[WRC] Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2018 (18/21-May)

[sonnybobiche]

Sorry but reducing suspension travel absolutely doesn't make the cars safer!

You must use economic reasoning (aka psychology). Reduced suspension travel -> maximum possible cornering speed reduced -> drivers reduce their entry speed -> possibility of horrific sideways accident reduced

Increased suspension travel -> maximum possible cornering speed increased -> drivers increase their entry speed -> possibility of horrific sideways accident increased

This is the problem with FIA people. They only think about things in the most superficial way. They ban something and they think the teams will react in the way they wish them to (like scolded children), rather than reacting as adults who want to win would.

This applies to supposedly intelligent people like Charlie Whiting as much as it does to Michele Mouton. They are all idiots, as far as I can tell.

[mknight]

Making the cars harder/more unpredictable to drive (reduced suspension travel) might reduce the speed at which accidents happen, but it is also likely to increase the number of accidents.

[sonnybobiche]

Making the cars harder/more unpredictable to drive (reduced suspension travel) might reduce the speed at which accidents happen, but it is also likely to increase the number of accidents.

If that were the case, we would have much fewer accidents today than we did 15-20 years ago. But we both know the opposite is the case. The more extreme and marginal you make the suspension, the more the drivers are motivated to push. At some point, they will overstep the limit. The only question is whether they are doing 50 mph sideways and maybe they can recover, or 120 mph sideways and recovery is impossible.

[jonkka]

If you don't start at the time you won't receive the points

That indeed sounds like a change (maybe someone was tactical about that in the past, eh?), have to double check.

[mknight]

If that were the case, we would have much fewer accidents today than we did 15-20 years ago.

In Group B or even group A times was every single crash could easily be fatal. That might have played some role

If you go back to early 90s suspension with bomb-proof cars of today it won't be exactly same situation.

[jonkka]

Indeed, following clause has been added to regulations since the start of the season:

Any crew which does not start the Power Stage in the given order will not be eligible to score Power Stage points as per Art. 5.3.2 of the 2018 FIA WRC Sporting Regulations. Such crew may neither detract points from other drivers.

[jparker]

Making the cars harder/more unpredictable to drive (reduced suspension travel) might reduce the speed at which accidents happen, but it is also likely to increase the number of accidents.

Isn't that more desirable?

[Rallyper]

This is Rally Portugal thread.

[jparker]

I have the feeling that Sordo lost the fight with Lappi.

[mknight]

Isn't that more desirable?

Depends on what is causing issues (fatalities/injuries).

On national/ERC levels I'd say most injuries come from hitting spectators and not from the racing crews.

R5 vs N4 comparison could be somewhat valid here. Rollcage-wise the cars should be similar in terms of safety.