TH 2009- anybody get the BIG penalties?

I was walking the pits when a car came in and the driver jumped out as though he was on fire, their "fueling rig" (a large plastic jug with a hand pump) was inserted in the tank and they started pumping the fuel, the rig moved a bit and the hose popped out of the fuel neck and fuel flew everywhere!!.  They had a sweet pit position too; right by track entry in plain view of more than one yellow shirted offical.  A LOT of fuel poured out (with no catch pan either) and they continued to fuel with not a blink or a second look from anyone. The new driver got in and off they went.  Their pit stops were fast, you can tell they put a lot of thought into them.  They didn't get a penalty because they finished in the top 10.  I guess you just can't see all violations, some go unseen when you have 150+ cars pitting and fueling all at different times and locations in the pits.

I didn't hear of one penalty for crossing the white line.  Actually I didn't see too many violate that rule when I was in the observation tower, though Tommy Kendall, oops "Fomfor", would claim otherwise.

At Buttonwillow we got busted pretty good - We had a catch can, two guys in full suits etc BUT the second guy was just standing there and not holding the fire extinguisher in his hands. Unfortunately for us one of the safety trucks cruised by right then and busted us. Our penalty took us over an hour and was pretty expensive too (had to add a second muffler to our alfa romeo because they didn't like how it sounded).

Trekkor,
We were hanging around the penalty box on Saturday afternoon (as spectators) when one team came in for its 5th penalty.  The Judges told them to go park the car because they were done.  I don't know if they let them back out on Sunday or not.

Let me be really clear about this before I make my related comments: I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH JONNY OR JAY'S RULING ON MY FUELLING MISHAP. I wish to clear up my side of the story and what Jay and the Supreme Court say is final and from here on out is solely my opinion a Dai Hard's Team Captain and is not to be alluded to as truth, which is completely under the realm of the Lemons Chief Perp and his Supreme Court.

this is a recollection based on my experience as well as photographic evidence
We followed 100% of the fueling protocols, including spill mitigation using supplied containment booms, drip tray and all the safety rules were applied with total adherence. We did spill an undetermined amount of fuell <.25 Gallons as the 5 Gal in the can was indicated by the fuel gauge, and hence not on the ground. The suited driver filling the car had stood in the drip tray whilst filling, and since was on the low side for whatever reason, dripped fuel onto his shoes. There was little 'chuckleheadery" as Jay puts it, and Jonny's question posed to an ill-informed team member involved with fueling (did not know the details and hence replied with a "no" answer when probed by Jonny about spillage) being taken as a incendiary (lol) attitude when cross referenced with my explanation while at the fueling site. The whole team reported to the penalty box, and took the stance that the fuel spill (there was one) was minor and mitigated, and received responses that stunned and surprised me, even prepared for getting quite yelled as I know the severity of spillage and the probationary nature of the paddock-based fueling. I was advised that the rain was gone and henceforth all standing water was absent under the canopy (it was not, refer figure 1) and that all standing liquid was my rendition of the Exxon Valdez. I decided that the overriding desire to not challenge meant me lying about what I personally saw, and that certainly backfired and we were out.

I was advised by kind-hearted souls (that I'll neglect to mention but I owe you all one) to re-engage Jay in conversation about re-entering the race. We had a heart-to-heart and we were back in. I really appreciate that I was able to re-enter, and I'd only like to show that there are 2 sides to every story, and nobody doubts this was a happy ending for all!

fig 1. Shortly before our first (and nearly last fueling), showing the extent of standing water present at the time, and our drip-pan.

Note: I hope this is not taken as an insult or undermining the effiacy or jurisprudence of the Lemons Court, but I'd prefer to have my evidence known before being villified.

Note2: I cannot do anything but accept blame for using insufficient containers and questionable filling methods, but in no times was anything regarding protocol violated.

I hear the Capri guys were party poopers Jonny, whats your take on that?

x2.  I actually triggered my wipers because of the amount of fuel coming out of the black #45 Isuzu.  It was literally spraying all over the place; I passed it and was glad I never saw it again during my stint. 

-----Matt-----

I remember seeing this.
Maybe it's on our in-car video.

I'll have to watch again.

KT