IRL races at Infineon ( crash video )

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 06:50 PM

I went out to watch.
Shot this right after the start:

Earlier, there was a race of 'Jim Russel' cars that took about 7 cars out the race.
Also first lap and in T2.

KT

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 06:52 PM

I took some pictures, too.

KT

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 07:43 PM

A friend took some shots as well.
Lots of the wreck(s).

I'll get those up in a minute...

KT

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 07:50 PM

KT

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

ha - I've spun there

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Good spot to take pictures, I like how they put the tarp under it, good thinking.

How quick did they get those cars out of there?

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 08:24 PM

KT

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 08:35 PM

They got the cars off and the track ready in just a few laps.

They had 4 wreckers on scene for the Russel incident.

KT

Stanley · 08-23-2009, 08:44 PM

I was sitting very close to where you were. I got some video of the first lap crash too, I'll post that up tomorrow. The crash and recovery during the racing school race was interesting to see too. I really liked the TV screen they had up, it made sitting at turn two much more enjoyable.

This is where I was sitting for most of the race.

trekkor · 08-23-2009, 08:53 PM

Wow! I was just one section over.

KT

Nine17 · Nine17's Garage

In my experience, Sears Point (aka Infineon) is a Mickey Mouse circuit unsuited to professional racing. The bus stop at Two makes first-lap incidents like these inevitable for fast, aggressive professionals. What's more, the blind pit-out leading right into the apex of Turn One, one of the fastest corners and with a concrete bridge abutment at track-out, is a potential killer. I'm not surprised by this first lap incident that took so many top-notch professionals out of contention. I'm just glad nobody got hurt.

widgeon13 · 08-24-2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley

I was sitting very close to where you were. I got some video of the first lap crash too, I'll post that up tomorrow. The crash and recovery during the racing school race was interesting to see too. I really liked the TV screen they had up, it made sitting at turn two much more enjoyable.

This is where I was sitting for most of the race.

Doesn't look like they get much of a crowd, my son was there as well, section 9. Wherever that is.

trekkor · 08-24-2009, 08:26 AM

Section 9 is directly across from that picture.

Definitely not as popular as NASCAR.

KT

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

looks like a nasa de.......

trekkor · 08-24-2009, 12:04 PM

KT

sammyg2 · 08-24-2009, 12:22 PM

LOL, did danica have another hissy fit when someone hit her car?

Weaver · 08-24-2009, 04:59 PM

Just got back from Sonoma at around 6am this morning so I just saw this thread. I usually don't reply to these threads but there is some stuff I want to say about the track, but first:

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg2

LOL, did danica have another hissy fit when someone hit her car?

No, she was more upset with herself. She felt like she could avoided the contact, but I don't think she could have. She struggled to find speed this weekend so her qualifying was poor, but her tyres were much more consistent than the other four cars we run, so she could have made it to possible 5th thru 9th at the end of the race. For the season we are having, thats not bad right now.

That picture of section 9 shows the Russell cars on track, so that was around 10:45 in the morning. After Indycar warm up and before the Lights race. There were alot more people in the paddock after 11am than before it. One track official was pleasantly surprised at the turn out while on the grid before the race.

I gotta agree with Nine17 on this one. I've been to Sonoma since the GTP days and I still talk to drivers who find it somewhat uncomfortable to drive fast through some sections. When I worked for Moretti's MOMO Ferrari team I remember Papis being uncomfortable with the blind rises. The corner workers did do there job during Power's accident, but the Indycar ( and all fast cars ) are coming over that rise so fast, their is very little time to react.

I hope if y'all drive the track on lapping days, PCA, or NASA events that y'all are alittle extra careful. One could really get your bell rung around there.

trekkor · 08-24-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine17

In my experience, Sears Point (aka Infineon) is a Mickey Mouse circuit unsuited to professional racing.

Sears has a forty year-plus history of pro road racing.
Out of all of the road courses available in the US, NASCAR ( say what you will about them ) chooses to run here.

It's a tough track and it's my favorite to watch and drive.

KT