Getting rid of walls

[Franklin]

Crash Test,

"Leaving the circuit" IS THE CONCEPT.

In the architecture I've been proposing, once cars leave the racing surface they would not be bouncing back onto it so cars can engage in a game of 200 mph billiards.

Flying through the air is not what paralyzed Sam Schmidt and killed Greg Moore. Their problem was coming into contact with a substantial fixed object -- i.e., a concrete wall.

[slicktoast]

I nominate Franklin to Auto Racing Safety Czar! Do we have a second on that?

[Crash Test]

HEY HEY, YOU DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!! WHAT A SURPRISE!!!!

YES THAT IS TRUE, FLYING THOUGH THE AIR DOESN'T KILL, IT IS THAT ACCIDENT THAT FOLLOWS BEING AIRBOURNE THAT HURTS. TRUST ME. DO YOU WANT TO SEE SOME PICTURES OF DAMAGED CARS? MAYBE IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS THERE IS EXTRA GRAVITY OR SOMETHING WHICH MEANS THAT CARS DON'T HEAD FOR THE SKY, BUT DOWN HERE CARS, WHEN THE CARS LEAVE THE ROAD, THEY LEAVE ON THE SAME PLANE AS THE ROAD. IF THE GROUND DROPS AWAY, THE CAR GOES INTO THE AIR. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE FRANIE....

[Franklin]

I noticed the driver who experienced the third (and most spectacular) of the Mercedes blowovers at Le Mans last year managed to come away from it not too much the worse for wear.

[TimD]

True, but apart from the fact that he had the benefit of a roof, a substantial rollcage, soft sandy soil, scrubland and the occasional tree to break his momentum...

What exactly has that got to do with an open wheel car becoming airborne off a banking in a purpose built racing facility?

[jamie928]

Crashtest....Holy Cow!!! We all forgot about Franklin's parachutes (parashoots???)!!!! When the car becomes airborn after running off a wall less banked track , the emergency chute will return said vehicle safely to Earth!! Or is it spelt earf??
Where the hell is my hooked on phonics tape????

[jamie928]

Crashtest....Holy Cow!!! We all forgot about Franklin's parachutes (parashoots???)!!!! When the car becomes airborn after running off a wall less banked track , the emergency chute will return said vehicle safely to Earth!! Or is it spelt earf??
Where the hell is my "Hooked on Phonics" tape????

[Crash Test]

Sorry Franklin, just reading my post now at home and i see i spelt your name FRANIE. That was an honest typo. You now have the right to pick on me forever...

I think you will find it was the most spectacular because it was the only one to get on tv, and also wind up in the shrubs..

But a lucky thing about that is that nobody was standing there, also the camera man was lucky to be missed.

Also, what are you going to do about the inside walls? remove them and let the cars drive into one of the lakes at indy or daytona?

[Franklin]

Crash Test,

I thought the FRANIE thing was probably an honest typo.

As far as the infield is concerned, I see several remedies.

1. Two-story or underground garages that occupy less space so infield walls can be moved farther back.

2. No infield walls that angle toward to the track or run parallel to it.

3. Tire walls or other energy absorbing barriers in front of all infield walls.

[Sparky]

What about the Fitch 'Cunningham' Inertial Barrier System?

Anybody heard of that?

Instead of sand traps that the cars skip over and launch into tyre-covered concrete walls, John Fitch's Impact Attenuation Inc has designed a series of 'Inertial Barrier' systems, similar to the water bags you see at the end of intersection walls on US freeways. The fact is, these bags, filled with either sand, water or beads, are able to slow and contain wayward vehicles, can be arranged in different ways for different corners/situations/depths and are easily rebuildable. (unlike wire netting)

I can't understand why these systems haven't been used yet.

[boltz]

Franklin my friend you are approaching the problem from the wrong side. If you put the grandstands in the center of the track you wouldn't need to have anything other than a gently sloping hill on the outside edge. Of course the slope would match the projected trajectory of cars that are traction challenged at the moment. The stands could be tiered just like a birthday cake. The pits could be in the normal place, and those lucky fans near by could keep a close eye on the action. That does leave the problem of visibility..... Hmmmmm.

What about this. A giant spider web of rigging that fans could hook up to before the race. This could be raised over the track before the race, and lowered after. The supports would have to be far away but I have faith in your knowledge of exotic materials, so I am sure you could recommend the proper way to construct such a device. That does leave the problem of going to the loo...

What if we built this giant badger?
Nevermind.

[slicktoast]

How about we hold all races on dry lakebeds and the fans can watch on giant screens at the nearest big city arena. All officiating takes place from helicopters. The course is painted on and if a driver leaves it, nothing is hit except a longer lap time.

[Crash Test]

"That does leave the problem of visibility"
-how about a big mirror? completely impractical i hear you say? ehhh....