I hear you and I agree...my point was that's how NASA "FL" does it. Other NASA regions that I've participated with do not, neither NASA Southeast nor NASA Mid-Atl. I always like challenges so I was game, but I really feel it's an oddity in the more education oriented HPDE groups.

For another comparison, NASA Mid-Atl does a pace car with a pace lap and a waving green flag to start their HPDE sessions. It's funny to see the lead car pack the field up before rounding the corner before the green flag. People are also warming their tires by swerving....c'mon!

Here's some video (still loading and processing):

YouTube - NASA Hyperfest Green Flag Start