Donington Track Safety

Donington Track Safety

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Discussion

egor110

16,858 posts

203 months

Wednesday 9th April 2014
quotequote all
World superbikes are racing there in may, I wonder what the riders feelings are?

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

277 months

Wednesday 9th April 2014
quotequote all
egor110 said:
World superbikes are racing there in may, I wonder what the riders feelings are?
They'll have that air cushion system in place for certain. It's already used on other corners.


rpgk

448 posts

224 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
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I agree the change makes this section of the track more dangerous - could the same arguement not apply to Redgate, IE at the end of the Wheatcroft straight, there is a small gravel trap then the wall, which I seem to remember being concrete too? I saw someone go into this following total brake failure (so I understand) on the straight - it looked horrific but he was thankfully OK. I think this guy was in a relatively modern BMW, but there were old MG's and Caterhams racing that weekend - not sure they would have fared so well in similar circumstances.

Hollowpockets

5,908 posts

216 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
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In the GT cup at Donny in 2 weeks time, never noticed the wall at testing in Feb, wish I hadn't read this post biggrin

Knockhill had to move some barriers and improve gravel traps recently for the BSB, wonder why Donny don't have to do the same.

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

277 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
The MSA is looking for people to be on the race committee - I'm thinking of doing it. About time a club racer has a say on what they do !

andy97

4,703 posts

222 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
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woof said:
The MSA is looking for people to be on the race committee - I'm thinking of doing it. About time a club racer has a say on what they do !
Go for it. Where did you see that?

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

277 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
quotequote all
andy97 said:
woof said:
The MSA is looking for people to be on the race committee - I'm thinking of doing it. About time a club racer has a say on what they do !
Go for it. Where did you see that?
It's the new MSA magazine - http://issuu.com/msauk/docs/msa_news_no48_apr14_we...
Page 6

I just need a Club to sponsor the application - CSCC ?


andy97

4,703 posts

222 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
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That will teach me not to read their Mag!

Ask them.

Fonz

361 posts

184 months

Friday 11th April 2014
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rpgk said:
I agree the change makes this section of the track more dangerous - could the same arguement not apply to Redgate, IE at the end of the Wheatcroft straight, there is a small gravel trap then the wall, which I seem to remember being concrete too? I saw someone go into this following total brake failure (so I understand) on the straight - it looked horrific but he was thankfully OK. I think this guy was in a relatively modern BMW, but there were old MG's and Caterhams racing that weekend - not sure they would have fared so well in similar circumstances.
IIRC (as a mechanic not driver), at the end of the straight was the return leg of the Melbourne loop. I understand that if the car was knocked off course and did not continue in a straight line then yes it would have hit the wall in front of the director’s suit.

However I think that the big argument here is that a part of the circuit that was reasonably safe for years has been modified for whatever reason in such a way that it is now considerably more dangerous.

ChrisW.

6,296 posts

255 months

Sunday 13th April 2014
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Craners --- in the very wet the moor in the centre drains out across the top of Craners.

I know because I was playing with some Pirelli wets last year and spun out on the river that had suddenly presented itself -- and was caught by a gravel trap.

So maybe this just can't be seen in the image ?

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

277 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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They've put extra tyres in that tyre wall now. Looks like 4 rows.


normal bloke

166 posts

187 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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I have entered a race on the 5th May. Now, I'm suddenly not looking forward to it as much. The only off I've had at this point of the track (in the wet by-the-way) sent me flying off to the left of the track, landing in the second gravel trap. I'll only be doing 90-100 there but on wet grass, that'd be quick enough to have me clouting that wall at high speed.eek

normal bloke

166 posts

187 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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woof said:
BTCC drivers have made a formal approach through Derek Warwick stating as they don't think it's safe and are looking for additional protection / barriers for this weekend.
Did they get them in the end?

Altrezia

8,517 posts

211 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Certainly a lot of tyres there today. smile
Didn't feel too terrifying - much better than just concrete!

firenza43

21 posts

133 months

Thursday 5th June 2014
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There was a very big off/impact at this very point today at Donny. The close proximity of the wall and only 50m of wet grass to slow you down certainly gets your attention.

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

277 months

Thursday 5th June 2014
quotequote all
firenza43 said:
There was a very big off/impact at this very point today at Donny. The close proximity of the wall and only 50m of wet grass to slow you down certainly gets your attention.
Was the driver OK ?

firenza43

21 posts

133 months

Friday 6th June 2014
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I believe so, it was a modern GT type car so very strong.

mcdjl

5,446 posts

195 months

Sunday 8th June 2014
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Does this view make you feel better or worse?

ryansavage

27 posts

159 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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After hitting the wall at 100mph due to a mechanical failure I thought I would share this. The car is a write off and could have been less serious if Donington had adequate safety measures in place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoFaXymss7U&fe...

Edited by ryansavage on Wednesday 11th March 21:42


Edited by ryansavage on Friday 13th March 16:33

woof

Original Poster:

8,456 posts

277 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
quotequote all
Ouch - when did this happen ?