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As a rookie driver this year, I figured I would share some experiences I had over the first weekend of racing to help others, and so that I could remember what I did right and wrong.
First and foremost, make sure you have attended a driver's school or had a long talk with the refrees/judges before getting on the course. It is important to know the ins and outs of the race, as well as understand the flags that are flying during the race. Even if you think you know it, be sure!
If you have your own rig, check, check, and double check your rig. Have an inspector do a safety check to insure that steering and throttle and cutoffs are working perfectly.
I was fortunate that MHRA allowed me to take a few laps with the boat before racing on the first day as part of their never ever racer program. You are not going to take US1 on the first day, so don't try.
So what I learned:
Check, and double check your rig. During the first lap of the race, a clamp was loose, and my fuel line came off, spraying fuel all over the back of the boat and leaving me in the middle of the course.
NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF IN A RACE!
When milling, do not come off of plane. It creates a wake for the other racers and will stay on the course during the race. I was very fortunate that another driver swung around and gave me some hand signals to get moving.
When millng, I tried to keep clear of the general milling area, but this caused the judges to delay throwing the white flag until I was in the right area.
Know how many boats are in your heat, and keep in mind where they are during the start. They will want the inside lane, take the outside. You have to start and finish last, and believe it or not, the outside lane allows you to see how the others are racing in the lanes, showing a nice view at the turns.
For the starts, let everyone pass you, and then step on the throttle.
Don't be worried about your position, get the seat time. My 2nd Heat I was so worried about being in the race, that I was throttling the boat and not comfortable with how she handled. Go at a pace that your are comfortable with, and don't worry about being lapped.
If you are lapped, and the others have finished the race, you will know your position. Running the final lap delays other racers from starting.
Set goals for yourself.
My goal for first race was to not be a hinderance to others on the course and get the experience.
My goal for the second race was to cross the start line before the others hit turn 1.
My goal for the third race was to not be lapped.
I made all my goals.
I also made it a point to find all the drivers I raced against afterwards and talk to them. I did to apologize for the wake from race 1, and none were upset, and all told me things that helped me achieve the goals.
First and foremost, make sure you have attended a driver's school or had a long talk with the refrees/judges before getting on the course. It is important to know the ins and outs of the race, as well as understand the flags that are flying during the race. Even if you think you know it, be sure!
If you have your own rig, check, check, and double check your rig. Have an inspector do a safety check to insure that steering and throttle and cutoffs are working perfectly.
I was fortunate that MHRA allowed me to take a few laps with the boat before racing on the first day as part of their never ever racer program. You are not going to take US1 on the first day, so don't try.
So what I learned:
Check, and double check your rig. During the first lap of the race, a clamp was loose, and my fuel line came off, spraying fuel all over the back of the boat and leaving me in the middle of the course.
NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF IN A RACE!
When milling, do not come off of plane. It creates a wake for the other racers and will stay on the course during the race. I was very fortunate that another driver swung around and gave me some hand signals to get moving.
When millng, I tried to keep clear of the general milling area, but this caused the judges to delay throwing the white flag until I was in the right area.
Know how many boats are in your heat, and keep in mind where they are during the start. They will want the inside lane, take the outside. You have to start and finish last, and believe it or not, the outside lane allows you to see how the others are racing in the lanes, showing a nice view at the turns.
For the starts, let everyone pass you, and then step on the throttle.
Don't be worried about your position, get the seat time. My 2nd Heat I was so worried about being in the race, that I was throttling the boat and not comfortable with how she handled. Go at a pace that your are comfortable with, and don't worry about being lapped.
If you are lapped, and the others have finished the race, you will know your position. Running the final lap delays other racers from starting.
Set goals for yourself.
My goal for first race was to not be a hinderance to others on the course and get the experience.
My goal for the second race was to cross the start line before the others hit turn 1.
My goal for the third race was to not be lapped.
I made all my goals.
I also made it a point to find all the drivers I raced against afterwards and talk to them. I did to apologize for the wake from race 1, and none were upset, and all told me things that helped me achieve the goals.
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