Motorsport and the Coronavirus

[andy97]

MSV allowing testing from next week, I think

https://news.msv.com/covid-19-and-ms...nt-update.aspx

and BRSCC have just issued this statement:
https://brscc.co.uk/brscc-update-statement-15-05-2020/

Most interestingly the BRSCC statement says that the MUK will be issuing a guidance manual on 18 May about how race meetings can operate.

[S griffin]

Wonder where the first test will be and who will do it?

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Richard I can't imagine that given the circumstances they won't make a rule change or accommodation for this year. May be I misunderstood but dont you have the choice for mandatory pit stop length following a recent consultation?
No worry about the lock down special diet which brought me 8 kilos. More not less!

Hi Gerard - some of the CSCC series do have the option of a fixed length stop, but ours (Future Classics) doesn't, and in any case I share the Alfa drive with my mate (its his car!) so I'm always dragging him out of the car at half distance and scrambling in, and needing assistance to get belted in

[Gerard C]

Ha, I see. Difficult for a stranger to follow all the CSCC categories I must admit. May be the Future Classics grid responsible could consider a change or accommodation for this year? After all in June its still pre-season time!!!

[andy97]

CSCC still hoping to run events at Thruxton, Donington, Mallory and Le Mans (Bugatti).
Thruxton is planned for last weekend of July.
Le Mans is planned for 16-18 Oct.

[Gerard C]

From HVM words, no change expected for Le Mans-Bugatti, hope is that the health situation should be dramatically improved by this time.

[Peter Mallett]

Just received an update from MSUK. Seems they are looking at re starting with the onus on the competitor as far as scrutineering and safety is concerned. So, no queuing at ridiculous hours of the morning then.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Just received an update from MSUK. Seems they are looking at re starting with the onus on the competitor as far as scrutineering and safety is concerned. So, no queuing at ridiculous hours of the morning then.

Interesting stuff. Appears to me, on first read through, that “rallying” can only take place as single venue “rally time trials” with driver only and no co-driver until social distancing is relaxed.

It also appears that circuit Medical interventions will also have to wait for a medical vehicle with specialist staff and PPE to arrive.

I also think it might mean that races with pit stops for driver changes may not happen, unless car “contact areas” are sanitised between drivers. We will see if further guidance is issued on this. I would have thought that drivers wearing our own PPE inc balaclavas, full face helmets, gloves etc might be ok?

Fair play, though, they are trying to get us out on track. I need to read it all again in detail.

[S griffin]

I think it will take time to see proper rallying back. I wonder if we will see pitstops cut down as you say. Might make races more interesting. But we will see proper competition back with rallying before too long

[Moneyseeker]

MSUK guidance out now.

https://www.motorsportuk.org/restart/

[S griffin]

Let’s hope it’s effective and does the job

[The Fat Clerk]

Very impressed, looks like a lot of time and effort went into it.

Looks like Mallory will restart on June 5th with a No Limits bike trackday……………………………....subject to Boris et al.

[S griffin]

I’m sure they didn’t do it lightly. Hope the Mallory event goes on ok. Who knows what Boris will be doing by then

[delta]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Very impressed, looks like a lot of time and effort went into it.

Looks like Mallory will restart on June 5th with a No Limits bike trackday……………………………....subject to Boris et al.

Any track days for single seaters .Im desperate to have white knuckle ride around Gerrards .

[S griffin]

Those are usually the best. Mallory is always good fun

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by andy97

Interesting stuff. Appears to me, on first read through, that “rallying” can only take place as single venue “rally time trials” with driver only and no co-driver until social distancing is relaxed.

It also appears that circuit Medical interventions will also have to wait for a medical vehicle with specialist staff and PPE to arrive.

I also think it might mean that races with pit stops for driver changes may not happen, unless car “contact areas” are sanitised between drivers. We will see if further guidance is issued on this. I would have thought that drivers wearing our own PPE inc balaclavas, full face helmets, gloves etc might be ok?

Fair play, though, they are trying to get us out on track. I need to read it all again in detail.

I was talking to a good mate yesterday who made the point that for us motorsport is about the fun and camaraderie, just turning up and racing isn't all the weekend should be about. Do I want to get up early, trudge around the country to Cadwell or Brands etc. and socially distance? Not sure about that. The exercise becomes a bit pointless in that respect.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I was talking to a good mate yesterday who made the point that for us motorsport is about the fun and camaraderie, just turning up and racing isn't all the weekend should be about. Do I want to get up early, trudge around the country to Cadwell or Brands etc. and socially distance? Not sure about that. The exercise becomes a bit pointless in that respect.

Yes agree with that. With my performances if i was going just for the racing i might as well give up!!!

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by delta

Any track days for single seaters .Im desperate to have white knuckle ride around Gerrards .

At present there is only one more this year and that's Friday 25th September.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I was talking to a good mate yesterday who made the point that for us motorsport is about the fun and camaraderie, just turning up and racing isn't all the weekend should be about. Do I want to get up early, trudge around the country to Cadwell or Brands etc. and socially distance? Not sure about that. The exercise becomes a bit pointless in that respect.

I've said exactly the same thing in my Team FB post today. That's why I'm not taking part in the earliest tests which are really strict. MSUK looks like it's a little looser than we've been told to expect when the kart circuits open this week. It's not going to be as much fun, but I've got to earn some money so I'm stocking up on face masks, wipes and hand sanitiser. I'd already drawn up a risk assessment that actually mirrors what MSUK have published today.

[Derwent]

I think there will be massive changes this year. You only have to read the various marshals forums and FB pages to see that many are retiring or at least not returning under the new rules. Marshals, organisers and competitors are generally more senior people and thus more vulnerable.
I've been involved in the sport since I was a kid and my parents were heavily involved so the past ten week is the longest that I've not done some sort of motorsport activity. Strangely I am not over bothered. Partly due to the good weather I've been very busy with other things. With no motorsport and holidays cancelled the bank balance is very healthy!
In what ever capacity I do events in, it's a social activity and that is killed with social distancing. I do the odd hill climb these days and the thought of being at a venue for 8 to 10 hours for four minutes track time and not being able to chat to fellow enthusiasts makes it pointless.

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by Derwent

I think there will be massive changes this year. You only have to read the various marshals forums and FB pages to see that many are retiring or at least not returning under the new rules. Marshals, organisers and competitors are generally more senior people and thus more vulnerable.
I've been involved in the sport since I was a kid and my parents were heavily involved so the past ten week is the longest that I've not done some sort of motorsport activity. Strangely I am not over bothered. Partly due to the good weather I've been very busy with other things. With no motorsport and holidays cancelled the bank balance is very healthy!
In what ever capacity I do events in, it's a social activity and that is killed with social distancing. I do the odd hill climb these days and the thought of being at a venue for 8 to 10 hours for four minutes track time and not being able to chat to fellow enthusiasts makes it pointless.

Everybody has their own reasons I suppose. For most of us, the social element is important - but I'd still go racing even with social distancing in place. We can still interact with our friends after all, just from a safe distance. Agreed it won't be quite the same, but the alternative is doing nothing isn't it?

I do think the situation re lack of marshals is more concerning though - we can't go racing without the orange army, social distancing or otherwise, so if a lot of them are thinking of throwing the towel in, then that could be a big problem for many meetings.

I remember a few years ago at one of our meetings at Oulton, a guy pitched up in the paddock next to us with his Seven on a trailer. He was on his own, unloaded his car, did his qualy followed by his race, after which he loaded up the car and disappeared! During the day, we never saw him speak to anyone, and we saw no one come over to speak to him, and as far as we could tell, he spent the entire day pretty much on his own - or, at least, as much as it's possible to be on your own in a crowded paddock.

Now, there's a guy who won't have a problem with social distancing!

[Lancsbreaker]

I agree with Paul that a lack of marshals could well be the stumbling block.....


As he and I (and my race partner) compete in the same races we have become friends and we and our respective partners usually spend the evening pre-race enjoying a convivial meal at a local hostelry (despite Paul usually moaning about being squeezed into the load area of whichever vehicle I (as designated driver) have provided as transport to the pub ) - and that doesn't seem likely to be on any time soon - also of course until hotels are able to reopen it limits the circuits I can attend to those in a reasonable travelling distance.......


I'm also a little confused about the idea that pitstops should be lengthened by 30 seconds to "allow the vehicle to be sanitised" between drivers..... since we're all wearing gloves, and I'm not in the habit of licking the steering wheel, gear lever or other controls, I'm not entirely certain what we are protecting ourselves from.....I'm more concerned about getting belted in unaided

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

I'm not in the habit of licking the steering wheel, gear lever or other controls, I'm not entirely certain what we are protecting ourselves from.....I'm more concerned about getting belted in unaided

Ha yes, you dont lick the controls??? C'on Richard, may be you're in need of new experiences, each driver having his own steering wheel and gear lever… And what about door to door racing between a LHD and a RHD car? At least you found a solution against "insane" driving!
More seriously I too think that marshaling could become "the" concern.

[midgetman]

I "suppose" the reason is virus could fly around in the car and get lodged on your balaclava then ingested. I can't think of anything else.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Gerard C]

Nothing personal Max but after Richard licking his steering wheel you suppose he's using edible balaclavas? What kind of racing are you referring to, please? Will you come and support some friends at Le Mans Bugatti? We need referees for the mandatory pit stops… Take pictures!