Does anyone know why so many 30 second penalties we dealt out in the races yesterday for "technical infringements"?
I heard the equally vague explanation that they had "something" in pit lane that they weren't supposed to have.....
Surely better to explain the problem so that more riders don't incur the same.

Unconfirmed paddock rumour from my Dad is mobile phones in the pits.

The old chestnut/theory of mobile phones causing explosions in petrol stations, yet there has never been a record of of it ever happening?

Russ Mountford announced on twitter that it was indeed the use of a mobile phone.

Mobile phones and also in one instance an electronic cigarette.

It is clearly stated in the regs, and this year they have clamped down with more enforcement.

The problem is that pit lane is a licenced petroleum storage facility for the duration of the races, and therefore the organisers must ensure compliance with the relevant regulations.

makes sense, there have been a few fires in pit lane of recent years

(02-09-2015, 09:03 AM)simonk Wrote: makes sense, there have been a few fires in pit lane of recent years

But none of them have been caused by mobile phones.
At the end of the day, a regulation is there to be followed, but we live in an age where the mobile phone is used as a device for exchanging and gathering information. The organisers themselves use, and promote that same facility.
However, using electronic smoking items in pit lane is plain bonkers.

(02-09-2015, 11:15 AM)c iom tt Wrote: At the end of the day, a regulation is there to be followed, but we live in an age where the mobile phone is used as a device for exchanging and gathering information. The organisers themselves use, and promote that same facility.

It seems bizarre that team members in the pit cannot use a mobile phone (whilst not engaging in an actual pit stop obviously) but all spectators just a few feet further away can - and indeed are encouraged to with the free WIFI and app.

Mike is right that the regs need to be followed, so the question is should the regs be changed? Or indeed can they be changed (I don't know if there is any legal precedent which means they cannot)?

Not only mobile phones, also includes cameras. Unfortunatly one of our guys was holding his camera in his hand and it was confiscated by an official  incurring us a 30second penalty. I did hear later that it was mentioned at a briefing about items that cannot be taken or used in pit lane. Could have been a disaster for us as we were holding second place briefly before a mechanical breakdown.

AFAIK the alleged problem is the risk of the phone being dropped, the battery falling out and so causing a spark. Seems pretty unlikely but then these are litigious with someone always desperate to sue.

You could use that argument for someone dropping a TETRA radio, or indeed any ferrous object to cause a spark.
There has to be regulations, without which there would be chaos, but those rules have to be fair and sensible, otherwise the organizers run the risk of loosing respect from the people to whom the rules are enforced.

I have no problem with not having a mobile phone in the pit lane, but the schoreboard should be replaced or at least superseded with big screens thatgive all info to pit crew so we know when our man is where..  our light didn, t come on and it is frustrating and worrying when you dont know the picture.

The regulations I referred to are not the event regulations, the organisers are bound by the Petroleum Regulations, as pit lane is effectively classed as a filling station forecourt during races.

You can stand at the edge of a filling station forecourt smoking and chatting on the phone but not within the forecourt itself, it's the same situation for pit lane.

The chances of a phone causing a problem are probably remote, but even if the organisers wanted to allow them, until such time as the law is changed their hands are tied.

(01-09-2015, 01:25 PM)c iom tt Wrote: The old chestnut/theory of mobile phones causing explosions in petrol stations, yet there has never been a record of of it ever happening?

The only reason mobile phones were banned from filling station forecourts was.. the pumps were radio controlled by the consoul in the shop and if a phone went off as you were using the pump the connection between the pump and consoul was lost... Funny you can now use a mobile device at a fuel pump to pay for your fuel now...???

(02-09-2015, 07:04 PM)JEREMY 355 Wrote: The only reason mobile phones were banned from filling station forecourts was.. the pumps were radio controlled by the consoul in the shop and if a phone went off as you were using the pump the connection between the pump and consoul was lost... Funny you can now use a mobile device at a fuel pump to pay for your fuel now...???

The old mobile in a petrol station was always a crock of rubbish from a safety point of veiw, and as you have mentioned, you can pay for petrol at the pump with your mobile now.

(02-09-2015, 05:04 PM)warrior Wrote: The regulations I referred to are not the event regulations, the organisers are bound by the Petroleum Regulations, as pit lane is effectively classed as a filling station forecourt during races.

You can stand at the edge of a filling station forecourt smoking and chatting on the phone but not within the forecourt itself, it's the same situation for pit lane.

The chances of a phone causing a problem are probably remote, but even if the organisers wanted to allow them, until such time as the law is changed their hands are tied.

If they bound by the Petroleum Regulations in the pits, then they are a bit late in enforcing them. I also doult that it is either a regulation, or a law that you cant use a mobile on a Petrol forecourt, and as has been pointed out in a previous post, you can now pay for petrol at the pump using a mobile phone, and... you have been able to do so long before the organisers said you cant use them in pit lane!

(02-09-2015, 04:59 PM)canamant Wrote: I have no problem with not having a mobile phone in the pit lane, but the schoreboard should be replaced or at least superseded with big screens thatgive all info to pit crew so we know when our man is where..  our light didn, t come on and it is frustrating and worrying when you dont know the picture.

The big LED screen will come and replace the old scoreboard. The reasons they will give is A, the old board is no longer structualy safe, and B it is to remove the Scouts from being in a dangerous area.
The real reason however, is they will be able to sell advertising space during the races and practice on it, thus increasing the revenue and making it more financialy attractive to the new promotor.

jeez, a lot of hot air around here.

If the rules state no phones or vapes then that is that, no point complaining.

It's harsh on the riders incurring such a high penalty would 5 seconds not be enough or a warning the first time?. It will be a shame to see the old board go as part of the attraction for me and many others is the history and the 'old skool' ways and feel of the Iom and everyone pulling together to create the worlds best race just like the scouts getting involved folk opening up there garden or fields for spectators. The led's and all the flash F1 style boards will never be the same, I know we all have to make use of new technologies but some things should be left as is traditional and to keep the character of the yesteryear alive.

And what happens when it breaks down mid race ?