MSR-H Turn 17

I think the lack of prep on the tires, which resulted in slimy and muddy conditions really made the situation what it is. I mean, nobody hit the wall all of saturday when there were a lot more track sessions. Then sunday nobody hit it all morning until our session. Suddenly every other car is off? Obviously the crap on the track had a huge influence, and was because of little preparation of the tire barriers (such as drainage or wrapping).

All that said, I agree whole heartedly that msr-h mgmt should do whatever they can to make their track more enjoyable for ammateur racers. I wouldnt go as far as not driving there any more though, but thats just me. I know of a lot of turns that are a lot more treacherous (not in tx since I dont know the tracks here! haha) like almost all of Laguna, turn 10 at Sears Point (where both Tony G and I have destroyed cars), the 2nd to last turn at Cal Super Speedway, and on and on, and I still drive those tracks, I just tone it down in those specific turns.

Todd, thanks for taking the lead on a letter to NASA-Tx. I think that has the best chance of leading to action in our favor.

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Originally Posted by Al Fernandez

All that said, I agree whole heartedly that msr-h mgmt should do whatever they can to make their track more enjoyable for ammateur racers. I wouldnt go as far as not driving there any more though, but thats just me. I know of a lot of turns that are a lot more treacherous (not in tx since I dont know the tracks here! haha) like almost all of Laguna, turn 10 at Sears Point (where both Tony G and I have destroyed cars), the 2nd to last turn at Cal Super Speedway, and on and on, and I still drive those tracks, I just tone it down in those specific turns.

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I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you. T9 and TWS is a bear as is T3. The bitch at Hallett has snagged it's share of cars and even ricochet at MSR-C has seen each of us going agricultural.

Last year, when all of us first entered the T16/17 complex at Houston saw that wall and gave it tremendous respect. We all saw that the track had moved the wall back far enough to give a driver a little breathing room.

The wall itself is not necessarily the issue. It's the fact that there is a safer configuration that has been used, it's a simple and inexpensive fix and track management is indifferent, at this point.

Racing is inherently dangerous. We all know that and we take that risk. But, like any other reg that comes down the pike that attempts to minimize injury or damage from the risks, tracks have to do the same.

Mid-Ohio didn't leave the culvert alone after the Joey Hand crash. It was reconfigured so that it didn't happen again.

Now I know the world is coming to an end...Mitch and I completely agreeing on something! :lol:

Now, about those roof bars...[/img]

Yes ... get your head out of the sand ... :lol:

BTW, Hallett is a perfect example of a track that cares.

They are adding Air Fences http://www.airfence.com/ to a few different turns to help increase safety.

I personally received an email from Scott and will be making an effort to spread the word.


Here is a thread http://forums.okscca.org/viewtopic.p...30b33bcfc53f7b


Maybe we should send this to MST-Houston. ;-)

JG, it's my understanding that the Airfence is a motorcycle safety device - that is certainly what it was developed for when I first saw it being developed downunder, and their website doesn't indicate anything different today?

I'm not so sure that Hallett would want to have their expensive fence system that is undoubtedly being purchased for motorcycle events torn up by big heavy cars?

Of course, this doesn't change the validity of your opening comment - that Hallett is a track that cares! :)

<<<<<UPDATE ANYONE??>>>>>

Anyone have updated information regarding this issue at MSRH?? At least post something in here to let us that aren't in the "know" what's going on.

I still have not yet heard from either Mr. Mitchell or NASA TX. I'm beginning to get frustrated...

Just sent another email to both parties...

We are waiting until after the SCCA Double National before any decisions are made.

A couple more points to think about with ths discussion are:

1. Speed of the cars through the corner with the wall where it is now and where is was before.

2. The angle of the out-of-control vehicles as they impacted the wall with the wall where it is now and where is was before - i.e. which part of the car took the biggest impact.

I just received the following from Mr. Mitchell. Looks like we "may" not be the only one having issues. However, that is interpretation from his email. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by Al Mitchell

We appreciate all feed back on the track. We we have many sources of imput over the weeks with Champ Car's sanctioned test over the past six days, the double national this weekend and Daytona Prototypes/ALMS car in next week.

Thanks,

Al

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