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[CRX Lee]

In recent years when my own racing was on sabbatical (I'm praying it is not retirement), I have enjoyed very much being a crew chief for a few amateur endurance race teams in 12, 13 and 24 hour races in the US on 2.0-2.5 mile road courses. The teams have been comprised of volunteer crew and three to four split-the-bills drivers in a well modified Mazda RX7 or VW Golf. I have greatly enjoyed being the person to coordinate the game plan, develop driving and pit strategies, direct the crew, cheerlead the drivers, etc. I find it very satisfying.

With a half dozen races and a modicum of success (all podium finishes, knock wood), I have developed a few basic strategies that seem to work but am interested if there is more information that a journeyman can learn from.

We are normally in a race with three to four other classes and 50-60 total cars. We run in a lesser class with no chance for an overall win but normally a decent shot (and a few successes) at a class win. With equal paying drivers, I have to balance trying to get people a similar amount of seat time for his investment with the realities of who is quicker, fuel windows, tire management, yellow flags, and of course the best possible finish all figuring in. Once the race begins, I try to run a "benevolent dictatorship" approach of being approachable and open to input within reason but it is understood that I call the shots.

I am interested in the wisdom and historical perspective of this group to see what else I can learn. There are the basics about setting and running your pace to get what you can without stretching the equipment and team too far. I normally try to plan a fuel and driver strategy working from both ends of the race, meaning moving forward with an outline while also working backwards from the end to make sure that the two will meet while leaving flexibility for mechanical issues, things "to go bump in the night", etc. I find myself watching NASCAR races and paying more attention to crew chief decisions, pit windows, when and how to pit under caution, etc.

Is this a topic of interest?

[jm70]

I used to be in the same position back in the days of the SCCA Showroom stock Endurance series, sometimes supported by Escort, if I'm not mistaken. I also had learned a great deal by watching NASCAR, but in those days it was on ESPN.
My favorite was a 12 hour at Willow Springs in a Camaro. Many story's about this race, but the best was the pre-race meeting. I already knew all the crew, and both drivers, but at the meeting, I opened by saying. "Thank-you" Now that is the last time you will hear that for the rest of the race. We just won't have time. If you are asked to do something, just do it.
We finished, but as I said, there were many more stories about this one race.