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| In the time it takes to do up a shoelace a grand prix can be won or lost. by Kevin Eason. SEVEN crucial seconds in Formula One pitstops can make all the difference. It is essential that every team member knows precisely what to do, when to do it . . . and then does it at maximum speed. The Jordan team decides on the strategy for Damon Hill and Heinz-Harald Frentzen before the race, depending on tyre wear and fuel consumption. But Jim Vale, the team manager, in concert with Eddie Jordan, the team chief, needs to be quick to recognise changes that could affect the pitstop timings: for example, a change in the weather from dry to wet, or a mechanical problem with the car. Then everything changes, the pitstop strategy is likely to be torn up - and the team starts again. Pitstops can also help drivers overtake. Being held up by a car of similar performance can be irritating and the team may decide to bring in one of its cars to get clear of the hold-up. A clear track on rejoining the race then allows the driver to make up time. Pitting while the safety car is out can also allow the Jordans to take on fuel and fresh tyres, rejoin the race but close up on cars which were ahead. All this makes those few seconds in the pits vital. On the left is the countdown to a good pit stop. Who does what in the pit lane. Pit crews are among the hardest working men in sport, responsible for getting the team to the race track and ensuring that the cars work. At Jordan, Ian Marchant, Gerrad O'Reilly, Ged Rob, David Coates, Paul Pinney and Warwick Pugh share driving the giant transporters loaded with cars and spare parts. Andy Stevenson and Nick Burrows are responsible for the nuts and bolts of the cars before exchanging garage overalls for flameproof suits to become wheel gun operators. Ian Mitchell spends working days maintaining the elaborate gearbox of the Jordan 199 but switches to operating the rear jack during race stops. Even Tim Edwards, the chief mechanic, responsible for ensuring the twin Jordans are in top mechanical shape, takes part as the front jack operator. Practice makes perfect and the pit crew, under the overall control of team manager Tim Vale, turns out on Thursday afternoon and pre-race on Sunday morning for about 15 sessions to perfect a routine that looks, with their yellow suits, like a swarm of hornets around a honeypot. Jim Vale, Team manager - Car control Tim Edwards, Chief mechanic - Front jack Andy Stevenson, Mechanic - Wheel gun Nick Burrows, Mechanic - wheel gun |
| How the drama unfolds in the pit lane | |
|---|---|
| The Lead up | |
| -1.5 laps | Jim Vale, Jordan's team manager, signals Damon Hill to come in next lap. Pit crew emerge and prepare four fresh tyres and refuelling rig. |
| -1 lap | As Hill passes pits, board held out with instruction to come in. Radio instruction "Box, Damon, box" relayed. Hill acknowledges and reports malfunctions or problems with car, so crew is ready for repairs. |
| -45 secs | Jim Vale starts countdown so team is ready and in position. |
| -30 secs | Tyre covers, which heat tyres to ensure maximum grip, removed. |
| -25 secs | Hill reminded on radio to come in. |
| -7.0 secs | Hill warned "Speed limit" to remind him to hit rev limiter button to keep speed in pitlane to legal maximum. Radio message to team: "Damon is in". |
| 0.0 secs | Signal board guides Hill to pit location while Hill aims his Jordan precisely at the pit box. Lollipop signal board in front of Hill signals to engage neutral gear. |
| The Pitstop. | |
| 0.0 sec | Jacks raise the car while air-powered wheel guns spin off the wheel nuts. |
| 1.5 secs | Fuel hose connected, red light shows fuel is flowing into the car's tank. |
| 2.0 secs | Wheels off. |
| 3.5 secs | New wheels and tyres on. |
| 4.0 secs | Wheel nuts on, guns removed and wheelmen raise hands to show task complete. |
| 5.0 secs | Jacks lowered and lollipop board signals Hill to engage first gear. |
| 7.0 secs | Green light on refuelling rig confirms correct fuel load on board. Hose disengaged. |
| 7.5 secs | Lollipop raised: signal for Hill to go, sticking to the rev-limited speed. |
| Pitstop over. | |
� The Times - 15th February 1999. .
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