This weekend was our first meeting at Whilton. In response to 'paul 40' - 'why are the officials not doing somthing about shuving that is going on we all see it so why cant thay', an observation and I stand to be corrected. I watched many of the starts from the dummy grid area, ie half way between Pits Bend and the start line. The amount of pushing/contact, whatever you would like to call it, is already taking place between Pits Corner and the start line. However I cannot recall seeing an official level with that point of the circuit, the closest was the one at the start line gesturing the oncoming pack to keep the speed down. Interestingly, at PFI Nigel Edwards normally takes station on the in field side of the track some way well before the start line to observe such practices.
Paul 40's last thread unfortunately rings true and is not confined to Whilton. If you are racing you should know the rules, they are issued to every license holder. Yes, at drivers briefing it is a good time to remind the drivers of particular 'concerns' and if there is a clear, undisputable 'warning' there is no second chance. We accept the potential dangers of the sport we love but do so in conjunction with acceptance/consideration of the rules that govern it BUT we look to those delegated to administer them on race day to apply them.
Is a slower approach the answer for reduced contact/incidents from Oblivion down to Crook. The fact is those on the left what to be on the right. It appears that for most drivers the further fact that to win they have to finish seems to escape the minds of many of them. Clay has a similar track lay out ie the start line downhill into Billys, do they have the same problems, those who have raced there will know. I've seen on this website comments that slower speeds can equal greater bunching up, with higher speed seeing a more spaced out pack.
Whatever your thoughts it is supposed to be a 'non contact sport' but like many rules in sport today they are taken to the limit and beyond. Those that take part have a responsability for adhering to them and in turn have to accept accountability when chosing to ignore them. We look to those charged with administering those rules to do just that without question.
Standing starts have been in place at Bayford Meadows for some two years, has it reduced the amount of and severity of 'contacts' at turn 1, I think the answer is positive but in adopting those types of starts brings about other problems, ie plugs oiling up/flooding etc. It still does not resolve the basic problem which is mentioned on this site with increasing regularity, that of driving standards or lack of them.
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