Safer Racing

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Sir,

Safety is the big thing in racing nowadays and after hearing the discussion between the GPDA and the FIA, I would like to bring to your attention my disagreement with this.

I am talking about the two-by-two grids and pace-car system. As you know, every driver dreams of beating the others for pole position so he may gain confidence and status and, of course, a good start. But how many other drivers have the same dreams? I think a wider grid should be employed on all circuits, perhaps a three-by-three or four-by-four (or maybe a five-by-four layout), so the tension to surmount is eased. A two-by-two grid is too cramped and too much to strive for to even gain a good place on it. To clarify this, I have some simple examples: would it be better to roar off at high speed in a narrow file or to roar off with some margin for space or error?

And moving further from the grids: would it be safer if a driver kept .flying along a narrow track or a wide one? And would not a wide run-off area with securely installed catch nets be handier and safer than deadly Armco boarding up the sides of the track? I am not one to authorise anything but I think these questions and other similar ones should be discussed with a little more sense and logic applied. In time, somebody will have to wake up and solve all the safety problems. Then we may be able to enjoy races like the Belgium GP at Spa again.

I am a very ardent motor racing fan, particularly of the Grand Prix races, and I think the Lotus 72D (not the JPS Special) is plainly a good piece of machinery. I have no particular racing idol because I think all drivers deserve some credit and fame. And on the subject of drivers, I would like to see more pictures of drivers’ faces, because I usually see two dots behind a visor

Between my father, brother and I. we are restoring a 1923 Gwynne, 1929 Riley 9, 1933 Riley Monaco, 1953 Riley 1.1/2 and an ex-Regal 1920 Crossley.

Klemzig, S. Australia Romans Lapins (Aged 16 years)