'box the lap'

[NicD]

where doe this phrase come from?

[Lynchie999]

NicD said:

where doe this phrase come from?

hmm... are there trolls on PHs ??

anyway... box = pit box... box this lap = pit

[Crafty_]

The box is the square where the car stops in the pitlane, in front of the garage.

[Ahonen]

Crafty_ said:

The box is the square where the car stops in the pitlane, in front of the garage.

Nothing even as complex as that. The pit box is the more continental term for the pit garage.

[CBR JGWRR]

NicD said:

where doe this phrase come from?

It's "Box this lap."

In light of the already posted posts, it makes sense.

[paulyv]

All of which raises another question - where the term 'pit' comes from?

...he asks fully knowing he may be missing something obvious...

[NicD]

great, thanks guys, no trolling (save that for the Political threads)

[NicD]

great, thanks guys, no trolling (save that for the Political threads)

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

box this lap, I believe it's origins are American

[CBR JGWRR]

paulyv said:

All of which raises another question - where the term 'pit' comes from?

...he asks fully knowing he may be missing something obvious...

I would guess its another hang up from the pre-war days, like the use of paddock from horse racing.

[NotStig]

They use box, rather than pit, or garage, because it's harder to mis-hear over the radio. It still does happen though.

[zac510]

CBR JGWRR said:

paulyv said:

All of which raises another question - where the term 'pit' comes from?

...he asks fully knowing he may be missing something obvious...

I would guess its another hang up from the pre-war days, like the use of paddock from horse racing.

Perhaps the hole in the ground from which you can work on underside of the car?

You don't see them often with good hoists available.

[CBR JGWRR]

zac510 said:

Perhaps the hole in the ground from which you can work on underside of the car?

You don't see them often with good hoists available.

More sensible than my idea.

[peterzoom]

Pit is actually a throwback to when motor races were run on real roads with a riding mechanic sitting beside the driver. For routine service, repairs etc., that required access to under the vehicle, the driver would position the car over the drainage ditch (or pit)that ran alongside most major roads at the time and the `crew` would set to work underneath their machine.

[paulyv]

Wonderful, thank you.

[Eric Mc]

CBR JGWRR said:

More sensible than my idea.

And the correct answer. Old garages have/had a recess cut into the ground where a mechanic could work under a car whilst standing up.

[GTO-3R]

Eric Mc said:

And the correct answer. Old garages have/had a recess cut into the ground where a mechanic could work under a car whilst standing up.

The old boy who I bought my current house from had one put in to the garage in the garden. Bonus

[Blayney]

Eric Mc said:

And the correct answer. Old garages have/had a recess cut into the ground where a mechanic could work under a car whilst standing up.

My grandfather had one in his garage. I remember helping to bleed the brakes on my Dads car when I was little.