> From: "Bill Fuhrmann" <bfuhrman@isd.net>
> Subject: RE: Autocross Speed and Safety
>
> It is quite possible that some locations can have appropriately safe courses
> designed that exceed the letter of the rules. I haven't seen anyone answer
> the question about any detrimental effects of higher speeds would have on
> insurance availability or expense.
Here's what I was told (if somebody knows otherwise, please pass the
info along): Our ability obtain coverage, and the insurance rates we pay,
are based largely upon the perceived risk level of what we do (our loss
ratio and incident history are relevant too). Fundamental to this is
the definition of our sport (Solo II) which lies within our rule book,
including the statement that its risks do not significantly exceed those
found in normal _legal_ driving on the street, and the constraints under
which it operates, including such things as distances to non-participant
areas and top speeds.
While it may be technically correct to say that it is "safe" to run a
90MPH course, that course does violate our rules, and in the perception
of those who determine our risk level it is quite simply out-of-bounds.
In a litigation situation, we could be in serious trouble if it can be
shown that we did not follow our own rules.
The rates and constraints of Solo Trials are indicative of what is
necessary to obtain coverage for a type of event which is defined
as allowing higher speeds. If you want to legitimatize higher-speed
Solo events, expect higher insurance fees and more stringent safety
requirements.
It is fairly simple to project the top speed of (for example) an FS
Camaro out of a 30 MPH turn onto a 500-foot straight, using data
found in typical car magazines. Course designers should be aware
of the relationships between element dimensions and velocity.
Bottom line for me is, if you don't like what our sport is defined
to be, please go find something else to do where you'll be happier,
and don't screw it up for the rest of us. It's about control,
precision, and skill at the car's limits, not velocity.
KCB
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