RE: Passing at Track Events

[Matthew Yip <mgyip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To my understanding as both a former Drivers' School participant and as
an SCCA racer (although I've never passed anyone racing), it is the
responsibility of the overtaking driver to safely complete the pass.
This means that the slower car should remain on-line and therefore
predictable - period.

In BMWCCA schools, passing has historically been allowed only AFTER a
driver "point".  (This is also done in SCCA racing but it usually
involved a different finger and a different series of gestures.)  This
action ensures that the slower car is aware that an overtaking car is
attempting (note: attempting, not necessarily completing) a passing
maneuver.  Remember kids, just because someone gave you a passing signal
doesn't guarantee you a slot in front.  If you can't safely complete the
pass, back-off - unless you enjoy riding home in a tow truck and then
conversing with your local insurance agent.  If you're at a School, hit
the pits to allow the straight-line rocket to get beyond you, if you're
racing, feel free to nudge your competitor.

As for passing on different sides of the car/track, it is ridiculous to
allow passing on only one side of the track.  Depending on the track,
the "line" and the conditions, passing on a pre designated side is both
stupid and dangerous.  While this has been written into countless
"Drivers' Education" manuals, the rationale was that slower traffic
should keep right on roads where the driver sits on the left side of the
car.  At track events, slower traffic should stay on-line, whether that
is the left or right side of the track.  The overtaking car can more
readily predict the slower car's actions and pass safely.

The worst scenario is a faster car that makes a move to overtake only to
find that the slower car has pointed to their future location on the
track.  When the faster car is forced to take evasive action, the faster
car is unsettled AND when the slower car realized that it's about to get
punted, it takes evasive action and it get unsettled - can you say -
M-A-J-0-R  I-N-C-I-D-E-N-T!
- --
Matthew Yip
mgyip@domain.elided

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