A1GP

[garybirch]

Anyone know when we are likely to hear if we're on the list?

[Stephen Green]

I would imagine some time in March

[garybirch]

Thanks Steve.
Just had my BGP acceptance. I remember with much happiness being on post with your good self at Copse Inside last year.
Surely you can't be so unlucky as to work with me again??

[gravel_monkey]

do we know how the list is worked? i already have this booked of from work so can do everyday. absolutley loved it back in '05 and would be gutted if i couldnt go!

[mitzi dude]

does anyone know these names...... pierre delettre, steve stringwell ???
they were he top A1 guys for our round .

[roys1]

Pierre I believe is a FIA race director/ and Steve Stringwell is a steward

[FIV]

Originally Posted by Doc Hollywood

Did anybody else think that Watson was a bit over-critical of marshals responce to the Pakistan Car in Qually? Ok, it appeared that they had to come from all angles and that nobody seemed to be working the gravel trap that he landed in but I got the impression that Watson wanted them there within 20 seconds and after that He started giving out that the didn't throw a red!

Maybe it was just me though!

I was in race control directing the marshals. Our positions for response where determined by the FIA. We had to wait for the instruction from A1GP Race control before getting them to move to the car. I did not think anyone was penalised by the recovery other than Pakistan that started it. A1GP made the right calls.

[FIV]

Just to support this thread once again I was directing crash rescue. we where instructed to only use the yellow if a car was stranded. if we had to respond to a car then it was double yellow before anyone moved.
Taupo race control has complete vision of the whole circuit combined with the TV monitors for every camera there was not anything we could not see.
We had radio contact to all our marshals. If you were at the circuit you would know what I mean, safety was paramount. marshal positions where determined by the FIA, as the circuit is open some of our marshals had a small way to run. I might add the post they ran from was hit by a wheel off a support class during practice so it was the right place for them to be.

[Doc Hollywood]

Originally Posted by FIV

we where instructed to only use the yellow if a car was stranded

I've never discriminated between a car thats stranded and a car thats spun and is trying to rejoin or large debris on the racing line etc etc, as long as it warrants avoiding action or caution from other drivers then it warrants a yellow flag. Simple.

Originally Posted by FIV

Taupo race control has complete vision of the whole circuit combined with the TV monitors for every camera there was not anything we could not see.

Thats nice, it removes the need for marshals on the ground to think for themselves. We're not unfamiliar to remote control marshalling here in Ireland either.

Sorry FIV, in my oppinion RC has an important role to play when it comes to running an event, but I believe in these situations that they should ASSIST marshals on the ground by giving advice if it's asked for, what's happening here is CONTROLLING marshals which once again in my oppinion removes the ability for marshals to make a decision on the ground and will eventually lead to giving some marshals a false sense of security. I know how these camera systems work, something might seem quite safe from where the controller is sitting, however it may be very different on the ground.

[FIV]

I would agree with what you are saying about remote control.the only remote control was to tell them when to move the rest was up to them. This applied only to the A1 sessions. As the circuit is very open and exposed and the speeds very high. With the support classes our FIV respond on quad bikes (we run 3 of these)they move on their own decisions and report back to race control on arrival at the incident, they can also cross the circuit, we have 4 x 4 vehicles backing them up. FIV make the decisions on the ground and report to race control IE: debris flag, Yellow/double or red. For the A1 we had to remove the vehicles including quad bikes. Before we got the large track our track was just on a Km long with a lap times of average of 45 seconds we are used to quick decisions and response. For your info the A1 cars were 10 seconds faster than our fastest support class. I dont think we are to far removed from how you guys operate except at international level or FIA rules Hope this gives you a clearer picture.
It can only get better, keep them safe

[Stephen Green]

FIV a very warm welcome to ten-tenths and thanks for your very detailed answer to most of the questions posed.

I thought the new circuit looked good and it was nice to see NZ on the race calender. I'm glad it went well and wish you all the best for your future racing there.

[FIV]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

FIV a very warm welcome to ten-tenths and thanks for your very detailed answer to most of the questions posed.

I thought the new circuit looked good and it was nice to see NZ on the race calender. I'm glad it went well and wish you all the best for your future racing there.

It was great to be involved at the first true international and biggest event held in NZ for 50 years. I was just the voice on the radio the guys in the field were the stars on TV it could not happen without them. You will see more of Taupo at international level. Cheers