2008 Official Test Days

[GTRMagic]

It seems that TEGA have decided to run 2 "Official Test Days" for their teams, in February 08.

One each at Winton (12 Feb) and Queensland Raceway (14 Feb)

Press release Here

This seems to be an attempt at bringing the cars and stars to the people (although Winton should have been Sandown.. at least it is close to Melbourne) but has me wondering whether this shall form the format for testing for the balance of 2008, in official days only

It would make sense, to share the track hire cost, and maybe even time the thing... to be like F1 and compare how different drivers perform on different days

Would make for busy circuits of course, especially if the development series teams decide to show up

I wonder if there will be one of these in Sydney? I mean there are development series teams based here... and they are allegedly planning on testing at Oran Park on 12 Feb (thanks to Mr Sieders corralling the troops)

Can TEGA run 2 tests on the same day and man them appropriately??

[Pro Racer]

well i might go and make a nice holiday out of it, go see the sights of Melbourne i missed out on seeing on my last trip and go and see the V8's all day with all the changes at their first on track appearence and only for a buck or 2 (going to a good cause).

[sizzle]

Originally Posted by Pro Racer

well i might go and make a nice holiday out of it, go see the sights of Melbourne i missed out on seeing on my last trip and go and see the V8's all day with all the changes at their first on track appearence and only for a buck or 2 (going to a good cause).

Looked at a map lately Racer?

[GTRMagic]

Where will the Walden Motorsport entry be testing?

[Pro Racer]

Originally Posted by sizzle

Looked at a map lately Racer?

no but i have been there before and i missed out on doing a few things i wanted to do so this gives me the opertunity to do it well outside the city itself, should certain things permit i'll be there.

[TSR]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Where will the Walden Motorsport entry be testing?

I am guessing Winton as it is closer then QLD Raceway, but I can not see why they have to travel interstate, so possiably Oran is not out of the plan.

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by Pro Racer

well i might go and make a nice holiday out of it, go see the sights of Melbourne i missed out on seeing on my last trip and go and see the V8's all day with all the changes at their first on track appearence and only for a buck or 2 (going to a good cause).

Pro Racer you are aware that Winton is some two hours north of Melbourne up the Hume Freeway aren't you??

[Pro Racer]

yeah but my plane was to stop off at Winton for the day/night then head to Melbourne.

accomidation permiting do you guys know any good place to stay, any help appreciated?

[mayhem]

Your plane was to stop off at Winton? Uh-huh, of course...

[GTRMagic]

Plane/plan.. same difference

Its just as far to drive if you fly into the commercial airport at Albury as it is to go to Melbourne...

[mayhem]

Aahhh, now it makes (a little) sense.

[GTRMagic]

Back on topic for a moment....

... is the test day scenario as discussed in the article something that takes a day off the test days for each team?

Or is it like the Bathurst test day of years ago....?

[fomoco]

In reading the article on test days, even if you are not there it counts as a test day. Obviously trying to get all teams together for the benefit of sponsors and punters. A bit like F1. Could have some value.

Will taking pics and videos be allowed as it is a sactioned V8SC event ?

[Pro Racer]

Originally Posted by mayhem

Your plane was to stop off at Winton? Uh-huh, of course...

plan , i was thinking of driving down purely because of Winton being so far out of Melbourne and i was thinking of driving elsewhere down there and hireing a car ain't cheap.

[banksie]

Just 4 days for the year, with only 3 days available after the 'official tests'. Down from 6 this year.
How long till VESA announce the schedule for Fridays and the relaxing/trade off of practice conditions there?

At least this is a good idea and a step in the right direction.

[GTRMagic]

It is... if there are more new tyres entering the pool for testing... so less of the running on worn out/flat spotted used rubber that may have already been heatcycled several times...

[RotorFan]

HRT were considering returning to PI to test in 2008. Where does this leave them?

[PVDA]

I haven't heard or spoken to anyone at Winton about this as yet but I would assume being a public event that you probably wouldn't be allowed in Pit Lane itself (unless they set up some form of people fence to keep the crowd off the pit lane itself) for some pretty obvious safety reasons but knowing winton they will fire up the Canteen and let people wander around the complex for a look.

No doubt once VE$A & the tracks sort this out (don't be surprised if the first the tracks heard about this was via the press release) more will be revealed.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by PVDA

I haven't heard or spoken to anyone at Winton about this as yet but I would assume being a public event that you probably wouldn't be allowed in Pit Lane itself (unless they set up some form of people fence to keep the crowd off the pit lane itself) for some pretty obvious safety reasons but knowing winton they will fire up the Canteen and let people wander around the complex for a look.

No doubt once VE$A & the tracks sort this out (don't be surprised if the first the tracks heard about this was via the press release) more will be revealed.

I would imagine it would run like a pukka race meeting, and not allow people past the back of the pit garages...

[PVDA]

I reckon Winton could open up the area between Pit Lane & the track as the teams don't really need to use it and it would be a great chance to give the public real close access to see the teams at work without them getting in the way.

It would need a temporary anti people fence along the pit lane side wall as well as some bunting to keep the public from getting to close to the trackside wall and some form of supervised crossing point near Pit Exit. It could work.

[Uncle Cranker]

Originally Posted by PVDA

I reckon Winton could open up the area between Pit Lane & the track as the teams don't really need to use it and it would be a great chance to give the public real close access to see the teams at work without them getting in the way.

It would need a temporary anti people fence along the pit lane side wall as well as some bunting to keep the public from getting to close to the trackside wall and some form of supervised crossing point near Pit Exit. It could work.

PVDA, that is possibly the craziest thing I've ever heard you say ! (now that in itself is a big statement....)

Clearly your concept of risk management differs from most others ?

The danger to both crews & officials in being in the 'Schenken memorial lake' area is the same as for the public.....Except the crews & officials understand the boundaries !


If you were to erect a people proof fence, how do the mules get to the wall to hear the SORF grabbing 1st instead of 3 in the T1 braking area.......

That suggestion is akin to creating a bunted-off spectator area on the infield of milk-crate stadium in Warrnambool, because it is a great way to get people closer to the Sprintcar action.......

[PVDA]

Hey Uncle, having been to a couple of test sessions in my time you usually only find the occasional mule, or truck driver on the phone , standing at the wall and it's usually because they can not because they have to.

It's not like it's a race meeting with 30 cars on the track and with the 40km/h speed limit in pit lane it "could" be done safely.

It's only a suggestion and seeing VE$A is all about bringing the sport to the fans you never know they might take it seriously.