FEATURE : ON-TRACK SAFETY
The Druids car park
danger behind a barrier . But how does a driver quickly and easily identify a safe place if the car isn ’ t going to make it back to the pits ? Well , it takes a little local knowledge . The best time to look at this is on a track walk or run , something that quite a number of drivers will do if they are staying overnight at the track . You ’ ll never know the intimate detail of every track , but any knowledge acquired might just come in useful one day .
Of course , the safest place to retire is in the pitlane , but sometimes a problem is too pressing for a car to reach to the pits . We all admired the genius of Gilles Villeneuve but dragging a significantly damaged car around most of the lap is unwise . If bits are falling off or it is dropping oil , please park up as quickly and safely as you can . Further , a very slow car , even offline and covered by white flags , still represents a potential hazard . If you suspect you are dropping oil , get off the racing line and then off the track as quickly as possible .
Finally , a thought to consider if you are unfortunate enough to park your pride and joy in the gravel or against
Be cautious when leaving your car the tyre wall . When leaving the car , try and keep an eye on the cars coming towards you , albeit under yellow flags , as you are temporarily exposed to increased risk . Be guided by the marshals whenever possible .
56
OBITUARY : BRIAN PEARSON
Everyone involved in running HSCC race meetings was saddened to hear of the death of Brian Pearson on 7 January . Over many , many years , Brian gave much to the sport he loved and served his time as a marshal before stepping up to race control as a senior official . He always carried out his duties diligently and with good humour and was a very popular part of the HSCC team . He was a determined man who never let physical disability stop him doing what he loved .
Alan Jones said : “ I remember Brian as being very knowledgeable , with a mischievous sense of humour . He was a great enthusiast of the club and its drivers and stayed a member after he stood down from being Clerk of the Course .”
Fellow senior official Ken Tyrer said : “ I remember Brian from Oulton Park and Croft . He always insisted on doing the drivers ’ briefing even though at Oulton they were held on the top floor of the race control building where there was no lift . He was independent but not afraid to ask for assistance .”
Brian was involved with the first Manx Classic on the Isle of Man in 1989 and the inaugural Dubai Grand Prix of 1981 . Andy Dee-Crowne ’ s memory of Brian includes his ‘ new to circuit ’ driver briefings at Cadwell Park that reminded drivers that not even Ayrton Senna could get Cadwell right .
The Club sends sincere condolences to his family and many friends across the sport .