Larry Herman

See, now you absolutely did the right thing there. You had no clue which way he was going to spin, and if you had kept your foot in it, he probably would have hit you as he came back onto the track. You're pretty much screwed because the drivers behind you had more time to assess the situation. That's racing.

As far as what happened at the Glen, personally I probably would have gently backed out of the throttle and made sure at the same time that I was positioned on the track where I could not be passed. But I am obviously making that call after seeing your video. That's why they call it 20/20 hindsight.

gums

This is all well and good, but I will always say that the problem here is that we're all trying to figure out how to work around the stupidity of the antiquated Watkins Glen armco, which transforms a most fantastic road course into a street circuit. That 944 should have had a harmless spin into the grass, but because it's the Glen; instead it's a wreck. Same for all these guys's cars, seen here in the boneyard.

sbelles

Blame Jackie Stewart for the armco. I'd love to see most of it gone but I doubt that will happen since it affords safety for the fans in many of the spectator areas where it makes no sense otherwise.

gums

Jackie Stewart? Like I said; antiquated.

sbelles

Yes, when he was the head of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA). Armco was high on his list of safety improvements that were implemented in the early 70s. While it eats cars, it probably has saved lives.

forklift

Only been to the Glen once, but walked around specifically to see why the Armco was so close….and for some of the corners there really isn’t any choice due to the ground falling away from the track at a steep angle unless LOTS of dirt was brought in. However, there were quite a few….especially the last set of turns (8-11) where there is plenty of room for them to move back the walls/Armco.

I just don’t understand why they wouldn’t move back the tire walls…….esp on turns 9 & 11...there is plenty of room and the armco is RIGHT there.

gums

It's also CAUSED a few fatalities: Cervert & Koinigg come to mind.

NJcroc

While we can argue both sides of the armco forever( I ate some2 weeks ago) It does add quite a bit to driving there. If they moved back the armco then turn 10 would not be scary full bore. How damm fast would some guys try turn 11 with no penelty?

that said i was really sad when i got a bill for 2 pieces of armco in my email

Brian P

We were wondering about this. How much damage do you need to do to get a bill for the armco? If you run against it and mainly scrape the paint off the armco, does that result in a bill? Or, do you have to do enough damage where they actually need replace the armco?

analogmike

NASCAR owns it, right? Makes good TV?

gums

With all due respect, croc, I don't need any armco anywhere for the purpose of making it scary. Did you guys see the video of the Spec Miata wreck at 11 last season? How about when the whole BMW team was destroyed in one shot? NASCAR had a big mess there too last year.
Completely frivolous, unneccessary and someone is going go get it bad there.

chrisp

the outside of the laces, outside of the toe, track out of T9 should be easy to move and re-grade. The outside of T11 is tough because it would require a new bridge while I think the outside of the outer loop is a significant drop off/ravine.

NJcroc

I am not saying we need the armco. I am just saying it is one of the things that make the track what it is. A little bit of pucker factor is somethig that makes people drive from across the country to get to it. If i wasnt nervous sometimes I would save 3 seconds a lap

JClark

I'd rather hit a guardrail then roll 30 feet down the embankment on the side of T5. If the track was in a field, you'd have runoff and it'd be flat and boring like many other tracks. Instead its on a hill, and it rocks, and you pay for its awesomeness in bumpers and fenders.

DrJupeman

You didn't just hurt my chances, you were the reason for the loss. How's that?

Seriously, I'm glad you didn't hurt your car in the off-track spin. I did appreciate the courtesy you showed me when you were back underway. Receiving a few point bys helped me close the gap on Andy after he grabbed the timely pit. I needed a 2 hour enduro, though, to make up the lost time.