Thread: Choice of Seats

If you were going to a race would you avoid sitting in some areas because of the increased chance of accidents with car parts flying into the spectator area?

I guess we've all heard of some of those tragedies.

If it's me and some friends, it's a chance I'm willing to take, but I might avoid the "danger zones" if I've got family or anyone's kids with me.

Originally Posted by Krumar

If you were going to a race would you avoid sitting in some areas because of the increased chance of accidents with car parts flying into the spectator area?

I guess we've all heard of some of those tragedies.

Absolutely, I love the sport, but don't see any reason to put myself and the ones with me into a potentially dangerous situation.
I will seek the most spectacular areas of a track, where I can watch from a safe distance, now by spectacular I don't mean prone to crashes. What I like to see is overtaking coming into or out of a particular area and or a series of turns (ie: corkscrew) where the driver is challenged by being on the edge for several different turns, or even just a challenging single turn. In Canada my favorite spot is turn 2 at Mosport, left hand, off camber, down hill.
Luckily, while I was a the race in August 1985 I did not see Manfred Winkelhock's deadly crash in his Porsche 962, I had spoken to his co-driver that morning (Marc Surer) and when I saw Marc running towards the Medical Center, I knew it was bad, I was across from the pits when it happened and I did not go back to turn 2 until well after the accident was cleared.

When I was younger, I liked to take the challenge. I used to think that I could avoid it if any car part flies to me. But now I am getting older and I don't need that thrill anymore. I would usually choose the safer spot.

How about atop the pit box with the crew chief? That's the safest area I think. :} The whole intent of going in person is to get a view you don't see on TV, so if you're going to sit up in the grandstands where you can't see anything anyway, why not stay home?

Originally Posted by vroom

When I was younger, I liked to take the challenge. I used to think that I could avoid it if any car part flies to me.

I think we've all probably thought like that in our younger years.

Also in a crowd situation, the number of people reacting to something can become a factor and impede you from what you may be trying to do in terms of avoiding danger.

That's true. We cannot react so freely in the crowd as we can when we are sitting alone. In other occasions (not in racing events), how the crowd reacts often risks you much more than the danger itself does.

When I'm alone, I sit near the pit because I love seeing the mechanics doing their job. But when I'm with friends or family, we usually stay where the exit is near. Accidents do happen and its better to be ready when they do happen. Sometimes we bring binoculars for the young ones to have a better look at the cars.

That's a good point, Civic. I will consider to sit near the exit when going in a group. It will enable us to get rid of the crowd fast when something goes wrong with the race.

I definitely would avoid any area that I didn't think was safe if my kids were with me. If it's me getting tickets though I am going to get the best seats I can no matter what.