Snetterton pit marshals

[Tim Falce]

I got bubbled up today for removing my helmet in the pit lane after a race. Had to go and see the CoC and receive a severe beating with a damp soggy copy of the Blue book and I still have the stains on and in my pants now. Why can't we take our helmets off in the pit lane? I thought once off the circuit, racing had finished. After all no one else has to wear a crash helmet in the pit lane.
BTW thanks to all the track side boys and girls today, excellent flag work in my races 3 and 8.
Tim

[EvilPumpkin]

I don't know if this is the reason, but you can still have a shunt in pitlane - I've seen it happen, both by accident AND by design. Possibly that has something to do with it?

[jase]

Right, had you pulled off the track and were still moving when you took your helmet off?

The pit lane is still officially part of the race track, you can't drive on the track without a helmet so why are the the pits any different?

As you you pull the helmet off, the chin bar blocks your view. Therefore you are unable to see the lane ahead, and so cannot react to anything. So moving and taking thehelmet off is abig no-no.

If you had pulled over, spoke to crew etc, and having removed the helmet, drove the car to parc ferme,then I can't see the problem.

The key to the CoC's decision (I presume) is whether you had just come off the track and were moving as you took your helmet off.

[Sheila M]

falcemob, I agree with what Jason says here.

I understand that on hot days and also after a particularly hard race drivers will want to remove their helmets as soon as possible. HOWEVER, you should always stop and remove your helmet especially if you are wearing a full face one. Think about it, you are driving down the pit lane, dragging your full face helmet over your head; you are unsighted and therefore can't see the person who has just stepped off the pit wall in front of you ...

Having said that, I tend to pull over and speak to drivers who I know have removed helmets whilst on the move and advise them of the error of their ways (for the first time - if they do it again I report them). Unfortunately, if you belong to a series which has incorporated "helmets must not be removed whilst vehicle is moving" or words to that effect in the regulations, then you will be reported without warning.

I would be interetested to know more details of your misdemeanor!

[Tim Falce]

There were two of us sent to the CoC for the same offence and I was told that they were strict on this at Snet, fair do's but maybe a talking to by the marshals would have been more appropriate. As I pointed out to the CoC, I was unaware that this was an offence, although i may have done it before and not been told about it.

[Peter Harding]

Think I'd rather be told off by 750 CoC than the Chief Startline at Snet. You got off lightly??
If it was Viv did she get her cane out or just admonish you by hand?

[Tim Falce]

Originally posted by Peter Harding
Think I'd rather be told off by 750 CoC than the Chief Startline at Snet. You got off lightly??
If it was Viv did she get her cane out or just admonish you by hand?

It was Viv and she just used the blue book soaked in Castrol R