Red Mist & Race Car Drivers

[David W]

Anyone see this today for the Aussie Race Cars at Qld Raceway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQPhgvVOGHY

I'm at the top of screen waving yellows (on pit entry). We stuck them out when we saw the driver get out of the car at the front of the grid and waited for the accident(s) when the cars at the rear of grid decided it was OK to start (look around the 2.00 min mark). Thankfully no one hit anything, but you've gotta wonder if race drivers think (not directed at anyone on this forum). What a great way to make up 20 places from rear of grid.

You guys and the red mist...............

[Warren Heath]

If thats the bloke I think it is he is a complete twat. What a joke

Warren

[gen mk 1rs2000]

wasnt he also responsable for causing the big crash that nearly
killed tony edmonson many years ago ??

[rs turbo]

[David W]

http://www.speedcafe.com/2011/08/21/war ... disrepute/

[gen mk 1rs2000]

two thousand dollar fine ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

i wonder what the maximum fine is for this offence ??

[David W]

[Warren Heath]

[George&Kez]

He's fallen on his sword as category manager as well.

[Miniliteman]

Quote from Speedcafe website:
"Ward says that the safety of his competitors was the reason for his actions.
“The officials told me that they knew the oil was there, but they didn’t put any flags out,” Ward told Speedcafe.com.
“There was oil a metre and a half wide, right around the racing line of Turn 2, and down the back straight too.
“I really didn’t know what to do. I was thinking of coming into pits, but I pulled up the front because I couldn’t consciously start this. If I started, and the whole field crashes, how was I going to feel?
“I jumped out of the car, ran over to the fence and the Clerk of the Course came down and said they couldn’t do anything about it.
“I couldn’t let the field go out, and all the competitors have supported what I did.”
Unquote.

So, what's wrong with that? I would have probably done the same thing if I've seen oil on track.

Couple of years ago I was at pit-exit during the RSOC-Trackday at Donington Circuit.
An Escort turned left onto the circuit and lost a bolt from underneath the car.
A fellow marshall kicked the bolt onto the grass, I went and picked it up and it was a X-member bolt.
I had the car blackflagged the next lap.
Turned out they lost that bolt (probably onto the sumpguard) and used a spare one on the X-member.
Better to be save than sorry.

[jpayne]

Based on the reported story I also don't see a problem with what he did, how he did it maybe, but not sure how this casts the sport in disrepute. Im guessing the oil was a sanctioned addition to the spectacle like reverse grid races etc, an him stopping the event prevented a spectacle of crashes.
Did Murphy get in trouble for getting out of his car at calder when lowndes rolled along the embankment for a week and went to his aide?
I Don't think so, I don't know Phil Ward but have known about him for a long time, Im guessing there are other forces at play here.
Would I have done the same thing, No from 18th on the grid I'd watch as places 1-17 speared of and died in a fireball and missed the carnage and won the race
No disrepute there|!

Justin p

[David W]

[Anthony Tanzer]

[marty]

Good on him for having the balls to do something about the safety of his fellow competitors.

Maybe the fault is with the clerk of course not updating the racers as to the condition of the track so they weren't alarmed by what they saw.

[Miniliteman]

[Anthony Tanzer]