[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by itix

This is British safety for you. On paper it looks great, in reality, not so much.

---

The sad part is that actually all the debate around chicanes (real or virtual) has little to do with safety.

Having 1 or 2 chicanes on a fast stage can drop a bit its average speed but it doesn’t really minimize the overall risks, as chicanes lowering effect has a very limited range; besides, usually (like in the infamous Australia SS3) chicanes aren’t even placed before the most dangerous stages spots, once it’s obviously impossible to cover all of them.

Natural route risks are a part of Rallysport. Accidents can occur even in apparently safe sectors and drivers always mention that breaking their speed flow on a fast stage by using a chicane can make them loose concentration, leading to mistakes.

We can’t pollute stages with real or virtual chicanes believing that way we’ll make Rally safer. Virtual chicanes mostly seem to be a way for organizers to get cheaper insurance fees, by having lower stages average speeds; that’s not a proper reason to turn the sport into a charade.

Sébastien Loeb studying proposals of different manufacters.

https://www.autohebdo.fr/wrc/actuali...rs-199562.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rally Power

The sad part is that actually all the debate around chicanes (real or virtual) has little to do with safety.

Having 1 or 2 chicanes on a fast stage can drop a bit its average speed but it doesn’t really minimize the overall risks, as chicanes lowering effect has a very limited range; besides, usually (like in the infamous Australia SS3) chicanes aren’t even placed before the most dangerous stages spots, once it’s obviously impossible to cover all of them.

Natural route risks are a part of Rallysport. Accidents can occur even in apparently safe sectors and drivers always mention that breaking their speed flow on a fast stage by using a chicane can make them loose concentration, leading to mistakes.

We can’t pollute stages with real or virtual chicanes believing that way we’ll make Rally safer. Virtual chicanes mostly seem to be a way for organizers to get cheaper insurance fees, by having lower stages average speeds; that’s not a proper reason to turn the sport into a charade.

---

Give this man a cigar.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rally Power

Natural route risks are a part of Rallysport. Accidents can occur even in apparently safe sectors and drivers always mention that breaking their speed flow on a fast stage by using a chicane can make them loose concentration, leading to mistakes.

---

I have opposite opinion about chicanes breaking the flow on fast sections. Chicane doesn't only lower the speed at where it is, but it also breaks the flow and thus makes the following section a tad slower. In my opinion it should make drivers more concentrated, not vice versa. I have one real life example from Rally Finland: SS Äänekoski, one of the fastest in the event. In 2016 we were spectating a tightening left after a long, fast and flowing section. We saw one spectacular crash. The next year we returned to the corner. A chicaine had been added 800 meters before the difficult corner, enough distance to get back to the top speed - nothing happened that year.

Has it been written anywhere that the arrival of virtual chicanes would actually increase the number of chicanes or is that just some made up dystopia?

What's next ? Gender diversity issue in wrc ? No transgenders no pregnant male drivers, no black drivers. All the liberals in FIA should be sacked.
Safety of drivers and spectators is a priority but let's not go too far. Hay bales work .. and they are easy to place (but should have some standard rules how far from eachother etc.) Drivers do respect them and those who don't get penalties.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by able1

Hay bales work .. and they are easy to place (but should have some standard rules how far from eachother etc.) Drivers do respect them and those who don't get penalties.

---

Just thinking out aloud...

Haybales chicane:
- get (purchase) haybales, x number per needed chicane, xx(x) number per event
- mark chicanes on the route for recce
- get haybales transported to the location, hire a tractor or a truck - this all just before the event
- get personnel to marshal the haybales that they don't form danger if being hit and misplaced
- face possible problems if haybales get hit and moved while stage is live
- get rid of the haybales after the event, hire a tractor or a truck, agree how they'll be disposed

Virtual chicane:
- purchase equipment for virtual chicane and use equipment needed anyway
- mark chicanes on the route for recce, same marking goes for the event as well
- get a person to the chicane (not necessary)
- after the event, use the same equipment in the next event

Rallies don't get organized by themselves.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by able1

All the liberals in FIA should be sacked.

---

I've heard quite a few definitions for "liberal", but never imagined that it had something to do with virtual chicanes. Little did I know.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Has it been written anywhere that the arrival of virtual chicanes would actually increase the number of chicanes or is that just some made up dystopia?

---

Don’t be naif. Allowing virtual chicanes is opening a Pandora ’s Box. Like it’s been said, virtual chicanes would be easier to place than the current ones and would also allow organizers to save money on insurance fees or road repairs; that’s quite an incentive for a larger use. Besides, under the politically correct (false) pretext of improving safety, how would anyone dare to limit them?

I still think the best solution is not to have any chicanes at all, a route which doesn’t require them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AnttiL

I still think the best solution is not to have any chicanes at all, a route which doesn’t require them.

---

Wouldn’t that mean potentially losing out on some of the best stages?... at least I know I’m
asking the right man!