Pit stops

Sir,

Somewhat belatedly I would like to support your views expressed in the February edition regarding pit stops during racing.

I am shocked to learn of Mr. Duckworth’s views on the subject considering the number of his engines used in American racing, and therefore his knowledge of it. Pit stops are the norm rather than the exception in most American racing including the prestigious NASCAR Stock Car series and CART with Indy Type cars. If any racing follower entertains ideas of “Fred Karno” he should watch pit teams win and sometimes lose a race by the incredible efforts they make. A full tyre change and refuel in under 20 seconds is commonplace, and a fumble can lose upwards of $50,000, “for the want of a nail the battle was lost” is a truism in this racing. The crews clad in fireproof clothing, equipped with helmets and knee pads, literally hurl themselves into action, nuts are stuck to the replacement wheels ready, for the screeching air wrenches, pressure hoses fill the tanks, and built-in jacks (which can fail and recently lost a driver the Phoenix 500 CART) lift the car.

Gone are the knock-on hubs beaten with a hammer, gone are the milk churns of fuel, in its place a ballet of speed, action and efficiency of time and motion. There is nothing Fred Karno about the modern pit stop Mr. Duckworth.

Edmonton, Alberta
G. D. Pilborough