Forum > ARL Racing > Patch Cup Series

Pit Road Notes Subscribe

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010

Please note this section of the Rulebook V.F. Pitting 1. Drivers are required to use defined access roads for entering and/or exiting pit road. 2. Drivers must yield to the pit road speed limit of each track, black flags are enabled. 3. Drivers must attempt to travel pit road single-file in the lane opposite of pit boxes. 4. Track specific pitting procedures are provided during pre-race as determined by League Administration. 5. Pit road will be open at all times during normal race conditions. Specifically V.F.3. We do enforce this rule (and related penalties) if a driver travels the length of pit road and blocks any other driver from their pit box as a direct result of breaking this rule given that there were no other outside factors (such as other drivers blocking them). This has not been an issue in awhile (maybe early last year or the year prior I think) and seemed to be one Saturday night so I wanted to post a reminder for the remaining races. << Edited on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 4:43pm EDT. >>

DusterLag | Monday, October 19, 2015 at 4:41pm EDT

Fordly56 Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 184 Joined: July 6, 2014 Location: Cape May, NJ	which is the lane opposite the pit boxes? the one just outside the pit boxes that is defined with a solid yellow line? or the next lane out with two solid yellow lines? Driver of the #2 Penske Racing Ford
	Fordly56 | Monday, October 19, 2015 at 6:17pm EDT

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010

Fordly56 wrote: which is the lane opposite the pit boxes? the one just outside the pit boxes that is defined with a solid yellow line? or the next lane out with two solid yellow lines? On the majority of tracks it would be the furthest right lane. At Watkins Glen for example it would be furthest left. In most cases if you are alone on pit road and your not driving through everyone's pit boxes we do not worry about the specific lane. However if you are coming on pit road side-by-side or its congested (which is very rare in our 10 car fields) then we start to be more stringent on rules. We are also strong on side-by-side cars all the way down pit road when the rule is clear to be single file. First in, first in line.

DusterLag | Monday, October 19, 2015 at 6:27pm EDT

Fordly56 Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 184 Joined: July 6, 2014 Location: Cape May, NJ	well then, perhaps the rule should say, the furthest lane out from the pit boxes. rather than the lane opposite. Driver of the #2 Penske Racing Ford
	Fordly56 | Monday, October 19, 2015 at 6:39pm EDT

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010	Fordly56 wrote: well then, perhaps the rule should say, the furthest lane out from the pit boxes. rather than the lane opposite. Hmm, what does the "lane opposite the pit boxes" mean to you? Trying to understand because for me they mean the same thing as what you said as an alternative. << Edited on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:03pm EDT. >>
	DusterLag | Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:02pm EDT

Fordly56 Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 184 Joined: July 6, 2014 Location: Cape May, NJ

if you look back, mid season last year when I started, I was driving down the pit boxes every pit cause I had a hard time spotting my own box. because it took so long to review the races, I didn't know I was breaking a rule. but then I got busted a ton for each time I did it! then I started running down the lane I thought was opposite the pit boxes defined by the solid yellow line. I never heard a thing about it since. now you're saying that is still the wrong lane. the lane you are saying is the lane opposite, was always the drive thru lane when a driver or crew chief changed their mind and didn't pit. or if a wreck happened on the track and forced the cars down pit road. so you tell me. what is the lane opposite, and i'll use it! just to add a side note. If you notice the real track now, that pass thru lane doesn't even exist anymore. << Edited on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 8:18pm EDT. >> Driver of the #2 Penske Racing Ford

Fordly56 | Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:34pm EDT

Speedyman11 TMS Admin, ARL Event Moderator Offline   Message   Posts: 69 Joined: October 19, 2013	Let me guess, this happened when i passed Donaldson on pit road even though i was the leading car. In this situation your still expected to let them pass you and give back all that time?
	Speedyman11 | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 7:10am EDT

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010

Speedyman11 wrote: Let me guess, this happened when i passed Donaldson on pit road even though i was the leading car. In this situation your still expected to let them pass you and give back all that time? I can't speak specifically right now about anything at Saturday's Charlotte race, I can tell you that we are looking at multiple incidents related to this topic and we will have reviews completed by the next race. I can answer your question generally... Once you enter pit road (usually identified by the first white or yellow line) and are not single-file, you are required to make a best attempt at lining up single file as you travel down pit road. The order is as you entered pit road, if car 1 enters pit road first and car 2 second, then car 1 should proceed at full pit road speed as the leader of the single file line while car 2 should... a) fall into line behind car 1 b) leave enough space for car 1 to move in front of car 2 This obviously depends on the lane each car is in. We're working hard on race reviews to keep up to date and will have it completed by the next race.

DusterLag | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 9:03am EDT

Speedyman11 TMS Admin, ARL Event Moderator Offline   Message   Posts: 69 Joined: October 19, 2013

DusterLag wrote: I can't speak specifically right now about anything at Saturday's Charlotte race, I can tell you that we are looking at multiple incidents related to this topic and we will have reviews completed by the next race. I can answer your question generally... Once you enter pit road (usually identified by the first white or yellow line) and are not single-file, you are required to make a best attempt at lining up single file as you travel down pit road. The order is as you entered pit road, if car 1 enters pit road first and car 2 second, then car 1 should proceed at full pit road speed as the leader of the single file line while car 2 should... a) fall into line behind car 1 b) leave enough space for car 1 to move in front of car 2 This obviously depends on the lane each car is in. We're working hard on race reviews to keep up to date and will have it completed by the next race. So it will always be first car that crosses line to enter pits should stay ahead even in the case of them not being at the correct pit lane speed limit? Or does that take affect once both cars are stable at pit speed?

Speedyman11 | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 9:17am EDT

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010

Speedyman11 wrote: DusterLag wrote: I can't speak specifically right now about anything at Saturday's Charlotte race, I can tell you that we are looking at multiple incidents related to this topic and we will have reviews completed by the next race. I can answer your question generally... Once you enter pit road (usually identified by the first white or yellow line) and are not single-file, you are required to make a best attempt at lining up single file as you travel down pit road. The order is as you entered pit road, if car 1 enters pit road first and car 2 second, then car 1 should proceed at full pit road speed as the leader of the single file line while car 2 should... a) fall into line behind car 1 b) leave enough space for car 1 to move in front of car 2 This obviously depends on the lane each car is in. We're working hard on race reviews to keep up to date and will have it completed by the next race. So it will always be first car that crosses line to enter pits should stay ahead even in the case of them not being at the correct pit lane speed limit? Or does that take affect once both cars are stable at pit speed? First car to cross the line. Because you'd get a black flag if your speeding anyway - there would be no advantage to speed on entry as you would loose much more time from the black flag than you would gain from speeding on entry.

DusterLag | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 9:28am EDT

Speedyman11 TMS Admin, ARL Event Moderator Offline   Message   Posts: 69 Joined: October 19, 2013

DusterLag wrote: Speedyman11 wrote: DusterLag wrote: I can't speak specifically right now about anything at Saturday's Charlotte race, I can tell you that we are looking at multiple incidents related to this topic and we will have reviews completed by the next race. I can answer your question generally... Once you enter pit road (usually identified by the first white or yellow line) and are not single-file, you are required to make a best attempt at lining up single file as you travel down pit road. The order is as you entered pit road, if car 1 enters pit road first and car 2 second, then car 1 should proceed at full pit road speed as the leader of the single file line while car 2 should... a) fall into line behind car 1 b) leave enough space for car 1 to move in front of car 2 This obviously depends on the lane each car is in. We're working hard on race reviews to keep up to date and will have it completed by the next race. So it will always be first car that crosses line to enter pits should stay ahead even in the case of them not being at the correct pit lane speed limit? Or does that take affect once both cars are stable at pit speed? First car to cross the line. Because you'd get a black flag if your speeding anyway - there would be no advantage to speed on entry as you would loose much more time from the black flag than you would gain from speeding on entry. But if the person slows down too much for pit road and you pass them once you both reach pit speed shouldnt the leader at that point should have the right of way?

Speedyman11 | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 9:38am EDT

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010	Speedyman11 wrote: But if the person slows down too much for pit road and you pass them once you both reach pit speed shouldnt the leader at that point should have the right of way? An interesting question that we'll need to discuss and I'll get back to you. Thanks!
	DusterLag | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 9:42am EDT

Fordly56 Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 184 Joined: July 6, 2014 Location: Cape May, NJ

so how about this one? my team mate goes in first, I go in second, and you go in third. you and him have been racing head to head on the track, so once we get into single file, I start burping the gas enough to slow you down enough to give him an edge in the pit. once in a home pro race at iowa, BK and I were racing hard and when we went into the pits, I slowed down then he came up behind and punted me over the line for a black flag. I don't think it was on purpose but I swore it would never happen again. and I haven't had a flag since. but it has happened to billygood twice. once by duster and once by LT. if you look at the first pit in the last race, a whole gaggle of cars went in at the same time. Donaldson knocked me to the left side and even if I didn't want to, I would have had to go in from there. I dove down for the pits first and still went down the lane in like fourth or fifth. so who crossed the line first? Driver of the #2 Penske Racing Ford

Fordly56 | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 10:35am EDT

DusterLag Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 8108 Joined: May 1, 2010

Lots of good questions here, so I'll break it down... Fordly56 wrote: my team mate goes in first, I go in second, and you go in third. you and him have been racing head to head on the track, so once we get into single file, I start burping the gas enough to slow you down enough to give him an edge in the pit. This is an interesting one, during normal reviews It's likely we would not see/catch this. We would encourage drivers to makes a request for review in these cases (Rulebook VII.B. Drivers may request a review of a specific incident by League Officials within 1 week of an event's completion.) If reported, and drastically depending on the unique situation we would need to consider one or both of these sections... VIII.C.4 - Actions Detrimental to League VIII.D.9 - Actions Detrimental to Racing Fordly56 wrote: once in a home pro race at iowa, BK and I were racing hard and when we went into the pits, I slowed down then he came up behind and punted me over the line for a black flag. For each unique situation we need to consider all variables and severity of the circumstances. Going exclusively on what you've stated and assuming we knew these variables during a review - BK would be penalized for standard reckless driving. Fordly56 wrote: if you look at the first pit in the last race, a whole gaggle of cars went in at the same time. Donaldson knocked me to the left side and even if I didn't want to, I would have had to go in from there. I dove down for the pits first and still went down the lane in like fourth or fifth. so who crossed the line first? Only going on the information you posted here... You are allowed to pass slower cars on pit road, and are not required to remain in your position as you "entered" or your position as you are "entering". The order only plays into this for cars entering who are not single-file and end up blocking other cars from their pit boxes as a result of failing to "attempt to travel single-file". Hope this all helps.

DusterLag | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 1:10pm EDT

Rookiesrock Contributor Offline   Message   Posts: 99 Joined: May 1, 2010 Location: Hayward, Wisconsin

I have been guilty of entering pit road with my nose up to the door of the car in front of me because the driver in front of me was going too slow entering. This could be used strategically by slowing the field before the pit entrance line thus gaining a second ensuring a slow pit sequence for everyone behind them. Or a driver is making changes to his setup and entering pitroad 5 or 10 miles slower, which again slows everyone behind them. I'm not sure how to enforce anything to stop that except by letting the field go side by side.

Rookiesrock | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 1:55pm EDT

puttzracer Admin, ARL Official Offline   Message   Posts: 810 Joined: September 13, 2014 Location: Maryland, US

The only problem with allowing side by side down the entire pit lane is then that potentially blocks people from getting into their pit stall or forces them to slow down a lot more to get there. Let's say I'm on the outside lane and have the 5th pit stall, and the car on the lane inside me has stall 1, and there is a car right behind him that has stall 2. I'm either not going to be able to get to my box, or have to slam the brakes and come to almost a dead stop to be able to get into my box, potentially causing havoc to anyone else behind me. The thing that makes sense is to allow side by side getting into the pits, but then once everyone is at pit speed they must fall in single file in the order they are in. Driver of the #46 TMS Wolfpack Chevrolet ARL Official

puttzracer | Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 6:42pm EDT

ltfireman1604 Member / Driver Offline   Message   Posts: 66 Joined: March 31, 2014 Location: Georgia, US

puttzracer wrote: The only problem with allowing side by side down the entire pit lane is then that potentially blocks people from getting into their pit stall or forces them to slow down a lot more to get there. Let's say I'm on the outside lane and have the 5th pit stall, and the car on the lane inside me has stall 1, and there is a car right behind him that has stall 2. I'm either not going to be able to get to my box, or have to slam the brakes and come to almost a dead stop to be able to get into my box, potentially causing havoc to anyone else behind me. The thing that makes sense is to allow side by side getting into the pits, but then once everyone is at pit speed they must fall in single file in the order they are in. Well in real racing whoever is on the inside, closer to the pit box has the advantage, and the one on the outside has to slow down to get into his pit box. That is part of racing IMO. Change your pit strategy and come in one lap earlier if you dont want to deal with traffic.

ltfireman1604 | Friday, October 23, 2015 at 9:07pm EDT

puttzracer Admin, ARL Official Offline   Message   Posts: 810 Joined: September 13, 2014 Location: Maryland, US

ltfireman1604 wrote: puttzracer wrote: The only problem with allowing side by side down the entire pit lane is then that potentially blocks people from getting into their pit stall or forces them to slow down a lot more to get there. Let's say I'm on the outside lane and have the 5th pit stall, and the car on the lane inside me has stall 1, and there is a car right behind him that has stall 2. I'm either not going to be able to get to my box, or have to slam the brakes and come to almost a dead stop to be able to get into my box, potentially causing havoc to anyone else behind me. The thing that makes sense is to allow side by side getting into the pits, but then once everyone is at pit speed they must fall in single file in the order they are in. Well in real racing whoever is on the inside, closer to the pit box has the advantage, and the one on the outside has to slow down to get into his pit box. That is part of racing IMO. Change your pit strategy and come in one lap earlier if you dont want to deal with traffic. That is a valid point, however in ARL often times you can't change your pit strategy due to wear factor. If you pit early you get screwed because you end up needing one more stop than everyone else. Driver of the #46 TMS Wolfpack Chevrolet ARL Official

puttzracer | Friday, October 23, 2015 at 10:20pm EDT

Activity
There are currently 0 users and 10 guests online. We have a total of 15527 posts in 4025 topics within 24 forums. Users Browsing: None