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Awkward trackday

Posted: Mon 15th Oct 2007 8:28 am
by Bertil
I was at a trackday event yesterday that was a bit awkward. My Cortina MkI was the oldest on the spot. I am a member of Ford motorsport club sweden, they were organizing this event along with some other clubs.
The day started with the scrutineering, all ok. The compulsory drivers meet was set to 9,00 but started 9,35 because they wanted to do all the scrutineering first. Then they took all (almost 75) cars out onto the track to show all the track. Imagine that trafficjam...
First session was set to start at 10,00 but started a bit late ofcourse and was not for beginners. I entered that session and had a couple of laps and suddenly the RED flag was waved! Having been in motorsport for more of 20 years I get adrenelin from seeing a red flag, things like "where is the accident, whom to help, where are the fire extinguishers" turn up in my head instantly. Red flag in this event was "end of session... stop driving, nothing about this in the meet".
Next session was for beginners and the first whole hour session in the day. I went up on the stand to see the cars, and I see cars that were out during tha last session, so I got down and into my car again and lined up to go a couple more laps. About 5 cars in front of me waiting to go on to the track. After about 15 minutes it is my turn and the one that stood there wavin told me that "I am sorry but I will not let you out because there are cars behind you that have not been out yet and you drove the last session" I replied that there are cars on the track that were out last session as we speak. "Yes I know but now we have changed the rules now and I will not let you out". I had to turn around in the pitlane and go back...

I returned to my spot, loaded up and went home. Never this clubs events again.

Posted: Mon 15th Oct 2007 12:14 pm
by Matthew
Hmmm... it sounds like it was not a very well run or organised event. All my expierence with motorsport ( Bikes ) has the flags meaning the same nomatter what you ride!

Posted: Mon 15th Oct 2007 7:29 pm
by H Cortina
"There is a solution to all problems" = go home.

Cant say i blame you, sounds not very well organised.

Better luck next time.

Posted: Tue 16th Oct 2007 6:16 am
by Bertil
Matthew wrote:Hmmm... it sounds like it was not a very well run or organised event. All my expierence with motorsport ( Bikes ) has the flags meaning the same nomatter what you ride!

They try to to invent the wheel again. They say showing the red flag is because when people see it they slow down since red means stop in the regular traffic.
First time during my 22 years within motorpsort I have seen this use of the red flag, and there have been reactions to it over here afterwards.

Posted: Tue 16th Oct 2007 6:21 am
by Bertil
H Cortina wrote:"There is a solution to all problems" = go home.

Cant say i blame you, sounds not very well organised.

Better luck next time.
Thought that was a good idea...

Thanks, I think I will.


Maybe I am a bit picky since I arrange my own trackday once a year...