The "Big One"

[indyracer56]

Is it inevitable one of these days?

Or is it more of a NASCAR phenomena, where it is worth the risk to cut the other guy off and cause a major wreck as you drive away?

Why does almost every NASCAR race that has racing in packs have at least one "big one", while so far we have only seen one in an Indy Car race?

What do you think?

[Maddog]

Because every driver in IRL knows that just touching at those speeds is deadly. NASCAR can get away with light touching at high speeds.

[MichaelP]

What's sad about it is that the fans love it so much and it generates so much attention for NASCAR that I really don't see them bending over backwards to prevent it. I hope to God it doesn't take someone getting killed to knock some sense into them.

[crispy]

Oh, it is going to happen. Just won't be 20 or more cars like NASCAR.

Had Raul come back up into Felipe, there would have been a big one Sunday.

Just would have been five or six cars.

[BSJracing]

Originally posted by crispy:
<STRONG>Oh, it is going to happen. Just won't be 20 or more cars like NASCAR.

Had Raul come back up into Felipe, there would have been a big one Sunday.

Just would have been five or six cars.</STRONG>

Atlanta 2001

[Ren Butler]

Originally posted by BSJracing:
<STRONG>
Atlanta 2001</STRONG>

And note that this incident was caused by someone who is no longer in the league...

[Indyknut]

Imagine Sundays race the last few laps and Sam or Al's engine laid down like Renna's did earlier which took out Gil. With all those cars backed up behind them. I don't think I have to draw a diagram for any to realize what could happen.

It could be real ugly and tragic.

[BSJracing]

Originally posted by Ren Butler:
<STRONG>

And note that this incident was caused by someone who is no longer in the league...</STRONG>

I'm aware of that, I was just stating that the "big one" wasn't just inevitable, it had already happend. Heck, Indy 66 also comes to mind



[ September 12, 2002: Message edited by: BSJracing ]

[crispy]

To say that this problem is solved now because there are better drivers is silly.

Renna and Gil touched.

That could have very easily led to a chain reaction 10 car accident.

If we want groups of 10 or more cars running closely together, then we will have a big one sooner or later. Good drivers just means it doesn't happen "often".

[Railbird]

I was at Atlanta 2001 and I was at Chicago last Sunday.

Witherhill's car faltered for what ever reason with the cars still closely packed. Big one.

Renna's car faltered with just a little more strung out field. Not so big one.

Racing in packs will always present the possibility of the big one.

That's what worry's me when I'm watching those deals. One stutter step and it doesn't matter how talented the driver is he is going to get collected.

Thrilling stuff huh?

[step33T]

We almost had a BIG ONE in the IPS race when Hampton engine started going. Thankfully it happened on the front stretch and he IMMEDIATELY jerked the car onto the apron. **** good move on his part as the cars behind him were stacked up pretty good.

[BlueStang]

Originally posted by Ren Butler:
<STRONG>And note that this incident was caused by someone who is no longer in the league...</STRONG>

I saw the Atlanta 2001 wreck, but don't remember who was "blamed" for it. Who was it? Dr. Jack?

Blue

[rrrr]

It's racing and it's dangerous. Unless you want to make 'em remote controlled then the possibility of tragedy will always be lurking. It has always been this way.

If the (insert mock concern) Big One happens it is impossible to determine if it will be more or less dangerous than one or two or three cars being involved in a crash. The safety systems of the cars will work regardless of the mechanics or numbers of an event, so accept it as a part of racing in close confines and move on.

Most people that dwell on this simply use it as a tool to denigrate the IRL.

[ September 12, 2002: Message edited by: rrrr ]

[BADGER]

Originally posted by MichaelP:
<STRONG>What's sad about it is that the fans love it so much and it generates so much attention for NASCAR that I really don't see them bending over backwards to prevent it. I hope to God it doesn't take someone getting killed to knock some sense into them.</STRONG>

Why are you making the above statement obout NASCAR when it can just as easily be referring to the IRL? It will eventually happen and we can only hope that the injuries are as minor as they were at Atlanta or as they are in most NASCAR crashes. Keep in mind that the big one in NASCAR is limited to the two races at both Daytona and Talladega. In the IRL, the potential is there at almost all the 1.5 mile cookie cutter tracks. If the IRL manages to slow next years cars as they intend, then the packs will only be bigger next year. When it happens, will it be enough for fans to say the driver was doing what he loved to do?

[jmart]

Atlanta 2001.

Cory Witherill either ran out of gas or his engine started to lay down. Dr Jack did not react quickly enough. Chain reaction started -- the big one.

jmart