2014 24 Hours Spa Francorchamps, Blancpain GT

Thanks.

In which case now I know what they are. I don't think they're mandatory.

These are the seats inside a SLS GT3:

http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ShiftSLS-GT300-09.jpg

http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ShiftSLS-GT300-10.jpg

 

Thanks for enlightening me

Quite!

 

The fireworks are quite cool

 

man, Eau Rouge is DARK at night.

old school.

 

Bet their sphincter tightens every time they go downhill towards it at night...

Scariest prospect if someone crashed just moments before it and has no working lights anymore.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Really dark. A lot of crashes in this years 24h of Spa. What's wrong??

 

Ugh, this incident fills me will anger. I said it when his Monza video surfaced - this guy must not be allowed to race because he'll cause a serious accident with injury to other drivers. Unfortunately, this happened today. I hope for everything it's worth that the other driver involved is okay and will fully recover. This should serve as a serious wake up call that there needs to be tougher restrictions on the performance of gentleman drivers, no matter the size of their wallet. How the hell did he get an FIA license?

 

agree 100%

sanctioning bodies the world over need to stop issuing racing licenses just because the check clears. there must be driving standards at this level of racing.

 

100% agree, and I too said the same when that video surfaced.

The video of his Monza actions alone should have been enough reason for the organizers to refuse him entrance into this race. IMO the drivers should have raised their voice, which I hope will happen in the future.

You need to be able to trust your fellow pilot, they have your life in their hands.


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Interesting, now that more or less all the pros are racing, people are not falling over each other at every other corner.

 

Official info from race control is that the driver of the #111 Ferrari is "stable"

 

Good news. My thoughts are with him for a speedy recovery.

Big shame the savage Russian ruined him and his team's race.

 

I agree, but it's hard to find a fair, objective and effective solution. The only obvious solution I can think of from the top of my head is a 10x% qualifying pace rule. As well as that rookies should be placed on a probation period lasting from one to a couple of seasons. In this period the penalties against them weigh heavier so to speak, with less required to be disqualified or receive other personal sanctions.

 

I hope so indeed. Not wanting to put a downer on things but Schumacher was also brought in as ''stable''. Stable is a nice word but in hospital terms it's quite an empty word.

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The Russian should be banned from any FIA sanctioned event for life, IMO. Perhaps give him a copy of mario kart in return.

 

the problem isn't just speed, it's situational awareness and experience in traffic (so a 10x% rule alone won't help).

maybe it's minimum experience (a few seasons of Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche single make series, etc) plus some form of probationary period at higher levels.

 

Completely agree with this.

 

Tim Mullen, who had a huge shunt in his Mclaren earlier today has been released from Hospital. Good news. I thought was going to be worse.

 

But that's not entirely fair either. What if someone has the skills and the spatial awareness, but is stuck racing in series he doesn't want to race in? Obviously no one jumps into GT3 racing immediately, as to get to bronze status I think you need at least 6 races under your belt...

I think the organizers need to converse with organizers of other series the driver in question has raced in and see what their opinion is (in special cases of a driver with relatively little experience), before making an executive decision.

It'll be shame that because one or two drivers are complete idiots to then ruin it for everyone else who is capable to race without incident.

 

Precisely.

The reason why I said I don't believe any purely performance-based form of measuring will serve as avsatisfactory solution. It's the understanding of the complete picture. You can be fast, but still be a bigger danger and risk to other drivers than the slowest in the grid...

 

Peter Mann and his team are 4 laps ahead of the next Gentleman class, so WELL into the class lead!

 

fingers crossed for Peter

 

I wish everything go well for him.

 

Go go go! Peter is a great guy, hope his car takes this one home.

 

Rene Rast just took the lead...in the rain (?)

anything important happen overnight?

I see still no updates on Marcus Mahy....

 

Been watching it live - great being able to switch between race, in car, live timing just at the top of the screen about 2 hrs left Audi-BMW-Audi Carol

 

The R8 in 2nd has the no. 77 BMW in sight. 1:25 to go!

Hi Carol!