Racing cars are subjected to scrutineering. This covers two main areas. The first is Complying with the rules for the category the car is entered in and the second is Safety.
The first is reasonably evident. Does the car have the correct engine for the class, correct wheels/tyres and suchlike? The scrutineers can also ask to see internal engine parts, but really need a good reason for this. Sudden superiority in performance is one good reason.
Extinguisher safety pin.
Safety is, in my mind, the more important of the two. This covers the driver’s suit and helmet, shoes, gloves, etc., and also the roll cage in the car, brake system, fuel system, battery and fire extinguisher.
Now when the car is sitting in the workshop, it is most usual to isolate the fire extinguisher by inserting a safety “pin” in the trigger so that the extinguisher cannot be operated. However, before going out on the track, the pin is removed so that the extinguisher can be used. At the Bira circuit for the Nitto 3K race series, the track marshal looks into each car, as they get ready to go out, to make sure the extinguisher is primed, ready.
That’s Nitto 3K, but at the Buriram circuit for the Thailand Super Series, they did not carry out a visual examination as the cars went out to race, but carried out an inspection as the cars came in from the race. Not quite closing the door after the horse has bolted, but fairly close!
This post race inspection found two drivers who had neglected to remove the pin and they were sent to see the race stewards for them to mete out the penalty for such transgressions (which do not improve performance in any way).
The penalty given was Disqualification and sent to the rear of the grid for the next race. Quite absurd. A warning would have been sufficient. They would not have been so remiss next time!
Now, I know it is a safety issue, but speaking as a driver who has been in a fire you do not think of using your on-board extinguisher, all you think about is getting out as soon as possible. You do not think about putting the fire out from the driver’s seat.
Disqualification is a totally inappropriate penalty for leaving the safety pin in the trigger. To remove the trigger pin in a fire would have taken the drivers two seconds at most.
It has been said that with the pin removed the fire extinguisher can be started from outside the car, if the driver is incapacitated, provided the pin is out. With all the safety gear and construction of the car, it is almost unconceivable that the driver would be incapacitated to that extent.
I say again, the penalty of disqualification was far too harsh. Stewarding is a difficult task, but coming down hot and heavy does nobody any good. Rant over!
