Britcar fluorescent jackets in pit lane thing
Discussion
Any of the teams have a view on this?
I can see the point of them for night races or even on very dull days if you push the point but on bloody hot days they are a pain. This season I've had more people then I care to remember telling me, even when in a race suit, that I need a safety jacket on the pit wall, like I need another level of protection on top of fireproof under garments and a three layer nomex suit so I can get even hotter.
My main concern is that when we drive into the pits, on a perfectly clear day, all we see is a mass of fluorescent yellow figures dashing here and there and it's difficult making out who, and where your team is, especially at a circuit like Combe with no garages as reference points and a pit lane area smaller then a "Snacks served here" lay by . When driving past the pit lane on track, it not as easy to pick out any team members and instructions when everyone leaning out of the cuts are blurred yellow flashes. It all feels a bit OTT health and safety to me, and I really hate that kind of mothering s
t.
I think I shall wear one at Snett with the words " If you need me to wear this so you can see me in broad daylight, you shouldn't be driving or need to visit specsavers"
I suppose it's in the regs somewhere,haven't looked, but fancied a rant this morning and this seemed as good a subject as any
I can see the point of them for night races or even on very dull days if you push the point but on bloody hot days they are a pain. This season I've had more people then I care to remember telling me, even when in a race suit, that I need a safety jacket on the pit wall, like I need another level of protection on top of fireproof under garments and a three layer nomex suit so I can get even hotter.
My main concern is that when we drive into the pits, on a perfectly clear day, all we see is a mass of fluorescent yellow figures dashing here and there and it's difficult making out who, and where your team is, especially at a circuit like Combe with no garages as reference points and a pit lane area smaller then a "Snacks served here" lay by . When driving past the pit lane on track, it not as easy to pick out any team members and instructions when everyone leaning out of the cuts are blurred yellow flashes. It all feels a bit OTT health and safety to me, and I really hate that kind of mothering s
t.I think I shall wear one at Snett with the words " If you need me to wear this so you can see me in broad daylight, you shouldn't be driving or need to visit specsavers"
I suppose it's in the regs somewhere,haven't looked, but fancied a rant this morning and this seemed as good a subject as any
I agree 100% ELF & SAFTY gone mad again.... and they look crap.
However there is one thing that the yellow jackets do and that’s restricting the number of people in the pit lane. At some meetings I suspect that there would be way more people hanging around the pit lane if all that was required was a wrist band or something.
So whilst I don't like the yellow jackets I suppose they do have a function.
However there is one thing that the yellow jackets do and that’s restricting the number of people in the pit lane. At some meetings I suspect that there would be way more people hanging around the pit lane if all that was required was a wrist band or something.
So whilst I don't like the yellow jackets I suppose they do have a function.
obes said:
TBH I think it was more a way of policing the number of folks on the pit wall than anything to do with visibility. I agree that it's difficult to pick your guys out when you pull into the pit lane 
. It does look a bit like some kind of parking attendants convention!
Well, I can think of several different ways of policing the pit wall, but here again, one should ask why do you want to do that? If access to the pitlane requires a form of team only pass like they used in BGT, why restrict the number of "Team" members being on the wall, most have got other duties away from the wall for half the time so I really don't see where the problem lies. It's not the most dangerous place by a long shot, being in the car on the track is, being in a marshall post is, even the odd photographer is at greater risk so where's the issue.. It does look a bit like some kind of parking attendants convention!Whilst I'm on the subject, never really came to terms with this "everyone off the pitwall at the race start" crap, I've seem more accidents waiting to happen amongst team members climbing rigs and flag poles or balancing on framework and walls just to get a glimpse of the action.
Health and Safety, is about as popular with me as the sodding human rights act that forces us to be soft as s
t on criminals and allows compassion for aholes who blow up aircraft who, when facing their own death, want to be comforted in the bosom of their family, what comfort were those poor bds on the plane given ???Hang on, I think I'm still in a bloody foul mood, time for wine and beer.
cheers all
Not that long ago, during a race meeting when it was hissing down with rain, I donned my most waterproof coat (proper flourescent yellow motorway grade jacket) and stood on the pitwall (at Brands) to carry out pit signalling/team manager duties.
I was approached by a pit marshall who told me that I had to remove said coat because the C of C had seen me, and decreed that my coat may be misconstrued as a yellow flag by a passing car. A spot of jaw dropping " I just don't belieeeeeve it ", and I walked away, leaving my driver out there with no signals until some suitable wet-ware could be found. A Black coat. Yes, Black. And I'm hanging numbers out.... though no driver would be stupid enough to think I was handing out penalties... would they???
So why is it different now?
OK, during the 24hrs, at night, yes, but daytime.... I don't think so. Unless they double as your "pit pass", with JT having a job lot of them.
I was approached by a pit marshall who told me that I had to remove said coat because the C of C had seen me, and decreed that my coat may be misconstrued as a yellow flag by a passing car. A spot of jaw dropping " I just don't belieeeeeve it ", and I walked away, leaving my driver out there with no signals until some suitable wet-ware could be found. A Black coat. Yes, Black. And I'm hanging numbers out.... though no driver would be stupid enough to think I was handing out penalties... would they???
So why is it different now?
OK, during the 24hrs, at night, yes, but daytime.... I don't think so. Unless they double as your "pit pass", with JT having a job lot of them.
Reasons for the jackets.
1 Allow teams to have more than 4 people in the pit lane.( as there is a plan a foot to limit every team to that number)
2 To allow teams to have 2 time keepers.
3 To stop any JoeP get on the wall, with cameras ect.
4 To stop Managers and Drivers all 105 of them, filling up the pitwall.
5 To make the teams infront of the Chairman of the MSA look professional and showing they are taking on safety as an issue.
and 6. Because I asked you to do it.
thank you
James Tucker
Dir Britcar
1 Allow teams to have more than 4 people in the pit lane.( as there is a plan a foot to limit every team to that number)
2 To allow teams to have 2 time keepers.
3 To stop any JoeP get on the wall, with cameras ect.
4 To stop Managers and Drivers all 105 of them, filling up the pitwall.
5 To make the teams infront of the Chairman of the MSA look professional and showing they are taking on safety as an issue.
and 6. Because I asked you to do it.
thank you
James Tucker
Dir Britcar
Edited by james tucker on Monday 17th August 09:01
Edited by james tucker on Monday 17th August 09:01
james tucker said:
Reasons for the jackets.
1 Allow teams to have more than 4 people in the pit lane.( as there is a plan a foot to limit every team to that number)
2 To allow teams to have 2 time keepers.
3 To stop any JoeP get on the wall, with cameras ect.
4 To stop Managers and Drivers all 105 of them, filling up the pitwall.
5 To make the teams infront of the Chairman of the MSA look professional and showing they are taking on safety as an issue.
and 6. Because I asked you to do it.
thank you
James Tucker
Dir Britcar
To be honest James, the only item I can see from the above list that holds any credibility is no 6, maybe 5 in part, for if that is the way you want things to happen, fair do's, the rest seems to me, and this is purely my own opinion, to be regulation for the sake of it. No 5 would seem to be necessary from the point of view of compliance with the MSA, I just question if indeed, in broad daylight conditions, there is a H & S benefit rather then an unwelcomed distraction.1 Allow teams to have more than 4 people in the pit lane.( as there is a plan a foot to limit every team to that number)
2 To allow teams to have 2 time keepers.
3 To stop any JoeP get on the wall, with cameras ect.
4 To stop Managers and Drivers all 105 of them, filling up the pitwall.
5 To make the teams infront of the Chairman of the MSA look professional and showing they are taking on safety as an issue.
and 6. Because I asked you to do it.
thank you
James Tucker
Dir Britcar
This is not a major issue, I just like to bring up subjects from time to time, that in my view require discussion, and if supported, may bring about a re-think, feed back is what I call it
cheers
Rod
james tucker said:
The biggest issue is safety and Rod when someone brings the subject up, because they are trying to get one over on you, I protect my business and that is the Teams in Britcar.
xjt
What, little me, trying to get one over on you !!! wouldn't dream of it, anyway, I'm only a pain in the arse to people and causes I like. xjt
I suppose if we have to continue with this luminous H & S high viz requirement, perhaps we could personalise the vests so we can pick out where and who our team are amongst the throng of wasp impersonators that us drivers see as we come into the pit lane, maybe some add on luminous pink arm bands, or those hairbands that use to be a fad with extended antenna topped off with a vibrant flashing light
Edited by Racing Rod on Monday 17th August 20:44
james tucker said:
Reasons for the jackets.
1 Allow teams to have more than 4 people in the pit lane.( as there is a plan a foot to limit every team to that number)
2 To allow teams to have 2 time keepers.
3 To stop any JoeP get on the wall, with cameras ect.
4 To stop Managers and Drivers all 105 of them, filling up the pitwall.
5 To make the teams infront of the Chairman of the MSA look professional and showing they are taking on safety as an issue.
and 6. Because I asked you to do it.
thank you
James Tucker
Dir Britcar
In my opinion, Mr T, very valid reasons indeed.1 Allow teams to have more than 4 people in the pit lane.( as there is a plan a foot to limit every team to that number)
2 To allow teams to have 2 time keepers.
3 To stop any JoeP get on the wall, with cameras ect.
4 To stop Managers and Drivers all 105 of them, filling up the pitwall.
5 To make the teams infront of the Chairman of the MSA look professional and showing they are taking on safety as an issue.
and 6. Because I asked you to do it.
thank you
James Tucker
Dir Britcar
Racing Rod said:
... Whilst I'm on the subject, never really came to terms with this "everyone off the pitwall at the race start" crap, I've seem more accidents waiting to happen amongst team members climbing rigs and flag poles or balancing on framework and walls just to get a glimpse of the action....
Rod, think back before there were the awful pitwall fences and then allow hordes of team personel on the wall. Now add to that mix a nasty startline shunt that impacts the wall. (Think someting like Andy's last year) now imagine all the Extra injuries that may occur. Now i'm with you on H&S for the sake of it, but where us pit marshals are concerned Your safety and those of others within the pitlane are our priority - and yes IF i happen to see someone in a precarious position trying to watch the start, i will insist on them putting 2 feet on the ground as I don't really want to scoop them off the deck.Back to the pit wall, we now have the catch fencing, and at the start someone puts their head through the gap (possibly with camera?) and doesnt see the debris headed towards them...
But above all, Should there be a start incident, seconds are vital. and trying to get the pit based incident marshals through the crowd of gawpers is bloody hard.
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