I'm going to display my ignorance here, so bear with me. Is the bump in turn nine actually near the termination of the turn or am I not noticing all the surface irregularities in a road car?
I've never driven the corner at serious speed in anything let alone Jeff's FC but I must have watched many thousands of cars go through there from T-9 station and the corner grandstand. This isn't a 'new' incident point but it has gotten worse over the years.
The 'hazard point' seems to start about 3/4 of the way around the corner as drivers are letting the car drift out toward the exit path and heading for the grassy edge. Suspensions are still fully loaded to the left side and under full acceleration.
"Production type" cars will hit the ripple (used to be just one bump) and seem to 'Porpoise' along as they reach the edge of the grass with some loss of stability. Sports racers, formula cars and even the Legends will hit that spot and the reaction is completely different. Because of the lateral G loads, very stiff suspenions and low ground clearance, the cars go into 'bounces' AND more importantly, because of the 'bounces' you can see the variation in lateral loading making the chassis (expecially at the rear) flex side to side (induces a wobble). That's a very unstable situation both in terms of maintaining control but also, puts huge loads on strong (but not that strong) suspension parts and brackets that are DESIGNED to break away under impact to absorb energy on sports racers and formula cars (Bob Fox.. per workers may have had something break in the rear suspension).
The back end 'kicks out' a little the drivers natural reaction is to steering correct. If they're
still in the bumps, the back end tends to get really lose, a tank slapper starts and he's in for a bad ride. Option 2, if at the wrong moment, sure as heck the left rear wheel is in the dirt and there they go around. 98% of the guys who look for too much pavement and get 2 wheels in the dirt ride it out and gently get the car back on the pavement.
Is the corner a 'hazard'? It's really a
great racing corner. But, yes something needs to be done. It's a
terrific weekend when completed without a car into the grandstand wall at that corner.
Smooth the bump and just maybe add about 18 inche wide FLAT FIA type curbing along the grass edge at the exit for about 30 or 40 feet. NOT racing surface but an additional 'cushion'. That would probably cut the incident rate by at least 80%.
I KNOW why Rod is asking the question here. I went out and walked all over T9 yesterday trying to comprehend what's going on that cost us over $100,000 of sports racers
and formula cars
last weekend. Walking it and eye balling it, you really cannot see the problem.
That's my opinion as an observer that knows nothing and is probably all wrong.
Jaremko commented on this situation:
QUOTE:
The rollers on the exit of nine and entrance to five are a real challenge to tune for. A car that is too softly sprung or damped tends to not be able to keep up with all the track is throwing at it, so stiffer was better for us.
END QUOTE:
Keep in mind, he drives on a different level then mere humans. What works for him may not work for anybody else!
LOL KEN!
That Fusion is a COOL CAR! Was the C/SR winner and looks terrific going around the track. If you don't like it, you must not have much use for Grand Am Prototypes