Running first overall and punted out of the race by a fake point-by (Page 2 of 3)

Steve McD is the Lemons Bad Driver whisperer (didn't you see the recent wrapup video?). He does a newbie meeting and suggests point bys, from what I understand. It probably wouldn't be too difficult for him to make a standard, but then that same standard should be communicated to us non-newbies at the drivers meeting or something.

I would wholeheartedly have to stop doing pointbys if the hand out the window over the roof signal were what everyone wanted to see. Hyperbole aside, it would be entirely too difficult and too dangerous.

I offer pointbys as both a courtesy to the car behind me and probably more importantly for self-preservation. I realize my level of Class C car is a dying breed and my time is limited. But in the little bit of time I have left in these things, I can't see driving more than 50% of my track time with my hand out the window and over the roof of the car. Not gonna happen.

I had forgotten about the Steve McD newbie meetings. I don't recall there being one at my first event, at Sears Pointless last year. Hopefully, if I had heard, I would have gone. Agree that what they are told should be communicated to non-newbs. And relative newbs such as me. I did get the absolutely appropriate Judge Steve "grind the HPDE weenie into a meek and compliant pile" chats during my first event two BFs. He was absolutely correct, my skills were (and are) low to non-existent and I was unlikely to be scouted for F1.

I hope not! I love the Class C's. The Most Important Class.

Agreed, having had our current Class B car reduced to Class C speeds at an event by electrical gremlins its first time out, I figured my job was to attach myself to the right side of the track and drive predictably. I was going to wear my arm out trying to point-by all the time. Approaching drivers have responsibilities too - to not collide with me or other cars while passing me. After they lap me for the second or third time in a stint, it should sink in "that car is slow."

This is a great example of why it's important to focus on driving your own car first. Throwing a hand signal of any type is nice, but you can't drive anybody else's car for them, and if attempting to be "helpful" causes you to get distracted and fuck up, then it's no good for anybody.

I've done it myself, focusing so much on when and where to point someone by that I have to lock up the brakes in a turn, or take a 4-off because I forgot that I'm not on the same line I've been taking all day.

My take away for the Thunderhill Race in a few weeks- giant poster in our pit that says (paraphrasing prev quote) ALWAYS try to give yourself an out for bizarre, sudden, unexpected, uncalled for and inexplicable moves... Our team has been on the  recieving  end of bonehead moves when we could have been a contender, and we have made our share of unwise moves (20/20 hindsight is a great teacher ) We really like the no whining rule and always apologize to the judges no matter how strong we feel unfairly targeted for a black flag...

Yep.

To me, what would explain his explanation versus what we see in this video is if he lost track of where you were.  If he was signaling, "I'm slowing down for a yellow flag" he may have been concentrating on finding the cause of the yellow and did not notice you because you passed him rather quickly.  Thus his idea that you hit him.

This is totally conjecture, but I think plausible.

Makes me think that when I take to the track as a newbie, I should avoid signalling, try to be predictable in the turns and let more experienced drivers fend for themselves. I'm concerned about giving a bad signal and causing confusion.

Maybe there needs to be a chat at the drivers' meeting about what hand signals are going to get used.

I only ever did:

- Fist out = "I am pitting"

- Point by = "I expect you to pass this side"

- Waving to thank workers

- Palm up = "What the fuck, muchacho?"

I've also signaled corner workers using corner worker gestures, e.g. flat tow vs tilt bed when car stalled, but I didn't know people did corner worker waving flag inside the car.

For the shaolin and dculberson---- I mentioned driving technique and lack of balaclava because, aside from the egregious contact those things stood out from the video. I guess I'm a forum rules breaker skewing off topic. Dammit! I should probably be banished. I do wish balaclava was a safety requirement much more than I care whether people left foot brake. Just an off hand comment. Feel free to arm punch me when you eventually meet me.

I like to brake with my left foot when I'm not shifting and find it to be beneficial, cutting transition time between inputs and adding flexibility to making quick decisions in traffic. That's why. Doesn't seem bizarre to me. I do it ALL the time. I didn't invent the concept on a PCP trip. Other folks do it with success in racing. Carry on

Driving an automatic, I use both right and left foot braking.
There are times when a light application of the left foot will transfer weight to the
front tires, but I still want to modulate the throttle through the corner.
As long as your feet don't get confused, I see no real advantage to regimented
left foot/right foot use.

I will say that applying throttle with the left foot is probably best avoided,
though I've had to do that on the street after I broke my right femur.

Or you can do like one of my employees, and use your right foot for the clutch pedal.  Dyslexia is not pretty.