New Crail rules - Helmets on the strip

[Melv]

All,

Crail have brought in new rules following a death at the airfield on the "Time Attack" course.



http://www.crailraceway.co.uk/rulespart.php

[keithcdb]

When did that happen?

[Melv]

The rules - Yesterday

The death - 21st August

Crail drag strip accident

[Turbodave]

Big thread about it on Pistonheads in the Scottish section... makes for interesting reading.

[Melv]

Sure does Dave.

[Lugy]

I read about this in the paper the Monday after. I'm shocked it's actually gone on so long without something happening, the "Time Attack" thing was just a disaster waiting to happen IMO.

I remember a track day I was going to have a blast on only had medical cover from the first aid crew lmao.

[Melv]

A couple of the rules have been relaxed already.

Driver Sign On
All drivers must sign the disclaimer before going on any of the tracks

Passenger Sign On
All Passengers must sign the disclaimer before going on any of the tracks

No Under 8's Allowed
No person below the age of 8 is allowed on the track either as a passenger or a driver

Children aged 8 to 16 allowed with Parental Consent
A Disclaimer must be signed by a Parent or Guardian for any child under 16 who wishes to take part. Helmets MUST be worn by any children on track and they must be suitably restrained in the vehicle.

Seat belts MUST be worn at all times
Please ensure that you and any passenger you are carrying have a suitably adjusted seat belt on.

Helmets - 1/4 Mile Drag Strip
Helmets are compulsory on the 1/4 mile drag strip for any soft top vehicles or vehicles whose Terminal velocity is 120mph or higher. We strongly recommend that all participants use a helmet.

Helmets - Time Attack and Drift Oval
Helmets are compulsory for all drivers and passengers on the Time Attack course and the drift oval

No rear seat passenger
Under no circumstances is it permmisible to take passengers in the rear seats of any vehicle on any of the tracks.

Motorbikes/Quads/Trikes - Helmet and Leathers
All bikers must wear a suitable helmet and leathers when taking part, we also suggest a steering damper is fitted.

No Loose Items
Please ensure that all loose items within your vehicle are secured before taking to the track (i.e. Bottles, toolboxes, bags, etc.)

Obey Speed limit on the return road
the speed limit on the return road is 10mph, please ensure you obey this speed limit.

[Turbodave]

Nice to see that instead of improving the safety/supervision/facilities... instead they're just throwing all responsibility to the individuals taking part. I assume it's now a case of supply your own helmet? And I'n unsure where the 120mph terminal velocity rule came from given the chap died doing a hell of alot less than that (granted, it was on the Time Attack circuit and he'd removed his seatbelt)

[Melv]

I think the TV rule is similar to that of other 1/4 mile tracks aint it?

Tried looking on the Pod website but couldn't find the info there.

[Lugy]

So if my TV in the E30 is 119.9mph I don't need a helmet? lmao.

[Melv]

Yeah Lucas. If lmao

[Lugy]

Just you wait son, just you wait......... lmao

[Dave Dempsey]

Lets be honest, it was more a matter of 'when' something like this would happen up there rather than 'if'. Just epitomises their complete lack lustre approach to everything they do up there, some re-investment in their facilities etc. would perhaps go along to making Crail a better venue, but no doubt they will continue on with their current approach of 'the bare minimum will do'.

[Melv]

Here here Dave. It's a ****ing **** hole but what else is there for 1/4 mile? Feck all at the moment until - http://www.dragbike.com/dbnews/anmvi...sp?a=6397&z=13

[Dave Dempsey]

In fairness the stretch of road between the 2 roundabouts at the Tesco distribution centre in Livingston measures exactly 1/4 of mile, granted there's a roundabout at either end, no stopping area, no run off area & its a public road.......still a better option imo. at least there's less pot holes.

[Melv]

Basra has less pot holes but it's a bit of a trek. lmao

I believe Crail are limited in what they can do to the surface there by Historic Scotland. The surface has to be renewed with the same material as before but it's expensive, supposedly.

I don't get it though. For all the tenners at the gate plus strip, drift and time attack entry, for a year, I bet they could do a bloody good repair job and gold plate the portacabin crappers!

[Turbodave]

I believe Crail are limited in what they can do to the surface there by Historic Scotland. The surface has to be renewed with the same material as before but it's expensive, supposedly.

Rumour has it there was a grant errr... granted... but the cash was never used for said purpose or perhaps wasn't received or indeed this could be internet B.S!

But yes, you add up all the tenners and fifteen quid runs over the course of a year... that's a foof load of cash.

Would be nice to see some of it being reinvested and Crail remaining one of the better (only?) facilities north of the border.

[GaryVaux]

yes, crail need to upgrade everything from the track/strip to organisation etc, but he was a grown man, and if he chose not to wear a seatbelt, let alone helmet, shurely its his fault?

[Kerr]

Rumour has it there was a grant errr... granted... but the cash was never used for said purpose or perhaps wasn't received or indeed this could be internet B.S!

But yes, you add up all the tenners and fifteen quid runs over the course of a year... that's a foof load of cash.

Would be nice to see some of it being reinvested and Crail remaining one of the better (only?) facilities north of the border.

Does Crail really make much money?

It's been years since I was last there but most of the rwyb days were just a handful of people.

[Turbodave]

Hell yeah, they'll be making good money up there. What are their overheads... maybe 10 staff on a busy day, some fuel for their vans/quads and that's about it really. RWYB days can be a hit of miss but then you have the mag days, bike days, time attack circuit, drifting plus private bookings, photoshoot locations, property/storage facilities on site to rent out.

Fair play to them but would just be nice to see some of the profit being reinested to improve the facilities. Plus. as the old saying goes "You need to spend money to make money" so investing a few quid on better toilets, viewing, surface may generate more revenue through increased numbers coming through the gate?

In my opinion

[Connollygt30]

Good to hear,well overdue imo

[andy_gsi]

ive not been at crail for a few years but last time i was there . the place was in such disrepair i said i wouldnt go back till atleast resurfaced the 1/4 mile strip. my mate had a accident on the time attack few months back due to poor surface conditions, such a shame somebody lost there life though. investment i think is a must for crail with the money they make.

[DarrenH]

its a shame something has to happen before common sense prevails.

the first year i ever went to castle combe action day (2002 or 2003) you didnt need a helmet and could also take passengers out???

it sounds absurd now, but i distinctly remember a dihatsu charade gti with 4 occupants slamming into the tyres after camp corner.

[Deeky]

Lets be honest, it was more a matter of 'when' something like this would happen up there rather than 'if'. Just epitomises their complete lack lustre approach to everything they do up there, some re-investment in their facilities etc. would perhaps go along to making Crail a better venue, but no doubt they will continue on with their current approach of 'the bare minimum will do'.

Commentof the year spot on mate that's always been my thoughts on crail he should take a step out butchers book hes always improving knockhill every year!