July 2013 Checker - Central Florida Region SCCA

Flag Ravings
by: Sally Larson
BITS AND PIECES:.... Something interesting
happened during the last 12 hour race at Sebring. In
one of the support races, two cars had been slicing
and dicing through the pack. They navigated through
the sharp right-hander at Turn 16 and then made like
they were driving Warp 6 on the autobahn en route to
Turn 17. Midway, they made one tap too many,
causing both to spin, one drivers' right into the tire wall
and the other, off drivers' left into the boonies. The
competition had been hot and heavy and both were in
the red mist zone.
The driver on the right looked over to see the car
across the track had visible flames. The driver ran
across the track because it was obvious the driver
was unaware of the problem. The would-be rescuer
was shouting FIRE; however, unfortunately, the other
driver spoke only Spanish and didn't understand. He
figured the first driver was upset at the track encounter
and was running toward him intending bodily harm.
He refused to get out of the car! Workers entered the
no-man's-territory, and he figured it was safe to exit
stage left.
Particularly in Pro races, we get a lot of participants
speaking different languages so be prepared. to show
the fire sign (a picture is worth a thousand words) or
prominently display the fire bottles, with a look of total
horror on your face. BTW, my sources tell me Fuego
(foo-a'-go) is fire in Spanish
FROM THE CHIEF: “The June event in Sebring went
well, though staffed at bare minimum. I think we may
have picked up at least two new workers to help our
thinning ranks.
The picnic at the Kenilworth was moved indoors to the
Banquet Room due to weather concerns, as there
was some rain falling, though not like the monsoon
that showed up on Sunday afternoon.
Now that Sebring is under the Daytona umbrella there
are some changes a'coming. Some we will notice,
some not so much. One change is the Raceway's
response to Severe Weather (Lightning) The protocol
in place is when the meter shows activity 20 miles out,
we shut down. This also involves documentation on
the part of the Event Safety Officer.
This past event, Michelle and I were comparing
meters, radar and getting info from others around the
circuit who also had meters. We knew that weather
was approaching so we were trying to move things
along as quick as possible, alas to no avail! One
minute the meter was showing activity 20 to 40 miles
out and within 2 minutes of that reading, the meter lit
up showing activity from 20 miles to severe ( right on
top of us ).....it changed that fast, and within 1 minute
of the severe warning the monsoon opened up!
Once the threat of lightning had moved out of the area,
we continued the last few groups with light rain falling
and the last group had only four cars come out to play.
Next up is the July Drivers School, the 20th & 21st.
Matt Coyne will be Flag Chief for that event”
...and, according to Jim, “the action was non stop,
especially in the Chicane during the 14 hour Chump
Car event at Daytona.” Go figure!.”
GENERAL INFO: We're well into the shake and bake
season. Hot weather (or sometimes on a day that
seems to be cloudy and cooler) Dehydration and
heat related illness can occur. Drink plenty of water
and/or diluted sports drink. Check to see what
condition your condition is in, and everyone, monitor
your corner mates.
2/2013
8
3/2013
2/2013
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July 2013