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25 Jun 2012, 22:07 (Ref:3098089) | #1 | ||
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Race numbers
Forgive this interruption!
As a marshal, whether flagging or gridding cars in the Assembly area, one thing always strikes me - the non-visibility of car numbers when cars are coming directly towards or away from me. I've seen racecars in Australia that have their numbers as stickers in windscreen and rear screen - which makes it soooo much easier to identify cars, when reporting incidents. So, my question is - how willing would you (racers) be to spend a pound or two and adopt this system? Is anyone here a series coordinator who would champion this for their series? Is it a bad idea? Catching numbers is important in reporting driving standards, contact etc - if you've suffered an injustice because a report could not confirm car numbers, this would help. |
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Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences. Robert Lous Stephenson |
26 Jun 2012, 08:01 (Ref:3098238) | #2 | |
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We in rallycross already have front facing numbers. They are there to assist the dummy grid marshals, as they have cars coming at them all the time and are often lining up two or three races at the same time, due to the nature of the sport.
The reduction in the size of race numbers has been a bugbear of mine, and it's getting worse. I blame the advance of transponder timing, and the fact that there are no longer officials with pens, paper, and stopwatch manually checking the car numbers as they go past. The smaller numbers seemed to start out in the topline formulas (F1, WRC etc) and are now filtering down into the lower series. The teams say that it gives more room for sponsors, but look at the NASCAR cars, no-one has more sponsorship than them, yet they have the biggest numbers in motorsport. So yes I have no problem with front & rear facing numbers, and I would add lets return to bigger clearer door numbers also. It would not only help the marshals, but also the fans to identify the cars more easily. |
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26 Jun 2012, 11:30 (Ref:3098364) | #3 | ||
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Theres some quite specific regs in the blue book on race numbers - one of which (certainly for saloon cars) is a number on the bonnet which is pretty forward facing (unless its a beetle..) If cars are missing these then surely they should be pulled up on this in scruitineering?
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26 Jun 2012, 11:47 (Ref:3098375) | #4 | ||
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I think this is something the MSA want to bring in as well. They've been trialling some new numbers on BTCC - big flouro yellow numbers on the back door windows, and some on the windscreen opposite the driver.
I think it's a good idea, and I'll be getting some made up like that. |
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26 Jun 2012, 12:19 (Ref:3098390) | #5 | ||
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Where could I put a number on my windscreen that wouldn't impair my vision?
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26 Jun 2012, 14:14 (Ref:3098445) | #6 | ||
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Stick it on your visor Tim!
I initially thought this was a good idea... until I thought about it! Then I realised that, the way I drive, it's probably best if the marshals can't get my number! |
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26 Jun 2012, 15:01 (Ref:3098466) | #7 | |||
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Quote:
>>>>>big fluoro yellow numbers Just the kind of thing that isn't readily available in your local shop, you have to go to an (overpriced) specialist! If they'd just leave it as number plate digits everything could be tickety boo. |
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
26 Jun 2012, 15:12 (Ref:3098469) | #8 | ||
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I'll do as many as you want got a nice big roll of the stuff in stock!
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26 Jun 2012, 15:58 (Ref:3098482) | #9 | ||
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
26 Jun 2012, 17:36 (Ref:3098520) | #10 | |
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I often see assembly area/grid marshals struggling to see numbers which then holds up the process a little. I have no problem fitting dayglo numbers on the top of the screen - will sort for next meeting.
Al - number 28 please |
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26 Jun 2012, 18:49 (Ref:3098567) | #11 | |||
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Quote:
I,m with Tim on this one, and i have a full windscreen. When i,m sitting/laying in this thing i only have about a ten inch visibility window, and i,ll be damned if i,m going to put any number on the screen. The idea will only work on the more upright types of window in saloons, etc, and even then they must not impede the drivers vision. I,m all for tougher scrutineering, or better still in the assembly area where you can be barred from practice or the race if the number is not easily recognised. That would soon make the non complying drivers/entrants alter their ways. At the end of the day is there REALLY a problem, and is Al just about to be inundated with bulk buying frenzy !!! |
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26 Jun 2012, 19:07 (Ref:3098578) | #12 | ||
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Have we considered that Deadsquirrel is Al's alter ego trying to build up trade? All he needs now is for a Government minister to say there could be a shortage of dayglo stickers...
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
26 Jun 2012, 19:20 (Ref:3098587) | #13 | ||
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Government sources are suggesting a shortage of day glo sticker material - and recommend Al Weyman as possibly the last supplier with stock
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Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences. Robert Lous Stephenson |
26 Jun 2012, 19:23 (Ref:3098588) | #14 | ||
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deadsqquirrel,
Which series or discipline do you refer to? Q.4.1.2 says numbers in three places, "front doors...... and on the foremost part of the nose". A google for, say, Formula Ford cars, sees about half with no number on the nose; do you marshal for single seaters? John |
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26 Jun 2012, 19:27 (Ref:3098590) | #15 | ||
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To clarify - I am thinking of saloons. The 917 number is clearly visible
I don't follow BTCC, but http://www.speedtv.com/programs/aust...-v8-supercars/ the photo shows what I'm thinking. |
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Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences. Robert Lous Stephenson |
26 Jun 2012, 20:32 (Ref:3098632) | #16 | |
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To be fair both the cars pictured are pretty low and the numbers are on a section that is angled down so easily viewed from a distance. Most saloons are a tad higher and the bonnet flat which would distort the numbers to a degree.
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CSCC Swinging Sixties #128 Red/Black Mustang |
26 Jun 2012, 21:01 (Ref:3098649) | #17 | |||
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Quote:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/7183570090/ Caused us great issues at rockingham the other week. There are some cars out there who at present it is nigh on impossible to to see the numbers on as it approaches the grid. this in my opinion should be changed. if the numbers are visible, it allows us to grid the cars up quicker, causing less delay between races meaning a smoother flow to the race program, so there are advantages for both marshals and drivers. |
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26 Jun 2012, 21:42 (Ref:3098676) | #18 | ||
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another solution is to put the cars in grid order in the assembly area (as MGCC now do); would also be a good idea to put summat in the FIs advising drivers to be aware of their row and grid place before presenting themselves to assembly. (yes I know many don't read - but you have to try!)
A really nice touch when I raced with FISC abroad was that as if by magic you'd find a post-it note on the steering wheel just before every race with your Row number and L(eft) or R(ight). Just a little job which used to be done by one of the racers' other halves. |
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26 Jun 2012, 21:47 (Ref:3098680) | #19 | |||
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Quote:
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John Smith Clerk of the Course and MSA Steward Race Director for 360MRC |
26 Jun 2012, 22:29 (Ref:3098705) | #20 | ||||
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Quote:
Quote:
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27 Jun 2012, 08:09 (Ref:3098827) | #21 | |||
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JohnD quoted the regulations which are perfectly clear. The number must be on the forward part of the bonnet. The Ginetta does not comply and should be failed at scrutineering. Please, don't burden us with more bureaucracy but clamp down on those who don't follow the existing rules. Just because of the wealthy few who reckon the numbers spoil their sponsor's corporate image, everyone has yet more rules to contend with. Well, tell them to repaint their cars and follow the rules like I do. It's not rocket science, we all have a Blue Book. <stamps foot and goes away in a paddy> Alternatively use taller marshals. (JOKE by the way!) Last edited by midgetman; 27 Jun 2012 at 08:34. |
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
27 Jun 2012, 08:39 (Ref:3098850) | #22 | ||
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
27 Jun 2012, 08:46 (Ref:3098853) | #23 | ||||
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Quote:
There are many cars other than the ginettas that have numbers in unreadable positions, for example most of the BMWs that race and a majority of other saloon cars with high noses and flat bonnets. these cars need a number that can be read. A small repeater is all thats needed if it cant be read from the normal positions Quote:
Maybe we could be trained to marshal on stilts |
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27 Jun 2012, 09:07 (Ref:3098858) | #24 | ||
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Personally I find numbers on single seater hardest to read :/
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incarace marshal |
27 Jun 2012, 09:30 (Ref:3098867) | #25 | ||
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>>>>A small repeater is all thats needed if it cant be read from the normal positions
No, complying with the regulations as written is all that is needed! Have you tried complaining to the scrutineers? I doubt they as a body realise the problem but feed back to the individual scrutineers and it will soon get back into the system. |
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
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