As a Race Promoter how do you run your races?

[Hog Wild]

Put in place the Sentinel system or something like it so you can warn the guy ahead of you that you are coming up on them and want to pass. It works pretty well in Dakar, ask anyone who has raced there. It doesn't eliminate the passing problem, but it sure helps a lot (sort of like racing at night helps because you see when headlights are coming up on you). If you're interested, I can talk in great detail about the possibilities, PM me.

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[nohandslance]

For the V2R race, Just give us more time limits in each counties as the race race progresses North. Increase permit hours in Mineral, Churchill, Douglas Counties so we can start the Buggys and Truck classes later. Perhaps 12.00pm/Pacific time.

[GunnSlinger]

I know it would be a ton of extra work but if you've ever seen the way the Aussies run their races, we could take a few tips from them.

There are distinct tracks where the race line is and there are landmarks/tires etc that show exactly where you can race. Granted all of this goes out the window when the dust hits but none-the-less, their courses are very well marked

Licenses would have to be earned to race higher unlimited classes

Recovery/safety vehicles would ALL be uniform and property equipped, no more personal vehicle stuff.. all standard "x" vehicle (something that would be comparable to a police/fire/rescue fleet, but for Off-Road)

People would be TOLD when there day is over.. perseverance is great, but stupidity and safety is another

[Weatherman]

I know it would be a ton of extra work but if you've ever seen the way the Aussies run their races, we could take a few tips from them.

There are distinct tracks where the race line is and there are landmarks/tires etc that show exactly where you can race. Granted all of this goes out the window when the dust hits but none-the-less, their courses are very well marked

Licenses would have to be earned to race higher unlimited classes

Recovery/safety vehicles would ALL be uniform and property equipped, no more personal vehicle stuff.. all standard "x" vehicle (something that would be comparable to a police/fire/rescue fleet, but for Off-Road)

People would be TOLD when there day is over.. perseverance is great, but stupidity and safety is another

Who is going to pay for the 'uniform recovery vehicles'? I like my Zebre Jeep the way it is and as a recovery vehicle, it is second to none!

[Will_Higman]

Start the sportsman bikes and utvs after the cars and reduce the time between the pro bikes and the car start

Agreed.

[ndvalium]

Recovery/safety vehicles would ALL be uniform and property equipped, no more personal vehicle stuff.. all standard "x" vehicle (something that would be comparable to a police/fire/rescue fleet, but for Off-Road)

As a Safety guy this is one of my Fantasies...I dont need to be in a race car but I would love to manage a fleet of teams and vehicles.....As one who has spent over 10k a year of my personal money to keep my truck out there to help racers I would love it to be done a different way. Here is the biggest challenge as far as the safety team side - Vegas to Reno - 19 of my crews were out at various points on the course. Parker 425 and the Mint 400, 10 crews are out there. Silver State has 7, the remainder of the events I serve are 2 to 5 trucks....Each truck would be roughly 60k in equipment in addition to the purchase price of the vehicle if we wanted them set up all the same. That is Fire suppression, Medical, Recovery, Extrication and misc hand tools - Another 10k easily in Lighting, and electronics upgrades....

In my world, I see more likely a core group of Ford Raptor crew cab trucks. 6 of them set up with the same equipment and capabilities....anyone have 3/4 of a Mil they want to donate we can make this happen tomorrow...

I am willing to settle for vehicles with a wrap that all looks the same. that is my goal in the next 3 months for some of our teams core trucks that do most events....as well as our ambulance, trailer and UTV.

As far as the recovery trucks, often they are one of the volunteers own trucks that handle that duty - 417 volunteers at the last Vegas to Reno.....Only Donald, and Jimmy have the BITD trucks - Everyone else is on their own ride -

It would sure look nice though......

[Dreamcatcher]

In a perfect world, each class would have their own course or line so that they dont have to deal with the massive hump in the middle of the course left by the monsters rolling on 40's!

Education is essential.
Standardization is key, but not only should each promoter follow similar guidelines, but they should be clear what THEIRS are and follow through with it.

Dave, I am selling my Tacoma tomorrow with expectation of a new Raptor (you know I prefer a Ram Runner though)

[Jack]

The sigal system to the front car should also be hooked to the engine so after 20 seconds (or less) that they do not get out of the way, the 1500rpm rev limiter kicks in and they are done rabbiting until you are clear.

[y2kbaja]

Keep in mind when we talk about time gaps at VtoR the sun sets around 8:30PM, at the MIL it sets and is DARK around 5pm. The first trucks at the MIL should catch the faster running 'bars' in the dark making it easier for all to see. VtoR the c/t would need to start at 3pm to have this happen.

Starting the 'bars' 2 at a time is good, quads 1 at a time. UTV's slot into the cages where their avg speed indicates they belong.

Pulling 'bars' off the course because they have been caught isn't right. We all have a challenge to finish the race. Signals or signs at the pits that the c/t are approacing (within and hour?) is a good idea. At a BITD you have to stop when entering the pit, perfect chance for a sign to be displayed.

UTV's cannot hear horns or sirens. This was evident at the SS300 last year when the lead car caught the UTV, this was caught on video by helo. You could hear the UTV exhaust over the helo noise, could not hear the car, could barely make out the siren noise. Incidently, it was a text book pass; waited pateintly until he realized the UTV didn't know he was there, gave him a polite tap, UTV moved.

[Short Bus]

How hard would it be to split bikes off onto a different track for a least part of the course? It seems it might not be too hard to find trails near the truck course that are bike accessible.

I have also wondered if a top level sporting organization/sanctioning body would be useful to the off road sport. The promoters should be promoters, and the sporting organization would be responsible for things like setting class rules, licensing, racing rules and meting out punishments for infractions. This sporting organization would also be the goto source for dealing with BLM and course approvals. Having a unified face when dealing with BLM may make things go smoother. They could also help with sourcing insurance coverages and getting the best deals. Promoters would still have their own series, but wouldn't have to deal with a number of techincal issues.