Rolling vs. Standing starts?

[IndyRob]

well it looks like we are going to see road racing in the IRL in the near future. I wonder if the IRL will look at standing starts for the races? They are always bell aching over at 7th gear about wanting standing starts. I wonder if that could work for the IRL to help with the starts. Can the IRL equipment handle them?

I am first and foremost an oval racing fan and always will be, but I think the addition of a road race or too, depending on the course, will be very interesting in the IRL. Something to talk about and draw interest to the league. For all the anti-road racing contingent out there, it's not the end of the world. If we see a series dominated by street racing like CART has become then we have something to worry about.

I welcome the addition.

[Littleman]

Would be nice if they added the same amount of dirt tracks too, wouldn't it? Make them all count towards the championship.

[Teej]

Before IRL runs road/street courses..........

I think the IRL should have one of their top teams put together a proposed road/street configuration and do a 6-12 lap demonstration with a standing start before the US Grand Prix this September.

Don't think for a minute that my seats at the start/finish line at the USGP influenced this idea!.....

[indyracefan]

...how about if they add road-courses they go with a 'standing start'.

In fact, let's do it like the old Gran Prix days....have them park their cars on an angle across from pit-road. Then have the starter shoot a gun and have the drivers run from pit wall to the machines and start the race that way!!

[Spike]

Originally posted by indyracefan
...how about if they add road-courses they go with a 'standing start'.

In fact, let's do it like the old Gran Prix days....have them park their cars on an angle across from pit-road. Then have the starter shoot a gun and have the drivers run from pit wall to the machines and start the race that way!!

The Le Mans-style start you described was never used in GP racing. Sports cars only.

[Doctorindy]

Those ding-dongs over at 7G who talk about standing starts must never have driven a race car, let alone an open-wheel one except on their stupid computer...

One last time....with the exception of drag racing...STANDING STARTS HAVE NO PLACE IN RACING...period...

Carl Fisher figured that out at Indianapolis almost one hundred years ago. The cars today are too fast, accelerate too quickly, and are too bunched up to make it safe.

Ask any driver who actually drove in F1...not one of these current CART F1 wannabees...they'll all tell you that they much prefer the rolling start. Fittipaldi was a huge proponent of it in his CART days. So was Mario. I think they should know...

I know everyone thinks the F1 starts are exciting, but really is it worth it. I guess the F1 start is typically one of the only pass opportunities during the whole race, maybe that's why CART guys want it so much...