Mallory Park - Ford Saloon Cars

PaulSands · 27 Mar 2006, 12:15 (Ref:1562278)

Just looking at the results and it says that Andrew Gallacher was excluded from the results. Anybody fill me in on why this was? Was he deemed to have been responsible for Ollie Allen's crash or was it because of a technical infringement?
I also note that Ollie still appears to have won his class despite finishing the race upside down at Shaws. Was this due to the countback rule?

Ian Sowman · 27 Mar 2006, 12:22 (Ref:1562287)

The race was not red-flagged, that is the first thing to note. I think the Blue Book states (something like) that if any car is unable to complete the course within five minutes of the chequered flag then the results go back to the last lap that everyone did complete... or something. The official reason that Gallacher was excluded would appear to be a yellow flag infringement, but I believe from a colleague that his licence was also endorsed - so make of that what you will. The judicial process surrounding that incident yesterday afternoon was very tortuous indeed.

PaulSands · 27 Mar 2006, 12:35 (Ref:1562305)

I was going to ask about the lack of a red flag

Ian Sowman · 27 Mar 2006, 12:38 (Ref:1562309)

Simply because the chequered flag came out first I would guess.

R59 · 27 Mar 2006, 15:23 (Ref:1562400)

I hope that Ollie hasn't broken that front splitter.

Hope he's OK, if anyone see's him, send him my regards.

Rob.

Ian Sowman · 27 Mar 2006, 15:37 (Ref:1562408)

Ollie looked physically fine. If the legendary front splitter wasn't broken, it would be the only bit that wasn't...

Edit: actually, it looks like it was... http://www.paulsands.org/mal032606/b.../IMG_8673.html

PaulSands · 27 Mar 2006, 16:38 (Ref:1562470)

His uncle(I believe) is my local sports editor and he has told me that
"he is still very shaken up about it all but relatively unscathed, with no broken bones unless the bruised ribs
hide a cracked one"

Gerry Taylor · 27 Mar 2006, 17:03 (Ref:1562485)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

Ollie looked physically fine. If the legendary front splitter wasn't broken, it would be the only bit that wasn't...

Edit: actually, it looks like it was... http://www.paulsands.org/mal032606/b.../IMG_8673.html

Just looking at the shunt. Kinda reminds me of that one I had, same place, almost the same photograph, take a look mine and then this shunt Identical. (My shunt was in 1972 or 73 and is somewhere on this site......isn't it?) Gerry. P.S. We did have a "Shaws Shunt Club" back in my day, you had to have stuffed it at Shaws to be a member. perhaps you should start it up again???

JohnMiller · 27 Mar 2006, 20:35 (Ref:1562670)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

The official reason that Gallacher was excluded would appear to be a yellow flag infringement

Spectating on the back straight loads of cars lapped slower ones under the yellows into the Esses. Certainly the fancy grey Fiesta did, possibly more than once.

**Snapper Baz** · 27 Mar 2006, 20:50 (Ref:1562692)

I sent a "reasonable" sequence to the mags of Olly's shunt (and the FF1600) The Focus driver was indeed excluded for but shooting from behind (virtually the same place as Paul took his shot) the whole sequence was shrouded in a cloud of tyre smoke and so had to play around with Photoshop to make it look usable. Olly's a good mate of mine so it was very sad to see the whole car destroyed, the shell, the engine, the drivers seat...everything is rubbished. He was telling me just 10 minutes beforehand that he couldn't afford to do the whole year this year as he was desperate for a sponsor...seems it never happens to those that can afford a shunt or two, very sad. I didn't get the start on camera but I think (though can't be 100%) the Focus was braking a lot later than most others when he came into contact with the rear end of Olly's car which sent him spearing off to the outside barrier...the rest was a series of hefty rolls....as I say I can't lay blame to anyone as I was at that point lifting the camera to my eye!

PaulSands · 27 Mar 2006, 22:20 (Ref:1562772)

looking where the loose tyre was bouncing I reckon the barrier being moved back might have been a good thing otherwise 1 or 2 snappers might've copped it

**Snapper Baz** · 27 Mar 2006, 22:43 (Ref:1562792)

I was hoping to be on the "green" but the barrier prevented me about 5 mins earlier hence the reason for me being back a bit. The loose wheel was laying on the track and later placed on the grass by a marshal. Think I might have moved at the last moment had I had been there-who knows! John Ward tells me that as soon as the grass has grown then we can get back on the green inside bit!!

R59 · 28 Mar 2006, 18:02 (Ref:1563517)

I know what it's like running "hand to mouth" for motorsport. I haven't had a sponsor since I raced in Super Road Saloons, and that was Kent Cams giving me freebie valvetrain kit, which I needed as it kept going bang!!

And my latest monster eats money at an alarming rate, I could really do with a benevolent sponsor right now!

So I feel for Ollie and what will be an uphill struggle to get back on the grid. The boy has talent, and deserves a break. I look forward to him getting back on-track.

Rob.

PaulSands · 28 Mar 2006, 18:27 (Ref:1563532)

I'm also hearing that Ollie doesn't think he will be back in action again this season as the car is a write off and he has no funding. Notwithtsanding the fact that his car is a destroyed how much, roughly does it cost to run a Fiesta like his for a season? Also do drivers tend to have insurance to cover such biggies?

R59 · 28 Mar 2006, 19:37 (Ref:1563579)

The cost of insurance is quite often high, and based on the budget of the average "hands in the pocket" racer, out of reach.

**Snapper Baz** · 28 Mar 2006, 20:34 (Ref:1563700)

Olly phoned me tonight and says that is it now as far as racing is concerned which is very sad to hear. He's in a lot of discomfort but otherwise ok. Also, drivers take note...he was wearing the HANS Device which he is sure (and the paramedics) saved himself from serious injury if not worse. It was a violent accident, especially the initial impact with the barrier so think about spending that extra bit of dosh if you can.

MarkH22 · 29 Mar 2006, 12:44 (Ref:1564150)

I have known olly for a few years now and he is such a nice guy. The work that him, his dad and gaz and others have put into that car it is just such a shame. He spoke to us yesterday and we heard that he may not be able to get back this year, which is even worse I know a few people have offered him some shell's just depends on the rest of it. What happened on the track needs to be sorted

**Snapper Baz** · 30 Mar 2006, 10:44 (Ref:1565049)

Just one other thing regarding the accident...Malcolm Wise came steaming through the Esses after the incident and nearly ploughed into the back of the staionary cars at the scene. He steered onto the grass on the outside just missing another hefty impact. Did he then drive around the outside of all those stopped cars and continue on to the chequered flag (or go back with the others) whilst all the others reversed back and into the paddock? I can't recall what happened but if he did so-did he gain any places in the final results. I wonder if this was checked-would be nice to see it clarified just as a matter of confusion on my part!

Ian Sowman · 30 Mar 2006, 10:51 (Ref:1565054)

The results went back a lap in any case, but I think Malcolm pulled to a stop anyway.

MarkH22 · 30 Mar 2006, 11:05 (Ref:1565068)

Baz.. From what I can remember Malcolm Wise got through as Did Steve Matthias and Craig Rainer they were the only people to get through. But what does worry me in all of this is the situation of the Marshalls Flags, why wasn't the race Red Flagged immediatly. The pic clearly shows that Olly was on his Roof and the other car was in the dirt marshalls on the track and there is still a yellow out. Had this had been correctly flagged then Malcolm would not have come steaming through.
But you are correct Ian the results were rolled back, because poor olly still walked away with full class c points!!

Lets hope that no more of this irratic driving happens at Snetterton, especially as it is a Power Circuit dont want to see anymore of this style of accident

Ian Sowman · 30 Mar 2006, 11:15 (Ref:1565080)

The red flags can't go out until the clerk of the course authorises this. Observers have to request this from race control, who will in any case have seen the incident quite clearly on the CCTV monitors.

The race wasn't red flagged almost certainly because the chequered flag went out to signal the end of the race within seconds of the accident happening; I'm not sure what the blue book says about showing a red flag after the chequer had gone out, which is what would have happened here.

However, yellow flags should give ample warning to a driver that they should be prepared to stop.

Gerryc · 30 Mar 2006, 12:04 (Ref:1565130)

The chequered flag ends the race and the "slowing down lap" is supposed to be just that - a slow lap! Putting the red out after the competitors have already seen the chequered would not give them any further information / instruction. Also Ian is correct that the red can only be authorised from race control, we can't decide on post to show it.

As a general rule the drivers should be able to gauge the severity of the incident by the way we wave the yellow - there is a world of difference between the urgency of a casually undulating flag and a frantically waved one - usually accompanied by appropriate hand-gestures!

MarkH22 · 30 Mar 2006, 13:24 (Ref:1565180)

Gerry, I totally agree that once the chequered flag is out once the driver has crossed it they are then on there In Lap which is a slow lap around the track. In this instance the race was still in progress.. The Chequered flag was out for Whyte and Doherty the rest of the field Malcolm Wise 40.260 behind he would have been in the esses coming upto the hairpin.. Steve Matthais 53.553 and Craig Rainer 1.28.886 as he was at the hairpin and then came through to cross the line. But for these 3 atleast there race was still underway

The Race is still live until the last car crosses the chequered Flag.
At this time as soon as the accident happened Race Control should have had marshalls on Red but even after 1min after this happened No Red Flags came out.

The problem is it was like a 2 event race.. Escort Cosworth / Fiesta 4x4 Cosworth / Ford Focus were at all times 30 to 40 secs ahead of the 4th placed man which was Malcolm Wise and this is on a small track. Did Ford Ever Make a 4 x 4 Ford Fiesta?

**Snapper Baz** · 30 Mar 2006, 22:10 (Ref:1565558)

Mark and all some very good points there but lets not get too deeply into this. I only wanted to know the ins and outs as I've got to do a race report for a magazine so wanted to be sure about things (which I'm still not!). I went away from the circuit with an "amended" result sheet though I'm lead to beleive that an "amended amended!" sheet was issued later...hopefully it isn't to far away from the one I have so thats what I'll use! I have just checked MST's site and the Ford Saloons do not appear on there at the moment so obviously something is going on regarding this race so I think we should all now hold fire on any further banter on this until an official anouncement is made due to obvious reasons. The Ford Saloon championship is one of the finest around and I'm sure it will stay that way despite the opening rounds problems-Snetterton will be fine and a great days racing will be seen I'm sure.

I think if any changes should be made then Kevin Shortis, the competitors and the BRSCC will thrash that one out in due course and lets leave it to them.

PaulSands · 30 Mar 2006, 22:13 (Ref:1565564)

Personally cant wait for Snetterton myself

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