New routines for pitstops

Pitstops are new for STCC this season. The introduction of this was a hot subject before the season start, and it still is. After the two first races, in which the pitstops have been filled with incidents, the debate has blown up even more.

The two first races were decided by pitstops. Rudholm had a big lead at Knutstorp but were quickly caught up after a extra long pitstop. In the second race at Gelleråsen, Rudholm was leading again but lost alot of time after the team forgot to remove one of the pitstop indicators.

This and much more have raised a number of angry voices that want the pitstops removed. They say that the pitstops are only there to make exciting TV and that the Swedish pitlanes are too small.

The tracks in Sweden have pitlanes far from the standard of the tracks that, for example, DTM uses. At those tracks several cars and teams can do pitstops without being close to each other. But the margins are much smaller in Sweden with the small pitlanes. Incidents have already happened – Fredrik Ekblom ran over equipment of another team while exiting the pits at Gelleråsen, which he recieved a penalty for.

– My mechanics are scared before each races, an anonymous STCC-driver said to Teknikensvarld.se.

Motor journalist PeO Kjellström from Teknikens Värld points out the dangers of the new pitstops in a recent article. He feels that the pitstops should be removed and wonders what will happen the day that a sudden rain hits a race and everyone wants to pit. The pitlanes are crowded enough during a race without any extra events. Some teams have three drivers, but only one spot for changing tyres. The traffic jam would be enormous.

The STCC organisation has put attention to this and will look over the safety routines.

– There is little experience within the teams of pitstops and we feel that there is need to put up a more detailed plan for this before the experience is there, STCC technical director Johnny Haraldsson said.

All equipment must be placed in specific positions.

– Before the Gelleråsen race there was no specific positions for the equipment and how the mechanics can move. But after the race we felt that there is need for detailed routines. It was crowded at Gelleråsen and it will be crowded at Mantorp. But if everyone follows this plan, there won’t be any problems, Haraldsson continued.

The plan for the pitstops: