Donington Historic Festival

[Giraffe138]

Originally Posted by Greem

Coming after four intense 60 minute races, this one was a real let down and a rather anticlimactic way to end the weekend.

During the period that I marshalled in the 1960s & 70s sometimes referred to as "the golden age", there seemed to be an awful lot of races like that & fortunately those memories fade and you are left only remembering the great races. At least the meeting was period correct in that respect!

[SAMD]

Originally Posted by Giraffe138

During the period that I marshalled in the 1960s & 70s sometimes referred to as "the golden age", there seemed to be an awful lot of races like that & fortunately those memories fade and you are left only remembering the great races. At least the meeting was period correct in that respect!

[Giraffe138]

Autosport this week reports that Frank Sytner "will seek the advice of specialists regarding a possible return to the tracks".
Personally, I hope that no doctor will be persuaded to sign the necessary forms. Sorry Frank.

[john ruston]

That's Frank!

I have suggested Regularity.

Anyone out there want to be his navigator!

[terence]

I'll think about it

[ChrisChilcott]

Whilst the accident in race 2 was not caused by deliberate poor driving, there is no doubt in my mind that the needle between McLeod & Jowsey was an influence.

What is really disappointing is that neither the MSA nor FIA stewards at this meeting took any action following the first race on Saturday regarding these guys. Instead all the drivers got hauled up for a *******ing prior to the Sunday race. In the event the FJHRA has taken action, suspending both drivers for 4 months from its events.

It strikes me that the MSA observers (who must have witnessed the wheel banging & overall unneccessarily agressive driving) took no action, because this sort of driving is the norm in modern motor racing. If this is in fact the case then they should be breifed as to what are acceptable driving standards for a Historic meeting.

In historics, particularly open wheel single seaters, deliberate contact and or pushing the opposition into back markers is unacceptable. The cars are dangerous enough without these type of antics. It is historic racing and meant to be fun, non of us are going to be called by Ferrari or McLaren on Monday morning.

Its time these guys had a little more respect for a) the historic machines they are lucky enough to be entrusted to drive & b) their fellow competitors.

As a result John Fyda underwent 5 1/2 hours surgury on two smashed ankles. I am pleased to say Thank God that he took his first steps last weekend.

Hats off to the FJHRA for taking action, but it should have been dealt with by the organisations we competitors pay not inconsiderable sums for i.e. the MSA and FIA.

[Brendan Roberts]

I have just been alerted to this thread and would add the following.
At Dijon 2009 all the FJ drivers were called to a drivers briefing before the first race where a stern lecture was given on driving standards and that any incident involving contact would result in anyone involved being interviewed independently by the Stewards, where notes would be taken and action taken. This message was repeated several times during the briefing. As it is I was involved in an incident at gauche de brevelles on lap 9 (if memory serves) when I was hit at 90 degress to my nearside rear wheel. This was after the same car locking up at the brow before gauche de brevelles on each of the previous 8 laps and losing control (according to several spectators watching at this corner 'an accident waiting to happen') No-one interviewed anyone and absolutely nothing was done. locking upp is an occupational hazard but at teh same place on each of 8 laps and progressively worse until losing control from the brow down the hill and side swiping me at the bottom of the hill seems a tad careless. The stewards as I recall were John Felix and Martin Grant-Peterkin both experienced in the field of Historic Motorsport and well aware of the limited safety features of FJ cars. The impact broke my rear wishbon, tore out a tie rod and cracked teh upright so it was more than a gentle 'kiss'. To my mind this lack of action particularly after such a clear statement in the briefing, simply results in declining driving standards and few paying the blindest bit of notice to the authorities nor any respect to others on the track. I took no action myself believing that after such a strong drivers briefing I had no need to and could rely on the stewards to act accordingly. Some chance!
It seems to me that simply following up threats of action for inappropriate driving with penalties to those drivers concerned and being seen to do so would send the right message and result in a rapid improvement in driving standards.
I am delighted to see that following Donington action was taken and also to hear that John Fyda is on the mend.

[Alan Cox]

Originally Posted by ChrisChilcott

Whilst the accident in race 2 was not caused by deliberate poor driving, there is no doubt in my mind that the needle between McLeod & Jowsey was an influence.

What is really disappointing is that neither the MSA nor FIA stewards at this meeting took any action following the first race on Saturday regarding these guys. Instead all the drivers got hauled up for a *******ing prior to the Sunday race. In the event the FJHRA has taken action, suspending both drivers for 4 months from its events.

It strikes me that the MSA observers (who must have witnessed the wheel banging & overall unneccessarily agressive driving) took no action, because this sort of driving is the norm in modern motor racing. If this is in fact the case then they should be breifed as to what are acceptable driving standards for a Historic meeting.

In historics, particularly open wheel single seaters, deliberate contact and or pushing the opposition into back markers is unacceptable. The cars are dangerous enough without these type of antics. It is historic racing and meant to be fun, non of us are going to be called by Ferrari or McLaren on Monday morning.

Its time these guys had a little more respect for a) the historic machines they are lucky enough to be entrusted to drive & b) their fellow competitors.

As a result John Fyda underwent 5 1/2 hours surgury on two smashed ankles. I am pleased to say Thank God that he took his first steps last weekend.

Hats off to the FJHRA for taking action, but it should have been dealt with by the organisations we competitors pay not inconsiderable sums for i.e. the MSA and FIA.

Hi Chris,
Very interested to read your take on the Donington driving standards. I'm delighted to hear that the FJHRA have taken their own action regarding suspensions but it's a shame that they have had to take matters into their own hands. As you say, agressive driving of that nature has no place in historic racing.
Heartfelt sympathy to poor John Fyda but I'm glad to hear that he is making satisfactory progress.

[simon drabble]

however reading Brendan's post it seems that FJ driving standards is not a new issue. I seem to recall a few years ago at the Classic there was a massive first corner pile up.

Whilst he is too modest to say so in Brendan's case he was leading the Lurani Championship at the time and the car that took him out destroyed his ability to win the Championship.

Whilst it is accepted this can be a dangerous sport it is compounded when weekend warriors recklessly run out of talent.

Let us hope Donington was the nadir as we all agree FJ's are some of the prettiest cars on the grid at most meetings