D1GP (FEEDBACK)

[Slapshotnerd]

the difference with something like long beach grand prix is that on race day (sunday), they close the pits early (around 10am for the 2pm race) to allow the teams to prep and strategize without spectators.

the same thing happened with D1. The pits were closed 1 hour or so before the event started. But with a shorter event, you had a shorter window to visit the pits.

[CrazyHawaiian]

At our local events (track days or full on competition event) its way laid back, pits are open to anyone at all times. People watching can walk through the pits, even ask drivers to ride shotgun while they drift depending on the event rules. I really liked this when I was watching the Japan guys, was cool to be able to get up close and watch them prep the cars. Seems to be working out great, no problems yet ....

[Slapshotnerd]

At our local events (track days or full on competition event) its way laid back, pits are open to anyone at all times. People watching can walk through the pits, even ask drivers to ride shotgun while they drift depending on the event rules. I really liked this when I was watching the Japan guys, was cool to be able to get up close and watch them prep the cars. Seems to be working out great, no problems yet ....

local events also don't have 8,000 fans and media from around the world

[akuma S14]

LOL, D1 was great! I love seeing your guys comments too. This was the most highly attended D1 in USA history. Friday ran so well and ahead of schedule that the qualifying drivers had an extra 1.5 hours of practice. Saturday actually ended on time as well.

Slapshotnerd - I agree with you 100% about the amount of "media" in the pit. Those "guys" were the reason why they had to hold the track "hot" all the time. Sorry you coudn't move locations, but when you have 10-15 cell-cams jumping from pit to corner and back again every other run it slow things down to a slow grind.

T.

[hatebbobbarker]

wtf, can anybody get a media pass? I totally agree on that, I wouldnt allow anyone in there that wasnt a profesional photographer in some way.

I wish they had opened the pits after the event at least, but whatever.

[slideways2004]

wtf, can anybody get a media pass? I totally agree on that, I wouldnt allow anyone in there that wasnt a profesional photographer in some way.

I wish they had opened the pits after the event at least, but whatever.

i coudn't go but some people just don't know about the pits. imagine you are trying to run a pro drift team, and people are a little too close to your car. little stuff like that can really irritate you. also if spectators are in pits all the drivers would have to be super careful going to the track. just imagine your trying to focus and all of a sudden someone jumps out in front of you

[Pennyman]

imagine you are trying to run a pro drift team, and people are a little too close to your car. little stuff like that can really irritate you. also if spectators are in pits all the drivers would have to be super careful going to the track. just imagine your trying to focus and all of a sudden someone jumps out in front of you

I wonder why most teams put ropes or fences around their work area? It's obviously to keep the fans out of certain areas. Damn, even caution tape would do. Problem solved.

And going to the track? It's not very hard to hear a 100db drift car rumbling toward you. Some racers even leave the horn enabled just in case. These cars are usually limited to 5 mph in the paddock anyway for safety reasons.

There really isn't a reason to bar bans from the pits. Now, ban people from the media pit? I had a better view in the grandstands anyway...

[EzekSpeed]

I personally have no problems with the pitwalk session, but leaving the pits open all day long you just run into problems. The sheer number of people just get in the way when you are trying to take tires over to get swapped or moving around to prep the car. The drivers also feel bad if they turn you away for an autograph or a picture, but all the while they are trying to give feedback to the crew chief, talk to sponsors or even get a minute to rest.

Also, at the larger tracks there is a paddock. When they allow a pitwalk at the large events, generally people don't walk into the paddock. They still stand outside of it looking in. At Irwindale, there is no such thing. You are working generally in an easy up. This allows for anyone to walk in and around your work area. Some people just don't have the common sense to know that teams need their space to get things done before the next round.

How would you like it if you worked in an office and people where constantly coming in to mill around your cubicle. I am not saying they should bar people from the pits all together. Just leave it the way it is with a designated time for pit access.

[AlexPfeiffer]

We have had many problems with things ended up missing (stolen) in the pit area. When the cars are on track, there is no reason for people to be walking around the pit area.

I personally liked the way they did it, when the cars where being worked on, the pit area was open. The drivers had time to talk to thier teams while on track about what work was needed to be done. That opened up time for the drivers to spend some time with the fans. I think that the time period should have been a little longer with the fans, then a break period, say half hour before we need to be on grid. Mainly because this is the only time period that the drivers have to get something to eat and take a break from the chaos.

[Pennyman]

The drivers had time to talk to thier teams while on track about what work was needed to be done. That opened up time for the drivers to spend some time with the fans. I think that the time period should have been a little longer with the fans, then a break period, say half hour before we need to be on grid

Sounds like a reasonable compromise.

[Double M Star]

Organizing and planning a specific time and putting a restriction on a pit walk is very efficient for the organizers and teams.

It's a good direction to be going into.

Promoting that window would create less agitation with the fans.
Even selling Pit Passes is a great idea. So long as they are point priced adequatly. Not everyone will buy a Pit Pass, most will wait for the open pit walk.

I'd pay... just to avoid the crowd.

[Mike Peters]

i really liked the fan getting into pit schedule dealy. i was done driving by this point but imho it allowed the teams to function well, and kept things from walking off. i know while we are "professional" teams we cant afford nor do we have the peopel to ahve somoene babysit the pit space at all times to keep stuff from getting stolen. schedule worked great for everyone imho, my freinds were able to get plenty of pictures and see everything in the pits before it was closed. worked great imho.

[CrazyHawaiian]

Man that sucks that people steal stuff from the pits. How shame is that ....

[craiglieberman]

We have had many problems with things ended up missing (stolen) in the pit area. When the cars are on track, there is no reason for people to be walking around the pit area.

I personally liked the way they did it, when the cars where being worked on, the pit area was open. The drivers had time to talk to thier teams while on track about what work was needed to be done. That opened up time for the drivers to spend some time with the fans. I think that the time period should have been a little longer with the fans, then a break period, say half hour before we need to be on grid. Mainly because this is the only time period that the drivers have to get something to eat and take a break from the chaos.

Wow...I would not have guessed that...tragic, but it makes sense, seeing that souvenir collectors would carry home a handful of Nomuken's hemorrhoids if they fell off is car during a run.

At many drag racing events, including the NIRA series I use to direct, the pits were open, but each racer's pit area was cordoned off.

I'll be honest...I like the pits closed and restricted. It allows an air of greater exclusivity and so long as the pits do open, albeit it briefly, for fan interaction, I think it's great. Ultimately, I think we (the Americans) must do whatever it takes to keep our Japanese visitors happy, comfortable and keen on returning.

Just to be clear, I was one of the lucky few who had a media pass so that I could take pictures. I also like the fact that D1 was pretty militant about keeping "civlians" away from the media photo locations.

Overall, I think the event was well run and it was truly the greatest possible way for me to end the year. Sorry I missed you, Alex...you were deep in a conversation when I came by.

[AlexPfeiffer]

Sorry I missed you, Alex...you were deep in a conversation when I came by.

Yeah, it seems everyone wants to talk about something now adays. We will catch up again.