Gravel Trap

[n_anirudh]

Well, I did search for this topic on the forums, but none existed on its own. I would like to discuss about safety and the distance of the gravel trap between the race track and the barriers.

We did see some drivers drive through gravel traps in previous GP's, Karun Chandhok in N'ring 2011. What would be the preferred incline to actually "beach" a car? Would they have ridges in them to stop the car??

This is turn 3 at Albert Park this year, where the gravel trap slopes downwards, but this is usually not the case.



Thanks

[beelsebob]

When gravel traps were used commonly it was indeed common for them to be ridged to try to get the car to dig in a little. They also more commonly than not sloped upwards slightly. These days the topic seems a little irrelevant – traps are only used where there's no other option due to small space.

[Richard]

Gravel fell out of favour because cars at very high speed can skim over them, like skimming stones on the sea.

However I prefer gravel because it punishes a driver who makes a mistake. Getting out takes some time (if at all) and they often damage the car in the process. It was nice to see them in Germany

[mep]

I think a race track with gravel traps and grass looks much more appealing than a huge areas covered with tarmac. The tracks seem to have a natural flow trough nature.

Also curbs, grass and gravel creates a clear limitation of the usable race track. The driver can decide himself if he can afford to go over the limit. These days we need judges and annoying punishments to decide if a driver got an advantage.

[n_anirudh]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXATY3LX8ig[/youtube]

From testing this yeah...clearly the gravel trap slowed the car down,,,but once in it, the driver was able to wade thru it to rejoin the track...

would this distance be close to ideal? preventing a DNF for the team but more importantly saving the car n driver