Cal Club Autocross Forums

Mike Simanyi wrote:Hi everyone.
When the coolant cloud started on the car, nobody threw a red flag. When it continued, nobody threw a red flag. I wasn't in the car but I was told by one of the occupants "So that's why the course workers were running away..."

The car should have been stopped with a red flag. When it finally crossed the finish line and the occupants realized there was a problem, they pulled over. We were already scrambling for a fire extinguisher in case the worst happened.
Mike

I can only speak for the finish on Saturday. The coolant cloud was only seen on the hard left and we could tell it was from under the car and not the exhaust. By the time it was noticed, the car was through the section.
It would have been impossible for us to red flag the car.

Seeing how the Civics throw huge plumes of smoke on hard corners as well as several other cars that smoke during their runs, it's tough for course workers to know the behavior of each car. We usually have experienced radio stations including the master that can call ahead to stop cars. Maybe this should be reminded before going out on course. Positions and flags should also be done by radio before the run group starts.

Sorry about the car Mike, hope everything is fine.

Thanks,
Michael

Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:Mike: did any course workers or spectators comment on how the "coolant cloud" looked? Possibly it didn't look "that" bad from the corner workers point-of-view? i.e. some of the Civics & other cars spit clouds of smokes accelerating out of turns; & if the course was still wet @ that point, maybe that made some of the coolant spill not as noticeable.

QV, it was huge and obvious. If people are turning and running away, they *know* something is wrong. This was on Saturday when there wasn't any rain, and even if it were raining I can't imagine anyone seeing a plume of steam or smoke, then thinking "Looks good to me!"

The car is the least of our concerns. Participants' well-being is at stake, and I want all of us to remember our responsibility to minimize the likelihood of real, personal harm whenever we're working course. We were scrambling at the finish line (thanks Kim!) to find a fire extinguisher in case the worst happened.

Mike

Most people probably thought you decided to bury your FMod hate and join them...