Britcar24 2011

[roys1]

Just a short one about the yellow lights... I sourced them and got them and checked out the visibilty of them.. I could see them from one end of hanger straight to the other... ok they were not ideal.. but definately not any cause of any incident.. the car that went in second was 32 cars after the first one, the safety car had been scrambled and the second car was at least 8 cars after the SC had passed the scene...

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Drummer

Did Britcar decide that the ruling wasn't worth upholding?

The problem is identifying the teams responsible. I don't think we sent many reports up. We need a system.

Originally Posted by Drummer

Final note: Can anyone tell me the name of the Mosler team, who were situated at the end of the first block of garages, near to the pit office?

Garage 6C? IIRC it was car number 4.

Originally Posted by Drummer

you ought to be chief pits more often

Please don't give anybody ideas

[Terrible-Tones]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Agreed on all points.

I forgot to say thank you to whoever it was who suggested sunglasses for night time. That was the best tip of the lot. Would have been even better if I'd taken them off when visiting the toilet. Still, it was dark and I was on my own so nobody noticed...

Apart from the fact you came back with wet boots...

[Woolley]

I think it's probably worth just noting before anything gets going that as with all serious incidents, it's probably best to avoid discussion of the unfortunate accident that befell our colleague. I'm sure there will be a full investigation which will look into the events and while there might be contributing factors there's no evidence at this stage that it was anything other than an unfortunate combination of circumstances.

On that basis, may I respectfully suggest that we put that aside, other than hopefully positive news regarding the recovery of our friend in... whatever colour he was in!

On that note, may I also thank the crew at the Loop who looked after my wife's friend on only her third marshalling event. She had a great time and the locals were as friendly as can be.

[johndpeat]

Originally Posted by Tris1976

Tony have you managed to get the biscuit out of your gloves yet, or are you going to pinch another pair of Nina's?

Baring the injuries sustained by marshals and crew (reports of fuel burns?) it was a great weekend and I will be ticking the box to come back in 2012 and beyond.

Made some great new friends during the wee small hours and learned that you tell the make of a car from what the drivers overalls have on them not what by who actually manufactured the car.....who'd have thought that

Doing three snatches in quick succession around 02:00 was an experience....but we worked well as a team and it certainly made sure I was awake seems I had just got back to post.

Thanks to ALL for a great weekend.

The fuel burns you mentioned were recived by a driver in the Jemco Ginneta G50 after a fuel line breather dumped some of sunoco finest 102 octane all over his seat soaking overalls etal. The fuel did not catch fire at any point it was chemical not heat related.
Saw him later after having to summon medics in the first place happy to say no lasting damage just very sore and tender.

[Asp]

Well, another brilliant weekend - for various reasons I've not been to the Britcar24 since the very first running, and whilst some things have changed many haven't. Great teamwork up on Club on Friday and down on Brooklands during the 24. I would ask for future years that I don't get an Apache hovering above my head, but other than that totally enjoyable and an event to repeat.

I would like to discuss the yellow lights issue though - not a whinge, but constructive criticism. Peronally I actually preferred the old broomhandles connected to a car battery. I know they're far from ideal and all credit to Roy for trying something different - but I found the new lights too fiddly. On the posts I was, there was no where I'd trust leaving it without risking knocking it into a tyre wall or down and unreachable gap when I wanted it in a hurry. The key to turn it on was a bit of a faff too. This did mean that by the time I'd (realised something had happened...), picked up the light, turned it on, and put it down on the top of the barriers at the appropriate time the incident had often cleared itself! With the broomhandles you just needed to quickly flick a switch - much easier in a hurry.

I'm sure that everyone will agree that permanent LED lights is the best solution (but also the most expensive). I can't comment objectively on reliability between the two lights we have previously used at the Britcar, but visibility to mean seemed to be no different (unless someone can disagree).

Maybe the "lightsabres" that BARC bought for the 2CV 24hr are worth looking at? Together with the strobe boxes I remember were also used?

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by Asp

like to discuss the yellow lights issue though

As the event was at Silverstone, were the F1 Lightboards not available for use after dark?

[HairyDJ]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

As the event was at Silverstone, were the F1 Lightboards not available for use after dark?

I think they're Bernies & he keeps them locked in his car boot whilst jetting around the world

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

I think they're Bernies & he keeps them locked in his car boot whilst jetting around the world

Ah, right - I assumed they were permanent fixtures, but if they are Bernie's toys I can understand him taking them with him

[Steven Humphrey]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

I think they're Bernies & he keeps them locked in his car boot whilst jetting around the world

Apart from the poles left in the ground, which I reckon everyone who has marshalled at Silverstone has tripped over at some point.......

[Robin_D]

I had enough problems without something else to trip over.

[Hepatic]

only comments i have on it are their visibility was subjective. full beam lights dramatically reduce their impact. they can get lost in the background noise of other trackside lighting. they work best when viewed head on, but a driver is only going to see it like that for a short while (at least on Luffield where we were). the surface area is tiny when compared to a flag, and is little more than an orange spot.

as Asp said it was good to see alternatives being tried, but i honestly don't see them as a great option. ours kept falling apart, we ended up gaffer taping the base to ensure the batteries didn't fall out.

i know the FIA provide their own for F1 and night racing is few & far between but some form of permanent lighting at silverstone has got to help for running track days too?

[Steven Humphrey]

Originally Posted by Robin_D

I had enough problems without something else to trip over.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Terrible-Tones

Apart from the fact you came back with wet boots...

Unfortunately, boots were completely dry...

Originally Posted by Asp

I would like to discuss the yellow lights issue though - not a whinge, but constructive criticism. Personally I actually preferred the old broomhandles connected to a car battery. I know they're far from ideal and all credit to Roy for trying something different - but I found the new lights too fiddly.

Originally Posted by Hepatic

only comments i have on it are their visibility was subjective. full beam lights dramatically reduce their impact. they can get lost in the background noise of other trackside lighting. they work best when viewed head on, but a driver is only going to see it like that for a short while (at least on Luffield where we were). the surface area is tiny when compared to a flag, and is little more than an orange spot.

Agreed on all points, not least credit to Roy for trying something new.

Having done night racing at Surfers, they use tennis raguet shaped things with reflective coating. Having been round in the dark in the safety car I can confirm they're extremely visible. Cheap, long lasting and don't run out of power because all the light comes from the cars.

Perhaps a test session ahead of next year with marshals driving around in the dark evaluating the possible alternatives? I'd be happy to assist with that on either side of the barriers.

Despite all that, my biggest agreement is with the various 'loved it' posts. This meeting will be well to the top of my 'must do' list in future.

The one recommendation is for a proper marshals and teams party at the end. The cameraderie on post and between drivers and officials at the end needs nurturing with a proper get together.

[alimcb]

Originally Posted by alimcb

what's the worst that could happen???

Hmm... several hours after posting an innocent comment I just thought how this might have been taken the wrong way. God knows what brought it back into my mind, but I thought it was worth logging on again to make a point - this was not meant in jest.

Nobody has read it the wrong way or at least nobody has replied to that effect, but I'm still not happy about it. I didn't take time to read it before posting - my dinner was in danger of going on fire so I had to abruptly hit the "submit reply" button and run downstairs to sort things out in the kitchen.

In fact if a moderator wants to snip this comment please go ahead. If I still had editing rights I'd do it myself.

[Steve Milward]

Originally Posted by roys1

Just a short one about the yellow lights... I sourced them and got them and checked out the visibilty of them.. I could see them from one end of hanger straight to the other... ok they were not ideal.. but definately not any cause of any incident....

We tied our light to the fence and left the key in the hole ready to push in case of an emergency, saved fumbling around.

Thanks Roy and the team for organising the orange army and ensuring we were all kept updated with relevent information over the radio.

Roy you also have a PM

[Shelagh]

Apologies if any of the keys for the lights came adrift. I was briefly a Girl Guide but never a Scout so tying knots was never part of my education. I blame the string!!!!!

[Mike Kelly 1]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Having done night racing at Surfers, they use tennis raguet shaped things with reflective coating. Having been round in the dark in the safety car I can confirm they're extremely visible. Cheap, long lasting and don't run out of power because all the light comes from the cars.

We use a similar system during the 24 hour race on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. At dusk we change from flags to reflective boards which comprise of yellow, green, white and red/yellow (surface). The boards are VERY effective and can be seen for hundreds of metres. The reflective coating is very similar to that used on high vis vests and coats. In the case of a race stop we revert to the good old red flag illuminated with a torch.

[Steve Milward]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

We use a similar system during the 24 hour race on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. At dusk we change from flags to reflective boards which comprise of yellow, green, white and red/yellow (surface). The boards are VERY effective and can be seen for hundreds of metres. The reflective coating is very similar to that used on high vis vests and coats. In the case of a race stop we revert to the good old red flag illuminated with a torch.

Sounds like a very good idea, I suppose its similar material to that used on emergency vehicles nowadays

Cant be that expensive............can it!!!!!!

[Bodysnatcher]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

We use a similar system during the 24 hour race on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. At dusk we change from flags to reflective boards which comprise of yellow, green, white and red/yellow (surface). The boards are VERY effective and can be seen for hundreds of metres. The reflective coating is very similar to that used on high vis vests and coats. In the case of a race stop we revert to the good old red flag illuminated with a torch.

Le Mans,same, SC board size.

Dubai - marshals posts floodlit - carry on using flags.

Allows signalling of a slippy surface.

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by Bodysnatcher

Allows signalling of a slippy surface.

Good luck seeing when to put that one out before its too late

[marcosmantula]

Maybe it is old age and my memory is playing tricks but I distinctly remember having reflective boards of all colours, including blue, at a Britcar race but they weren't used. I'm pretty sure this was at the first 24hrs but I can't be positive.

Originally Posted by Steve Milward

Sounds like a very good idea, I suppose its similar material to that used on emergency vehicles nowadays

Cant be that expensive............can it!!!!!!

Not too bad on any good health safety sites

[Woolley]

Night racing Aussie style



If any of our Antipodean colleagues knows the model, Darren, please say hello from me. I wrote down his e-mail address wrong at the time so couldn't keep in touch.

[White flag man]

Maybe Mr Warwick will invest some money into getting permanent light boards.
Dare I say, Mr Palmer has.