We're Faster on the Straights

[catchacab]

So I had a very good weekend at Lightning.  I ran in yellow signoff (basically our blue uninstructed) since it was the last run group I had run with that region.  I emailed them asking for an instructor, but didn't receive a reply nor an instructor.  I did get a ride from Rick Betterly prior to my first run session.   I exceeded my objectives for the weekend.  Objective 1: Learn the track,  Objective exceeded.  I taught myself the track, but I did have help thanks to  the ride from Rick, and a few  friends that posted or emailed me videos Glen, Graham, Steve and George, and a few guys at the track who talked to me about the line.  Thank you John R.,  Iceben,  Pete T., Joe D. and James F.  2. Be safe,  came home without incident. 

The entire weekend there was a 996 GT3 in our group with an instructor on board, that was not very good at giving pass.  My next to last run, I passed some cars eventually driving behind a friend I made driving a 997S on street tires.  Immediately in front of him the GT3.  For two laps the 997S's nose was right up the ass of the GT3, but no pass signals.  Frustrated, he felt that I should have a try at the GT3 and he let me pass.  I filled his mirrors with my car by staying right behind him for a lap.  No pass signal.  I decided I would try a different technique taught to me a few years ago by John R. at the Glen (he was my instructor)  Because of the speed we were going I was able to drive off line, so when the GT3 would turn in, he would see my car coming or his instructor would see me at their door.  I did this at all turns with the exception of turn 5.  Two laps still no pass.  Even with a flagger showing him the passing flag each lap.  Finally,  on third lap just before entering the lightbulb, I got the pass signal.  Took it, and then the checkered flag came out. 

After the session I went up to the GT3 to talk with the instructor about the lack of passing signals not only for me but for the rest to the group.  When I asked him, why he wasn't telling his student to give a pass, he replied "Because we're faster on the straights."  Ugh.