[Fot] standing starts

[Bill Babcock]

A lollipop is a handicap race where the cars are distributed in semi-equal
packs around the track (usually five or six packs, depending on track length).
The fastest cars at start, next fastest a bit further and so on until you get
to just before the finish. The start zones are marked by a track worker
holding up a colored disk--hence lollipop. If you are assigned to yellow you
drive around the track until you find the yellow lollipop and line up in a
staggered formation behind the car in front. Cars are released to the track in
reverse order: slowest first, so even within a group the slowest car has some
advantage.

The race is started over the radios--the worker gives two and one minute
warnings, and then when the worker drops the lollipop everyone goes--standing
start. You determine the number of laps by taking the time difference between
fastest and slowest cars and dividing that into the average lap time for the
fastest cars. The fast cars should just be catching the slowest ones when the
race ends.

Personally, I prefer the Australian Pursuit, where each car is flagged off
according to their handicapped time to complete the number of laps. Starting
off two or three laps behind a slow car is really a hoot, especially when you
round the last turn and see fifteen cars in a wad because they've all caught
up.

But lollipop is easier to organize.

Bill
On Feb 15, 2011, at 8:22 AM, Mike Jackson wrote:

> Hey Bill, what's a lollipop race?  VDCA is always looking for new gimmick
race ideas
>
> Mike Jackson
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bill Babcock <billb at bnj.com>
>> Sent: Feb 15, 2011 10:17 AM
>> To: BillDentin at aol.com
>> Cc: fot at autox.team.net
>> Subject: Re: [Fot] standing starts
>>
>> SOVREN does them for certain special events, like enduros or "Lollipop" or
>> other handicap races. For the Le Mans start the driver is already in the
car,
>> belted in and set to go, while a pit crew member does the running. Kind of
>> fun, but just a sideshow.
>>
>> On Feb 15, 2011, at 4:56 AM, BillDentin at aol.com wrote:
>>
>>> In a message dated 02/15/2011 5:34:38 AM Central Standard Time,
>>> andre at gt6.ca writes:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Why not take it a step further.
>>>>
>>>> Lemans starts.
>>>>
>>>> Have to run to the car and hop in. ;)
>>>>
>>>
>>> The VSCDA tried some LeMan type starts in the mid 1980s.  They were
>>> exciting, and seemed a good idea on paper, but not in practice.
>>>
>>> Vintage racing is complicated enough with its wide diversity in horse
power
>>> and talent.  In my opinion adding a further degree of difficulty with
LeMan
>>> or standing starts, inverted grids, etc., etc. are not a good ideas.
>>> Adding further complication is looking for trouble.  The old bricklayer
term
>>> 'cluster f*ck' comes to mind.
>>>
>>> Bill Dentinger
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> fot at autox.team.net
>>>
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>>>
>>
>> Bill Babcock
>> billb at bnj.com
>>
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>

Bill Babcock
billb at bnj.com

Xtreme Geezer eMagazine
http://www.xgeez.com
Ke Nalu -- The Journal of Stand Up Paddling
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70 Pono Rd
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503.936.7660