FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[EwanM]

Abu Dhabi considers 'unique' start time

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 10th 2009, 11:12 GMT


Abu Dhabi is considering a 'unique' start time for its first Formula 1 race this year, track boss Philippe Gurdjian has revealed.

The Yas Marina's event is currently scheduled to begin at 3pm, but Gurdjian has hinted that race chiefs are hoping they can move it.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Gurdjian said: "At this moment, the start time is 3pm. But the final decision depends on Mr. [Bernie] Ecclestone.

"We have a certain idea of what we would like to do, but I cannot tell you today what it is! We have a very specific idea, and I hope we will be able to do it - and it will be as unique as the track."

Gurdjian also dismissed as ‘ridiculous' speculation that emerged in recent weeks suggesting Abu Dhabi's track would not be ready in time - and that Canada could fill its slot.

"I don't know who made this wrong story, but on my side it was ridiculous," he explained. "I don't understand where it came from.

"On my side, we are progressing. Aldar, the people who are building the circuit, are doing a good job.

"They are making also a good job for the island, because we are starting from an island that only had sand - no bridges, no roads, no electricity and no water. But everything will be done on time."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74388

Well I think i've just blown their entire Secret plan. It is quite simple to work out what they are going to do.
I'd bet they will move the start time to a later slot - meaning the race will start in bright sunshine, but by mid way through the race the daylight will be disappearing, so they will flick on the lighting system and run the second half of the race in darkness.



Great....

[Denthúl]

Abu Dhabi considers 'unique' start time

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 10th 2009, 11:12 GMT


Abu Dhabi is considering a 'unique' start time for its first Formula 1 race this year, track boss Philippe Gurdjian has revealed.

The Yas Marina's event is currently scheduled to begin at 3pm, but Gurdjian has hinted that race chiefs are hoping they can move it.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Gurdjian said: "At this moment, the start time is 3pm. But the final decision depends on Mr. [Bernie] Ecclestone.

"We have a certain idea of what we would like to do, but I cannot tell you today what it is! We have a very specific idea, and I hope we will be able to do it - and it will be as unique as the track."

Gurdjian also dismissed as ‘ridiculous' speculation that emerged in recent weeks suggesting Abu Dhabi's track would not be ready in time - and that Canada could fill its slot.

"I don't know who made this wrong story, but on my side it was ridiculous," he explained. "I don't understand where it came from.

"On my side, we are progressing. Aldar, the people who are building the circuit, are doing a good job.

"They are making also a good job for the island, because we are starting from an island that only had sand - no bridges, no roads, no electricity and no water. But everything will be done on time."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74388

Well I think i've just blown their entire Secret plan. It is quite simple to work out what they are going to do.
I'd bet they will move the start time to a later slot - meaning the race will start in bright sunshine, but by mid way through the race the daylight will be disappearing, so they will flick on the lighting system and run the second half of the race in darkness.



Great....

An interesting concept, but ultimately a flawed one - when the daylight disappeared and the floodlights came on, all the drivers would have to pit to change from tinted visors to clear ones. I don't think this would be a good idea - a full-daylight race would be much better.

[bud]

yeah Denthul has it right. the drivers would HAVE to swap helmets as they have different helmet set ups with different visors on. from experience swapping visors on an arai takes some time as you need a screw driver so they wouldnt pit to just swap visors.

[EwanM]

yeah Denthul has it right. the drivers would HAVE to swap helmets as they have different helmet set ups with different visors on. from experience swapping visors on an arai takes some time as you need a screw driver so they wouldnt pit to just swap visors.

Well what other Unique start time could they be considering?

[Denthúl]

yeah Denthul has it right. the drivers would HAVE to swap helmets as they have different helmet set ups with different visors on. from experience swapping visors on an arai takes some time as you need a screw driver so they wouldnt pit to just swap visors.

Changing helmet in-car would probably take a while, too. It'd make pit stops interesting, though. I wonder if Ferrari could design a flawed, automated helmet-changing system to cost Massa another championship...

[EwanM]

I suppose this announcement effectively kills off any chance of Montreal returning.

[bud]

yeah Denthul has it right. the drivers would HAVE to swap helmets as they have different helmet set ups with different visors on. from experience swapping visors on an arai takes some time as you need a screw driver so they wouldnt pit to just swap visors.

Well what other Unique start time could they be considering?

i was just thinking unless they could make tinted tear offs ontop of a clear visor and just tear off the tint once the lighting suggests so.

well it would have to be adequate for Euro TV viewers so what time zone is the Middle east? only an hour ahead or so isnt it?

[EwanM]

yeah Denthul has it right. the drivers would HAVE to swap helmets as they have different helmet set ups with different visors on. from experience swapping visors on an arai takes some time as you need a screw driver so they wouldnt pit to just swap visors.

Well what other Unique start time could they be considering?

i was just thinking unless they could make tinted tear offs ontop of a clear visor and just tear off the tint once the lighting suggests so.

well it would have to be adequate for Euro TV viewers so what time zone is the Middle east? only an hour ahead or so isnt it?

Na I agree with what you are saying, its just there really isn't any other unique times that I can think of :S

[Denthúl]

yeah Denthul has it right. the drivers would HAVE to swap helmets as they have different helmet set ups with different visors on. from experience swapping visors on an arai takes some time as you need a screw driver so they wouldnt pit to just swap visors.

Well what other Unique start time could they be considering?

i was just thinking unless they could make tinted tear offs ontop of a clear visor and just tear off the tint once the lighting suggests so.

well it would have to be adequate for Euro TV viewers so what time zone is the Middle east? only an hour ahead or so isnt it?

Na I agree with what you are saying, its just there really isn't any other unique times that I can think of :S

Maybe early morning? I don't know if that's been done elsewhere.

[bud]

7pm start time just in time for dinner in Europe.

[EwanM]

7pm start time just in time for dinner in Europe.

Like Qatar this weekend in the MotoGP.
Stolen

[MAD MAX]

This has got Bernie's fingerprints all over it.

[bud]

7pm start time just in time for dinner in Europe.

Like Qatar this weekend in the MotoGP.
Stolen

that had nothing to do with my assumption.

now let me just clear my history no mention of motogp now

[EwanM]

7pm start time just in time for dinner in Europe.

Like Qatar this weekend in the MotoGP.
Stolen

that had nothing to do with my assumption.

now let me just clear my history no mention of motogp now

I meant the Abu Dhabi people have probably stolen the Idea off Qatar.
But then again... its on this weekend.
That reminds me...

[billindenver]

Running from daylight into nighttime is hardly unique. Le Mans does it with far more cars on the track, cars running their own lights (blinding for drivers mirrors) and several vastly different species of race cars occupying the same space. 12 hours of Sebring, 24 hours of Daytona also do it...not to mention half a million SCCA, NASA, PCA, club racers running 6 hour enduro races. I assure you if we in the amateur classes can manage it, Formula One will not have to much difficulty. It is hardly unique, certainly not dangerous, fairly easily done and would be an interesting race...I hope they do it.