British F3 to add pitstops

jondownunder · 24 Jun 2010, 13:14 (Ref:2717404)

As long rumoured, British F3 will add pitstops from the next rounds at Rockingham:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84699

Quote:

Drivers will have to make a mandatory pit visit during an eight-lap window, which will begin at one-third distance during the first 30-minute race of the weekend.

Quote:

If the trial is a success, pistops may also feature at Silverstone in August and the season finale at Brands Hatch, possibly in the 40-minute 'feature' races, depending on feedback from the competitors.

"There is the possibility of using this format at other circuits, such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch, where the pit lane is suitable," said Lisa Crampton, general manager of championship promoter SRO.

"We may in the future select the third race of the weekend rather than race one, but that would be up to feedback from the teams and from organisers.

Pitstops without tyre changes? Can't say I like the idea at all as a spectator, but if it makes the series more relevant to GP2 and F1, then it could be a good move. At least it should be less of a lottery than introducing actual tyre changes.

Morris Dancer · 24 Jun 2010, 14:00 (Ref:2717423)

Compulsory pit-stops, like reverse-grid starts, are just a marketing gimmick, and fiddling with sporting regulations mid-series is ridiculous.

Pit-stops should always be at the teams'/drivers' discretion to avoid running out of fuel, replace worn-out tyres, or make emergency repairs.

strider · 30 Jun 2010, 21:49 (Ref:2720565)

Although this was announced by autosport.com, complete with quotes from all the right people, it has not yet been confirmed in an official press release.

Make of that what you will.

**Woolley** · 30 Jun 2010, 22:38 (Ref:2720576)

Noooooooo.

Sorry. Lousy idea, artificially messing with the races, confusing for the average spectator. May as well just allow them to skip a chicane or take the short circuit once in each race.

50-SIX · 1 Jul 2010, 09:02 (Ref:2720676)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolley

Noooooooo.

Sorry. Lousy idea, artificially messing with the races, confusing for the average spectator. May as well just allow them to skip a chicane or take the short circuit once in each race.

But least we may see a change in the running order after lap 2 now.

JimW · 2 Jul 2010, 16:29 (Ref:2721200)

Madness. Taking stupid F1 ideas and ruining real racing.

Jim

EastonNeston · 2 Jul 2010, 16:43 (Ref:2721208)

A cynical person would think it was a decision probably made by SRO staff, who know nothing of racing, during one of their very frequent attempts at draining the EU wine lake.

Of course that's too cynical a view to actually by right, isn't it?

Richard B · 4 Jul 2010, 21:11 (Ref:2721925)

Interestingly there is no mention of pitstops on British F3's web site, infact the most recent update was the announcement that Sunoco have opened a petrol pump at Snet!

strider · 4 Jul 2010, 22:42 (Ref:2721951)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Interestingly there is no mention of pitstops on British F3's web site, infact the most recent update was the announcement that Sunoco have opened a petrol pump at Snet!

See my post #3 above.

dave not neil · 5 Jul 2010, 18:35 (Ref:2722295)

And who exactly will be enforcing the 10 second stop, or however long it may be, and time keeping it?

Teams are bound to try and cheat, and hold the car for only 9 seconds etc, and protest the timing of the stop watch/steward. As printed in Autosport earlier this year, Hitech have been caught deliberately cheating already this season, I'd imagine they will be doing all they can to avoid holding the car for the full amount of time.

strider · 5 Jul 2010, 22:46 (Ref:2722387)

I don't particularly like the idea, but I think it is worth checking the details before criticising it.

The cars don't have to stop for any duration of time. They literally have to stop and then go. The only way of cheating would be if they were not to come to a complete stop, but this can easily be verified by a pit lane marshal.

**Woolley** · 5 Jul 2010, 23:01 (Ref:2722397)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

this can easily be verified by a pit lane marshal.

... of which F3 often attracts 2 or 3. They'll need several stopwatches and some extra sets of eyes to enforce this.

mattt · 12 Jul 2010, 12:53 (Ref:2725445)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

but this can easily be verified by a pit lane marshal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolley

... of which F3 often attracts 2 or 3. They'll need several stopwatches and some extra sets of eyes to enforce this.

I know of 3 that will be there on sunday and unfortunately if more than say 3 or 4 cars come in at the same time it will be an almighty struggle. Hopefully SRO will be sensible and have several of their own people down there helping us if not itll be a struggle and you may find teams taking advantage of it

Richard B · 12 Jul 2010, 19:10 (Ref:2725643)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Interestingly there is no mention of pitstops on British F3's web site, infact the most recent update was the announcement that Sunoco have opened a petrol pump at Snet!

Official announcement confirming
http://www.britishf3international.co...s%5Bid%5D=1242

Vintage Aston · 12 Jul 2010, 22:46 (Ref:2725786)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastonNeston

A cynical person would think it was a decision probably made by SRO staff, who know nothing of racing, during one of their very frequent attempts at draining the EU wine lake.

Of course that's too cynical a view to actually by right, isn't it?

A good mate down south works with one of the f3 rigs; the drivers and teams actually chose this one. And true at least theres some more overtaking now!

strider · 13 Jul 2010, 14:57 (Ref:2726135)

The idea did come from the teams, but I think the way they're introducing it is a bit daft.

I think ultimately it will end up as part of the 40-minute feature race, which should liven it up a bit. They do need to have a decent width pit lane.

Originally the idea was to run it as a pilot scheme at Rockingham as part of the 30-minute Race 1 on Saturday and I could see the sense in that,

However they have now decided to run it as part of the 20-minute Race on Sunday morning with the partially reversed grid. I can see that being fairly chaotic, but I suppose you don't know until you try.

**Woolley** · 13 Jul 2010, 18:41 (Ref:2726233)

Love the spin on that announcement. 'Exciting for the teams and drivers' = 'confusing for the spectators and marshals'. 'Overtaking will now be possible' = lost a place due to a bodged pit stop' or 'didn't mount a challenge because I knew I was faster and could make up the time while he was in the pits'.

Sounds to me more like a desparate attempt to liven up a formula whose chief problem is an excess of aero critical grip over lack of horsepower.

Morris Dancer · 14 Jul 2010, 14:27 (Ref:2726585)

Yep.

Richard B · 14 Jul 2010, 21:12 (Ref:2726790)

Of course the pitstops start at Rockingham this weekend.........time for a new thread?

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