01-17-2006, 04:41 PM
Originally posted by Rytm1 (Jack) - Pitting Guidlines -
-Make sure they know how to start your ride. Cold engines don't always like to idle like a warm one does. It's nice to be able to blip the throttle as you are going up on the stand to keep the carb cleared out, and then to be able to look down from the stand and have someone place your car on the track for you without it dying.
-Try to have your pit guy standing below you, with your starter box behind them on the table. There is nothing worse than to have your starter box at one end of the table, while you and your pit guy are at the other end when your car flames out.
-You may or may not want to discuss your carb needles, and what you mean by leaning out, or richening the top end, or low end, and what an hour of adjustment is. Depending on where you are racing, you may have to make subtle adjustments as the day goes on. This was evident this past weekend at the trophy race at LH. As the day went on, and the temps dropped inside a little, guys were choosing to lean out their motors a couple of hours. Its nice to know that when you are on the drivers stand, and you feel that your engine is getting a little rich on top, you can yell down for him to make the adjustment, and you don't have to come off the driver's stand to do it.
-Do a couple of dry runs with your pit guy, especially if they have never done it before. Show them where to, and where not to pick up your ride from to put it on the board. Also run through the easiest/fastest way to open the tank and refill.
-Keep their eyes on your car during the race. It sucks when your car flames out, your pit guy doesn't see it, because he is too busy watching someone else, and your trying to get their attention over the roar of a dozen screaming motors.
-Just some other general courtesies that anyone else would expect. If your not going to be pitting you car, and the pit guy next to you is..step back, and give him some room to work. If the situation is reversed, don't be afraid to ask if the other guy to give you some room. After all, we aren't racing for the keys to the Cadillac, its usually for bragging rights until next week. I've even helped out other pit guys when their driver comes in, and they have offered to help me (that will come with time, and once guys recognize you and know who you are and that you are not trying to screw over their driver).
-As for run time, every track layout will give you different run times. get there early to get a few practice runs in and time them. How often you put your car on its lid will also result in slightly shorter run times. This is due to getting on the throttle to keep it running, or to make enough noise to get a marshalls attention, this usually results in a little more fuel consumption. Don't try to use every drop of fuel before you refuel. Make sure you discuss when you are going to pit with you pit guy, and communicate with him/her when you are about to come in, or if he/she is going to watch the clock and call you in. If you know you can get 8 minutes per tank, come in at 7 minutes, or 7:30 for instance. Don't try squeezing in that extra lap, and finding out you don't have the fuel to do it. That will cost you a lot more time than if you have to make one extra splash-and-go, as compared to the guy next to you.
-Make sure they know how to start your ride. Cold engines don't always like to idle like a warm one does. It's nice to be able to blip the throttle as you are going up on the stand to keep the carb cleared out, and then to be able to look down from the stand and have someone place your car on the track for you without it dying.
-Try to have your pit guy standing below you, with your starter box behind them on the table. There is nothing worse than to have your starter box at one end of the table, while you and your pit guy are at the other end when your car flames out.
-You may or may not want to discuss your carb needles, and what you mean by leaning out, or richening the top end, or low end, and what an hour of adjustment is. Depending on where you are racing, you may have to make subtle adjustments as the day goes on. This was evident this past weekend at the trophy race at LH. As the day went on, and the temps dropped inside a little, guys were choosing to lean out their motors a couple of hours. Its nice to know that when you are on the drivers stand, and you feel that your engine is getting a little rich on top, you can yell down for him to make the adjustment, and you don't have to come off the driver's stand to do it.
-Do a couple of dry runs with your pit guy, especially if they have never done it before. Show them where to, and where not to pick up your ride from to put it on the board. Also run through the easiest/fastest way to open the tank and refill.
-Keep their eyes on your car during the race. It sucks when your car flames out, your pit guy doesn't see it, because he is too busy watching someone else, and your trying to get their attention over the roar of a dozen screaming motors.
-Just some other general courtesies that anyone else would expect. If your not going to be pitting you car, and the pit guy next to you is..step back, and give him some room to work. If the situation is reversed, don't be afraid to ask if the other guy to give you some room. After all, we aren't racing for the keys to the Cadillac, its usually for bragging rights until next week. I've even helped out other pit guys when their driver comes in, and they have offered to help me (that will come with time, and once guys recognize you and know who you are and that you are not trying to screw over their driver).
-As for run time, every track layout will give you different run times. get there early to get a few practice runs in and time them. How often you put your car on its lid will also result in slightly shorter run times. This is due to getting on the throttle to keep it running, or to make enough noise to get a marshalls attention, this usually results in a little more fuel consumption. Don't try to use every drop of fuel before you refuel. Make sure you discuss when you are going to pit with you pit guy, and communicate with him/her when you are about to come in, or if he/she is going to watch the clock and call you in. If you know you can get 8 minutes per tank, come in at 7 minutes, or 7:30 for instance. Don't try squeezing in that extra lap, and finding out you don't have the fuel to do it. That will cost you a lot more time than if you have to make one extra splash-and-go, as compared to the guy next to you.
Mugen MBX5T
RBS5
RB2045
Futaba 3PM
Hitec 5955, 5965
RBS5
RB2045
Futaba 3PM
Hitec 5955, 5965