Quote:
Originally Posted by Another Bob
I got to thinking imagine having a number of dedicated vehicles around a circuit that were used to come out and funnel the cars onto the safe clear side of the circuit. Full bit, flashing lights, arrow lights etc, then when they hit the green flag safely past the incident, race the remainder of the lap until you get back to the restricted area with the incident, back to single file on safe side of circuit at pit lane limiter speed, and keep going in this fashion until its cleared.
If they need to bring recovery trucks, medical vehicles etc around the circuit expand the length of cautioned restricted track to accommodate them coming around on the closed side of the circuit. Contract cautioned section of track again when they reach the incident. Expand again when they leave the incident.
A circuit would need to be able to operate this system from either side of the circuit, so things like recovery or medical vehicles would need to have the ability to enter and exit the circuit from both sides so they aren't darting across racing traffic and are staying on the side of the circuit containing the incident.
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Where do I start? At most circuits there are only a limited number of places where vehicles can enter or leave the circuit - to provide enough entry/exit points for your system to work would be prohibitively expensive &, in many cases, impossible. Then you 'd need a lot more rescue units, recovery vehicles, doctors, etc., all of which have to be paid for by the organising club.
Pit lane limiter speed may still be too fast for safety past an incident; the safety car is in contact with race control, who can relay messages from the people handling the incident as to how fast to go & which side of the track to use - bear in mind that as clearing of the incident progresses, the "safe" side may vary. The safety car also reports its position at regular intervals, so the incident handlers know when the cars will be approaching & can act accordingly.
Rescue units need to take injured drivers to the medical centre, recovery units need to take damaged cars back to Parc Fermé or the paddock, which means they may have to cover a considerable length of track. The safety car driver knows where they are & can control the speed of the "train" to keep behind them.
Your idea of "contracting & expanding" the section of track under caution to accommodate is unnecessary - that situation is covered by the white flag.
The safety car may not be an ideal solution, but in terms of resources required & the level of control provided it works well. It ain't broke. . . don't try to fix it.