I think i may have a possible solution to the Adelaide turn 8 problems

[M-Kart]

I had an idea today regarding adelaide's turn 8. how about reverting to the grand prix circuit? I know its longer, and the races would only be 67 laps, not 78 (so less trips through the danger area as well), but the cars would be at a slower speed throught the turn 8 equivalent corner.

The angle that the brabham straigt meets up with the former jones straight on the old circuit is at a place closer to the 90 degree corner preceeding it than it does on the current track, so the cars will be travelling slower through the corner, thus minimising the impcat that would occur, should it even happen.

and just from looking at the map of the current track (from the clipsal 500 website, which has the old section on it as well as part of the track precinct), and it appears that the old corner is more open aswell. possibly more chances to get away with passing through there, instead of the drivers being told to go single file only, like the corner is a permanant yellow flag corner, like we have at the moment.

I cant remember if there were ever any bad incidents there during the grand prix years, either in the touring cars or F1, but i dont think there was ever as much controversy as there has been with the new turn 8.

Does anybody know why they shortened the track in the first place for the clipsal in 1999?

Have a think about it. What do you reckon?

[Mattracer]

Not sure about the rest but without Turn 8 as it is, there would be no quick corner on the circuit, just a succession of 2nd gear corners apart from the curve before the final corner which is a 4th gear section (could be 5th for some).

[M-Kart]

Well the turn 8 equivalent would still be a quick sweeper, possibly without lifting because it is so open, it just probably wouldnt be as fast or damaging as turn 8 is now

[Mattracer]

Prost ran wide in 1990 at the corner allowing Mansell an eventual advantage to attempt a lurid move on Piquet right at the end of the race (unsuccessful as it turned out) and in 1991 during the rain, Berger and Piquet looped their cars around over the kerbing. Didn't Skaife write off a GTR at that corner in 1990 too?

[M-Kart]

actually now that you mention it, i think that may have happened with skaife. in fact isnt that why he needs specialist work on his bac at the clipsal each year because the back pain causes his breaking foot to go numb. but is that the only big wall impact that was there?

[mixxer]

Which corner did Mika Hakkinen have the big hit with the wall, my memory fails me.

[Mattracer]

I think it may have been the previous corner to the one in question.

[Raglanparade]

Mika's Accident was at the corner that is suggested.

He lost it on the way into the corner, and speered head on into the tyre wall.

The problem with the old Sweeper is that - yes it was tighter - but, it was also at the crest of a hill.

the present turn 8 is flat, and thus carrys more opportunities to pass.

Also, the original turn at the grand prix had the run off barriers at right angles to the jones straight.... which meant any car heading straight off met a head on barrier... at the present turn 8... any car spearing straight ahead has a side impact with a wall..

This means there is less G-forces involved in the accident and it more beneficial to the driver

[racer69]

Brewery Bend was a great corner.

If they set it up the same way it used to be, big kerbs etc.., there shouldn't be too much trouble all up. Apart from Skaife in the Nissan in 1990, who else has had a big moment there in a Touring Car...Gary Scott in the Starion in 1987......?

[William Dale Jr]

Originally Posted by racer69

Who else has had a big moment there in a Touring Car?

Bowe had an off there in practice for the '92 event but stood on the picks and kept it well away from the barriers, and Win Percy bowled a major wide there the same year Skaife totalled the GTR. He bounced over the kerb, caught the car, kept it away from the tyres and carried on in the race. Think he might have gone on to finish second, not sure.

There were also a couple of celebrity racers that had big moments there in the wet...

[Head Rev]

Bringing the track back to the GP length would cause considerable disruption to the city and local residence. Yes, it did happen back in the 80's - 90's but that part of the city has changed and disruption would be considerable. The race organisers said yesterday that they would be leaving the track as is (why change a perfect set up) and that the present track could accommodate up to 100,000 people if required. It does cause some disruption now but it has been kept to a minimum. (mind you I don't live in the Eastern Suburbs so not affected).

With regard to turn 8, it's another corner, albeit very fast and one little mistake and you are in trouble, but obviously one that has to be respected.

[Growling Ferret]

Turn 8 is one of the few fast, exciting and somewhat dangerous corners left in Australia! Keep it as it is! It seperates the men from the boys...

[retro]

The drivers discussed Turn 8 at the press conference on Sunday - I think they all said they loved it and I think it was Lowndes offering the opinion to move the Armco back on the inside line.

Motor Racing = because Baseball,League,Union,Golf, Football, Basketball and Cricket require only 1 ball......

[peckstar]

theres a problem with turn 8, i never picked it, i like it just the way it is.

thats where i will be sitting next year

[TheMan]

T8 is the best corner in Australia. All the drivers I spoke to on the weekend agreed even Ellery, (on Sunday after his huge crash) said that it was the most awesome corner that they race on and he can`t wait until next year to go around it again.

Tander was a little more loud but still said he enjoyed it.

[Mattracer]

I don't doubt their views but The Chase would be up there somewhere wouldn't it?

[peckstar]

i guess the difference is that as you come through the chase you are looking for a brake maker, where as at turn 8 you are looking to find an inside line to make a passing move and there is still a lot more track to go.

at the same time very few people spear of at the chase, ( by the chase i assume we are talking about the right hander that they take at 280ish kmh) but they do at turn 8.

alternatly many is the car they has gone off in a seroius way at the next corner after the chase (the left hander) compared to vey few at turn 9 ( more of late brake miss the apex but stay on the black stuff or tap the tyre wall head on) ( a number of passing related incidents also)

[David Towe]

Having just driven the circuit in the "20th Year Parade" laps in my ex JPS M3 I can say I like the whole layout. If the walls were further back it would rate as one of my favourites, as it is it just rates "bl00dy good". I've never experienced the thrill that one gets from driving fast through a concrete tunnel before and hope that I get the opportunity to do it again.