The Safety Car intervention at Zwartkops Raceway
Safety car was originally introduced in the NASCAR and INDYCAR Series in the late 1960s. Le Mans came later then F1 in the eighties. There are many positive reasons, and with justification, to call for a safety car intervention. However, it has become a significant disrupter in the dynamics of motor racing. F1 has recognised this and has tried to minimise “safety car” through using “virtual safety car”. All the main categories above, including endurance and even Goodwood with their one-hour events have SC interventions. They can afford to do so, as they have time on their side.
When it comes to sprint racing with 20 minutes per event, there is quite simply no time for a SC. The event is over in a very short space of time. How on earth did we conceive SC with sprint events. It was fine in the beginning, but now has reached ridiculous proportions and is managed, with respect, by those who have very little idea and respect for promotors, sponsors and above all, the paying public.
The way forward
We are always under time restraint. Spectators of the modern generation are ipad/mobile “verskrik” so the gate is minimal. Therefore, we have to run events with 180/200 entries. Our entry fees are too low for what is demanded from us as a facility. But real cost entry fees will force out many participative and aspirant competitors. Yet at the same time we must have a product which enjoys high public interest.
25 years ago I built Zwartkops, incorporating 8 escape gates, to allow races to be run with a minimum of time wasting when cars have to be cleared from the circuit. These are not used. After every race, cars are towed back to the pits. This consumes time.
Then the issue of “double yellows” – to which there has been a great aversion for 24 years. Do what you like, but this process is avoided. “ SC standby – SC go.” Just who wants to pay good money to see a parade?
Back to the future
- No SC in the future
- Double yellows with green flag on exit
- Virtual for that portion under double yellows – 60%-80% of speed
- When excessive oil or “Force Majeure” red flag
- As with NASCAR, a 3-lap extension may be considered. No race to end under safety car.
And that’s it.
Trying to manage SC interventions in a 20-minute event is, quite frankly, pointless.
Peter Du Toit
Zwartkops Raceway Management
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