2024 Variable Team Pit Garage Allocation?

[GTRMagic]

2024’s Variable Pit Lane Allocation

Good idea? Or another V8Supercar distraction..?

I do wonder whether the mob that bring these ideas to the people with the green pen able to tick off such initiatives have canvassed their constituents.

It is probably reasonable to assume, but not a guarantee, that the teams at the sharp end of pit lane will be there or there abouts, and those nicely described by Mr Tuckey in his Great Race books as being at the ‘Winton’ end of pit lane will probably be there too.

Except..

The underlying assumption seems to be that every pit garage is the same size.
Except that they are not.
There are different locations for power and connectivity as well
The entry and exit points are different too

And most squads on their game have a software (probably an excel tool but maybe there is a space management product in place) to lay out the pit garage, all the advertising hoardings, the tool boxes, fuel systems, workshop modules and every other paraphernalia

Has V8Supercar provided teams with these dimensions, drawings and maybe even images before hand?

It becomes important because in some locations, stuff just doesn’t fit compared to a comfy location like Bathurst.

I’m sure they thought of all of that..

[Kingair]

Valid points GTRMagic, seems like some guru has had a brain fart and thought this will be a game changer in supercar land!

Perhaps in season 2024, we could run say Symmons Plains on Saturday clockwise and then Sunday anticlockwise?
Bathurst that opens up endless possibilities, for the great race!

[bluesport]

Good idea for variable pit lane allocation but Jamie is concerned.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/05...pit-lane-plan/

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by bluesport

Good idea for variable pit lane allocation but Jamie is concerned.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/11/05...pit-lane-plan/

Same article linked by GTR a couple of posts above.

Personally I think that it's a really dumb idea that achieves precisely.......nothing at all. those who work or have worked in a pit lane know that fixed positions for the year are a good thing - everyone gets into a "rhythm", knowing who is where and working with each other when it comes to pit stops, and judging releases in particular.

Currently, a car controller can see what other cars are coming down the lane and judge release of their car based on the "rhythm" of knowing garage order and who is adjacent, particularly who might be entering their own pit bay just past your own at a similar time to you releasing your car.

Changing the allocation through the year throws that "rhythm" out and may indeed cause safety issues - and at the same time provide no benefit.

Ultimately, it may all work because the teams make it work but it seems to be a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Same article linked by GTR a couple of posts above.

Personally I think that it's a really dumb idea that achieves precisely.......nothing at all. those who work or have worked in a pit lane know that fixed positions for the year are a good thing - everyone gets into a "rhythm", knowing who is where and working with each other when it comes to pit stops, and judging releases in particular.

Currently, a car controller can see what other cars are coming down the lane and judge release of their car based on the "rhythm" of knowing garage order and who is adjacent, particularly who might be entering their own pit bay just past your own at a similar time to you releasing your car.

Changing the allocation through the year throws that "rhythm" out and may indeed cause safety issues - and at the same time provide no benefit.

Ultimately, it may all work because the teams make it work but it seems to be a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

If Jamie doesn't like it then I'm all for it.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by bluesport

If Jamie doesn't like it then I'm all for it.

[Umai Naa]

I don't think the teams championship order really changes all that much throughout the year.

[Sandgroper]

So whats with all the drama of Unfixed Pit Bays,

Surely the "main or end" pit bay also has its disadvanges.

Sometimes the "wait" for having to wait for cars trafficking down the pit lane can also be disadvantageous - if you arnt out the front of the field.

Im sure theres swings and roundabouts.

I like the change, adds some spice to it,

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by Sandgroper

So whats with all the drama of Unfixed Pit Bays,

Surely the "main or end" pit bay also has its disadvanges.

Sometimes the "wait" for having to wait for cars trafficking down the pit lane can also be disadvantageous - if you arnt out the front of the field.

Im sure theres swings and roundabouts.

I like the change, adds some spice to it,

Agree, I suppose that it could be easier to find and exit your pit bay if it is at the end so it could make for a more level playing field if there is any advantage.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by Sandgroper

So whats with all the drama of Unfixed Pit Bays,

Surely the "main or end" pit bay also has its disadvanges.

Sometimes the "wait" for having to wait for cars trafficking down the pit lane can also be disadvantageous - if you arnt out the front of the field.

Im sure theres swings and roundabouts.

I like the change, adds some spice to it,

The complaints have been more of "the special extension cord will had made for pit bay number 1 in Townsville isn't long enough if we are in pit bay number 2".

[Mixer]

This is the dumbest idea ever and surely there will be accidents as a result?

[tobyobi]

Originally Posted by Mixer

This is the dumbest idea ever and surely there will be accidents as a result?

Seems to work ok in the US series (NASCAR / Indy). I don’t see the drama.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by tobyobi

Seems to work ok in the US series (NASCAR / Indy). I don’t see the drama.

Utterly different pit lane designs / layouts used for those series compared to Supercars. Really can’t compare them but they’ve had some big incidents in those US racing setups - way more than have occurred in Supercars.

[Racing Harz]

This is quite normal in European motorsport. In the DTM and similar racing series, it is stipulated in the regulations that the order in the pit lane rotates.
The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup also manages this without any problems with 60 cars.

I think that the Supercars teams are far too much in line and whine too much, although there are clearly important things that could be criticised.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by Racing Harz

This is quite normal in European motorsport. In the DTM and similar racing series, it is stipulated in the regulations that the order in the pit lane rotates.
The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup also manages this without any problems with 60 cars.

I think that the Supercars teams are far too much in line and whine too much, although there are clearly important things that could be criticised.

Yeah, you could be right on your second point - nature of competitive people to some extent (as we see in F1).

I take your point re the pit lane positions changing in euro motorsport and I expect that the teams here will adapt but it still seems to me that it's a change that increases risk to address a non-existent problem. Genuinely hope that nothing bad comes from it.

[GTRMagic]

Erebus Benefactor Unamused By Change To Live Pit Lane Order

[GTRMagic]

It’s a bit mixed up..

[GTRMagic]

Horse Trading In The Pitlane

Maybe the V8Supercar mob should regulate the drive thru, priority, double stack considerations too..