Lap time minimums?

[Mitchell Klein]

This is a two part question.


Does the CMRA have lap time requirements for racers? When does a new racer become slow enough to be a safety hazard? Is running a 3:06 at TWS not a problem? What actually goes into

certain track day orgs requirements the same and strict enough to ensure that the rider has the skill, awareness, and ability to not be a safety hazard?

if the above is not standardized, then when does the CMRA officials authorize and implement the blue flag for use?

This is is up for discussion here for everyone, but if any official wants to discuss my incident, referencing above as an idea of what I am coming from, feel free to contact me. And before the comments come out about its racing and that's what happens, I understand this and fully except rewards and consequences of racing. This is a question about safety of all racers and the riders that are too slow and inexperienced for a safe experience.

[Michael McGehee]

details....what was your incident?

[jose gutierrez]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qtPy3Q16Do

Mitchell I understand what you are saying, but that is why prov novs wear big yellow shirts. it is all our responsibilities to recognize that the people wearing those shirts are not as experienced as others. And we need to make sure to pass them with caution. I think you got caught up chasing John redford out of the chicayne, and didn't pay enough attention to the slower rider. my .02
sorry you went down, hope you and the bike are ok.

[Tom Anderson]

One part of your answer is that we (LSTD) do monitor new racers getting their license with us for safety. Is there a lap time policy? No. But safety is a good catchall for allowing a rider to get their license application or not.

I'm sure the other licensing entities monitor things in the same manner.

[Mitchell Klein]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qtPy3Q16Do

Mitchell I understand what you are saying, but that is why prov novs wear big yellow shirts. it is all our responsibilities to recognize that the people wearing those shirts are not as experienced as others. And we need to make sure to pass them with caution. I think you got caught up chasing John redford out of the chicayne, and didn't pay enough attention to the slower rider. my .02
sorry you went down, hope you and the bike are ok.

truth be told, I did get caught up trying to chase him down. Everyone is guilty of that. If you look at the video though, I think two things happened. I tried to pass him on the outside, and I believe john scared him with the pass so he stands the bike up and travels offline enough for me to collide with him. Ultimately it's my fault I hit him, but inexperienced does play a role in it. I believe. This was his second day at this track in a row and he didn't seem to know the lines, a little unpredictable. Believe me I am not looking for validation or repayment. Just wanted to see if a guy can come off the street if his bike is legal and he has the gear? Just curious.

I know now with other organizations who have to run in the fastest class or 2nd to fastest class on small bikes. But a 3:06 would not be a time ran in either of those. Inside passing is a comfort thing and no experience with these passes can startle people.

[John Black]

i didn't see that yellow shirt do anything wrong or even unpredictable...

[Sloan Essman]

I'm not sure he really had anywhere to go. The prov nov's line looked off even before John passed him and then just carried him into the path of the other 250 that was on the correct line. of course if he was already off the line sometimes you have to slow down and just see where they're going. But he didn't really seem to react TOO much to the pass but already had a bad line and had to stand up to miss the curbing on the right. But depth is hard to tell from a wide-angle gopro shot. Of course the passer is responsible for the pass but if somebody jumps out in front of you...

As I've participated in Fastline mock races with all kinds of candidates I've see quite a few that afterwards I think, "Yes you met the requirements and didn't crash in the mock race, but I'm not sure you're ready for an actual race". It's my opinion that you need to be riding in the Advanced sessions first and kind of cringe when a slow intermediate rider is in a mock race. Of course on a 250-class bike, Advanced really isn't an option as the closing speeds can be so great but then that's another reason we run lightweight at GSS and sometimes at MSRH. I know we'll bump somebody down if they're just out of their league or unsafe at a track day, but as I don't teach the CMRA class, I don't think there's any minimum requirements for rider performance other than "don't crash".

[Mitchell Klein]

Again guys this isn't about my crash, it's about if a time is too slow or are they skilled enough to be racing

[Quan Luu]

Unfortunately there's not a time minimum in racing. There are no levels like there are on trackdays so all you got is maybe a yellow shirt or you being the more skilled and faster rider need to make a pass. Usually the nooby has the brains to know if they are ready to be elbow to elbow in a race. Not sure if the CMRA would like to police laptimes minimums especially on a layout that was changed last minute. This was an unfortunate situation in a turn that's difficult to pass. Hope you and the other rider and bikes are ok.

[Dustin Ducote]

Back before Trackdays no one got to practice before race practice and just gridding up. So it is safe to say that YES a 3:06 would be expected. It is your job to make the pass, period. Just wait until the next turn. I realize that on a 250 that could mean losing the race but hey, that's racing.

Just wait till it rains and someone is out there on slicks and you are on rains..