My NHMS pet peeve..

[TroyV]

The cones at T1..

I hate to sound like a whiner on this, but can we please PLEASE move those cones at 1 back to what track map shows? I realize they probably place them there for the bikes to have a reference, but my line is beyond them by more than just a little bit, and it was fine when they placed the cones out of the way. It is really distracting and restrictive to have the line dictated to me instead of being my choice....regardless of if it is fast or not. I have punted a few of the more arbitrarily placed cones there....sometimes in protest at what to me is equal to a configuration change. I know I'm not the only one that is bothered by this, but I seem to be the only one speaking up.

If given permission, I would be ok with walking out there and moving them myself to save someone else the trouble....but those cones shouldn't be there. Would you not agree?

[nateh]

I've been speaking up too, and also trying not to feel like a whiner.

Fewer cones, and farther out!

[Mick]

While they're at it can they move the curbing back in T12? It's impeding my quick exit.
I prefer the cones back further too. But the way I see it, the cones are where they are. As long as everyone is driving under the same conditions it doesn't matter to me.

[TroyV]

I agree with you about it being the same for everyone there at individual events, but the cones are just thrown out there, and not in the same place from event to event. A few feet farther in and folks are going to start slaloming..

[nateh]

Right. Cones and curbing are completely different things.

[blindsidefive0]

I don't see anything in the 2011 rules about getting DQ'd for booting a cone or two during the TT run...

[paultg]

Troy, if you can work with whoever my instructor is to give me good marks anyway, I'll go out and take care of them during the student groups a few times so they don't keep putting them back.

Paul G.

[WillM]

Thank you, Troy, for reminding me to send in a new rule submission:

"No whiners allowed".

OK, I kid, I kid. (well, mostly. )

We will continue to move the cones back as necessary. In fact, I prefer to have as few cones out there and as far back as reasonable. We often reduce the amount of cones in T1/T2. NHMS has been very good about it. We can place the cones just about anywhere. That said, one of the reasons for keeping the cones forward a bit is to limit the amount of trail-braking into T1. With the cones pushed back, and cars trail braking deeper and deeper, we start to see a bunch of spins in T1. The fun really starts when there are 500 cones out there, especially if you are following breakaway500 into T1 (now you know how he picked his forum name). Its kind of like watching "Candlepins for Cash" (1980's flashback).

[nateh]

Seems to me there should be maybe three, just to indicate not to take the oval (unless you have to use it as an escape road).

So what if there are some spins there? People hardly ever hit anything, and its great practice for "both feet in."

[Mark Swinehart]

My pet peeve at NHMS or anyplace for that matter --

MIATA's !!! : )

[breakaway500]

There were enough cones through t1- 2b at the T &T day to make the Renegade Miata autocross club giddy!! I did my damned best to take out as many as possible..but alas...they returned..I believe they multipy when you hit them.
I now have a new "cow catcher" air dam on the front of the Focus and will not fear the cones..

In all seriousness..I also feel the conage at NHMS is out of control. If I want to drive around cones,I attend autocross events.

I hate all the cones at the apex of 2b...hate..I will get them... I really liked it when the line was inches off the wall. Now, we have the pit-out blend line parade of orange beasties!

For the record,Will,the only things substantial I have hit with a car in 30 years have been Watkins Glen junebugs and a few pushy cones at NHMS/autocross...

[StephanAlfa]

... That said, one of the reasons for keeping the cones forward a bit is to limit the amount of trail-braking into T1. With the cones pushed back, and cars trail braking deeper and deeper, we start to see a bunch of spins in T1. ....

Hmmm... not sure this will actually happen, besides T-1 is perhaps the "safest" place at NHMS to spin ...
I agree its a bit excessive there. Maybe several cones can be removed and re-configured on day-2 of the event given everyone that day will be "licensed" in some form or another?

[TroyV]

My pet peeve at NHMS or anyplace for that matter --

MIATA's !!! : )

That's strange considering you likely have more track miles in Miatas than anything else over the last year or so.

[TroyV]

Will,

I was under the assumption that the cones were just abitrarily put there by NHMS. If we are putting them out there and have control over their position, then I would ask that we use half as many, and move them back so as to not suggest a line.

Thanks for considering it.........I will stop whining about it now.

[grovefromnh]

When i used to run, i would be the first one thru registration, then drop my car at the garage. i would then walk the track, moving cones out of the way, or putting them where they belong.