Lap time minimums?

[John Black]

^^^ back when some of us started racing, there were no track days to get your feet wet... it was trial by fire... you wanted to race, you went and raced... I still do not think that was a bad thing...

[Dave Felio]

Add to the ProvNov mental baggage that everyone around him (including that voice in his head) is telling him to "just get through the race without crashing'" which causes some people to overcompensate and just putt around giving everyone room to pass and trying to survive it. Clearly that didn't work for this dude, and it's a good lesson.

I think part of the ProNov instruction should be "you can't crash, but you also need to try to be in the race - just race toward the back of the pack". You're not really learning how to race when you tool around by yourself, you're just having your own personal track day.

That at being said, I honestly think that you gave this guy the one of the "ProvNov gifts" : experiencing and surviving a crash (hopefully he's OK), having to start over, learning from the experience and realizing that the world didn't come to an end. I know what I'm talking about because I did it twice, and frankly needed that extra time to learn how to calm down and race at "my level", as it were.

[Michael De Simone]

You can't police lap times. Any number you pick is purely arbitrary. Then what do you do if conditions are bad? Or get better - like Hallett? It is the passing rider's responsibility to avoid the slower rider - in all situations, not just yours.

[Joe Rodriguez]

dont think you restart, the process.
unless it was your last weekend to finish the probnov requirements.

most people think its a race to get the shirt off, and forget about the race on track.
i mean, yeah you dont want to crash, but its a painful fact of racing.

i clearly remember my buddies telling me slow down if you have to but dont crash !
then was like "im already slow enough, if i slow down any more , im getting A** packed, no thanks!! "
also remember Gabe pounding into the class, "hold your line!, the passer is responsible to make it safe ..."

[Rodrigo DaCunha]

Add to the ProvNov mental baggage that everyone around him (including that voice in his head) is telling him to "just get through the race without crashing'" which causes some people to overcompensate and just putt around giving everyone room to pass and trying to survive it. Clearly that didn't work for this dude, and it's a good lesson.

I think part of the ProNov instruction should be "you can't crash, but you also need to try to be in the race - just race toward the back of the pack". You're not really learning how to race when you tool around by yourself, you're just having your own personal track day.

That at being said, I honestly think that you gave this guy the one of the "ProvNov gifts" : experiencing and surviving a crash (hopefully he's OK), having to start over, learning from the experience and realizing that the world didn't come to an end. I know what I'm talking about because I did it twice, and frankly needed that extra time to learn how to calm down and race at "my level", as it were.

Nice write up :D
It's a race! Let's race!!! I'm with you 100%

[Chris Coffey]

If someone runs a 3:06 on a big bike in a big bike class, they shouldn't be allowed to race... lol


I think some of this stems all the way back to track day schools. I know of a school in particular that rushes to move people up levels so they can sell more seats, that will also pass anyone that pays for the cmra class.

Lol

[Kasey Lewis]

I'm against minimum lap times too. The attempt would be to mitigate closing speeds, but that's not going to happen. Mechanicals, conditions, simple rider mentality can lead to changing lap speeds. I've had to roll off hard after a massive leg cramp. I then posed a closing speed problem. Situational awareness and safety are needed. Slow, consistent laps are fine, better than sketchy fast ones in my opinion.

[Joe Lopez]

If someone runs a 3:06 on a big bike in a big bike class, they shouldn't be allowed to race... lol


I think some of this stems all the way back to track day schools. I know of a school in particular that rushes to move people up levels so they can sell more seats, that will also pass anyone that pays for the cmra class.

Lol

Those darn vest takers!
Lol

[Jim Dugger]

It is the passing rider's responsibility to avoid the slower rider - in all situations, not just yours.

Let's also remember every racer has the opportunity to participate in the CMRA.

I agree with Michael, the correct answer isn't restrictions. The right answer is welcoming our new racer into the right classes for building his skills and developing his passion for racing.

Lightweight endurance, grom challenge, and so on all come to mind.

[Chris Woolsey]

I hear the argument that when track days didn't exist you just came to the track and raced and humanity didn't cease to exist. Well, seat belts didn't exist before, but we all use 'em now don't we? You should be able to at least not be a rolling hazard when you get out there, and I don't mean you can't be dog slow, but you should at least be on the racing line, and able to hold that line when you are running at the back of the pack.

One way to come up with a lap time that isn't chosen arbitrarily is to come up with a minimum average mph that you are comfortable with and believe will be safe and translate that into a lap time. Food for thought anyway.