Working grid

[Reijo]

The only times we have had grid personnel is when we hosted the Cdn. Nationals (and maybe a couple other times but not officially).

Sunday, Aug. 7 (and future events at YYC) we want to have a dedicated grid person who sends cars up to run in a timely fashion.

So what is involved?  I thought I would share a few thoughts here for us all and not just the person working grid tomorrow.

1.  Ideally you will have 2-3 cars at the immediate line-up at the start line.  No more than that.  Why?  Well, eventually we will get some Mod (such as Formula Fords) and Prepared cars lining up and some of them may not have a cooling fan and/or may suffer from heat soak.  E.g. you can't have them idling for a long time.  F1 is like this ... no cooling fans!

2.  Also account for the distance from the grid to the start line up anticipating that cars will be leaving the line at a certain rate and that rate should match the rate you are sending the cars up.

3.  Other benefits of not sending cars up too soon are that they have more time in the grid for watering tires on hot days, allowing tires/engine to cool down between runs, and even giving people more time to hang out to do whatever repairs or adjustments they need ... or just visiting with others.  Even regular cars car sit around longer with the hood up in grid to allow the engine to cool so they put out more hp.

4.  If there is a dead car on-course, a spin etc. that causes a delay, do not send more cars up to the line.  Grid should stop the flow at that time also.  That means looking at the course periodically, the line-up and listening on the radio to what is happening.  No one wants to sit in a car idling in a line-up, burning race fuel for nothing etc.

5.  If there are too few cars at the start line, then you run the risk of delaying the event.  We do not want to be waiting for cars to come up from grid.

6.  2-drivers cars should have their own special location separate from the single driver cars.  Ideally the 2-driver cars run 1st in a heat.  Their 2nd driver should be running roughly 1/2 way through the single driver cars.  e.g. If there are 4 - 2-driver cars and 20 single-driver cars, then the 2-drivers run first followed by 10 single driver cars.  Then you insert the 2nd drivers of the 2-driver cars followed by the remainder of the single driver cars.  At that time you are back at the top of the run order. 

7.  Also if you have a helper, you can send them 5 cars ahead to tell people to be ready to run ... e.g. give them an alert/head's up that their turn is coming. 

8.  The drivers should have their helmet on and harness fastened BEFORE the grid person gets to them.  Once they leave grid, they should be ready to run.  There should be no putting on of seat belts, helmets etc. at the start line!  Goes without saying the that hood should be down all the way ... or else the car shall be stopped on-course or at the start line.  A hood popped up vertical on-course is not a good thing.   

9.  Also in grid when re-fueling, there should be a separate person standing by ready with an appropriate fire extinguishers.  This is always a good idea even in the pits.

10.  If a car is unable to run due to a mechanical issue during a heat, then when the grid person gets to the car in question (e.g. moment to leave grid), the driver/owner may request a mechanical.  The mechanical lasts for 5 minutes from that point in time (there should be someone timing this).  If the car is not able to run within that 5 minutes then they lose/forfeit that run.  During the next heat the same scenario plays again.  A mechanical is issued again starting from the moment when the car should leave the grid for 5 minutes etc.

11.  Speeds should be dead slow/crawling rate in the grid and pit areas ... no burn outs, tire warming, or general squirreling around.

12.  If a car is not ready to run (e.g. driver not seated and ready to run) when the grid person comes up to the car, they will lose their run and the grid person shall move up to the next vehicle.  It is the responsibility of the driver to watch grid when running and be ready to run when his/her time comes up.  That is why there is a person giving the "5-car notice/warning".  Be ready to run.  The grid can move quickly if events are run efficiently so please be aware.

If there are other helpful pointers etc. please add to this list.   

[Tuna]

No smoking on the grid. Perhaps not even in the pits.

[FrozenMarzBar3]

No smoking on the grid. Perhaps not even in the pits.

In fact, you probably shouldn't be smoking at all
 
 
Great write up Reijo!