Hampton Downs: is there an issue?

[FROSTY:Me]

Folks i'm trying to phrase this in a diplomatic way so please don't take this as deliberately inflamatory.
I saw a rather nasty car race crash at Hampton Downs on TV last night. It was at the point in the track Ive asked questions about before now.
A mini went head on into the end of a concrete track barrier that looked to be almost trackside. It was at such an angle that it was a head on impact.
it was a very big impact. I have no doubt if it was a bike the concequences would be severe.
Having only stood trackside a couple of times recently I dont feel qualified to propperly comment but If it is an issue I think NOW is the time to address it before the track is completed.

[discodan]

I saw that too and it loked pretty serious. Funny how the 3 news just saw it in an entertaining light and didn't even state if the drivers were ok!

Concrete walls are never desireable but that one was on the inside of the turn and hopefully not much risk to riders. Also, Manfeild has the pitlane wall on the outside of the last turn, which I have personally had to avoid by riding into pitlane after running wide on the last turn. So, if you are happy to ride at Manfeild then you can't complain too much.

Still, it's a bit worrying that a brand new circuit has had such a horrific looking accident already.

[Devil]

I'm only guessing where you're talking about and yes, it is the inside of a turn and no-where near the line a bike would be on (even racing).
Not ideal, but still not as bad as puke (hill), Taupo (coming onto front straight), manfield (onto front straight again).

[FROSTY:Me]

I'm only guessing where you're talking about and yes, it is the inside of a turn and no-where near the line a bike would be on (even racing).
Not ideal, but still not as bad as puke (hill), Taupo (coming onto front straight), manfield (onto front straight again).

mate Have a look at the TV3 news clip. it looked to me to be the exit of T7 entering the back straight and on the OUTside of a corner.

[Deano]

It looked to me like it was on the inside of the gentle curve onto a straight.

Same as Taupo and Manfeild. A wall has to start somewhere. The only was to avoid it is to have a continuous wall around the track which is not practical is it ?

The top SBK/GP tracks have a continuous wall don't they ?

[FROSTY:Me]

It looked to me like it was on the inside of the gentle curve onto a straight.

Same as Taupo and Manfeild. A wall has to start somewhere. The only was to avoid it is to have a continuous wall around the track which is not practical is it ?

The top SBK/GP tracks have a continuous wall don't they ?

Hey you may be right --to me it looked like the exit to a corner with a hill behind. I'm MORE than happy to be proven wrong.
Its just that being a not yet complete track, If there is an issue that could be resolved easilly by reangling what looks to be concrete motorway median--Ie shiftable
Isn't it better to deal with it before someone gets hurt?

[Devil]

mate Have a look at the TV3 news clip. it looked to me to be the exit of T7 entering the back straight and on the OUTside of a corner.

Got link?.......

[steveyb]

I have to agree that there are some design issues and also that TV3 did just make light of it, so I am assuming that the drivers were OK. If they were not they would have been all over it as a dangerous new track!

The crash was indeed on the inside of the corner, the exit of the last turn just after the first kink, THe issue was that the Mini got squeezed onto the grass and maintained its line across the grass causing the other white car to catch it and they both then spun out and slammed into the end of the wall which is an almost square end rather than an angle or curve.

I don't think that there would be too many issues with bikes at that particular place as bikes will not take to the grass to maintain position as that Mini appeared to.

But there is a much more serious danger point further along the straight at the paddock entrance. I saw cars being squeezed, as they come over the brow of the hill and around the second kink, towards the pit entrance which has a square wall 'protected' by a tyre wall, which looks pretty solid to me.

I can see serious issues here if a group of bikes come over the brow and start to squeeze towards the pit wall.

Why the pit entrance cannot start at the entry or exit of the last turn is beyond me. What is wrong with having a long pit entrance road? Make it like Philip Island, the pit entry there is pretty long and really safe.

I am concerned.

Steve

[Quasievil]

I went to the Car Race meeting and from what I hear there are issues with what drivers are saying, Ive been to a bike trackday and heard the same.

I havent ridden it yet but frankly Im not that impressed with many aspects of it

bit disapointing given the hoo haa about the new track

[scrivy]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129345710 My thougths on HD ages ago.

If someone was to hit that wall and bounce back into the oncoming competitors doing 200kms+...... or a sidecar passenger lying on the track unconscious..... marshalls would not be able to let following competitors know in time.....

I shudder to think what would happen to bike racing at the track after that......

For a new track, my opinion is it is not intended for motorcycles.

[marioc]

Has the track been FIA certified.
I recall hearing it was going to be an FIA grade 2 track which is one level down from F1 standard.

[scroter]

the pit entrance has a square wall 'protected' by a tyre wall, which looks pretty solid to me.




Steve

track 2 at taupo has a similar problem at the chicane where the track joins the back straight it has a concrete wall lined with tyres, you shouldnt be out there but if someone does a kamakaze inside you space could run out real quick.

[steveyb]

Yes indeed and it is plenty not good also.
Airfences would improve the situation, but then that costs money.
Maybe we are entering an era seen all too often in the USA where the track owners profits supercede the safety of the users of the tracks.
Don't get me wrong, I am in business and profits are important, but one must protect ones customers first, so that they keep coming back!!! Surely.

Cheers

Steve

[scrivy]

Yes indeed and it is plenty not good also.
Airfences would improve the situation, but then that costs money.
Maybe we are entering an era seen all too often in the USA where the track owners profits supercede the safety of the users of the tracks.
Don't get me wrong, I am in business and profits are important, but one must protect ones customers first, so that they keep coming back!!! Surely.

Cheers

Steve

Track owners profits.........???? Dude, Taupo is in the red for millions..........

[White trash]

A point to consider for my mind, is that until the thing's actually built, there is no way of knowing exactly how much of a hazard it may be.

For example, I'm sure that when looking at the plans for Taupo, the final turn onto the pit strait probably looks fine with the pit wall situated where it is. Untill the track has actually been completed and more inportantly RIDDEN, there is no way of knowing for certain what lines will be ideal for quick lap times and therefore where the actual danger areas may be or what the speeds will be.

Just a thought. I know fuck all about engineering or the like.