MSR-H Turn 17

I was there, but not racing. I did hear the angst billowing through the pits about debris induced traction issues at a very critical point of the track.

That being said ...

I understand that a racer has to be able to adapt to either permenant or temprary track conditions. That is a given.

The issue I see here is a terrible lack of communication by the track (or even NASA-Tx) about the permenant or fixed changes. If NASA-Tx knew about it, shame on them for not mentioning it in saturday's driver's meeting. If the track didn't mention it, shame on them.

Friday evening offered an opportunity for driver's to walk the track. So, shame on the drivers for not ENSURING that the track was status quo.

However, the track going cold at 5pm, leaving only about 45 minutes of daylight hindered this effort.

Let's also not lose sight of the fact that none of us are Micheal Schumacher. We're just folks who can muster enough disposable income in order to go racing. Expectations need to be tailored accordingly.

The blame-game, finger pointing can go on for a long time. Lots of blame to spread around

My take on it is simple ... if there is a safer solution, why not use it? Work-arounds will get someone in trouble eventually.

HANS devices, door bars, right side head restraints ... I prefer to not have to count on them, if you know what I mean.

Some people seem to be suggesting here that if a track has a dangerous feature, or makes a change that induces a dangerous feature, that we as drivers should just take note, adapt accordingly, and shut up and race on it?? :?

I'm sorry, but if drivers took that attitude to racing, we'd still be racing in t-shirts, baseball helmets, and with nothing more than a few very flammable hay bales between us and concrete walls! :shock:

Safety is ABSOLUTELY PARAMOUNT in all forms of racing today, and should be doubly so in non-professional grass roots racing such as we are involved in. No one has more influence over safety issues than those who it directly affects - the racers themselves. Of course drivers need to be aware of track conditions and drive accordingly, but as racers, we also have an obligation to bring potentially unsafe circumstances to the attention of track and/or event officials, and conversely, track or event officials have an obligation to address those concerns!

Regardless of the cause, the fact is that 9 or so cars hit a wall and suffered damage in a short space or time at a place on the track where incidents were previously relatively infrequent. Thankfully no one was injured - this time - but many of the drivers involved, or who witnessed this are now voicing concerns about safety - enough concern to not drive the track again unless something changes. Obviously the issue needs to be addressed before the next NASA event there - or the car count is likely to be very small indeed! I think you guys are doing the right thing by raising your concerns with the track and NASA TX.

Has anyone received a response from Mr. Mitchell since yesterday? I'm pretty sure I've made the ignore list, but curious if anyone is still in contact with him.

Obviously, there is a problem with what MSR-H considers "safe" and it's also unfortunate that some were told at the track that it's not a NASA TX problem and if we have an issue with the track, we need to contact them directly.

I only drove this during an hpde session in Todd's car, so when I saw the layout of this turn I was...uhh..pussy footing it there to say the least. Going full tilt in a cmc car, what gear and rpm are you fast guys in?

2nd.

RPM? right foot flat to the floor!

Glenn, I need data from fastguys! :wink: kidding!

Ok, and how much runoff was there before?

go back and watch the 2006 year in review vid. in it there is a shot taken from towards T1 looking back to T17. there you will see a yellow line on the left of the track and down by T17 that line jogs to the left. now the wall covers that line and has no jog.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Al Fernandez

Going full tilt in a cmc car, what gear and rpm are you fast guys in?

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5 to 3 downshift at the entrance.
Apexing in 3rd gear ~3300 rpm
I should have given you a ride while I had the chance.
Too busy hooking another newbie into the series!!! :lol:

-=- Todd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mitchntx

HANS devices, door bars, right side head restraints ... I prefer to not have to count on them, if you know what I mean.

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Unfortunately I had to count on all three. They all worked and there was no injury except to sheet metal and a bit of my pride.

This whole exercise that is playing out now, in my mind, is more based on principal than anything else.

I've expressed my concerns both directly to Mr. Mitchell as well as to NASA TX. I won't be back to MSR-H until there is a change of some sort that can minimize the "issues" with that corner... period.

(The last comment sounds bitter... I'm not mad, just frustrated) :?


For the record, I sent the emails yesterday and have not heard anything from either party. However, I do really hope that I hear something from NASA TX...

Marshall and all,
Let's stick with our plan of putting together a collective effort, letter on behalf of all of us to NASA Texas.

They will be working with MSRH in the coming weeks and will monitor the SCCA double-nationals. I don't think anything is going to happen before then.

After the SCCA event, we'll present our case via NASA TX to MSRH and see what the outcome is.

Since no-one has taken a stab at a letter, I'll add that to my list of To-Do's for this weekend and sign it on behalf of the group with AI/CMC letterhead and post the draft here before submitting. I'll use this forum for my list of included drivers and if you haven't already requested to be added to the list, say so here.

Look for the draft in the coming days.
Power in numbers....I am AI/CMC.
'mmember? :wink:

-=- Todd