Artificial Wet Races

[Hobson]

Apparently, Big Bernie will introduce 'wet' races at Hungary, the idea being the grass alongside the track is embedded with sprinklers to create a wet race.
The sprinklers would be 'randomly' (I'm using the word very loosely) controlled by a computer to make some of the more processional races more intresting for viewers.

[Jeanburrasca81]

Very funny...lol.

But seriously, Ferrari does this at Fiorano, why not produce wet races also in the championship? Would be so spectacular. FIA could grant us a minimum of 8 wet races a year or something like that...wow!

[Hobson]

See www.autosport.com for the full story!

[Ralf's Girl]

This is from Autosport.com:

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is planning to create artificially wet races as early as this summer, according to sources close to the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

In recent years rain has tended to make races far entertaining and thus more appealing to TV viewers, and Ecclestone no longer wants to rely on waiting for the forces of nature to spark up what might otherwise be dull processions.

The weather is not covered by the sporting regulations, and because the rule does not involve alterations to the technical rules governing the cars, Ecclestone can introduce his plan without the unanimous agreement of the teams.

Ecclestone has been encouraged to pursue this route by Ferrari’s decision to install a sprinkler system at Fiorano, which will allow the Italian team to test wet or intermediate tyres at any time. Creating an artificially wet surface is not a new idea, but it normally involves a fleet of water tankers or fire engines, as was tried at a Valencia F1 test earlier this year.

However, the Ferrari system is much more sophisticated, and can be turned on from race control at the touch of a button. Pressure can be regulated around the circuit, so that less water is applied to the straights than the corners. This will minimise the chances of the two most risky factors involved with wet driving occuring, namely aquaplaning and poor visibility at high speed.

It’s thought that Ecclestone has negotiated to buy the exclusive rights to the Italian system, and that Toyota has already agreed to pay £7.5m to have it installed at Paul Ricard. The French track is owned by Ecclestone, and Toyota recently agreed a deal to use it as its testing base.

Hungary is likely to be the first circuit on the F1 schedule to be fitted with the new system, in time for a trial run at this year’s race. Hungarian fans have never seen a wet Grand Prix, although morning practice sessions have occasionally been damp.

The leaked plans have already sparked controversy, not least because teams want to know who will be in charge of the ‘rain button’. Race director Charlie Whiting is the most likely candidate, but a random computer-controlled system has also been mooted, to avoid any accusations of favouritism.

Ecclestone apparently plans to ensure that all tracks on the schedule have to acquire the system, although Spa’s extreme length and the area’s plentiful supply of natural precipitation may mean that it will probably not be required to follow suit. If his plans go ahead, all races on the 2002 schedule will have the possibility to be wet at some point, although the random programme may on occasion decide that there will be no rain.

I think the part about accusations of favouritism is the most interesting bit. No doubt if this system was controlled by a person as opposed a random computer, we would get certain people (I can't imagine why Ron Dennis springs to mind) accusing the FIA of favouring certain teams. And we all know that rain works in TGF's favour.

"Artificial" rain would make races like Hungary more interesting, but then again it will spark criticisms because it might make the races seem "artificial" as well.

[Carla O]

this is the most ridiculous idea ever!!!

what is this for? if Bernie feels the race is boring he turns it into a wet, puts in the safety car, lets a certain driver who I shall not mention get back to the front or whatever and go back to a normal race???


ahhhhrghhh, this is soooooo stupid!



C

[Sparky]

Originally posted by Carla O
ahhhhrghhh, this is soooooo stupid!

No. This is an April Fools gag...

[Carla O]

grrrrr
but i read about this in other F1 sites!

LOL this comes to show they keep stealing stuff from everybody!

(BTW great race today!)