Hi Steve,
The Reg does NOT say... "pole man dictates a steady/sensible pace THAT IS FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP ENGINES CLEAR and not so fast as to make it difficult for the others to keep formation".
The Reg simply says "Steady Pace".
I must admit I really don't agree with any penalty being applied to a pole-sitter who decides to run slowly enough to try to gain an advantage by attempting to keep his/her engine clear (at ANY given pace) whilst hoping that others are less succesful at it.
This has been happening for YEARS by some of the BEST drivers around.
Please don't tell me that you never did it when you had a pole. I know I did (not very succesfully!) and MOST drivers I know would admit to employing this tactic at some point or another. It should be regarded as a Skill. I know at the TKM O-Plate this year, the two drivers on the front row for one heat recorded only 2,800rpm at one point on the rolling lap!
Of course it's less succesful in clutched classes and classes with fixed jetting (Yuk!) and classes with "Float" carbs, but when a driver is expected to control the carburation (sp?) of his/her engine at all times, then I do not understand...
a) WHY you would regard it as contravening the Reg and...
b) HOW it contravenes the Reg? and...
c) WHAT is wrong with the process?
It is REGULARLY Seen at Club AND Super-1 meetings.
So WHY should going slowly on a formation lap be a problem. If a driver is prepared to try it then he/she is just as likely to suffer from engine "plug-fowling" as any other driver on the grid.
Thinking about it, I have to say I have never actually seen a penalty applied for this procedure either... I've heard rumblings and mutterings about it, but never actually seen a penalty applied.
So Why the problem?
Pete
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