Final round of European LM Series Estoril: 3 min penalty
Discussion
.......for spinning the wheels exiting the pit!
What on earth is that all about?
In my view, as a spectator, there should be bonus points awarded.
Surely it can't be so dangerous as to incur such a draconian punishment? And also potentially ruin the outcome of a good close race.
I love to see plenty of nice No.11's, it adds to the spectacle.
What do you think?
What on earth is that all about? In my view, as a spectator, there should be bonus points awarded.
Surely it can't be so dangerous as to incur such a draconian punishment? And also potentially ruin the outcome of a good close race.
I love to see plenty of nice No.11's, it adds to the spectacle.
What do you think?
Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 20th October 23:29
eastlmark said:
The ACO did not want Alpine to win the championship again as the prize Le mans 24 hour entry caused embarrassing issues for them this year and now they may have the same problem next year as they still won despite their best efforts.
Was there a problem? Never heard anything..andy97 said:
Spinning the wheels in the pit lane means, according to the Clerks of the Course that I know, that the car is not under complete control and is considered dangerous. The car could "step out" and pit lane personnel could be injured.
Well that's just b
cksCornering on the limit is dangerous
Braking at the last split second is dangerous
Overtaking off-line on the marbles is dangerous
Racing on a wet/ damp track is dangerous
The speed differential between the various classes is dangerous
Motor Racing is dangerous for Heaven's sake.
That's what they tell you on the signs as you enter, and it's also on the signs around the circuits, and on your admission ticket.
That's why we all enjoy it, spectator or driver alike.
Without that element of risk, the spice of danger, that adrenaline rush, there would be no point, it would all be too boring.
It's this kind of nannying that spoils our sport.
Did you watch the Bathurst 1000 at the weekend?
Now THAT'S MOTOR RACING!
tux said:
See, Bathurst 1000 was great and your not allowed to spin the wheels in V8 supercar.
They're not allowed to have the wheels spinning in the air while the car is up on the jacks, but I don't think there is any rule about wheelspin leaving pits.A 3 minute penalty sounds way out of proportion to the offense IMO, surely a drive-through penalty woud be more fitting if they're going to enforce a rule like that?
Great Dane said:
Was there a problem? Never heard anything..
Yes, Signatech Alpine intended to enter the 2014 event anyway and therefore wanted to use their "prize" entry for a second car which they also intended to run in the full ELMS. Their second entry was turned down so effectively no "prize" was awarded. As the team had based a lot of their funding on running the second car at Le mans the whole ELMS programme was in jeopardy as well funded drivers such as Pierre Ragues had to be let out of his contract. The presence of Oliver James Webb in the team allowed the season to go ahead but it was touch an go. The second ELMS car was shelved because of it.PW said:
It's a statement of unavoidable fact, not an excuse to put lives at risk. People who are involved in motorsport expect to go home in one piece, and great care is taken over safety.
It's ACO rules - they govern the 24hrs, which has a very busy pit lane with a lot of people around, who are getting very tired towards the end of a 24hr race and may not be able to register or avoid a car heading towards them with the rears lit up. It's unnecessary to spin the wheels; it is an easy risk to eliminate.
Don't like it - go to a race and tell the mechanics and pit crews that you think their safety should take a back seat to your enjoyment and they should change the rules.
The prospect of seeing people injured or killed is not what gets me to tune into "our sport".
A fair point well made, and I respect that. It's ACO rules - they govern the 24hrs, which has a very busy pit lane with a lot of people around, who are getting very tired towards the end of a 24hr race and may not be able to register or avoid a car heading towards them with the rears lit up. It's unnecessary to spin the wheels; it is an easy risk to eliminate.
Don't like it - go to a race and tell the mechanics and pit crews that you think their safety should take a back seat to your enjoyment and they should change the rules.
The prospect of seeing people injured or killed is not what gets me to tune into "our sport".
I have no desire to witness injury or worse, but the penalty still seems rather draconian in my view, potentially ruining a good race for all. ( Exept perhaps the ACO ).
It's just so exciting watching a hotly contended race with drivers taking their cars right to the limit.
A race environment that is 100% safe would, I think, also be 100% boring.
What's the next safety innovation?
Speed cameras along the main straight?
All spectator enclosures to be at least 400 metres from the trackside?
All cars to have an automatic cut-out which is activated if they exceed what is deemed to be a safe cornering speed?
eastlmark said:
Yes, Signatech Alpine intended to enter the 2014 event anyway and therefore wanted to use their "prize" entry for a second car which they also intended to run in the full ELMS. Their second entry was turned down so effectively no "prize" was awarded. As the team had based a lot of their funding on running the second car at Le mans the whole ELMS programme was in jeopardy as well funded drivers such as Pierre Ragues had to be let out of his contract. The presence of Oliver James Webb in the team allowed the season to go ahead but it was touch an go. The second ELMS car was shelved because of it.
The No 36 was given an automatic invite, as you say for the 2013 ELMS win, with Chatin as the nominated driver. Their second entry was not turned down though, they received an invite for the Reserve List for the No 30 car which they then declined to take up after the mass exodus from the entry list at the end of April. I think there were more teams than just Signatech who were moved down the ACO's Christmas Card list. PW said:
glenrobbo said:
I have no desire to witness injury or worse
A race environment that is 100% safe would, I think, also be 100% boring.
The two statements are exclusive - wanting less than 100% safe means, by definition, you want a chance someone is hurt.A race environment that is 100% safe would, I think, also be 100% boring.
As it stands it isn't 100% safe, and can never be 100% safe. Is that really not enough?
glenrobbo said:
It's just so exciting watching a hotly contended race with drivers taking their cars right to the limit.
Yes, it is; that's why I watch it.I enjoy motor racing for the same reason I enjoy tandem paragliding from the summit of a 6000ft mountain in Turkey each year. It's the adrenaline thing I guess. Not because I want to be killed or injured. I know it's dangerous, and several people come to grief each season, but for me the thrill is worth it.
Spectating at motorsport events is for me a vacarious pleasure, I would love to be in the cars myself, but alas I am a poor man and so I have to content myself by admiring the skills of others, either trackside, or via onboard coverage.
I have lapped the 'Ring, I have been flat out through Radillon ( Eau Rouge ), I have had the odd UK circuit experience when funds have permitted.
But never have I wished to witness or experience a serious accident.
That's for ghouls.
glenrobbo said:
A fair point well made, and I respect that.
I have no desire to witness injury or worse, but the penalty still seems rather draconian in my view, potentially ruining a good race for all. ( Exept perhaps the ACO ).
It's just so exciting watching a hotly contended race with drivers taking their cars right to the limit.
A race environment that is 100% safe would, I think, also be 100% boring.
What's the next safety innovation?
Speed cameras along the main straight?
All spectator enclosures to be at least 400 metres from the trackside?
All cars to have an automatic cut-out which is activated if they exceed what is deemed to be a safe cornering speed?
You are missing the point.I have no desire to witness injury or worse, but the penalty still seems rather draconian in my view, potentially ruining a good race for all. ( Exept perhaps the ACO ).
It's just so exciting watching a hotly contended race with drivers taking their cars right to the limit.
A race environment that is 100% safe would, I think, also be 100% boring.
What's the next safety innovation?
Speed cameras along the main straight?
All spectator enclosures to be at least 400 metres from the trackside?
All cars to have an automatic cut-out which is activated if they exceed what is deemed to be a safe cornering speed?
It's not for the safety of the drivers, it's for the safety of pit crews and my fellow marshals. If a driver looses it coming out of their pit, they aren't the ones who are going to get killed.
Once they get out on track, where there's concrete or armco stopping them from collecting me when they cock up, I don't care (under green flag conditions) what they do.
glenrobbo said:
.......for spinning the wheels exiting the pit!
What on earth is that all about?
In my view, as a spectator, there should be bonus points awarded.
Surely it can't be so dangerous as to incur such a draconian punishment? And also potentially ruin the outcome of a good close race.
I love to see plenty of nice No.11's, it adds to the spectacle.
What do you think?
as mentioned by one of the US commentators on Motors, one of his TV crew got sideswiped by an LMP/GT whatever, broken leg was the result, hence the 'no wheel spinning' rules was introduced. What on earth is that all about? In my view, as a spectator, there should be bonus points awarded.
Surely it can't be so dangerous as to incur such a draconian punishment? And also potentially ruin the outcome of a good close race.
I love to see plenty of nice No.11's, it adds to the spectacle.
What do you think?
Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 20th October 23:29
old'uns said:
as mentioned by one of the US commentators on Motors, one of his TV crew got sideswiped by an LMP/GT whatever, broken leg was the result, hence the 'no wheel spinning' rules was introduced.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is the incident he was talking about.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OzgoWfwJZU
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