Run-Off Area Alternatives

[Gatecrasher]

Quite simple, really. Grass should be the only thing right next to the track. It provides just enough traction for the drivers to maintain control while punishing offs. That's in low to mid speed corners. High speed corners and corners approached under heavy braking from high speed (hairpins at end of straights, for example) should have tarmac runoff areas simply because it does provide a level of safety for both drivers and spectators. Gravel traps are good for nobody. They end races prematurely, for no good reason.

Grass provides almost zero grip when wet. It is a good thing for safety that tracks that can afford to are removing it. Gravel may work well for cars but remember motorcyclists also utilse tracks. I can been down on tramac and grass from an off, on both you bounce a bit then slide. I would hate to think of comming off a bike into gravel.

[thearmofbarlow]

Grass provides almost zero grip when wet.

As does the track! That's a good thing though. Again, stay on the track and it won't be an issue.

It is a good thing for safety that tracks that can afford to are removing it. Gravel may work well for cars but remember motorcyclists also utilse tracks. I can been down on tramac and grass from an off, on both you bounce a bit then slide. I would hate to think of comming off a bike into gravel.

That's another one. I don't want to know what Paul Ricard's red stripes would do to leathers.

[SeijaKessen]

Quite simple, really. Grass should be the only thing right next to the track. It provides just enough traction for the drivers to maintain control while punishing offs. That's in low to mid speed corners. High speed corners and corners approached under heavy braking from high speed (hairpins at end of straights, for example) should have tarmac runoff areas simply because it does provide a level of safety for both drivers and spectators. Gravel traps are good for nobody. They end races prematurely, for no good reason.

Grass provides almost zero grip when wet. It is a good thing for safety that tracks that can afford to are removing it. Gravel may work well for cars but remember motorcyclists also utilse tracks. I can been down on tramac and grass from an off, on both you bounce a bit then slide. I would hate to think of comming off a bike into gravel.

Casey Stoner went down at the MotoGP German Grand Prix several weeks ago at the Sachsenring...he slid through the gravel trapand was fine.

[Gerhard Berger]

FIA are not a fine of gravel traps after incidents like Schumacher in Silverstone 99 and Burti in Spa 2001. At high speed the F1 cars tend to bounce over the gravel - it doesn't help slow the cars down.

[Ganxxta]

I would also like something like the Paul Ricard idea, but without the colors^^

Anyone remember Indy 2005?
There you have a solution to force higher tire degradation...

[Tim.Wright]

Id love to see the safer barrier placed right up on the edge of the track but keep the existing gravel or tarmac runoff behind it. The drivers will be less likely to use the run off if they have to drive through a wall to get there.

With this solution you have the safety of the run off but without the temptation for drivers to use the runn off as part oof the track

For very high speed and dangerous corners you could use 3-4 layers of the barrier seperated by a few meters. Like the wire catch fences of the 80s but less likely to decapitate a driver. Instead you get a gradual slow down as you hit the walls.

[N12ck]

Id love to see the safer barrier placed right up on the edge of the track but keep the existing gravel or tarmac runoff behind it. The drivers will be less likely to use the run off if they have to drive through a wall to get there.

With this solution you have the safety of the run off but without the temptation for drivers to use the runn off as part oof the track

For very high speed and dangerous corners you could use 3-4 layers of the barrier seperated by a few meters. Like the wire catch fences of the 80s but less likely to decapitate a driver. Instead you get a gradual slow down as you hit the walls.

you could use the plastic water filled barriers that are used in karting, they move pretty easily,

[Cam]

I wasn't aware that the colourful areas was a specific High Grip paint - learn something new everyday. This URL isn't an ad and I have no idea if they do the actual tracks, but it seems similar and I learnt something from reading about it.

http://www.ennistraffic.com/Products/hi ... -skid.html

[raymondu999]

Simply amazing. This has already be thought of and solved. It would allow drivers to be punished for mistakes, while preventing them from smashing their cars to bits on armco. Wonder if it is actually worth a serious look?

Yas Marina Circuit

I'm not sure the Yas Marina runoff painting is the same as Paul Ricard's, though I'm not sure

[bhall]

One and the same.

[...]

Specifics such as Tecpro safety barriers, high grip painted run-off areas and specially developed ash-felt promise excellent grip and durability for drivers

[...]

[Cam]

Here's some pics. Looks like they actually mix aggregates with epoxy resin to achieve it. So I assume varying types of aggregates to reflect wear type in different zones??

pigmented epoxy resin coated aggregates for use as part of cold curing resin systems used to provide anti-skid or high friction surfacing on highways and other paved areas. Products can be manufactured using high psv calcined bauxite for maximum skid resistance or using naturally coloured aggregates to provide maximum colour retention.

[Shrieker]

I think having grass right next to the white line is a bit problematic in turns of "asphalt health" if you know what I mean. Replace with artificial grass, problem solved.

Also there are very interesting suggestions to take the place of gravel traps here. Looking forward to more.

[NowyszRacing6]

I like the idea of having some grass and then asphalt, so you definitely can't get an advantage by going wide, but if you completely overshoot the corner then you have the asphalt. Even more though, I'd like to see some tracks with actual walls built, and they could use the SAFER barriers from nascar to absorb energy. I really like seeing cars race right up to a solid barrier instead of just going by some lines on the pavement. It'd depend on the corner/track though, since some places it would still be too dangerous to have a solid barrier. It'll be great when the fastest way around the track is exactly the same as the fastest way physically possible to get around the track

[strad]

Any runoff area should only be there for safety..you know a stuck throttle,,mechanical malfunction. Not to benefit poor or overzealous driving. Those should be punished by a runoff area that you don't just drive thru, over or around.

[raymondu999]

I think these runoff areas should be like gravel/grass in racing games - they slow the car down, and you can't really go fast in them.