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#1
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No Electric/Hybrid Vehicles on Track (Summit Point) as of March 30, 2023
Summit Point has just announced that Electric/Hybrid vehicles will not be allowed on track, including DEs and Autocross or any on track including Parade/Charity laps at this time, and IMHO quite rightly. The infrastructure is not there to deal with an impact or car catching fire on track. Time spent on dousing, clean up and quarantine would likely be hours shutting down everything for a long time.
We are putting the question to other tracks that PCA Potomac go to and await responses, but so far only S.P. has restricted them (Even though they put a bunch of charging stations in) Dirk
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Safety Chair, PCA Potomac Region Retired DE Chair, PCA Potomac Region. Retired Co-Chief Instructor PCA Potomac 2008-2012 1971 914/6 (Factory) 3.2 Track car 1988 911 Targa 1986 944 Last edited by BlackTalon; 03-31-2023 at 05:50 AM. Reason: edited title for clarity |
#2
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Someone is signed up for VIR with a Tesla 3 Performance.
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Peter (not "Pete") K. 2016 Cayman S 1999 Miata ("SM") race car 2016 Toyota Highlander--tow vehicle/wife's DD 2017 VW GTI SE (DD) Gone and missed: 1992 Miata ("SSM") race car 2009 911 C2S Coupe 2004 Toyota Prius - sold to son's girlfriend 2006 Dodge Durango 2003 Acura MDX 86 Black 911 Coupe race car 86 Gold 911 Targa 82 WineRedMetallic 911 Targa |
#3
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Language of the notification from Summit for those inquiring minds (dated 3/30/23):
ATTENTION EVENT ORGANIZERS Our commitment to the safety of participants, clients, spectators, and employees at Summit Point Motorsports Park is an ongoing process. Best practices are continually scrutinized and revised. Upon review of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) document J2990 and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) document 70 and in consideration of the requirements specifically requested by event organizers we have halted the use of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles in all motorsports disciplines. This decision was not taken lightly, and we endeavor to better understand, support, and develop policies to meet industry best practices for emergency support and response requirements related to Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
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-Dictated but not read to expedite report. '16 TDI Touareg '01 325iT '95 M3 '95 C2 Coupe |
#4
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I'll be devil's advocate here.
I understand there's a concern about being able to extinguish a Li-ion battery fire. But to balance that a little bit: 1. Pure EVs have car fires at about 1/60th the frequency that ICE vehicles do (source) (admittedly, the same source says Hybrid vehicles have fires about twice as often as ICE vehicles) 2. As a society, we depend upon emergency services for protection from a lot of rare events. Nobody is putting forth a serious argument that EVs are too dangerous for public roads. So essentially we're saying that Jefferson County, WV is prepared to deal with an EV car fire right up to the gate of the Motorsport Park, but would be incapable of dealing with one inside the facility? Or to put it more absurdly, JeffCo Fire Department can handle ICE vehicle fires anywhere in the county but can only handle EV fires outside the gates of the track? It feels a little reactionary to me -- not so scientific. Guess I'll have to track my 918 somewhere else...
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1974 914 2.0 2013 Model S 60 |
#5
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Dirk's post was to inform people hybrids/ electric vehicles are no longer allowed on-track at SP as of yesterday.
It is NOT intended to spark debate, etc. And please note information/ updates are still coming in from other tracks, and there may be some aftermarket work needed to able able to drive at VIR. But for now, this is strictly info for Summit Point.
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David D. '87 Targa - 2024 is the year, beeches... |
#6
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While fire is a concern, the other issue could simply be occupants trapped in a vehicle that has had an accident. Perhaps SP doesn't have the training, or equipment, to handle those situations where learning how to discharge the battery could lead to more occupant/safety officials getting harmed before they could be rescued?
Again. Speculation as to the why.. the fact is the track had made a policy change.. no different than not allowing convertibles without full rollbars.. or other conditions (like in 15 years when they ban ICE cars on track Its THEIR track.. and their insurance premiums so its their rules.
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Dave - 1970 914-6 Past - 2000 Boxster - 1987 944 - 1987 924S - 1978 911 Euro SC - 1976 914 2.0 - 1970 914 1.7 / 2056cc |
#7
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EV fire outside the gate does not effect track operations.
EV fire on track shuts down operations for a long time. impacting many customers. SP does not have the response capacity to deal with battery fire. risk = probability x impact while EV fire probability may be low, the impact is huge....making the risk high. SP is just mitigating risk to itself, personnel on site, and the client organizations.
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Marshall ---------------- 95 M3 97 M3 |
#8
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http://vimeo.com/29896988 “Those that can make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” Voltaire. "There is grandeur in this view of life...." Darwin. The mountains are calling and I must go. “The earth has music for those who listen” Shakespeare. You Matter. (Until you multiply yourself times the speed of light squared. Then you Energy) “We’ve got lots of theories, we just don’t have the evidence’. |
#9
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Atlanta Motorsports Park seems to be equipped to handle EV's on the track. They're even hosting an EV race series.
https://www.atlantamotorsportspark.c...rformance-evs/
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1973 914 2.0 Autocross and Concours Car 1990 911 C2 Plain White Slice Street Car 1990 911 C2 #53 H Class Wunderbred Car (gone to another PCA member...but I still have visitation rights) 2005 Boxster S (wife's car) |
#10
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Quote:
Dirk
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Safety Chair, PCA Potomac Region Retired DE Chair, PCA Potomac Region. Retired Co-Chief Instructor PCA Potomac 2008-2012 1971 914/6 (Factory) 3.2 Track car 1988 911 Targa 1986 944 |
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