Questions about fueling during the race (Page 1 of 2)

I was under the impression that some races had the teams fueling at their paddock parking area and not in the hot pits at all.

KT

As noted, it varies by track. 

Often the rules are not even known prior to the drivers meeting and even than can sometimes be vague or applied differently.  Rules have never posted in writing at the 5 races I've been at (to the best of my knowledge).

First rule:  Always be safe.  Gas is serious stuff.

At NL the rule was you must fuel in the hot pit lane, max of 3 team members over the wall, all must be in full nomex, with helmet and visor, one must be holding a fire extinguisher, and the driver cannot be in the car, car must be off and no any other work being done while fueling.  Overflow spills discouraged and fuelers were expected to immediately clean up.  No catch trays for spills available.

After fueling, a driver change is done.  Jay clarified during the race that a driver only change (e.g., no fuel) was not permitted on pit lane (although a 1/2 hour earlier a Lemons staff member in HQ said it was).  There was confusion (e.g., inconsistent messages / enforcement by the safety crew) over whether cracking your helmet visor was acceptable (since fogging and thus being able to see during fueling was a serious issue).

No more than 40 gals in the paddock was written in forums but never stated during the driver's meeting to the best of my recollection.  NL had campfires all around so hauling fuel jugs around (in an unstable wagon) was dicely.  We never had a reason to fuel in the paddock (and I hope others were not!).

Similar hot pit lane rules at CMP but no rule on not having car running.  Fueling was permitted in paddock spaces (but be aware of smoking and welding, etc. concerns) at fall race but I don't think it was allowed in the spring.  Fuel spill trays were provided in pits and spills were to be dumped in catch cans.  No penalty for small spills caught in trays.  Driver only (no fuel) changes were permitted in pit lane at CMP but no other work on the car. 

No pit lane at Stafford CT.  A designated area in the pits was the only area where fueling was permitted.  Driver out of car/car off.  New driver could belt up within the fuel area after refueling occurred.

It seems like it wouldn't be to hard to build a stand on wheels so you could wheel the rig around on.  The hard part would be making sure that it won't overflow or that someone fueling the car doesn't accidentally spill gas everywhere.

Yes, but try lifting that PLUS the gravity stand over the wall.  I doubt they would have let us use a rig at NL that was behind the wall.  At least at NL, they would not allow us to keep any fuel equipment near the pits.  It had to be returned to the paddock when not fueling.

in theory simple but I know I need to idiot proof it for my team.

To get the ok you may need to idiot proof it too cause quicker to fill car also means quicker to spill all over the pits.  Not saying you guys would do that but once one team does it everyone will want to do it and someone will do it completely wrong.

We did the same thing for the exact same reason.  Even with that setup one of our drivers splashed gas on her gloves, thankfully she wore the same size as the driver she was replacing so they switched gloves quick and she was on her way.   Point being an extra set of fire proof attire is not a bad idea and as a few other people have said in the past a shop apron isnt a bad idea for the fuel man to wear to keep his suit clean.

My idea for a fuel rig would be an elevated tank behind the pit wall.
A long hose with nozzle to fit into the fill hole on the car.

Fueler, in gear, gives the signal to the 'lever man', who opens the ball valve.
Meanwhile, the fire bottle man is watching.
Any mishap and the lever man shuts it off. Safer than a dropped fuel jug.

We'd always pre-fill the tank  with 10 gallons and top never overflow the car's tank.

KT

yes

KT

So, is this * OFFICIAL*? 40 gallon limit.

KT

Man, I CANNOT wait to sink my hooks into you.

I mean, meet your acquaintance.