Open pitlane versus Sessions

russ979 · Post by **russ979** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:45 am

Ordinaraly i would say "OPL" but for a BP event i think a three session split would be spot on! That was my fourth snetterton track day of this year alone, but with the real quick guys out there i felt a middle group would have been nice!

Bealo · Post by **Bealo** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:04 am

alexb wrote:As always, last night was organised really well, and I think the sessions work great especially on an evening event where it encourages everyone to make the most of the short time available. On full days I prefer OPL as it gives a bit more flexibility when there are more people attending so you can choose a quieter time to go out (although if done properly each session should have the correct number of cars to prevent crowding).

Bealo wrote: Lastnight was nearly spot on with only one or two of drivers in the faster group that i think should have been in the slower group but thats debatable.

As I know I was one of the slower cars in Group B I assume you're referring to me

I'm definitely not one of the fastest drivers out there and I was in a car putting out 180 BHP on road tyres, while you are a faster driver in a 330-odd BHP car with Cup tyres and whatever else, no surprise you were quicker.

And I appreciate your point but it wasn't "slow" and "fast" groups was it? it was 2 or less previous trackdays or more than 2.

For an evening event we could never divide groups on horsepower or whatever as we'd be there all night and anyway that doesn't differentiate between trackday cars and road cars, different types of tyre and of course, driver skill/willingness to take risks with their vehicle - believe or not ]

Alex actually i wasn't referring to you as i would say you were one of the best drivers out there in terms of being very aware of what was going on around you.

Perhaps i shouldn't have used slower and used experienced/awarness on track instead.

Gerry i never said i was fast and of course there are always faster cars out there.

The point i was trying to make was some drivers were a lot more aware of what was going on than others and only that point, and that i think they might have been better off in the first group.

Sorry if i riled anyone with my comment as it wasn't my intention.

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:08 am

OPL for me. Gives much greater freedom of when to go out and when to come in to cool off / check / repair / take passengers out / have pax laps etc.

It is also less inclined to lead to track rage where there are consistently different speed drivers holding you up or having to move over for. OPL means you can avoid them.

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:17 am

Bealo wrote:
Gerry i never said i was fast and of course there are always faster cars out there.

The point i was trying to make was some drivers were a lot more aware of what was going on than others and only that point, and that i think they might have been better off in the first group.

Sorry if i riled anyone with my comment as it wasn't my intention.

No offence taken mate it's just good discussion (and everyone reckons you are fast, me included

)

It's difficult to get the right mix and as soon as someone holds you up, they should be in the other group. If all the novices are in one group, is it a recipe for carnage? If they're mixed in with the experienced, then the experienced drivers should be looking out for ANYTHING to happen and should drive with due dilligence thus making allowances for the novice.

The bit that pisses me is people who should know better and are experienced just not moving over :x

scoobaru · Post by **scoobaru** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:59 am

I think with the mix of drivers and cars in BP a 3 group split would be best as My car was powerfull enough to be in group b but my experience and talent is lacking. However now having done 3 track days at snetterton I probably couldn't go in the group a but wouldn't want to hold up the better drivers in group b so a middle group would be good.

I also liked the evening as it keeps the costs down and saves holiday off work. Full days are great but are better spread out.

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:19 pm

Experienced doesn't necessarily equate to good, just more

ginger ninja · Post by **ginger ninja** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:33 pm

scoobaru wrote:I think with the mix of drivers and cars in BP a 3 group split would be best as My car was powerfull enough to be in group b but my experience and talent is lacking. However now having done 3 track days at snetterton I probably couldn't go in the group a but wouldn't want to hold up the better drivers in group b so a middle group would be good.

I also liked the evening as it keeps the costs down and saves holiday off work. Full days are great but are better spread out.

Reading everones posts its an awkward one to please everone.

A Duncan says OPL is better for some people depending on the day and who is taking part, as with the last two OPL events I have spectated there has been some very quick cars and drivers at Snetty and I for one would shit myself being out with them but the freedom to come and go as you please would be nice.

I fully agree with what you say Karl as yes your car has got the power and like me you personally need to gain confidence.
But saying that i felt that the Vectra was holding me back, which was good in one respect as I couldnt get too cocky but where it lacked completly was power, So I have decided to put it back to gether and sell it :x .....plan 2 ????????,

Bealo · Post by **Bealo** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:00 pm

Gerry H wrote:
Bealo wrote:
Gerry i never said i was fast and of course there are always faster cars out there.

The point i was trying to make was some drivers were a lot more aware of what was going on than others and only that point, and that i think they might have been better off in the first group.

Sorry if i riled anyone with my comment as it wasn't my intention.
No offence taken mate it's just good discussion (and everyone reckons you are fast, me included )

It's difficult to get the right mix and as soon as someone holds you up, they should be in the other group. If all the novices are in one group, is it a recipe for carnage? If they're mixed in with the experienced, then the experienced drivers should be looking out for ANYTHING to happen and should drive with due dilligence thus making allowances for the novice.

The bit that pisses me is people who should know better and are experienced just not moving over :x

Perhaps then maybe we should emphasise the importants of being aware of people coming up behind and moving out of the way sharpish. If people feel that all they are doing is moving out of the way and it's spoiling there fun maybe this would be a good indicator that they are in the wrong group.
I understand everyone is there to have fun at there own pace but if everyone was aware of what's going on around them then the day would flow a lot more smoothly.

Defo think 3 groups is the way forward but not at the expense of having an empty track. We couldn't have had 3 groups on tuesday because we just did have enough cars IMO.

Datsun-Des · Post by **Datsun-Des** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:44 pm

I like both formats, as has been mentioned, sessioned means you are forced to give your car (and self) a rest, but OPL gives more flexability. TBH I don't mind which, if there's a BP track day I'll be there. :thumb:

Bealo wrote: Perhaps then maybe we should emphasise the importants of being aware of people coming up behind and moving out of the way sharpish.

Agreed.

Bealo wrote:If people feel that all they are doing is moving out of the way and it's spoiling there fun maybe this would be a good indicator that they are in the wrong group.

I was not the fastest out there, and when I couldn't get past someone else so let the quicker boys through it meant I was having a slow lap, but I just backed off so I could get a good run at the next lap and enjoyed it all the same. I think people should be able to choose a group according to their own confidence and awareness - as long as they're not holding everyone else up then there is no problem. If it's spoiling there fun though - then as you say - they should be in a different group.

Bealo wrote:I understand everyone is there to have fun at there own pace but if everyone was aware of what's going on around them then the day would flow a lot more smoothly.

Agreed. This is the main issue with only having two groups for ability, if everyone was aware what was going on around them then you could mix it up as much as you like.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:05 pm

At the end of the day it`s down to what suits the individual on an all-day event I prefer open pit lane as I can take the car out when I want to and build up speed through the day

However on a club night when there were obviously some very fast drivers/cars there was a need for a third session, which would have given some better seperation.

I thought that being overtaken turning into Russell was not the brightest thing to do even if I was holding someone up a third session would hopefully stop this.

Having said that there will allways be differentials in speeed and ability and as time was somewhat limited a third session would have reduced track time which is what we all want, so perhaps better awareness of what is going on around you and understanding of where to attack a slower car/driver would eliminate some of the ill feeling that arrises from being baulked

But it was a bl**dy goodnight all the same

Harry