Tow Hooks

[BobToc]

Very stupid question perhaps, but I only have a front row hook. Is that enough to go on a track day?

[mad4amanda]

Yes !

[DanTVR]

I would recommend fitting a rear if you can as less damage will be done to your car if it needs to be recovered backwards, from a gravel trap etc. But front is fine and most cars these day aren't fitted with a rear. What car is it?

[BobToc]

Thanks both, it's a 911 3.2.

[R1 Indy]

You will be fine.

They towed me off the chassis bar the other day ( my tow hook did not fit!) when my engine caught fire

[mad4amanda]

DanTVR said:

I would recommend fitting a rear if you can as less damage will be done to your car if it needs to be recovered backwards, from a gravel trap etc. But front is fine and most cars these day aren't fitted with a rear. What car is it?

Certainly at brands and MSV circuits we insist on them being front fitted . Why well contrary to what is said above it is easier to recover from gravel frontwards with less chance for damage, plus most road cars will spin into gravel so may well be facing the right way for a quick pull onto the track .
Add to that if we are towing back to the pits to avoid starting an engine that has not been checked for gravel then it is safer to tow correct direction as most drivers are better at front than rear wheel steering!
Why do we do all this ? Simple, speed of recovery because while you are the one in the gravel or being towed back to the pits after running out of fuel, everyone else is sat in the pit lane cursing you for causing a stop and halting their fun.
And please remember some simple rules when being towed :
Follow the truck that is towing you ( I kid you not)
Use the brakes to keep the tow strop taught especially downhill but dont use them so hard they break the strop !
Under no circumstances run over the strop this can cause damage to your car and is entirely your responsibility! (even if you cant see it you can feel if you are being pulled or coasting. if coasting gently brake until you are being pulled again)
Don`t try and tell the operator how to do his job, they are trained and do it day in day out and are personally responsible for the safe working practices, by arguing you are just wasting every bodies time and no one will thank you for that.
Remember no one else put it in the gravel and every other car got round that corner without binning it so chances are its not the track but you that is at fault for not driving to the conditions and level of grip available.

[Trev450]

mad4amanda said:

Certainly at brands and MSV circuits we insist on them being front fitted . Why well contrary to what is said above it is easier to recover from gravel frontwards with less chance for damage, plus most road cars will spin into gravel so may well be facing the right way for a quick pull onto the track .
Add to that if we are towing back to the pits to avoid starting an engine that has not been checked for gravel then it is safer to tow correct direction as most drivers are better at front than rear wheel steering!
Why do we do all this ? Simple, speed of recovery because while you are the one in the gravel or being towed back to the pits after running out of fuel, everyone else is sat in the pit lane cursing you for causing a stop and halting their fun.
And please remember some simple rules when being towed :
Follow the truck that is towing you ( I kid you not)
Use the brakes to keep the tow strop taught especially downhill but dont use them so hard they break the strop !
Under no circumstances run over the strop this can cause damage to your car and is entirely your responsibility! (even if you cant see it you can feel if you are being pulled or coasting. if coasting gently brake until you are being pulled again)
Don`t try and tell the operator how to do his job, they are trained and do it day in day out and are personally responsible for the safe working practices, by arguing you are just wasting every bodies time and no one will thank you for that.
Remember no one else put it in the gravel and every other car got round that corner without binning it so chances are its not the track but you that is at fault for not driving to the conditions and level of grip available.

I'm not for one minute suggesting that your recovery people are anything but professional, but clearly not all recovery drivers are as proficient.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[mad4amanda]

Sorry I thought we were talking track days ?

Racing does not use circuit staff except as snatch operators and as such any concerns would surely be covered by the commercial agreement between the club and the provider?
We will not lift a saloon car unless it is fitted with a specific tested lift system like DTM use, as I said we are responsible for the lift .
And yes I have told a radio operator at a race meeting that what they want me to do is not going to happen due to safety and damage concerns

Obviously if something has its wheels hanging off and sitting on the gravel there may be some damage when it has to be dragged to a recoverable position but that is part of the risks of racing as we are fresh out of magic wands?

[Trev450]

Whether it be racing or trackdays, organisers are obviously keen to get the track open again as soon as possible ( as you have stated)and this can lead to 'accidents' as the thread clearly illustrates. I made it clear in my last post that this was not aimed at your operations, so I'm not sure why you have adopted such a protectionist stance.