Discussion
Found a bit of video from last weekends racing..
It shows the problem up quite well...
If you get it wrong at the corner your in big trouble... and a fix doesnt look easy
http://www.vimeo.com/4040962
It shows the problem up quite well...
If you get it wrong at the corner your in big trouble... and a fix doesnt look easy
http://www.vimeo.com/4040962
I was in the race in that video. There was quite a damage-filled smash between 2 cars heading into the yellows which could have been a few more cars but the others missed the crash by a hair's breadth.
It's at the end of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9B6AfTwnQ
Unfortunately the yellows just seemed to cause huge bunching up, drivers pushing themselves to get 'to' the yellow area ASAP and drivers pushing hard to keep up with the car in front and/or prevent losing too much ground during it. Followed by a mad rush afterwards...
As a Class C racer I was obviously lapped by the A racers who ended up bunching up massively at the yellow area and it often ended up in a huge fight of 3-4 cars waiting behind me in yellows before all going at once head on at the chicane. Not ideal!
Saying that, the new construction is very, very dodgy and I wouldn't have liked to have come off the track near it due to no yellows! Bit of a farse, really.
It's at the end of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9B6AfTwnQ
Unfortunately the yellows just seemed to cause huge bunching up, drivers pushing themselves to get 'to' the yellow area ASAP and drivers pushing hard to keep up with the car in front and/or prevent losing too much ground during it. Followed by a mad rush afterwards...
As a Class C racer I was obviously lapped by the A racers who ended up bunching up massively at the yellow area and it often ended up in a huge fight of 3-4 cars waiting behind me in yellows before all going at once head on at the chicane. Not ideal!
Saying that, the new construction is very, very dodgy and I wouldn't have liked to have come off the track near it due to no yellows! Bit of a farse, really.
I've seen a couple of cars come off there on trackdays. The results weren't pretty. A Ferrari 575 folded its back in and had creases in roof and doors from the impact. I'm assuming write off!!
Was wondering how racing could take place there and yellows makes sense but as pointed out above can cause m25 syndrome! Lets face it you're not going to slow down are you? just take a hand off the wheel in acknowledgement!
Was wondering how racing could take place there and yellows makes sense but as pointed out above can cause m25 syndrome! Lets face it you're not going to slow down are you? just take a hand off the wheel in acknowledgement!
Here's a copy of the email I just received from the Speed UK series:
email said:
DONINGTON TRACK LICENSE SUSPENDED
– whole meeting abandoned -
The SPEED Team has been working around the clock since the Donington track license position became known two weeks ago and only in the last 48 hours has the MSA advised that no physical action has been completed at the Donington facility that would enable a track license to be issued to cover projected future meetings. MSVR – who have also worked diligently on this problem – has been forced to suspend the meeting of April 18/19 and we understand that the GT and F3 meeting planned for 25/26 April and the Britcar meeting of May 2/3 will be cancelled.
The MSVR statement is as follows:
MSVR - Donington Park, April 18/19
You will be aware that Donington Park does not presently hold an MSA track licence.
We believe that to obtain a full MSA track licence Donington will need to carry out various works concerning, in particular, the circuit between Macleans and Coppice. Racing through this area of the circuit was restricted by the event permit for the MGCC and HSCC meetings last weekend, however we understand from various discussions with the MSA that no further similar arrangements can be made.
Our primary aim has of course been to run the meeting on 18/19 April as planned. To this end, in addition to a continuous dialogue with the MSA, we sought specific confirmation from Donington that a full unrestricted MSA track licence will be held in time for the meeting on 18/19 April. We received no such confirmation, or indeed any information, from Donington about this issue.
We cannot state with absolute certainty that a full track licence will not be held by Donington in time for the forthcoming event, but in the absence of any assurance being provided by the circuit, we regrettably conclude that we have no option but to cancel the meeting at this time. We hope that by taking this unfortunate decision we can at least provide certainty to everyone involved, so that necessary arrangements can be made.
We, like you, are very disappointed to find ourselves in this position, but hope that you will understand that this unprecedented situation is entirely beyond our control.
We are now fully focused on working with all affected series to arrange suitable alternative events.
Regards
David Willey
Club Secretary
MotorSport Vision Racing
The commitment that has been made by SPEED Series competitors from across Europe, the SPEED event management team and the other categories entered for Donington should not have been treated in this way by a professional racing facility and the result is disgraceful.
SPEED is working to identify replacement options but nothing can be secured for the 18th April. We must therefore advise you to cancel travel and accommodation bookings immediately to secure refunds. You are reminded about confirmed and potential bookings for the circuit test day on 16th and you should examine your own positions.
SPEED Racing UK Ltd – 09/04/09
– whole meeting abandoned -
The SPEED Team has been working around the clock since the Donington track license position became known two weeks ago and only in the last 48 hours has the MSA advised that no physical action has been completed at the Donington facility that would enable a track license to be issued to cover projected future meetings. MSVR – who have also worked diligently on this problem – has been forced to suspend the meeting of April 18/19 and we understand that the GT and F3 meeting planned for 25/26 April and the Britcar meeting of May 2/3 will be cancelled.
The MSVR statement is as follows:
MSVR - Donington Park, April 18/19
You will be aware that Donington Park does not presently hold an MSA track licence.
We believe that to obtain a full MSA track licence Donington will need to carry out various works concerning, in particular, the circuit between Macleans and Coppice. Racing through this area of the circuit was restricted by the event permit for the MGCC and HSCC meetings last weekend, however we understand from various discussions with the MSA that no further similar arrangements can be made.
Our primary aim has of course been to run the meeting on 18/19 April as planned. To this end, in addition to a continuous dialogue with the MSA, we sought specific confirmation from Donington that a full unrestricted MSA track licence will be held in time for the meeting on 18/19 April. We received no such confirmation, or indeed any information, from Donington about this issue.
We cannot state with absolute certainty that a full track licence will not be held by Donington in time for the forthcoming event, but in the absence of any assurance being provided by the circuit, we regrettably conclude that we have no option but to cancel the meeting at this time. We hope that by taking this unfortunate decision we can at least provide certainty to everyone involved, so that necessary arrangements can be made.
We, like you, are very disappointed to find ourselves in this position, but hope that you will understand that this unprecedented situation is entirely beyond our control.
We are now fully focused on working with all affected series to arrange suitable alternative events.
Regards
David Willey
Club Secretary
MotorSport Vision Racing
The commitment that has been made by SPEED Series competitors from across Europe, the SPEED event management team and the other categories entered for Donington should not have been treated in this way by a professional racing facility and the result is disgraceful.
SPEED is working to identify replacement options but nothing can be secured for the 18th April. We must therefore advise you to cancel travel and accommodation bookings immediately to secure refunds. You are reminded about confirmed and potential bookings for the circuit test day on 16th and you should examine your own positions.
SPEED Racing UK Ltd – 09/04/09
Graham said:
what were they thinking
Having a p*ss-up in a Brewery perhaps, but it seems that they can't organise that even with the tops already taken off the bottles.Edited by Graham on Thursday 9th April 17:08
I (could) have made extensive plans for that meeting. Where do I send the bill? (that's how it's done in industry)
Weslake-Monza said:
25/26 April meeting has been pulled from Donnington and the Britcar the following weekend has now moved to Rockingham.
A free weekend... 
Though when looking at the in-car footage from the MG races the wall wasn't as close as some described though Rockingham has a big one on the outside of some of the corners and races go on there. For me it was the fact it was under yellows that caused me issues as you wouldn't know how fast to go, I can see in multiple class races that is a big issue.
Lets hope they sort it out!
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