
Here is a list of how we drive the Bay Bottom Crawl:
- Watch your revs! Always stay within your usable power range in order to
get the quickest time possible. If you are just outside your power range
when you are approaching a station there is no sense in shifting.
- Make sure to get off to a good start. DO NOT ride the clutch or spin the
tires. After you are underway, aim for the LEFT SIDE of the first cone in
Station 1.
- Approaching Station 1, shift up into 3rd gear and keep your foot the the
floor until you brake hard into the 2nd cone. Find and maintain your rhythm
throughout Station 1, lightly accelerating or lifting when needed.
- Upon exiting Station 1, squeeze the throttle at the 3rd-to-last-cone in
the slalom. Once at the 2nd-to-last-cone, FULL THROTTLE and stay to the
right all the way to Station 2.
- Approaching Station 2, brake into the second set of cones and downshift
into 2nd gear in order for the optimal exit out of Station 2.
- When exiting Station 2, STAY TO THE LEFT and gradually turn to the right
into what looks like a canopy of trees of both sides. This part looks VERY
narrow and you will probably be traveling at speeds over 80 mph so DO NOT
hug the inside (right) of the road. You will not only lose time but you will
be driving through the moss on the road, which can be very slippery.
- Approaching Station 3, brake hard into the second cone. Station 3 is an
off-set slalom so it can be taken faster than it looks.
- Exiting Station 3, accelerate at the 3rd-to-last cone and stay to the
right side of the road. You are approaching the dreaded "Dip"
which gets deeper towards the apex (inside-left) of the turn. Since you want
to hit the Dip as straight as possible, gradually turn to the left and
slightly lift off the throttle in order to get your car balanced. Aim
directly for the middle of the Dip. After the Dip, turn the steering wheel
to the left and squeeze the throttle while fully tracking out. Stay to the
right when approaching Station 4.
- Station 4 is pretty straight forward but upon exiting, accelerate hard at
the 2nd-to-last set of cones and stay to the left for Station 5.
- Station 5 is a straight slalom and should be taken on the left side of the
first cone. At the 2nd-to-last-cone, FULL THROTTLE into the fastest part of
the course! Make sure to stay to the left side and gradually turn in so that
you can late apex this bend. This part of the course should be taken FLAT
OUT NO MATTER WHAT! You do not want to give up speed here by being too close
to the inside (right) of the track.
- Approaching Station 6 is flat-out scary!! Most of you will be traveling in
excess of 100 mph and you will be braking into a tight, 2nd gear left-hand
turn where the intercoastal awaits you on the right. LATE BRAKE and
downshift from 5th gear down to 2nd gear. Upon exiting, shift up into 3rd
gear and make sure to stay to the right as Station 7 must be properly
negotiated on the right.
- Station 7 has a fast entry and really only consists of one quick
left-right turn. Don't make this station out to be more than it is.
- Station 8 has a VERY fast entry. Keep your car in a straight line and your
foot to the floor until you have to make the quick right-left-right wiggle
and make sure to exit on the right side and accelerate HARD to Station 9.
- Station 9 is approached on the right side. It is important to brake into
the 2nd set of cones and get on the gas HARD before the 2nd-to-last set of
cones because the distance from Station 9 to the finish line is no less than
1/4 mile long. It is important to get your speed up as soon as possible for
a good finish. Remember, don't lift until you see the finish line. Many
racers forget the finish is so far away but be patient, sooner or later you
will see it on your left. GOOD LUCK!!!!