[OminouSS]

I thought this was pretty cute. I ran the expert class at an event recently and got black flagged for going too slow. It seems I passed the resident fast guy in the 3000 lb car and I guess that's not supposed to happen (I had no clue who anybody was). I just caught the guy and followed his lines for a couple laps. It was becoming apparent that I wasn't going to get a courtesy point-by and I wanted one clean lap without impediment in the faster sections so I showed the guy a wheel at minute 6:36 (but didn't take his line away). I patiently followed, letting him get his laps in and waited for traffic to bunch us up and then powered by without having to create drama or be aggressive. After that he pushed me for a couple corners until I pulled a 10+ car gap, which I maintained until I saw the black flag two turns ahead. I backed off a bit on the way to the station and watched the Beamer damn near drift two turns trying to reel in my bumper. Sure enough I was thrown the naughty notice. The commentary from the grid starter was pretty cute so I left it in the video. She's a really sweet lady.

'Practice' can be funny sometimes.

[Eric SS]

Haha, that BMW was a douche. Did you talk to him afterwards? I didn't see any blue flags either and he wasn't even behind you very long and you clearly were faster than him. Some people are just assholes. I enjoy when someone is about the same speed as me and we go back and forth waving each other by to play follow the leader. Apparently this guy's ego got bruised.

[OminouSS]

Yeah Eric. I'm with you. It's especially cool when you can pass back & forth without fear of contact. Scenarios like that are useful in advancement to wheel-to-wheel racing so you have the close-in experience. I for one am very cognizant of lighter cars having the advantage in the turns so I always follow a lap or two to make sure I'm not making a stupid horsepower pass that I can't back up in the twisties. Oh well. He lined up behind me in the sessions after this one and I never saw him again. All good.

[Eric SS]

Originally Posted by OminouSS

Oh well. He lined up behind me in the sessions after this one and I never saw him again. All good.

That's awesome

[TrackClub]

Nice driving by both of ya frankly. He shoulda let ya pass early on but then found some more pace. I don't expect folks to let me by if they get slowed up by traffic. But then you got him again and he shoulda let ya pass (again). It was likely the big wing that prevented that thought tho lol Obviously the grid lady had no clue why you got black flagged, which is somewhat troubling. Good vid and thx for posting.

[bpang1234]

The funny thing is that all you guys with PDR or other such devices have proof if they were to ever try to take things a step beyond a simple black flag.

I hate the ego guys at some of these tracks, it's just for fun out here, no one is getting a big pile of money at this level.

[JRL1LE]

Great job OminouSS, that black flag was ridiculous. Which group was this?

[OminouSS]

Thanks fellas. Still laughing at the big wing comment. That just may have been going through my mind at the time. JRL, We were running the advanced/expert group.

It didn't bother me a bit that he didn't want me to pass. I'd have liked the opportunity to run one lap for time but we were running a decent enough pace that it wasn't slowing me down more than maybe a second or two on the straights. I sincerely appreciate a lead/follow as long as it's in fun and not some egocentric, small wiener contest - which I don't think was the case here. What surprised me was the black flag. At that point we had half a session left and I really thought I'd found somebody to play with. That way I get to learn new things from guys that may be driving the track from a much different perspective. But the flag ended that in a real hurry. Oh well. I'm a nobody out here. I felt like Cersei in her walk of shame in Game of Thrones. SHAME. SHAME. SHAME. (ding ding)

[JRL1LE]

[QUOTE=OminouSS;9738251 JRL, We were running the advanced/expert group.

I knew that, I meant which club put on the event?

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by OminouSS

Oh well. He lined up behind me in the sessions after this one and I never saw him again. All good.

that pretty much settles it. nice work.... i don't know why people get bent out of shape out there because there are so many different cars and abilities .. just have fun, dudes!

[Egon]

Is it typical for the expert groups to have other cars cut in front so close? The BMW guy cut in front of you in that corner and dropped right in front of another car when he was ahead of you earlier in the video. That seems extremely dangerous for a non competitive event with no contingency money or even a trophy. If it is common I will just plan on sticking to the novice groups, no reason to risk an accident because someone is being a douche. (it's bad enough just driving on public roads)

[Eric SS]

Originally Posted by Egon

Is it typical for the expert groups to have other cars cut in front so close? The BMW guy cut in front of you in that corner and dropped right in front of another car when he was ahead of you earlier in the video. That seems extremely dangerous for a non competitive event with no contingency money or even a trophy. If it is common I will just plan on sticking to the novice groups, no reason to risk an accident because someone is being a douche. (it's bad enough just driving on public roads)

It probably depends on what club you are running with. Some clubs have more testosterone than others. The club I run with is very cool and professional (probably because they are a sanctioned club) and dangerous moves won't be tolerated and drivers and group leads aren't afraid to call you out and park you for the day if you do something stupid.

[TrackClub]

I find auto clubs are good (PCA, Bimmer, etc). Private events: it all depends. "Client appreciation days" offered by shops: the worst.
If that guy got a point-by, then it was aggressive but ok as both drivers expected it. If he got pointed by but thought it was too late he could have waved it off. It all depends on circumstances and experience levels (and trust). If he just stuck his nose in uninvited then it was a big no-no.

EDIT: personally I don't give point bys unless I am on the outside at corner entry. If I am on the inside, the corner is "mine" until exit.

[OminouSS]

No point-by. I am a fairly aware driver so I was half expecting the swoop. I read driver's through their actions and this guy did not start picking up the pace until he saw me behind him. Then he goes bonkers fast. You can see in the video he is pushing his car too hard, especially at the top of turn 5a. He's almost off track at that point. He's a good driver. I'll give him that. But when I saw he was not giving an inch when I showed him the wheel, I yielded the main driving line. After I passed him he was less than a foot from my bumper and both Q-panels for a couple S-turns letting me know 'something'. I held my line, drove smooth and pulled away to a safe distance and kept it at that. I also don't point by much as I expect drivers at this level to know how to get by. If I see a crazy pass forthcoming then I absolutely point by just to keep it safe and Ricky-Racer on his fast lap.

It was with NCRC, a club I fully respect. I hadn't experienced drivers quite that aggressive there before, but I drive that way with friends who know me and they do the same. And we let the stewards know. I just think it's a bit different when you know the other's skills and, more important...Attitude. But I have to stress that I don't have a problem with the Beemerdude. I thought the flag was ill-waved and there sure as heck were no blue flags thrown. I hadn't been passed all day and it was not because I was blocking. If you look, this guy had no numbers on his car. None. That tells me he is a known quantity at this track. Nobody gets away without running 8" numbers here.