chrisc

There's a track that I frequent, and I love, that has a small section of wall/barrier that is not protected by a tire wall or other cushioning system. Over the past 15 months I have witnessed 3 cars having heavy impact in this area, all backed into the barrier as a result of a 180 impacting almost the exact same spot. One was a pro race = car totalled , DE = totalled, club race = totalled. I sent an email to the management asking why this particular area was not protected by something other than concrete - no reply.

I can't afford being sued by these guys but feel that this is really something that needs correction. Suggestions??

jrgordonsenior

Get your group of local racers together and create a signed petiton asking them to protect the wall....

Jimbo951

Why do you think you could be sued?

J richard

The other option is to talk to the club or race organizers and have them modify the track by adding a chicane to slow the speed at that point or force a more defensive line with cones...

paradisenb

Sounds like T5, Road Atlanta. Happens all the time. As much as I like RA I wish they would modernise the track for safety. More runoff, pave the runoffs (T1 Barber), gravel. Move the walls back at T5, T3 and T7. I think the track`s uncertain longterm future prevents that kind of $$ investment.

Good luck, Chris. I hope this goes somewhere.

mglobe

The folks who should have the most influence with the track are the organizations that sponsor events there. PCA, NASA, PBOC, SCCA,... I would work it through them.

chrisc

Randy, here's the spot. Maybe the designers feel a tire wall or other device would pop the car back out into traffic. I've seen three back into the wall after loosing it in the esses. They all hit near the end of the catch fence on top of the wall in the photo.

chrisc

Scared of big business, lawyers and liberals (like my kids)

carreracoupe997

I would actually like to see a gravel trap on each side of the esses. God knows I've done enough clean up in that area after an incident.

Veloce Raptor

IMO chrisc is spot-on with this. Good to see you & your wife this weekend, Chris!









Professional Racing and Driving Coach

Lemming

Agreed, the lower esses are a dangerous spot. I was sickened to see the beautiful 951 hit the wall this weekend.

Veloce Raptor

Tim, it was great to see you...nice racing!!









Professional Racing and Driving Coach

chrisc

I decided to grow a pair and take this up with RA myself, I sent an email this AM to the track manager outlining my concerns. This is the second time I've done this, last time back in late November, no reply. This time I will give it a few days and if I don't hear anything I will call or stop by the track office to get their response.

chrisc

Fuel cell next purchase.

chrisc

I received a polite reply, which was a basic blow-off. The reply stated the area of my concern is not considered to be a risky area as it is a "glancing impact zone". I located some recent photos taken during a club race, which demonstrate my contention that the area is not just a glancing impact area but is more dangerous than they are acknowledging. Here's one of the photos, excuse the poor quality, it's been copied several times.