Mike Murray
The applicable rule is:
15.1.3 Field passing - Should a field catch another field of racers that
started separately (except in a Handicap Race) the slower field will slow
and ride at a neutral speed as soon as practical after they are caught by
the faster field or its lead car to allow the faster field to pass. They
will then continue to ride at a neutral slowed pace until the faster field
is 300 meters ahead or until they are released by an official attending
their race. The field being passed will stay to the far right of the road
allowing room for the passing field unless instructed by an official
otherwise. Passes will not occur in the final 2 kilometers of a race. Riders
will not pass unless there is clear space to pass subject to rule 15.1.2."
Although there is some interpretation here, I don't think that the 1/2/3
field should be considered the ""slower field" even if they are temporarily
moving slower. It is not reasonable to expect that the Cat 4/5 field, which
has already lost a considerable amount of ground to the Cat 1/2/3 field,
will now be able to pass and maintain a lead on the Cat 1/2/3 field for any
length of time. In general, if a passed field catches the field that had
previously passed them the error is that the period of neutralization was
too short. This is difficult at PIR since it is self policed. Personally I
think this would be a lot easier if PIR routinely had a lead and follow
vehicle for each field because the lead vehicle could hold back the passed
field longer. There are those that disagree with me however.
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Joel Morrissette
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 15:35 PM
To: Candi Murray
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Rules
Candi-
I was in the 4/5 race last night and there was quite a bit of confusion
after the 1/2/3s passed, so I'm CCing the list so everyone can benefit. We
went neutral and let them pass, then waited until we had a few-hundred-yard
gap before it was "game on". Apparently, the 1/2/3 field had let the gas
off quite a bit by the time we had all reached the front straightaway, and
the 4/5s closed in. We went left, assuming they would in turn go neutral to
let us pass. They never really did - we slowed up, they sped up, we chased
each other and finally got it worked out. What should have been protocol at
this point? Should the 1/2/3s have gone neutral to let us pass? What do we
do when we find ourselves going faster than the passing group and closing
the gap back up?
Thanks,
Joel
On Tue, May 27, 2008 at 3:20 PM, Candi Murray wrote:
OBRA rules can be found at http://www.obra.org/word_docs/2008rules.doc
Last night at PIR, the winner of the 3/4 race was disqualified for taking
his hands off the handlebars at the finish. This was a specific instruction
given at the start of the race by the officials and deemed 'dangerous'
riding. Another rule that needs to be enforced more at PIR is the one that
states that riders from one group cannot take pace or ride with riders from
another. If you do not understand the neutralization procedure, please ask.
Candi
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