Why no evening night racing if the weather improves?
Discussion
Watching the pods webcam today I felt for the track staff as I have seen them work like donkeys against the elements many times over the years.
I'm wondering though, on a day like today when the wet weather does eventually clear and they are a whole day behind why not take advantage of the break in the weather and just extend the racing into the evening?
Am I right in thinking a more accurate forecast is available for a few hours hence and so the good/bad bits can be expected?
It seems like in the last three hours there's been less to overcome weatherwise than there was earlier when those grafters were giving it their all for the millionth time - maybe that's the answer, they've already given it 200% !!!
I've been walking round the pod many times after a deluge is over wondering this, hope someone can clear it up.
Plus evening/night racing is the dogs danglies.
I'm wondering though, on a day like today when the wet weather does eventually clear and they are a whole day behind why not take advantage of the break in the weather and just extend the racing into the evening?
Am I right in thinking a more accurate forecast is available for a few hours hence and so the good/bad bits can be expected?
It seems like in the last three hours there's been less to overcome weatherwise than there was earlier when those grafters were giving it their all for the millionth time - maybe that's the answer, they've already given it 200% !!!
I've been walking round the pod many times after a deluge is over wondering this, hope someone can clear it up.
Plus evening/night racing is the dogs danglies.
Couldnt agree more, night racing rocks especially with fuel cars and nitrous cars look awesome. The pod could do with some real good lighting, the facilities are improving all the time but i feel this is an area that definetely needs some attention. Does anybody know why the lighting as not been improved, without stating the obvious ..... money
Surely it would just be down to a logistical thing to get racers BACK OUT on the start line after the day has been called off?
Maybe they see it as the crews chance at fixing any problems, making tweaks/improvements etc?
Only a casual outside myself so not speaking from an experienced POV
Maybe they see it as the crews chance at fixing any problems, making tweaks/improvements etc?
Only a casual outside myself so not speaking from an experienced POV
NIRO LEWY said:
Couldnt agree more, night racing rocks especially with fuel cars and nitrous cars look awesome. The pod could do with some real good lighting, the facilities are improving all the time but i feel this is an area that definetely needs some attention. Does anybody know why the lighting as not been improved, without stating the obvious ..... money
It's still light 'til 8 anyway. Plus i've seen racing in the night when its dark...In fact i think a later schedule all round wouldn't be a bad thing, give people chance to get there.
Racing has to stop at 9pm, that's it's legal limit.
Now for the answers to some of the downright stupid and insulting questions being asked on here.
Unfortunately none of the VOLUNTEER race officials are professional, or even amateur so far as I am aware, meterologists. So predicting when the gaps in the weather will appear is an impossibility, and even with the advances in weather prediciting and the availablity of such information on the internet (which believe or not is used in race control), it's not unheard of for it to be raining on track and yet dry at the main gate !!!!
Now, many of the VOLUNTEER race officials are at the track at stupid o'clock in the morning, this includes the VOLUNTEER track crew who are trying to dry it before you're out of bed. Many of these VOLUNTEERS also have to remain at the track long after racing has finished. Should these VOLUNTEERS really be expected to spend even more time working on the off chance that the weather will clear and allow them a long enough window to get the track dried and get some racing in ?
How about you appreciate the racing that does take place, and appreciate the efforts of those that VOLUNTEER their time to make it happen.
It really does astound me at times, the amount of whining and "I know best" that goes on on these forums, particularly from people who haven't got the faintest idea of what it takes to put on this type of event. f
king shameful.
Now for the answers to some of the downright stupid and insulting questions being asked on here.
Unfortunately none of the VOLUNTEER race officials are professional, or even amateur so far as I am aware, meterologists. So predicting when the gaps in the weather will appear is an impossibility, and even with the advances in weather prediciting and the availablity of such information on the internet (which believe or not is used in race control), it's not unheard of for it to be raining on track and yet dry at the main gate !!!!
Now, many of the VOLUNTEER race officials are at the track at stupid o'clock in the morning, this includes the VOLUNTEER track crew who are trying to dry it before you're out of bed. Many of these VOLUNTEERS also have to remain at the track long after racing has finished. Should these VOLUNTEERS really be expected to spend even more time working on the off chance that the weather will clear and allow them a long enough window to get the track dried and get some racing in ?
How about you appreciate the racing that does take place, and appreciate the efforts of those that VOLUNTEER their time to make it happen.
It really does astound me at times, the amount of whining and "I know best" that goes on on these forums, particularly from people who haven't got the faintest idea of what it takes to put on this type of event. f
king shameful.NIRO LEWY said:
Couldnt agree more, night racing rocks especially with fuel cars and nitrous cars look awesome. The pod could do with some real good lighting, the facilities are improving all the time but i feel this is an area that definetely needs some attention. Does anybody know why the lighting as not been improved, without stating the obvious ..... money
After the number of disrupted events - due to weather - in the last 2 or 3 years, my guess is that's simply an issue of NO money....Think about it....
NIRO LEWY said:
Couldnt agree more, night racing rocks especially with fuel cars and nitrous cars look awesome. The pod could do with some real good lighting, the facilities are improving all the time but i feel this is an area that definetely needs some attention. Does anybody know why the lighting as not been improved, without stating the obvious ..... money
Your view is based on what exactly ? Experience as a race official ? Driver ? What ?firewalker said:
In fact i think a later schedule all round wouldn't be a bad thing, give people chance to get there.
Assuming you have left school and have a job, why not ask your boss if you could start a few hours later because you can't be arsed getting up in time to get there for a 9am start ?To all considering night racing (at this time of year especially), do you know what dewpoint is ? and why on "big" cars after it is reached you hear the revs rise towards the end of the track rather than remaining dragged down by the clutch ? often accompanied by squirelly driving behaviour ?
<shakes head and walks away muttering>
<shakes head and walks away muttering>
crikey said:
Racing has to stop at 9pm, that's it's legal limit.
Now for the answers to some of the downright stupid and insulting questions being asked on here.
Unfortunately none of the VOLUNTEER race officials are professional, or even amateur so far as I am aware, meterologists. So predicting when the gaps in the weather will appear is an impossibility, and even with the advances in weather prediciting and the availablity of such information on the internet (which believe or not is used in race control), it's not unheard of for it to be raining on track and yet dry at the main gate !!!!
Now, many of the VOLUNTEER race officials are at the track at stupid o'clock in the morning, this includes the VOLUNTEER track crew who are trying to dry it before you're out of bed. Many of these VOLUNTEERS also have to remain at the track long after racing has finished. Should these VOLUNTEERS really be expected to spend even more time working on the off chance that the weather will clear and allow them a long enough window to get the track dried and get some racing in ?
How about you appreciate the racing that does take place, and appreciate the efforts of those that VOLUNTEER their time to make it happen.
Couldn't have said it better myself Mr.M ....Although it has been said time and time again, it just never gets through does it... hehehehehehe Now for the answers to some of the downright stupid and insulting questions being asked on here.
Unfortunately none of the VOLUNTEER race officials are professional, or even amateur so far as I am aware, meterologists. So predicting when the gaps in the weather will appear is an impossibility, and even with the advances in weather prediciting and the availablity of such information on the internet (which believe or not is used in race control), it's not unheard of for it to be raining on track and yet dry at the main gate !!!!
Now, many of the VOLUNTEER race officials are at the track at stupid o'clock in the morning, this includes the VOLUNTEER track crew who are trying to dry it before you're out of bed. Many of these VOLUNTEERS also have to remain at the track long after racing has finished. Should these VOLUNTEERS really be expected to spend even more time working on the off chance that the weather will clear and allow them a long enough window to get the track dried and get some racing in ?
How about you appreciate the racing that does take place, and appreciate the efforts of those that VOLUNTEER their time to make it happen.
NIRO LEWY said:
My view is based on witnessing night racing in America, both at the World Street Nationals and the NHRA at the Texas Motorplex!
when you can walk around in shorts and a t-shirt then you can do night racing.The Pod at the beginning of April? 2 coats,jumper,t-shirt and thick jeans. You do the math.
Forget the Southern states of America,this is England.It's on a par with Canada and the northern states. They don't do night racing at this time of the year either...
O/T well done to Joe Bond on his PB at the weekend.
Edited by redvictor on Tuesday 6th April 09:33
crikey said:
Racing has to stop at 9pm, that's it's legal limit.
Just repeating that for those who didn't get it first (and second time) around... heheheheheheheheLooks like people still want even longer days for those VOLUNTEERS eh Crikey???
Cos 9am to 9pm just ain't long a long enough day is it....
Believe me it's wayyyy long enough when some of those VOLUNTEERS are up at 5.30am and sometimes don't get finished til 10.30pm!!!!
How do you think it feels to be strapped in a 2500+HP car with suspension and seeing rain on the screen and know that the track temp is way below what could be concidered safe and thats with the little warmth we had from the sun, you simply cannot back these cars down without compromising the longevity of your engine very much at all
Reversing a rain off decision would be a no go,
when the racing's over for the day in most pits its beer oclock...
Reversing a rain off decision would be a no go,
when the racing's over for the day in most pits its beer oclock...
Edited by badbird on Tuesday 6th April 19:20
badbird said:
when the racing's over for the day in most pits its beer oclock...
As folk have already pointed out, lets not forget that we're racing in the UK (well reputed for its blistering summers!) and supported by a fantastic set of volunteer crews (at both Santa Pod and Shakey).. They already do a huge amount of work to make our hobby possible..
The dew point in summer arrives surprisingly quickly, even though it's felt warm and dry during the day.. There is just far too much to risk by playing the "how much racing can we fit into a day" game..
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