Discussion
OK rather than continue the comments on the thread involving a serious accident, i have started a new thread.
Its a simple question, do you think Goodwood is safe? Should they bring the circuit up to date with regards to safety instead of blindly following a 1950's trend.
I know on the flipside you have the Nurburgring, i frequently go there, and it is definitely more dangerous than Goodwood. But people are more aware of the accidents and what they lead to there.
Its a simple question, do you think Goodwood is safe? Should they bring the circuit up to date with regards to safety instead of blindly following a 1950's trend.
I know on the flipside you have the Nurburgring, i frequently go there, and it is definitely more dangerous than Goodwood. But people are more aware of the accidents and what they lead to there.
Define "safe".
What you should be asking is, should Goodwood take measures to "improve" the safety aspects of the circuit on the assumption that it is less safe than other circuits in the UK?
I would suggest not as many people drive at Goodwood PRECISELY because the circuit is the way it is.
What you should be asking is, should Goodwood take measures to "improve" the safety aspects of the circuit on the assumption that it is less safe than other circuits in the UK?
I would suggest not as many people drive at Goodwood PRECISELY because the circuit is the way it is.
I've been around Goodwood any number of times and there is nothing there in terms of track safety that I find particularly worrying. In many ways the entire site is more up to date than many of the race tracks that I have to use.
For example, take Mallory Park. Zero run off in areas that desperately need them, atrocious surface quality (the gutter along the back straight is lethal) and the paddock is one of the longest running jokes in the british racing scene.
What about Lydden Hill? What paddock? At least it has run off areas though
I would even mention Cadwell Park (even though it is my favourite track in the UK) as the hairpin in the alpine section has zero run off and just a heavy barrier to catch you (or in my case the car in front who bounced off into my car), the surface is commonly greasy or at the start of the season covered in moss! (no I am not joking). Then there is the matter of water running across the circuit in wet conditions.
What do Mallory and Cadwell have in common? Both show (statistically) more deaths per year than any other circuits in the country. It may sound shocking but I believe the average is around 1 person a year (from memory just a little bit under - damn statistics again) and that is just from cars, I hate to think how many bikers pop their clogs as Cadwell especially is very popular but exceptionally unforgiving.
So back to the real point - personally I do not feel there is anything wrong with Goodwood, in fact given its historically correct condition I would say that it is a shining example of how good it really is.
One last reminder, motorsport is dangerous! No really, I mean it!
For example, take Mallory Park. Zero run off in areas that desperately need them, atrocious surface quality (the gutter along the back straight is lethal) and the paddock is one of the longest running jokes in the british racing scene.
What about Lydden Hill? What paddock? At least it has run off areas though
I would even mention Cadwell Park (even though it is my favourite track in the UK) as the hairpin in the alpine section has zero run off and just a heavy barrier to catch you (or in my case the car in front who bounced off into my car), the surface is commonly greasy or at the start of the season covered in moss! (no I am not joking). Then there is the matter of water running across the circuit in wet conditions.
What do Mallory and Cadwell have in common? Both show (statistically) more deaths per year than any other circuits in the country. It may sound shocking but I believe the average is around 1 person a year (from memory just a little bit under - damn statistics again) and that is just from cars, I hate to think how many bikers pop their clogs as Cadwell especially is very popular but exceptionally unforgiving.
So back to the real point - personally I do not feel there is anything wrong with Goodwood, in fact given its historically correct condition I would say that it is a shining example of how good it really is.
One last reminder, motorsport is dangerous! No really, I mean it!
Another aspect to this is that no-one forces you to drive at trackdays and no-one makes you drive beyond your comfort zone. It is a personal choice and hurrah for that. Got to be careful that the obvious abhorrence from bad accidents doesn't start an epidemic of hand wringing. Every event I have been to makes you sign a disclaimer making you aware that the activity is dangerous and urges you to drive within your abilities. Freedom to ignore this is a privilege that has to be guarded. There is enough legislation in the UK to look after us "for our own good" etc.
I agree with Phil B however that it is different for people who work there. They may have very little choice but to take their lives in their hands and sit next to a novice in a 400bhp car. Perhaps the solution is to make sure any dual seat racing car has two sets of controls to moderate, and tracks like the (IMO) frightening Goodwood are best avoided in these cases. Bedford, Silverstone, Donington or anodyne airfields may be more suitable.
Someone in the labour party think tank wearing open toed sandals..."I think we should ban sleep, as many people die whilst snoozing. We should do something. It will make me look sensitive and ladies like that".
Bet it has happened....
I agree with Phil B however that it is different for people who work there. They may have very little choice but to take their lives in their hands and sit next to a novice in a 400bhp car. Perhaps the solution is to make sure any dual seat racing car has two sets of controls to moderate, and tracks like the (IMO) frightening Goodwood are best avoided in these cases. Bedford, Silverstone, Donington or anodyne airfields may be more suitable.
Someone in the labour party think tank wearing open toed sandals..."I think we should ban sleep, as many people die whilst snoozing. We should do something. It will make me look sensitive and ladies like that".
Bet it has happened....
phatgixer said:
I agree with Phil B however that it is different for people who work there. They may have very little choice but to take their lives in their hands and sit next to a novice in a 400bhp car.
Angus, In my view if someones going out with an instructor in the passenger seat, then that instructor should be firm and say Look, you're under instruction now, we're going to learn the lines etc, and we're not going to be going at 10/10ths. If you want to show me how fast you can go then I'm getting out. Do that on your own.
This view stems from an incident just over a month ago, when one of my very best friends (an instructor and racing driver) was nearly wiped out when the person driving a nice GT3 lost control at Schwedenkreuz at 160mph. The driver was on a mission to show how fast he could now drive the ring, like my friend. My friend admits now that he made an error of judgement and should have tamed the driver. Luckily on this occassion we only suffered a smashed up car.
>> Edited by MrOnTheRopes on Tuesday 5th July 14:12
Canam, what is it about Goodwood you find so 'dangerous' I was under the impression the circuit was actually developed at huge cost to bring it up to modern standards.
The cost also went further to make it look 'period' and hence you can't actually see the rows of tyres under the banking for impact protection.
The cost also went further to make it look 'period' and hence you can't actually see the rows of tyres under the banking for impact protection.
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