some of the problems in rc oval racing is the tight starting grids for the mains.. why is it that we dont space out the grids more? track records could be for quals only and this would make the start of the mains cleaner with better racing for 4 mins and would stop the 1st turn pileup.. how many times have you seen the tq man get diliverd in turn 1 and the 6th 7th or 8th place guy come out in the lead?

just putting this out there to see if im the only one.. this would make you want to qual better and i fell give the race a better chance to being clean and fair and not just the luck of getting through turn 1

agree 100%

The best way to line up a main is either single file or staggered 2 line start. Side by Side grids in oval = pile-ups in 1st or 2nd turn. Why not make qualifying position mean more by lining up single file.

The holeshot is how the guys in back get a chance to run up front.. You dont need a different grid, you need more courtecy on the track.. Ive always believed, if you get delivered off the line, you didnt punch it quick enough..

MAN, do I disagree with that! I just came back from the Oval Masters and Mike Russell laid out the grid with the cars staggered and 4 feet between each one. That meant there was EIGHT feet from the car in front of you. We ran a Snow Birds size track with TEN cars starting in the mains. The grid took up the whole front strait away.

From Spec Trucks to Open Mod…there was ZERO first turn pile ups!

I like a staggered rows starting grid, where there's no more then three car length between rolls. Anymore, it becomes to much of an penalty for the rest to the drivers. I thinks Burbs has it right ,courtesy and patience is the only solution. "Unless we want to discuss rolling starts" LOL.. Jim

at our local track, we make life hell. Fast guy in the back.

courtesy and patience

LOL, From R/C Racers...

Yeah right...it's about WHO can get to turn ONE first...and SLAM the door on the rest.

I run at races w/ the staggered line start (like McLin described) and Single file starts on carpet.

Loved them both.

I usually still do Side by Side starts w/ at least 3-4 feet between rows, and atleast 3 feet between inside and outside. I ask the drivers to have "courtesy and patience", but as soon as the horn blows. Oooops~

staggered two lane is the way to go. Most everywhere i have been does it like that. Patience is key. There almost is never a first turn pile up unless in a lower main but that is expected anyways. Like burbs said, if you get sent, you obviously didn't punch it hard enough.

I agree with a 2 laned staggered start. I don't agree with a single file start with 6 feet between each car. What chance do you have to win if you start last in a 8 car main when you are already behind 48' from the leader at the start? You need room to get a clean start but you also need to be able to have a chance to stay with the leader at the start of the race.

The starting grid at OvalMasters was one of the smartest ideas ever. Weather you were in the front or the back everyone had a chance at a clean 1st lap. Hats off to Mike Russel and Allan it really made a huge difference I hope other tracks and events follow suit.


Doug P

What chance do you have to win if you start last in a 8 car main when you are already behind 48' from the leader at the start?

Er um....QUALIFY BETTER and START UP FRONT. Some would say, if you qualify LAST....what chance do you have to WIN anyway?

That is one of the things I like about 5 minute racing...and even the 6 minute events we've had. Seem like you have time to catch the leader IF you have the car to do it with.

I've heard guys say...6 ft between cars, your 48 ft. back. Well my math says if you run a 8 cars staggered and you have 48 ft from 1st to 8th, if you figure speed is close to 30 mph, you are 1.1 seconds back, minus reaction time to the horn. On a good close field of racers, usually there is more than 1 second seperating 1st from 8th in qualifying.

I'd rather be 1.1 seconds back and NOT have the guy behind me UP MY AXX before I make it to the first turn.

THIS is what I had to deal with 2 weekends ago starting mid field. I got a better jump than the front row, and had to back off to keep from driving through them....the guy behind me...drove me dang near THROUGH the wall...broke the car in the first corner. NOT my idea of FUN racing.

I like a staggered rows starting grid, where there's no more then three car length between rolls. Anymore, it becomes to much of an penalty for the rest to the drivers. I thinks Burbs has it right ,courtesy and patience is the only solution. "Unless we want to discuss rolling starts" LOL.. Jim
Yep!! Cant always win it in the first turn. It takes some longer to learn this than others. Inverting the grid would suck!!!!!! I came to race, penalize me for being fast and starting me last!!! Bull! "courtesy and patience is the only solution"

AS i have been around full size cars for about 38 yrs. now, Fast guy to the back. I have raced on r/c bullrings from 104 ft. to 165 ft. , patience , patience, patience. The ole saying goes, "You must first finish, to finish first". I like to go from the get go too, but you have to get to the end 1st. I got a real history lesson 2 weeks ago from an OLD veteran. But at our track, if 58'' staggered start is not good enough, Go find another play ground to play on...................My 2 cents...... :thumbsup:

Er um....QUALIFY BETTER and START UP FRONT. Some would say, if you qualify LAST....what chance do you have to WIN anyway?

.

the first turn pile up is your chance to win...If everyone raced smart there wouldnt be any pile ups.. prolly the worst race i ever saw was the three mains at the arcor race last april.. the stock guys where just plain ruthless.. There was no courtecy, and no one ever lifted.. guys were half way up the walss, and they kept it pegged.. It was a very disapointing set of races...

Generally people in the top 10 are there for a reason.. why screw it up by driving dumb..

Ive seen more complaining the last few years about how things are done its almost sickening.. Oval racing has been the same since i started 18 years ago.. i like the way it was, and i like the way it is..Why is everyone trying to change things to make it easier for people.. racing is racing..

Rolling starts would be good too, could take that battery thing out of the equation also, but never gonna happen..........

Anyway good discussion here I will leave at that........

Having a decently spaced staggered starting grid is the best option. If you don't like starting from the back, then qualify better. This simply puts more incentive to take the heats more seriously. Essentially, it makes the heats worth a little more.

if you start 8th you souldnt be 10 ft from the pole sitter as it is.. this is oval racing not motocross where we all start on a line a pick lanes we have heats for this and that is my point... now im not saying to space them out over the whole track but what i would like to see is 4 ft or so between cars in a staggerd grid.. i to have been playing with toy cars for 18 years and it has always been this way but i feel its time to change what were doing and space them out

if you start 8th you souldnt be 10 ft from the pole sitter as it is.. this is oval racing not motocross
I totally agree. Besides everyone is looking at this like you're going to win the race in the first lap. That doesn't happen unles there is a crash. Carshing ain't racing. It just messes up the racing. We have switched to IFMAR starts for qualifiers and everyone seems to think that they have put the hammer down on the horn, which defeats the puprpose of the IFMAR start.
Back to the point of the first turn demolition derby during mains. I was on the pole 2 weeks ago and got delivered and taken out before the first turn. I'm for anything that can make that less likely to happen. Speaking for myself, I never enjoy winning a race where the competition gets delivered. I'd rather race them to the end for it.

yes rick the ifmar starts at k&n will come its hard to teach a old dog new tricks and chad was one of the last to switch but you will see better heats up there with the ifmar starts

how bout running 4 wide, 6 deep 24 car fields, seperated by only 6 - 8 inches on the grid. Now THAT would be some racing to see on a 80 ft. carpet track. J/K