Track (Sebring) pull offs...how to use in race.

[Snorman]

As some may know, Sebring has a lot of breaks in the walls/barriers to facilitate pulling off track and back into the paddock. I've utilized these a number of times doing DE's for various reasons such as when I blew a RF tire off the bead in T1, lost a tire due to track debris through T5 and blew a transmission coming out of T7. If you're familiar with Sebring, it's intuitive to aim for one of these rather than sitting in traffic with a broken car. They're painted orange. In a race, when there is a failure, the failed car often sits on track for a lengthy period of time waiting for a flat tow or rollback for removal. 

 

So in the event of a mechanical failure, or running out of fuel, or losing a tire is it acceptable to exit the track through one of these breaks and enter the infield (I believe yes)? And can the crew come and get the car rather than wait for the track safety crew (again believe yes)? And if so, how is timing/scoring handled? Is a timer put on the car when it gets to the pit box? 

S. 

 

[zack_280]

Unofficial responses.

6 minutes ago, Snorman said:

So in the event of a mechanical failure, or running out of fuel, or losing a tire is it acceptable to exit the track through one of these breaks and enter the infield (I believe yes)? I'm pretty sure that's acceptable.  I've done it at Road Atlanta and at Sebring.  And can the crew come and get the car rather than wait for the track safety crew (again believe yes)? Again, I would think this would be OK, but I haven't tried it.  And if so, how is timing/scoring handled? In my experience you don't get a timer when you get towed in through the infield.  Just tell the guy at pit out you were towed in and didn't get one. Is a timer put on the car when it gets to the pit box?  No.