joe cipale
On Tue, 2008-05-27 at 15:52 -0700, Mike Murray wrote:
> 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
My complaint is that there is no standard for overtaking a slower field.
IMHO, the 'unofficial' rule should be that the slower field should
ALWAYS neutralize to the outside of the course. There is only one corner
at PIR where this could be problematic, but it would be consistent,
regardless of which direction the race is going for a given week.
Joe