Spa 6 Hours 2005

[Eddy V]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Agreed. As has been said the standard of marshaling and observing was pretty average this year.

Problem is that that is getting worse at Spa, it seems the marshals can't be bothered anymore as quite often their reports are thrown in the bin by Racecontrol.
Not that I want to defend them, as there are too many who just don't bother to do proper reporting.

[simon drabble]

All I can tell you is that most of the serious accidents in the 6 Hour Race were the German series racing within it - you must draw your own conclusions....
Yoki's are not sanctioned by the FIA - they are allowed in domestic series that make their own rules up. As I have said many times before the most obvious thing is for all historic championships to run to FIA rules and specs then the arguments would be over

[Eddy V]

Agree Simon, I've mentioned it before, even during a race at Zolder they (FHR) were not too well behaved, at least some of them. But you only need 3 or 4 to spoil everything, don't you?

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Well, I'm wondering if I should split the discussion about tyres, their regulations and applications from this into a new thread since, like fangio and Peter, I'm not convinced that there is any direct correlation between the driving standards at Spa and the tyre issue.

The other point that could be made is that we brought this back due to an article by Julian Balme in Classic and Sportscar. Having read it whilst I do have some sympathy I also think he was "over egging" his problems. However he wasn't entered in the 6 hours race he was in the Top Hat race.

That is a hulking brute of a car and its not the fastest. He perhaps should have been given more room but in the wet I'm certain that thing can't be trusted to keep a line through any fast bends.

I tailgated a Porsche through Eau Rouge and Radillon and we didn't lift or brake but there was also no contact and no damage.

[John Turner]

Now split, as threatened! Sorry if anyone feels that I have split it in the wrong place, but I was looking for a 'clean' break that didn't detract from the other discussion about driving standards at Spa, which stays here!

See here:-

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77285

[SZRacer]

Hi all,

Well, at the annual 'Committee' (long story!) Christmas dinner last night, I had dinner with, amongst others, Julian Balme, and mentioned this forum and thread.

Hopefully he's going to check it out and respond accordingly.....!

Regards,

James W

[simon drabble]

good job none of us were the one that nurfed him!

[fangio]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

All I can tell you is that most of the serious accidents in the 6 Hour Race were the German series racing within it - you must draw your own conclusions....
Yoki's are not sanctioned by the FIA - they are allowed in domestic series that make their own rules up. As I have said many times before the most obvious thing is for all historic championships to run to FIA rules and specs then the arguments would be over

Sorry, Simon, but you're wrong there. The Yokoham's are allowed by the FIA in any FIA event, even their own Championships.
The only rule that exists now, is a diameter size rule, giving minimum wheel diameters for each period and each wheel size (13-14-15 inch etc).
As long as the tyre diameter fits in that list, it is allowed, which simply means that we are going to see possible even more modern, very efficient "road" tyres on Historic racing cars.
We should not focus on the Yoko's, it's not their fault that they make very good tyres....., but the fact that within the rules modern tyres are allowed that in some cases are based on slick type construction.

It is up to the drivers and the Historic Commitee to decide what we want in Historic Racing; do we want these tyres or not?
I think they don't go with the strict rules that try to keep cars to their original specs and on some cars they are potentially dangerous because of the high loads put on suspensions.

[simon drabble]

Originally Posted by fangio

Sorry, Simon, but you're wrong there. The Yokoham's are allowed by the FIA in any FIA event, even their own Championships.
The only rule that exists now, is a diameter size rule, giving minimum wheel diameters for each period and each wheel size (13-14-15 inch etc).
As long as the tyre diameter fits in that list, it is allowed, which simply means that we are going to see possible even more modern, very efficient "road" tyres on Historic racing cars.

You might be right but all I can tell you is that any decent series doesnt allow them - the FIA Championship has a reputation as being a very badly driven dodgem cars - which is why the struggle to fill grids
Gentlemen Drivers is very well organised doesnt allow Yoki's and is always oversubscribed
funny that isnt it......

[zefarelly]

it seems to be that 'invitation' series are over subscribed because they don't have the red tape that the FIA seem to create by the truck load, they listen to their competitors and react accordingly. Rocket science I know !!!

you've only got to look at the FiA tin tops this year for proof, 8 car grids aren't exactly a good advert.

[Eddy V]

I hate to write it here, but they will be there again in 2006, just seen the calendar of the FHR series.

[john ruston]

We will not be there.Does't help that its in the middle of winter

[simon drabble]

I might do Carol Spagg's Brno 3 Hour instead.... I cant think that 6 Hour will make the same mistake again

[zefarelly]

I'd love to do the 6 hour some day, and I know in my car I'll be at the slower end of the grid, BUT I'd still like to know that the standards are set evenly and highly before risking my pride and joy and my life ( in that order !!!)

reality says a 2 or 3 hour test would be a good strp beforehand anyway . . . . Chimay here we come !

[fangio]

The FHR series is sponsored by Yokohama, so don't count on them changing back to appropriate tyres.
It's up to the 6-hrs organisers to take a stand and make choices; they have the right to specify tyres and limit the types of tyres allowed.
With some of the problems this year, maybe the drivers should contact the organisers and tell them what we want; it'll take some pushing to have them agree to a ban on modern tyres.......

[simon drabble]

then maybe Redwater should let the 6 Hour drivers run yoki's as well - I know at one point they were considering it....

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

then maybe Redwater should let the 6 Hour drivers run yoki's as well - I know at one point they were considering it....

and over stress your cars chassis and suspension ?

[simon drabble]

not ideal but if they let you go non period with the tyres I am sure its possible to go whole hog and adjust chassis and suspension - hmm that brings us back to FHR!! Maybe then it should stay FIA!

[zefarelly]

and the conversation goes full circle . . . . again

IMHO Yokis aren't period kit and if its pre66 it should be. end of

[Tainan]

Exactly. Tyres are one of the most important parts of the car. If they don't have to be period, why keep the rest of the car period?