Frank L

iTrader: (148)

The bottom line is I dont think anyone pits at every 10 min most racers I know pit at the 8 min mark, even if they know they can go 10 mins. I always test my engine during practice at the beginning of race day to see how much time till its out of fuel and usually I average 10-10.5 min but I always pit at 8 or 8.5 because running out of gas can cost you that place you are in. On the other hand I have noticed that the tracks I race at and the class I race in 1st-4th place are usually only separated by 2-5 seconds and sometimes 2nd-3rd are separated by less than a second. This is not only true for the main but also during quals with 3 different heats running the same class. So every second counts. I would love to eliminate a pit stop and bump up a spot but the gamble is that you will run out of gas. I have seen it happen and it has happened to me before.. It flat sucks. I would rather play it safe and finish than run out of gas and have to fight to get my place back.

JAMMINKRAZY

iTrader: (17)

I agree. It's not worth the risk normally. If you KNOW your engine can go 12-13 minutes, it is not too dangerous, but if you are only getting right around 10 minutes, it isn't worth it. I however have also been in some tight races where I would have moved up a position if I had, had one less stop. I have also been in races where the person who won(this particular time, I took second) made one less stop than me, and I am confident I would have beaten him with one less stop myself. It is definately an advantage, but also a big risk if you aren't completely confident that your engine will run a couple minutes past your intended pit time. You never know when you are going to have a wreck that will cost you just enough time to run out of fuel on your pit lap if you cut it too close. Running out of gas take a LOT more time than an extra pit stop. Buy a fuel gun and have your pit man practice with it. You can get some pretty quick pit stops with a fuel gun and good pit guy.

cary

iTrader: (67)

+1 on the fuel gun I was amazed how much faster it dumps
the fuel used one for the first time last Saturday as the pit
man got home and ordered one for my self
I need all the help I can get