I think we as course designers, safety stewards (JL, I received the Safety
Belt today!!), event organizers, and participants must always be cognizant
that stuff happens regardless of skill level, quality of car, or other
circumstances, including "stuff happens (for those that do not believe in a
god)/act of god." I was remiss at not thinking things could get dicey under
the worst case scenario where these walls were set up at Ayer. It is this
point that we must all be (more) diligent. The (insert low tech auto here)
on stickies, someone try to hang in, and some turns that could make a car
WAY too "happy," and you need to address that design layout. I am
disappointed in myself for not speaking up. Perhaps I didn't see it as I
walked it. I know it was a tough set of offsets. Here's a hindsight thought:
If the walls had a larger separation between each one, but not as large an
offset, it would have acted as a longish slalom and would have reduced the
awkward steering input required to get through it.
x x x
x x x sort of straight here x x x
x x x
x x x
--->
entered here
I hope this translates for you all. I'm sending it as plain text using
fixedsys font (I know that's a contradiction but hey, I don't write
code).
The last offset was moved towards the top (of this image) to reduce
the angle of attack. Like had hope is interpreted, that rather than
look for blame is to learn from the incident.
Matt Murray
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