robh
Race Winner
Posts: 526
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Post by robh on Jun 3, 2018 14:54:10 GMT -5
there is ample evidence against using guest pace car drivers. I'm glad no one was hurt.
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Post by indycals on Jun 3, 2018 16:07:55 GMT -5
I wouldn't say nobody was hurt - that was a serious impact. He may feel fine, but there could be serious damage that could manifest years from now.
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Post by indy on Jun 3, 2018 18:04:42 GMT -5
Easy to do there in that car at that point of the track. Probably hot dogging it somewhat.
Hopefully, IndyCar officials will start limiting who can drive cars in front of the field. Let’s not let this happen again, very bad!!
I was nervous at Indy with the gymnast and basketball players running pace cars so this is not a new concern for me.
Jordan
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Post by alterrenner on Jun 3, 2018 18:15:10 GMT -5
As I recall, Mark Ruess has an FIA and an IMSA license, and did a lot of GM's test driving. He's in charge of safety now, so I guess he should be very happy he walked away!
--Frank
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Post by speedracer on Jun 3, 2018 21:29:38 GMT -5
I too am glad no one was hurt. This was not the first accident caused by "the bump". I have driven the course (years ago) at speed and have witnessed many crashes in trans am, indy lights, as well as CART events. I'm not sure if this one could be driver error or not, but whatever the cause, it didn't look good. my 2 cents. P.S. same part of the track, trans am 1993 (I think)  |
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robh
Race Winner
Posts: 526
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Post by robh on Jun 4, 2018 9:23:07 GMT -5
Well, to be fair, the driver is certified to drive high performance vehicles, has driven the pace car at the race for years, and is the head of GM's product development so it sounds like he had the requisite skill, experience, and knowledge to safely drive the pace car. Furthermore, being a professional driver is no guarantee against crashes as both Arie Luyendyk and Johnny Rutherford have wrecked pace cars in the past. So unless the car broke (and I'm sure GM will never admit that)it looks like a case of simple human error. Maybe it is time to look at using autonomous vehicles for pace cars.
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Post by indycals on Jun 4, 2018 11:29:44 GMT -5
Will Power commented that's a very difficult part of the track.
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Post by harveythedog2 on Jun 4, 2018 11:35:38 GMT -5
He accelerated on a turn over "the bump" and it caught him out. I am sure the Vette gets up and goes when commanded too.
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Post by SteveK51 on Jun 4, 2018 12:05:29 GMT -5
Better drivers than him have crashed there over the years, including then future champions Da Matta and Newgarden.
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AJ
Podium Finisher
I live in a world of bright reds, oranges, and yellows!
Posts: 362
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Post by AJ on Jun 5, 2018 9:34:53 GMT -5
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Post by speedracer on Jun 5, 2018 16:35:57 GMT -5
I was working on the CART safety team for this one...what a mess.....carbon fiber everywhere!
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Post by indy on Jun 5, 2018 21:21:07 GMT -5
Good article n Racer about it. An interesting tidbit that Marshall Pruitt Podcast brought up, too, is “Reuss holds an FIA Class C racing license and GM’s highest performance driving certification”
Jordan
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Post by flashman on Jun 6, 2018 12:03:12 GMT -5
At the start of the 1971 Indy 500, the pace car failed to stop by the end of the pit lane, and crashed into a whole stand of press/photographers, knocking it completely down and causing a number of injuries.
I read somewhere that this was not included in any official IMS films/photos, but several films of this can be found in YouTube:
Cameron |
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