#28714 Road Racing Passing Guidelines

guidelines defining racing room and passing etiquette. Randy Pobst is a SCCA Hall of Fame member, a
National Road Racing and Solo Champion, professional driver champion, and a very experienced driver’s
coach. Terry Earwood is a legendary Skip Barber driver instructor, professional driver champion,
professional driver’s coach, and is the current Driver Orientation Manager for the TransAm Racing
Series.
The guidelines were created by Randy and Terry based on decades of racing experience and driver
coaching. The guidelines represent what the Club Road Racing Program’s intent is for General
Competition Rules Section 6.11., Rules of the Road.
1. Racing Room & Passing Guidelines
Safe, successful passing is based on what drivers can see. An overtaking car bears the largest
percentage of responsibly for passing safely.
2. Peripheral Vision
The overtaking car (the car attempting a pass) must get into the peripheral vision of the lead car (the car
being passed) in the brake zone, before the lead car turns for the corner. Once the lead car turns for the
corner, it can no longer see the trailing car, because the lead car’s mirrors now point outside, and the
lead car is looking toward the apex.
The diagram above shows that the overtaking car has gotten up to the A pillar and into the peripheral
view of the lead car before turn in. The overtaking car now has taken the line away and earned the right
to racing room on the inside.
To earn the corner, the overtaking car must have its front end up to at least the A pillar post, or
windshield, with the car under control, before the lead car turns into the corner. The goal is for the
overtaking car to present itself, to arrive in the peripheral vision of the lead car, before it turns in.
An overtaking open-wheel car should have its front wheel up to at least the lead car driver’s shoulder
(within their peripheral vision) before the lead car begins its turn in.
3. The Blind Spot
The diagram above shows at the lead car’s turn in point the overtaking car has yet to get even with the A
pillar and into the peripheral vision of the lead car. The overtaking car is in a blind spot. Do not pass,
unless the lead car is much slower and gives racing room.
4. Racing Room
Should the lead car decide to ‘go with him’, side-by-side, then both cars must allow each other racing
room, at least a car width plus six inches or so, to the edges of the racing surface. In both cases, the
trailing car must be in the lead car’s peripheral vision to safely hold position. If not in vision, then the
trailing car must back off and follow, because the lead car cannot see it.
The biggest mistake, and a common cause of contact, is the overtaking car taking a shortcut to the apex,
from that blind spot (Turn One at Road Atlanta is classic). Pull parallel to the lead car, and as close as
safely possible so that he KNOWS you’re there. Sometimes, the lead car may turn in early; therefore the
overtaking car must be under enough control to avoid contact.
5. Passing on Straights
On straights, the lead car is allowed “one safe move”. It is allowed to choose a side, but cannot move
back, and cannot move over in reaction to an overtaking car if late enough to invite contact. It must
leave a car’s width (plus 6 inches) of racing room if the overtaking car has already committed in that
direction and has achieved an overlap next to the leader. No weaving to break the draft or to block;
that’s more than one move. On straights, as opposed to corner entry, it is possible for the lead car to
look into its mirrors and see the overtaking car, so if the overtaking car gets even a small overlap next to
the lead car, the lead car must give the overtaking car room to race, and can no longer move across the
track.
When being passed, hold your line. This means be predictable, and do not change your line to pull out
of the way. ‘Hold your line’ does not mean take the line for the apex and turn in front when a much
faster car is approaching. Be aware of faster traffic, and leave a lane of racing room for them.
6. The Vortex of Danger
The Entry Vortex of Danger is a triangle inscribed by the turn-in point of the lead car, the apex, and the
inside edge of the road. When overtaking, keep out of the Vortex of Danger. It’s too late to pass. The
hole you see is closing rapidly, you are in a blind spot, there will likely be contact, and it will be your
fault.
The Exit Vortex of Danger is a triangle inscribed by the apex, the track-out point of the lead car, and the
outside edge of the road. When attempting a pass on the outside, be aware of the Exit Vortex of
Danger, and back out of it if not in the lead car’s vision. It’s too late to safely pass. The hole you see on
the outside is closing rapidly, you are in a blind spot, there will likely be contact, and it will be your fault.
7. The Outside Pass
On this outside pass attempt, the overtaking outside car never presents itself into the vision of the lead
car, and cannot expect it to make room for a car it cannot see at the exit of the turn. So the outside
trailing car must back off to leave racing room for the inside lead car that cannot see it, and avoid the
Exit Vortex of Danger. In this situation, if the outside car makes contact or runs off the road, it is most
likely their fault.
Turn 5 at Road America is a prime example of where a lead car may protect his line by not using all of
the track on the right. The overtaking car, in this example, needs to clearly 'present himself' in the
braking zone before turn in, because the lead car is looking into the corner, not at his right mirror, and in
all probability will not leave racing room at the exit. Outside passing works well when both drivers have
excellent spatial awareness but is a very low percentage move in most cases.
Safe, successful passing depends on what a driver can see. Do not hit what you can see!”