Before the 3's race I waited 25 minutes to be the 1st on the start line, and then they did a lap where everyone could move up. That said, I thought the free lap was a great idea, especially as a first time rider of the course.

I did'nt that it made that much of a differance since it was not a complete lap. I still got stomped :(

I have mixed feelings. It was a positive in the sense that it gave a lot of riders who hadn't ridden the course a chance to see what was in store for them. However, the pace car and bike really should hold everyone back all the way through the s/f before zooming off. Essentially what happened (in the 3 race anyway) is everyone surged to the front at the top of the hill and then we came screaming down, 10 riders wide. I almost got pushed into the pothole on the right. And the turn on that first lap was the most dangerous of the entire race.

So I guess my suggestion is, if you're going to continue the parade lap, make sure it's a FULL lap. Of course, it's a lot more entertaining for the crowd to have the race begin at 45mph, preceded by a speeding red pace car.

I think the pace car was "cool"!