Rockinghams Kerbs

[Cynic]

According to last weeks MN, formula three have cancelled their winter series because Rockingham have refused to modify (read remove)the kerbs on the chicane inside of turn 1 on the oval. Well I don't know how everybody else feels, but I'm with Rockingham on this one. Having watched various classes race there, it's obvious that if the kerbs are lowered, a formula three car could go through there almost flat out, which is the exact opposite reason the kerbs are there in the first place. The f3 bosses complain the cars are being damaged. Well there's an easy solution - keep off them! You aren't allowed to drive over the pavement when you turn the corner on the high street, why should it be any different on a racetrack? If the current crop of drivers can't tell the difference between a kerb (generally red and white), and the track (generally black), then perhaps the teams should look for some that can.

[jonathanc]

errrm, did you see the last F3 race there?
Katherine Legg hit the kerb relatively hard and the car gained air and flipped. There have been other incidents casued by the kerbs too.

I dont think they want the kerb removed, just lowered???
Makes sense to me.

I think Rockingham are being a bit dim, as F3 is a good attraction to have, especially as Rockingham is still making huge losses at the moment (according to the press).

[mark ch]

I was on the outside of turn one.. all cars that had problems were systematically ignoring the track and having all four wheels off the circuit to abuse the kerbing, to get a faster line. - Basically cheating

Replace the kerb with a concrete wall.

The GT's had no problems but their cars had to last an hour and they treated it with respect.

In fact replace the marker posts with small children...

Lowering the kerb would mean they would ignore the track even more like the touring cars at fogerty's at Donny last year in qualifying. When not one car used the track at all.

[stroller]

In fact replace the marker posts with small children...

Just make one of them out of solid steel...




and dont tell the drivers which one it is

Although Peter Daly last year probably though they had already done that.

[mark ch]

The basic problem with the chicane is the design doesn't cause them to slow enough, so they try to go flat when it needs a lift off. Extra tyre walls to narrow the straight and make the entry line into the chicane so tight you have to slow is what I believe is needed, as well as small children on the apex.

[Chris Y]

Oddly enough, it's actually that they need the kerb raised

Currently, the kerbing on the right of the chicane looks like this: -_

There is a step down on the outside of the chicane nearest the plastic markers. Now, because the kerb sweeps round away from the track, if you put a wheel (or the undertray of your car) on the lowest part of the kerb, when you exit the chicane, there's a bit step up. It's bad enough in a saloon - you get a big kick from the front right, but in an F3 car with very little ground clearance, you get a bit of a 'Legge up', if you excuse the Autosport-like pun..

Difficult to find a picture of it, but try this one:

[Bob Pearson]

I have driven at Rockingham many times, and I believe that like all other circuits the track is provided to be driven on. We all try to steal as much as we dare, but the idea of complaining that the part you wanted to steal that you weren't meant to be on anyway isn't smooth enough is farsical. They should try racing at the Isle of Man.

[Chigley]

Isn't funny that the Minardi two-seater F1's and the single seater although not "racing" flat out were approaching the chicane at Turn 1 in excess of 200mph and were churning out clouds of brake dust when they hit the brakes and went down through 3 gears yet they managed to thread the eye of the needle without hitting the kerbs. Yet, F3 claim that the "eye" is too narrow and that at the "speed" they are approaching it is too difficult to take the corner clean so they are forced to take to the "tub breaking" kerbs. Cobblers, they need to slow down at bit more; and I agree that a tyre wall on both apex's would do the trick as it has at Post 10 (Oval to infield chicane).

[Bob Pearson]

Youre dead right Chigley, although I have to say that a set of blinkers is definately required for the one at post 10.

[johndpeat]

Here's one for the F3 boys,A back to basics lesson.If you keep between the whhite lines that mark the edge of the track you would not have any trouble.F Renualt seem to manage as do countless other formule so why can't F3 drivers drive.If they insest on putting all fours on the kerb and more they get all they deserve.The teams shoulb tell there drivers where the track is if they want to stop damaging cars.

[carrera]

How will these up and coming kiddies cope if they ever get to Monaco?

[BigFella]

easy, just refuse to race till they take the armco down.

[Colin_King]

If they stick to the track and dont cut the corner they will not damage the car.

[Ian-S]

Originally posted by johndpeat
Here's one for the F3 boys,A back to basics lesson.If you keep between the whhite lines that mark the edge of the track you would not have any trouble.F Renualt seem to manage as do countless other formule so why can't F3 drivers drive.If they insest on putting all fours on the kerb and more they get all they deserve.The teams shoulb tell there drivers where the track is if they want to stop damaging cars.

Oh they can drive.
Just rememeber most of them are being groomed to be future F1 stars and we all know what they do mostly

I vote for the wall personally, could be a bit messy if you put kids there....

[mark ch]

But the negative PR of messying the kids would affect the driver getting sponsorshop. (fining drivers doesn't work, we know that)... And thats what seems to run motorsport this days the corporate people (just look at the SEAT hangar).