off. Organizers
need to black flag drivers who are holding others up and let then know why.
	This will make the track safer and more fun for everyone in the run group.
Let the guy behind pass if you think you are faster and if you are it will
be a short time before you get a passing signal back. By doing this there
will not be any multiple car trains and cars will stay nicely spaced.
Drivers shouldn't have to pit because a "faster" car won't let you by. The
session will be better for everyone and safer too.
	My 02 cents.

Rich Hall

'74 tii 

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