Starting procedure for Ovals
(As Outlined by Michi Kovacs)
We do this rarely more than once a year, so please get familiar with the procedure.
It takes only one not in the know to screw up the formation lap.
| Once the flag drops wait until the car in front of you starts moving then get going. Oval setups are highly asymmetrical making a standing start tricky, you got a plenty of time to catch up to the field so no need to hurry. | |
| Field |
When the field is underway everyone but the polesitter has one task. Keep the car in front of you above your left or right front tyre, depending on the lane you are in. You want a little bit of tarmac between your tyre and your frontman's gearbox. Obviously this only works if no one weaves on the formation lap. |
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Polesitter |
As the polesitter your task is keep the field together. Because of the lazy start the field will be strung out, so you need to go slow. That will allow the rest of the field time to catch up and fall into formation. 60mph/100kph is a good starting point but that varies with the track. The field will form up on you so keep to your lane and no erratic movements. |
| Since everyone is essentially following your moves anything you too is send down the line, amplified at that. A small deceleration will be a jump on the brakes by the time it gets to the back of the field. Therefore all you can do is speed up on the pace lap. Best keep to the initial speed until you get back to the S/F line and then accelerate near it. That way you minimize any disturbances along the field and lets the backmarkers get out of the final corner before having to jump on the gas. | |
So if you are in the field just hold the car in front of you in the green box shown in the picture below, leave the rest to the poleman. Once you cross the start finish line at the end of the formation lap you are free to overtake.