Oulton Park - Winter Improvements

[flying muppet]

This week's Autosport is reporting a range of improvements at Oulton Park planned for this Winter, which it suggests has kept the circuit on 2011's F3 calendar.

Amongst the work listed is the installation of CCTV all round the circuit, improved run off (doesn't say where) and an extra set of start lights.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by flying muppet

improved run off (doesn't say where)

Hopefully this can be planned so as to improve driver safety/lessen vehicle damage without transferring the risk to the marshals or reducing our effectiveness. The best thing about Oulton for me is we can get out and do the job we're there for which isn't the case at some circuits with huge beaches running right up to the edge of the circuit.

[Justin Moran]

With CCTV being installed will there be snatch training? Please?

[Les Green]

If improvements are being made wouldn't it be a good idea to have a consultation with the 'local marshalls' (those who marshal regularly at Oulton) possibly through the BMMC. There is a lot of experience 'on the bank' which could be 'tapped into'. ( Not me as I do not condider myself an expert-yet). Would be interesting to know what alterations are being planned.

[Justin Moran]

Les, a lot of improvements are well thought through over the year, many of which are compiled from reports from Post Chiefs and the trackday marshals (all of whom are well known to us as they marshal all year round too!) So rest assured the improvements are all for the good. Usually.

[Ian Lewis]

Fairly easy one this-Q. Which corner takes the most hits/time down?

A. Old Hall

Yep- I think it going to be pushed back.

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by flying muppet

This week's Autosport is reporting a range of improvements at Oulton Park planned for this Winter, which it suggests has kept the circuit on 2011's F3 calendar.

Amongst the work listed is the installation of CCTV all round the circuit, improved run off (doesn't say where) and an extra set of start lights.

For a minute I thought you said improvements!

[marshal_man]

I hope they dont push it back to much and ruin it.

But then on the other hand it will also make it quicker :P x

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by marshal_man

I hope they dont push it back to much and ruin it.

But then on the other hand it will also make it quicker :P x

I can't see how improving run-offs will "ruin" anything or make it faster. The changes at Oulton over the last few years have made a big improvement - Druids, Deer Leap, Lakeside all have more run-off &, subjectively, fewer barrier contacts.

[Matthews Dad]

Sounds promising, CCTv could well mean possibility of snatching, and fewer safety cars

If old hall is being altered a bit more space behind the barriers for the marshals to move about in and a couple more gaps in the armco

We will know more by the training day hopefully

[Les Green]

Comments by Matthews Dad are exactly the thing I was refering to in my previous post. Probably by the time the training day comes round it will be too late for marshalls to have any input. Things like access to the track and space behind the barriers are the points which should be highlighted when considering alterations. By all means make it safer for the drivers but dont forget the 'orange army'.

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Les Green

Probably by the time the training day comes round it will be too late for marshalls to have any input. Things like access to the track and space behind the barriers are the points which should be highlighted when considering alterations. By all means make it safer for the drivers but dont forget the 'orange army'.

Do you really think the OP management don't listen to marshals' comments? If alterations are being made at Old Hall I think we can be pretty sure that there will be much more room for marshals & better, safer access.

Are you familiar with the "Potential Hazard Report" form? These are included in the Post Chiefs' folders & are used to highlight, as their name suggests, any potential hazard which anyone may spot on post. They go direct to OP management &, if possible, are acted on - an example being the "steps" in the tyre wall at Foulstons.

Sometimes changes which may appear retrograde to us are made at the insistence of the MSA or the ACU as a condition of the circuit's licence.

[Justin Moran]

I refer the honorable gent to post 5 above, as I said Les, these things dont just happen mate, it comes about during the season and the forms that are given in.

[Ian Briggs]

Hmmm, there used to be a problem with pushing the old hall barrier back relating to the bodies that never never found when the Old Hall burnt down, and as I heard it, the ground being consecrated.

Dont know if there are special arrangements/time limits on that sort of thing.

At least thats what Cliff used to say, I can be and frequently am, wrong!

Still, its nice to see JP continually updating the facilities, particually if you remember the ammount of investment that a certain lady made in the place....

[Hepatic]

During the last BSB meeting there was commentary suggesting work was going to be done to push the barrier at Druids back. Few details but sounded like the exit part of the barrier which has not been altered much in recent years, unlike the entry / main part. Always good to see MSV continually chipping away at improvements, +1 to CCTV and possibilty of adding snatch to our armoury too.

[Power Bulge]

Haven't we had snatch vehicles on Druids for the BTCC before? I seem to recall a conversation that said CCTV was a condition for live snatching only, but snatching under Safety Car was a decision for the organising club. The issue being the cost of providing the snatch vehicles, naturally

Any improvements to UK circuits are welcome, given the current economic climate

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Power Bulge

Haven't we had snatch vehicles on Druids for the BTCC before? I seem to recall a conversation that said CCTV was a condition for live snatching only, but snatching under Safety Car was a decision for the organising club. The issue being the cost of providing the snatch vehicles, naturally

Snatch vehicles have been used at several different meetings, such as F3/GT. It's not necessary to use specialist all-terrain lift vehicles (commonly referred to as Manitous, although other makes are availabe, including JCB!) - at the Gold Cup, Fun Cup & possibly other meetings, the normal recovery vehicles are used to perform "snatches" under Safety Car conditions.