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MORE IMAGES: There was plenty going on behind the scenes and in the Pit Garages, a huge thankyou to both the Organisers and the various Teams for allowing such an open access policy throughout the weekend, top marks...
FUEL CANISTERS: There were some very strange issues related to the most common type of fuel canister in use at Oran Park, call it (Type A). The canister of plastic construction had a reasonable diameter outlet and shut off valve incorporated therein, but the inlet air relief appeared undersized which appeared to result in a partial vacuum within the canister as fuel was being dispensed. Some Teams removed a valve in the inlet air to improve fuel flow. These canisters were made of a hard opaque plastic which appeared to offer no indication of fuel content or flow, on many occasions the 'Fuel Man' actually lifted the canister, whilst holding the shut off mechanism open, clear of the fuel tank filler to 'see' if fuel was actually flowing which resulted in spilt fuel. The worst part about all this is that some Teams advised the first time they had actually tried the canisters was during the first refuel stop! Many Teams opted for the 'classic' overhead fuel canister (Type B), hence the bulk of the fuel was away from the motorcycle and the breathers on these were at high level, clearly the breathers had a diameter equal to if not greater than the delivery fuel lines. The best set ups in my opinion had the overhead breathers which ultimately terminated in a waste fuel bottle, effectively a sealed system (Type C). All overhead systems utilised see thru fuel lines to assist confirmation of fuel flow. I could not understand the use of the Type A canisters. Incredibly I was advised some time after the event that the Type A's formed part of the Race Regulations, many teams apparently went against the Race Regulations and used Type's B & C, only to be instructed nominally half way through the race to use either the Type A or basic Fuel Drums! In my opinion the safest arrangement of 'gravity fed fuel' is Type C and it should be the minimum mandatory standard in all future Endurance Events and critically Race Regulations.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: With regard to Fire Extinguishers, each Team was handed an Extinguisher which generally was placed at the pit apron. During refuelling some nominated 'Fire Extinguisher Team Members' stood immediately adjacent the 'Fuel Man' with the Extinguisher outlet pointed directly at the fuel tank filler hole. If there was a fuel fire event it is probable the ignition source would be from the motorcycle engine and in the first instance fuel vapour would ignite, I believe that event would engulf both the 'Fuel Man' and the 'Fire Extinguisher Team Member' before any Extinguisher function could be utilised. In my opinion the 'Fire Extinguisher Team Member' needs to stand at the ready, a few metres clear and approach a fuel fire event with the Extinguisher activated rather than risk being engulfed in the initial fuel fire event. You may wonder why I am going on about this, simple, I openly discussed these issues with one young lady Team Member that had been nominated as the 'Fire Extinguisher Team Member', she openly admitted she had no idea where to stand and I gained the distinct impression she had never operated a Fire Extinguisher before. Simple answers apply here, all Teams need to designate a 'Fire Extinguisher Team Member', that person needs to have at least some basic training in the operation of extinguishing a fuel fire and critically where to position themselves relative to the refuelling point.
MORE BEL-RAY SIX HOUR 2009 COVERAGE: Please continue my 'Bel-Ray Six Hour coverage' by selecting from the following pages...
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I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......
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